AC nightmare next door

The owners of the brownstone next to ours that is split into 8 small rentals, plan to install 8 independent AC units in their backyard. We will likely have to endure loud noise and excessive heat while the units operate. Does anyone know if it is code compliant to install these units on a 20′-wide backyard, less than 10′ from the property line? Has anyone experienced this problem and if so, how can we and our neighbors fight it? Thanks!

1078dean

in Building Code 11 years ago

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wiley | 10 years and 11 months ago

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hey steaman – here is a bit more info – not exactly what you want – but something has changed – someone will figure out what changed sooner or later! 🙂 http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/greenbuildings/index.shtml

steam_man | 10 years and 11 months ago

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Wiley, You’re welcome! As for the link, it doesn’t mean much to me. I’d like to see the enacted version instead of the draft. Furthermore, it says condensation unit, whereas what we are talking about here are condensers. Big difference. Even thought the intent may have been condenser unit the jackass DOB inspectors will probably cite you for a condenser unit being out of place. I need to read the actual code on this issue. Thanks for the post!

wiley | 11 years ago

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steaman – here is some of the text and two links – From my reading of it, the 8′ no longer applies – Air conditioning condensation units, #accessory#, for #single – # or #t wo – family residences#, provided that such units, if located between a #street wall#, or prolongation thereof, and a #street line#, are not more than 18 inches from a #street wall#, and fully screened from the #street# by vegetation http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/greenbuildings/adopted_text_amendment.pdf http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/ddecostanzo/getting_into_the_green_zone_ne.html If you have any thoughts on the interpretation – share them and thanks for you helpful comments over the years.

arch007 | 11 years ago

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there is a decible limit in the code for equipment.

steam_man | 11 years ago

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Thanks Wiley, I’d like to be updated on that too so I can’t wait to see it. Our Mitsubishi units run at about 54 dB which is roughly the sound of a quiet conversation at about 3′ away. Sound pressure level is highly dependent on distance.

wiley | 11 years ago

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Just to chime in – I don’t believe the 8′ rule is code any longer – the new green zone amendments that were incorporated into the code in late 2012 significantly reduced that 8′ . I have the information on my work computer and will post it tomorrow.

mozeeatupu | 11 years ago

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You cannot protest noise or a nuisance that haven’t occurred yet. I very much doubt you can prevent someone from putting necessary equipment in their own backyard. Due to the new energy code, the equipment necessary for 1 unit x 8 would not be very loud, nor make it a nightmare for you, other than visually.

1078dean | 11 years ago

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Thanks Steam_Man, that is very helpful. The units are not yet installed, but I suspect they will be inexpensive. I heard there is also a noise limit requirement, some units comply, some not. Do you know anything about that?

steam_man | 11 years ago

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Code requires 8′ from the property line. What Make condensers are they? Mini-split condensers are very quiet. We install them outside customer’s bedroom windows and they don’t even know they are running. Actually most of the time you can’t tell they are running even when you are standing in front of the unit.