New A/C unit placement

[CJ7365]

Here in El Paso, the old standard was using old tech Swamp Coolers for cooling, the past 3-5 yrs I have noticed more A/C units going in.

My question is, some of the houses have the A/C unit on top of the house and some houses have the A/C on the ground.

I am getting ready to build a new house and wanted the pros and cons of on top or on the ground, I understand that it will be easier to service the unit on the ground, but what is the reasoning to put the A/C unit on top of the house

[RTF]

So no one steals or strips the copper out of it. If you put it up on the roof you will need to reinforce the area it is supported by.

[insparks]

Since I recently worked for the City of El Paso as a building inspector I am kind of familiar with the problem you mentioned. First if you install a unit on the roof you should be aware of the requirements for work space regarding to the slope of the roof i.e. guard rails and level platform so this will add some costs, but there is a lot of low slope roofs in El Paso so if this is the case then there is no problems. Knowing what kind of fences (rock walls) they build in El Paso you should be able to keep a ground unit some what secured. In my opinion if you want to keep the costs down a ground unit would probably be less expensive and easier to maintain.

[CJ7365]

Thanks guys for the responses, so there is no advantages so far a climate control or cost of ducting etc.

Just for security purposes

[EDJ13]

If you put the unit on the North side of the house it will perform more efficiently. Less heat from that hot Texas sun!

[Jackfre]

The unit should require fewer cleanings. On the ground you get everythung blowing into the coil.