What type of cover should you choose for your heat pump?
Your heat pump is installed. It heats and cools your home perfectly. But this outdoor unit – massive, metallic, often noisy in appearance – doesn’t really fit in with the tasteful décor you’ve created. Nor on your terrace. Nor on your facade. Nor in your garden.
Here’s our advice on choosing the right air-conditioning cover for your outdoor unit, your constraints and your desires.
3 technical criteria never to be overlooked
Before considering style, three technical criteria are non-negotiable. A cover that doesn’t meet them can reduce the performance of your heat pump, trigger overheating alarms, or be rejected by a condominium owner or architect.
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Respecting air flow
Accessibility for maintenance
Resistance to external conditions
How do you know which fixing you have?
- Wall mounting: the unit is suspended at least 50 cm from the floor, with a bracket screwed into the wall. The cover will be fixed to the wall, framing the unit.
- Floor mounting: the unit rests on adjustable feet or a concrete support at ground level. The cover rests on feet or is wedged in place without drilling.
How to choose the right cache size for your PAC
This is the most important step, and the one most often overlooked. A cover that’s too small won’t cover your unit. A cover that’s too large will leave unsightly gaps and unnecessarily reduce the ventilation available.
The 3 key measures
Before ordering, take a measuring tape and measure the 3 dimensions of your outdoor unit in operation:
- Height (H): from bottom of unit (or support if on anti-vibration stand) to top, including supports
- Width (L): from one side of unit to the other, including sheaths and cables
- Depth (P): from the rear face (against the wall or support) to the front face of the fan, including any offsets and hoses
Then add a 5-10 cm margin on each dimension to guarantee clearance around the unit. The table below guides you according to the type and wattage of your heat pump.
| Size | Dimensions (H × W × D) | Standard single-split heat pump | PAC bi/tri-split or large unit |
| S | 700 × 900 × 500 mm | Compact heat pump ≤ 2.5 kW | Not suitable |
| M | 850 × 1000 × 500 mm | Standard heat pump 2.5-5 kW | Lightweight bi-split heat pumps |
| L | 1000 × 1100 × 700 mm | Heat pump 5-9 kW / Light air-to-water heat pump | Standard bi-split |
| XL | 1150 × 1200 × 500 mm | Large heat pumps 9-14 kW | Bi or tri-split |
| XXL | 1650 × 1200 × 500 mm | Large air-to-water heat pumps | Tri-split or + / House heat pump |
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GLOBALU Golden Rule
Always choose the larger size if you’re on the borderline between two formats. A cover slightly larger than a unit creates a clean integration and preserves airflow. A cover that’s too small risks rubbing against the unit and clogging the grilles.
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Material and finish: why powder-coated steel is the best choice
The market for air conditioner covers offers a wide range of materials. Here’s an honest comparison.
| GLOBALU powder-coated steel | Common alternatives |
| 10-year warranty – proven UV and corrosion resistance | Plastic: deforms in 2-3 years under the heat of air discharge |
| Powder-coated paint: does not flake, does not fade under UV light | Wood: requires annual treatment, cracks when frozen, may turn green |
| 46 custom RAL colors – exactly match your facade | Raw aluminum: corrosion-resistant but industrial look, few color options |
| Made in France (Haute-Loire) – traceable supply chain and quality | Synthetic resin: lightweight but fragile to shocks and prolonged UV rays |
| Maintenance-free for the entire life of the product | Untreated galvanized steel: may rust in damp environments |
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RAL customization: the decisive argument
GLOBALU offers paint color customization from the entire RAL color chart – over 200 possible shades. This means that your cover can be painted exactly in the same color as your facade (off-white, anthracite grey, forest green, terracotta…) for totally invisible integration, or, on the contrary, in a contrasting shade to make it an assertive decorative element.
It’s also the argument that makes the difference when applying for authorization in a condominium or from an architect of French buildings in a protected area.
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The 6 GLOBALU ranges: find the style that matches your world
Beyond the technical aspect, a PAC cover is a decorative element for the exterior. GLOBALU offers 46 models in 6 aesthetic ranges, each available in all RAL colors.
| range | Spirit / Style |
| Organic | Nature, plants, living curves |
| Classic | Clean lines, timeless |
| Geometric | Graphic, contemporary, precision |
| Oriental | Arabesque, zellige, moucharabieh |
| Asian | Japanese minimalism, poetry |
| Antique | Mosaic, Mediterranean, Heritage |
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Which range for which profile?
- You love natural gardens and planted facades → Organic range (Jungle, Canopia, Lianes)
- Your home is contemporary, with straight lines, concrete or glass → Geometric range (Hexagon, Pixel, Prism)
- Classic architecture, old houses, traditional rendering → Classique range (Linearis, Ventila, Méandre)
- If you love the Mediterranean, riads and the decorative arts → Oriental or Antique range (Jali, Zelligue, Tessella)
- Japanese interior, sleek furniture, Zen garden → Asian range (Kyoto, Origami, Seigaiha)
Choosing according to your architecture: our recommendations
Detached house with garden
This is the freest configuration. The unit is often floor-mounted on the side or rear panel. There’s a choice of sizes and fastenings. Prioritize the Organic or Classic style for natural integration in a green space, or the Geometric range for modern architecture.
Apartment with balcony or terrace
The unit is generally wall-mounted, in sizes S or M. The main constraint is weight (check the load-bearing capacity of your balcony – a GLOBALU cover weighs between 8 and 22 kg, depending on size). Aesthetics are key: choose a slim, graphic model (Linearis, Perfora, Onde) to minimize visual clutter.
In condominiums: present your project with a visual simulation of the cover at the AGM. Consult our dedicated guide to condominium regulations.
Townhouse or urban façade
Discretion and architectural integration are top priorities. RAL color matching is therefore essential: choose the same shade as your façade to make the cover invisible, or opt for an openwork model such asOrigami or Jali, which catches the light and creates an assertive decorative effect.
Second home or house with swimming pool
Wet environments (seaside, swimming pool areas) require particular attention to corrosion. GLOBALU powder-coated steel is perfectly suited to these conditions. Prefer light or neutral colors, which absorb less solar heat and preserve the longevity of the finish.
