Direct vent too close to A/C Condenser

[Kyle Kubs]

Anyone know if there is a required min. distance from a heating appliance direct vent termination to an A/C condenser? Can't find anything in the IMC. Obviously there is a common sense min. but since this is new construction I'm looking for something a little more firm.

[Scottpat]

Any pictures?

If it is directly over the discharge of the fan, this might cause a backdraft Other than that I can't see it being a problem.

[Kyle Kubs]

Pictures are on my other computer at the moment. But the discharge from a direct vent water heater is less then two feet away from the condenser. At the least, while the water heater is running it's putting out hot air right next to the condenser that is trying to cool refrigerant. Granted, it's probably nothing more than lost efficiency and overworking the A/C system. It was also clogged solid on one side, looked like lint you would find if a dryer discharge was too close but no dryer vent in sight.

[Terence McCann]

I wouldn't be worried about the extra heat but the acidity of flue gas might have an adverse effect on the fins. The vent would have to be discharging right on the unit though.