Patent Publication Number: US-11655999-B2

Title: Environmental control unit

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Environmental control units such as HVAC or heat pump units are used in many heating and cooling applications to control the environment within a closed space. Some conventional heat pumps, for example, include a condensing heat exchanger and an evaporating heat exchanger disposed in a cabinet along with a compressor and a blower that is configured to draw air through the heat exchangers. Heating or cooling equipment such as an HVAC or heat pinup units employing a compressor and/or blower are complex devices having hundreds of parts. Moreover, such heating or cooling equipment is typically offered for sale in multiple configurations. For example, the same heat pump unit may be offered for sale in a first configuration in which the air return is on a first side of the heat pump unit, and in a second configuration in which the air return is on a second side of the heat pump unit. A consequence of offering for sale in multiple configurations is that the number of parts needed to manufacture the heat pump unit increases for each offered configuration. 
     It is desirable to provide heating or cooling equipment such as an HVAC or heat pump units employing a compressor and/or blower having a simplified design that reduces the number of parts required to manufacture the device. Moreover, it is desirable to provide a single HVAC or heat pump unit that has multiple configurations while using a relatively few number of parts. 
     SUMMARY 
     A heating or cooling device such as an HVAC unit or heat pump unit (referred to hereafter as “the device”) has a simplified design that reduces the number of parts required for manufacture relative to some conventional units, and the same set of parts is capable of being configured in multiple configurations. For example, the same set of parts can be used to provide a heat pump that can be configured in a left-hand air inlet configuration and a right-hand air inlet configuration. The device can be offered as a left-hand air inlet unit and a right-hand air inlet unit under a single stock keeping unit (SKU), reducing the amount of inventory that needs to be kept on hand by the seller. 
     The device allows an easy conversion between the left-hand and the right-hand air inlet configurations in the field. In some embodiments, easy conversion between the left-hand and the right-hand air inlet configurations in the field is achieved by providing the device with water inlet and outlet connections on each of opposed sides of the device, where open water connections are provided on one side only, for example the front-facing side, regardless of whether the device is configured in a left-hand air inlet configuration or a right-hand air inlet configuration. 
     In still other embodiments, easy conversion between the left-hand and the right-hand air inlet configurations in the field is achieved by providing the device with front and back panels that are interchangeable to fulfill a left or right return configuration. 
     In still other embodiments, easy conversion between the left-hand and the right-hand air inlet configurations in the field is achieved by making the control board of the device accessible from a front-facing side of the device, regardless of whether the device is in a left-hand or right-hand air inlet configuration. The control board may include, for example, control electronics mounted on a printed circuit board, and may be housed in an electronics box (referred to herein as an “e-box”) that is stored in the device. In some embodiments, the control board may be made accessible by utilizing a sliding mechanism to withdraw the e-box from the device from either of opposed sides of the device. In other embodiments, the e-box is detachably stored within the unit, and the control board may be made accessible by removing the e-box from the unit and temporarily mounting it on either of opposed sides of the device. 
     One or more of these strategies for achieving conversion between left-hand and right-hand air inlet configurations may be incorporated into one unit. As a result, the device allows for easy installation and serviceability in the field, and in particular provides easy access to the major components such as the compressor, blower, heat exchangers, the e-box including the control board and inverter, the thermal expansion valve (TXV), the electronic expansion valve (EEV), the reversing valve, etc., regardless of whether the device is configured in a left-hand air inlet configuration or a right-hand air inlet configuration. 
     In some embodiments, the inverter is disposed in the e-box, and the e-box may be stored in the air handler section of the device. Because the inverter is stored in the air handler section of the device, it may be cooled by convection as facilitated by relatively increased movement of air within the air handling portion as compared to storage within the condensing section of the device. 
     It is understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
     In some aspects, an environmental control unit includes a housing having a first end that rests on a support surface, a second end that is spaced apart from the first end, and a sidewall that extends between the first end and the second end. The sidewall includes a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The housing includes an air inlet provided in the first side, and an air outlet provided in the second end. The environmental control unit includes a blower disposed in the housing. The blower is configured to draw air into the housing via the air inlet and to exhaust air from the housing via the air outlet. The environmental control unit includes a first heat exchanger disposed in the housing between the air inlet and the blower, and a second heat exchanger disposed in the housing, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger being connected via a closed-loop line that circulates refrigerant, the second heat exchanger including a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet. The environmental control unit also includes a compressor disposed in housing, and an expansion valve disposed in the housing. The first fluid inlet is connected to a first port in the second side of the sidewall and the second side adjoins the first side. The first fluid outlet is connected to a second port in the second side. The second fluid inlet is connected to a third port in the third side of the sidewall, and the third side adjoins the first side and is disposed opposite to the second side. The second fluid outlet is connected to a fourth port in the third side. The environmental control unit can be configured in a first configuration in which the first side including faces a first direction and a second configuration in which the first side faces a second direction. The first direction is opposite the second direction. When the environmental control unit is configured in the first configuration, the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet are open, and the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet are closed, and when the environmental control unit is configured in the second configuration, the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet are closed, and the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet are open. 
     In some embodiments, the environmental control unit includes an e-box and a control board that is disposed in the e-box, a broad surface of the control board residing in a first plane. The e-box is configured to be moved between a retracted position in which the e-box is disposed in the housing, and first or second extended positions that are different from the retracted position and in which the control board is accessible from outside the housing. The first extended position is disposed on the sidewall second side, the second extended position is disposed on the sidewall third side, and the sidewall third side is opposite the sidewall second side. 
     In some embodiments, when the e-box is in the first or second extended position, the e-box is disposed outside the housing. 
     In some embodiments, the e-box is movable between the retracted position and the first or second extended position via a slide mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, when the e-box is in the retracted position, the e-box is supported on a first set of brackets. When the e-box is in the first or second extended position, the e-box is supported on a second set of brackets, and the e-box is detached from the housing when being moved between the retracted position and the first or second extended position. 
     In some embodiments, when the e-box is in the retracted position, the first plane is parallel to the housing first end, and when the e-box is in the first or second extended position the first plane is parallel to the housing first end. 
     In some embodiments, when the e-box is in the retracted position, the first plane is parallel to the housing first end, and when the e-box is in the first or second extended position the first plane is angled relative to the housing first end. 
     In some embodiments, a divider panel segregates an interior space of the housing into an air handler section that includes the blower and a condensing section that includes the condenser, and when the e-box is in the retracted position, the e-box is disposed in the air handler section. 
     In some embodiments, a divider panel segregates an interior space of the housing into an air handler section that includes the blower and a condensing section that includes the condenser, and when the e-box is in the retracted position, the e-box is disposed in the condensing section. 
     In some embodiments, the blower and the e-box are disposed in a common compartment of the environmental control unit, and the e-box is cooled via convective air flow generated by the blower. 
     In some embodiments, the second heat exchanger is arranged in a coil that is centered on, and surrounds, a coil axis. The second heat exchanger is disposed in the housing adjacent to the housing first end, and the second heat exchanger is oriented within the housing so that the coil axis is substantially perpendicular to the housing first end. 
     In some embodiments, the compressor is disposed on the housing first end and is surrounded by the second heat exchanger. 
     In some embodiments, the second heat exchanger is arranged in a coil that is centered on, and surrounds, a coil axis. The second heat exchanger is disposed in the housing so as to be closer to the housing first end than the housing second end, and the second heat exchanger is oriented within the housing so that the coil axis is a) parallel to the housing first end, and b) acutely angled relative to a plane defined by the housing air inlet. 
     In some embodiments, the second heat exchanger is arranged in a coil that is centered on, and surrounds, a coil axis. The second heat exchanger is disposed in the housing so as to be closer to the housing first end than the housing second end, and the second heat exchanger is oriented within the housing so that the coil axis is a) parallel to the housing first end, and b) substantially parallel to a plane defined by the housing air inlet. 
     In some aspects, an environmental control unit includes a housing having a first end that rests on a support surface, a second end that is spaced apart from the first end and a sidewall that extends between the first end and the second end. The side wall includes a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The housing has an air inlet provided in the first side, and an air outlet provided in the second end. The environmental control unit includes a blower disposed in the housing, and the blower is configured to draw air into the housing via the air inlet and to exhaust air from the housing via the air outlet. The environmental control unit includes a first heat exchanger disposed in the housing between the air inlet and the blower, and a second heat exchanger disposed in the housing, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger being connected via a closed-loop line that circulates refrigerant. The environmental control unit includes a compressor disposed in housing and an expansion valve disposed in the housing. In addition, the environmental control unit includes an e-box and a control board that is disposed in the e-box. A broad surface of the control board resides in a first plane. The e-box is configured to be moved between a retracted position in which the e-box is disposed in the housing, and first or second extended positions that are different from the retracted position and in which the control board is accessible from outside the housing. The first extended position is disposed on the sidewall second side, and the second extended position being disposed on the sidewall third side, the sidewall third side being opposite the sidewall second side. 
     In some embodiments, when the e-box is in the first or second extended position, the e-box is disposed outside the housing. 
     In some embodiments, the e-box is movable between the retracted position and the first or second extended position via a slide mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, when the e-box is in the retracted position, the e-box is supported on a first set of brackets. When the e-box is in the first or second extended position, the e-box is supported on a second set of brackets, and the e-box is detached from the housing when being moved between the retracted position and the first or second extended position. 
     In some embodiments, when the e-box is in the retracted position, the first plane is parallel to the housing first end, and when the e-box is in the first or second extended position the first plane is angled relative to the housing first end. 
     In some embodiments, when the e-box is in the retracted position, the first plane is perpendicular to the housing first end, and when the e-box is in the first or second extended position the first plane is angled relative to the housing first end. 
     In some embodiments, a divider panel segregates an interior space of the housing into an air handler section that includes the blower and a condensing section that includes the condenser. When the e-box is in the retracted position, the e-box is disposed in the air handler section. 
     In some embodiments, the second heat exchanger is arranged in a coil that is centered on, and surrounds, a coil axis. The second heat exchanger is disposed in the housing adjacent to the housing first end, and the second heat exchanger is oriented within the housing so that the coil axis is substantially perpendicular to the housing first end. 
     In some embodiments, the second heat exchanger includes a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet. The first fluid inlet is connected to a first port in the second side of the sidewall, the second side adjoining the first side. The first fluid outlet is connected to a second port in the second side. The second fluid inlet is connected to a third port in the third side of the sidewall, the third side adjoining the first side and being disposed opposite to the second side. The second fluid outlet is connected to a fourth port in the third side. The environmental control unit can be configured in a first configuration in which the first side including faces a first direction and a second configuration in which the first side faces a second direction. The first direction is opposite the second direction. When the environmental control unit is configured in the first configuration, the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet are open, and the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet are closed, and when the environmental control unit is configured in the second configuration, the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet are closed, and the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet are open. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG.  1 A  is a schematic diagram of a water source heat pump, including arrows that represent fluid-flow during a cooling operation of the heat pump. In  FIG.  1   , solid lines represent cold or cool fluid and broken lines represent hot or warm fluid. In addition, narrow arrows represent refrigerant and wide arrows represent air or water as appropriate. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a schematic diagram of the water source heat pump of  FIG.  1   , including arrows that represent fluid flow during a heating operation of the heat pump. In  FIG.  2   , solid lines represent cold or cool fluid and broken lines represent hot or warm fluid. In addition, narrow arrows represent refrigerant and wide arrows represent air or water as appropriate. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the water source heat pump of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a front perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  1    shown in a right-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the electronics box in an extended position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  4    is the perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  3    shown with the e-box in retracted position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  5    is a front perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  1    shown in a left-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in an extended position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  6    is the perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  5    shown with the e-box in a retracted position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  7    is a top view of the heat pump of  FIG.  6    as seen along line  7 - 7  of  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  8    is a rear perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  9    is a side view of the heat pump of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  10    is a side view of the heat pump of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  11    is a top perspective view of a coiled water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger. 
         FIG.  12    is a top view of first turn or lower-most coil of the heat exchanger of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  12 A  is a cross sectional view of the tube of the heat exchanger of  FIG.  11    as seen along line A-A. 
         FIG.  12 B  is a cross sectional view of the tube of the heat exchanger of  FIG.  11    as seen along line B-B. 
         FIG.  13    is a top view of a central turn or intermediate coil of the heat exchanger of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  14    is a top view of the last turn or upper-most coil of the heat exchanger of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  15    is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment heat pump, shown in a left-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in a retracted position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  16    is a top view of the heat pump of  FIG.  15    as seen along line  16 - 16  of  FIG.  15   , 
         FIG.  17    is the perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  15    shown with the e-box in extended positions relative to the housing, illustrating that the e-box can be extended out of each of the opposed sides of the housing. 
         FIG.  18    is a detail view of the encircled portion of  FIG.  17    showing an example of a slide mechanism used to connect the e-box to the divider panel. 
         FIG.  19    is a side view of the heat pump of  FIG.  15    shown in a left-hand air inlet configuration. 
         FIG.  20    is a side view of the heat pump of  FIG.  15    shown in a right-hand air inlet configuration. 
         FIG.  21    is a top view of an alternative embodiment coiled water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger. 
         FIG.  21 A  is a cross sectional view of the tube of the heat exchanger of  FIG.  21    as seen along line  21 A- 21 A. 
         FIG.  22    is a schematic diagram of the heat exchanger of  FIG.  21    including an example of a pipe configuration. 
         FIG.  23    is a front perspective view of another alternative embodiment heat pump, shown in a right-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in a retracted position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  24    is the perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  23    shown with the e-box in a partially extended position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  25    is the perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  23    shown with the e-box in a fully extended position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  26    is a side perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  23    shown in a left-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in a partially extended position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  27    is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the heat pump of  FIG.  24   . 
         FIG.  28    is a side perspective view of a portion of the heat pump of  FIG.  26   . 
         FIG.  29    is a top view of the heat pump of  FIG.  23    as seen along line  29 - 29  of  FIG.  23   . 
         FIG.  30    is a top view of another alternative embodiment coiled water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger. 
         FIG.  30 A  is a cross sectional view of the tube of the heat exchanger of  FIG.  30    as seen along line  30 A- 30 A. 
         FIG.  31    is a side view of the coiled water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger of  FIG.  30   . 
         FIG.  31 B  is a front perspective view of a portion of the heat pump of  FIG.  23    shown with housing sidewalls and most of the main components omitted to show the arrangement of the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger and the connections of the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger to inlets and outlets. 
         FIG.  32    is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment coiled water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger. 
         FIG.  33    is a front perspective view of another alternative embodiment heat pump, shown in a right-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box supported on brackets in a retracted position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  34    is a side view of the heat pump of  FIG.  33   . 
         FIG.  35    is a rear perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  33   , showing the e-box detached from support brackets and in a partially extended position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  36    is another rear perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  33   , showing the e-box detached from support brackets and in a partially extended position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  37    is a front perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  33   , showing the e-box detached from support brackets and in a fully extended position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  38    is a front perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  33   , showing the e-box supported on brackets in a retracted position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  39    is a front view of the heat pump of  FIG.  33    shown in a left-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalk omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in a partially extended position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  40    is a side view of the heat pump of  FIG.  39   . 
         FIG.  41    is a front perspective view of another alternative, embodiment heat pump, shown in a right-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in a retracted position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  42    is the perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  41    shown with the e-box in a partially extended position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  43    is a front perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  41    shown in a left-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in a partially extended position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  44    is the perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  43    shown with the e-box in a retracted position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  45    is the perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  43    shown with the e-box removed from the housing to permit visualization of the slide mechanism of the e-box. 
         FIG.  46    is a side perspective view of another alternative embodiment heat pump, shown in a right-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box fixed within the housing. 
         FIG.  47    is an exploded side view of the heat pump of  FIG.  46    shown in a right-hand air inlet configuration. 
         FIG.  48    is a perspective view of an example of a swivel bracket. 
         FIG.  49    is an exploded side view of the heat pump of  FIG.  46    shown in a left-hand air inlet configuration. 
         FIG.  50    is a top view of the swivel bracket of  FIG.  48   . 
         FIG.  51    is a side view of the swivel bracket of  FIG.  48   . 
         FIG.  52    is a perspective view of a swivel bracket assembly including the swivel bracket of  FIG.  48   . 
         FIG.  53    is a perspective view of the base plate of the swivel bracket assembly of  FIG.  48   . 
         FIG.  54    is a front perspective view of another alternative embodiment heat pump, shown in a left-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in a retracted position relative to the housing. 
         FIG.  55    is a top view of the heat pump of  FIG.  54    as seen along line  55 - 55  of  FIG.  54   . 
         FIG.  56    is a perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  54    shown with the e-box in extended positions relative to the housing, illustrating that the e-box can be extended out of each of the opposed sides of the housing. 
         FIG.  57    is a detail view of the encircled portion of  FIG.  56    showing an example of a slide mechanism used to connect the e-box to the divider panel. 
         FIG.  58    is a side view of the heat pump of  FIG.  54   . 
         FIG.  59    is a side view of the heat pump of  FIG.  54    shown in a right-hand air inlet configuration. 
         FIG.  60    is a front perspective view of another alternative embodiment heat pump, shown in a right-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in both a retracted position (solid lines) and extended position (broken lines) relative to one side of the housing. 
         FIG.  61    is a perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  60    shown in a left-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in both a retracted position (solid lines) and extended position (broken lines) relative to another side of the housing. 
         FIG.  62    is a front perspective view of another alternative embodiment heat pump, shown in a right-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in both a retracted position (solid lines) and extended position (broken lines) relative to one side of the housing. 
         FIG.  63    is a perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  62    shown in a left-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in both a retracted position (solid lines) and extended position (broken lines) relative to another side of the housing. 
         FIG.  64    is a front perspective view of another alternative embodiment heat pump, shown in a right-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in both a retracted position (solid lines) and extended position (broken lines) relative to one side of the housing. 
         FIG.  65    is a perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  64    shown in a left-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in both a retracted position (solid lines) and extended position (broken lines) relative to another side of the housing. 
         FIG.  66    is a front perspective view of another alternative embodiment heat pump, shown in a right-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in both a retracted position (solid lines) and extended position (broken lines) relative to one side of the housing. 
         FIG.  67    is a perspective view of the heat pump of  FIG.  66    shown in a left-hand air inlet configuration, with housing sidewalls omitted to show the arrangement of some of the main components of the heat pump within the heat pump housing, and illustrating the e-box in both a retracted position (solid lines) and extended position (broken lines) relative to another side of the housing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , an environmental control unit such as a water source heat pump  2  may be used to control the environment within a closed space such as the interior of a building by providing heating and/or cooling functions. The heat pump  2  is an assembly of several components, including heat exchangers  3 ,  4 , a compressor  5 , an expansion valve  6  and a blower  7  that is configured to draw air through the heat exchanger  4 . The heat pump  2  may include other ancillary components such as an air filter  11 , and a controller  10  that is configured to control operation of the heat pump  2  based on input from a user via a user input device such as a thermostat  15 . The heat pump  2  may also include noise reduction features (not shown) that reduce the amount of noise generated by the heat pump  2  during operation. The heat pump  2  has a simplified construction requiring fewer parts than some conventional heat pumps, and is capable of being configured in multiple configurations to accommodate the requirements of a variety of applications, as discuss further below. 
     The heat pump  2  is a water source heat pump that includes a fluid circuit in the form of a reversible cooling/heating loop  9 . The reversible cooling/heating loop  9  permits the heat pump  2  to be switchable between heating and cooling functions. To this end, the heat pump  2  includes a water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  and an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4  that may function either as an evaporator or a condenser depending on the heat pump operation mode. For example, when heat pump  2  is operating in cooling mode ( FIG.  1 A ), the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  functions as a condenser, releasing heat to the water, while the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4  functions as an evaporator, absorbing heat from the ambient air. When heat pump  2  is operating in heating mode ( FIG.  1 B ), the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  functions as an evaporator, absorbing heat from the water, while the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4  functions as a condenser, releasing heat to the ambient air. The heat pump  2  will be described herein as though configured to perform a cooling function within the building  1 . In addition, the heat pump  2  includes a reversing valve  12  that is positioned in the loop  9  between the heat exchangers  3 ,  4  to control the direction of refrigerant flow and thereby to switch the heat pump  2  between heating mode and cooling mode. In the illustrated example, the reversing valve  12  is controlled by the controller  10  via, for example, a solenoid  13 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the heat pump  2  includes an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4 . The air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4  is an air coil unit having fluid circuits comprised of serially-connected thermally conductive tubes (not shown). The air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4  is mounted in an air inlet  24  provided on one side of the heat pump housing  20 . An air filter  11  overlies the air inlet  24 . Air is drawn into the heat pump housing  20  through the an filter  11  and the air coil unit of the heat exchanger  4  via a blower  7  that is also disposed in the heat pump housing  20  adjacent to the heat exchanger  4 . The blower  7  is driven by blower motor  8  and discharges air from the heat pump housing  20  via an air outlet  25 . 
     The compressor  5  may be any suitable compressor such as a screw compressor, reciprocating compressor, rotary compressor, swing link compressor, scroll compressor, or turbine compressor. 
     The expansion valve  6  may be, for example, a thermal expansion valve (TXV)  6 , and is positioned in the loop  9  between the water source heat exchanger  3  and the air source heat exchanger  4 . The TXV  6  is configured to decrease the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant before it enters the evaporator. The TXV  6  may also regulate the refrigerant flow entering the evaporator so that the amount of refrigerant entering the evaporator equals, or approximately equals, the amount of refrigerant exiting the evaporator. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid that passes through the loop  9  is a refrigerant, although it is not limited thereto. The refrigerant may be any fluid that absorbs and extracts heat. 
     During a cooling operation, the refrigerant enters the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4  (e.g., the evaporator) as a low temperature and pressure liquid. Some vapor refrigerant also may be present as a result of the expansion process that occurs in the TXV  6 . The refrigerant flows through the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4  and absorbs heat from the air, changing the refrigerant into a vapor. After exiting the evaporator, the refrigerant passes through reversing valve  12  and into the compressor  5 . The compressor  5  decreases the volume of the refrigerant vapor, thereby, increasing the temperature and pressure of the vapor. After exiting from the compressor  5 , the increased temperature and pressure vapor refrigerant flows into the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  (e.g., the condenser). In the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3 , the refrigerant vapor flows into the water coil while water is cycling throughout. The heat from the refrigerant is transferred to the water causing the refrigerant to condense into a liquid. After exiting the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3 , the liquid refrigerant flows through the TXV  6  and returns to the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4  (e.g., the evaporator) as a low temperature and pressure liquid, where the cooling process begins again. 
     A motor  16  drives the compressor  5  and circulates refrigerant through the loop  9 . The operation of the compressor motor  16  is controlled by the controller  10 . The controller  10  receives information from the input device  15  and a temperature sensor  14 , and uses the information to control the operation of heat pump  2  in both cooling mode and heating mode. In addition, the controller  10  uses information received from the input device  15  to switch the heat pump  2  between the heating mode and the cooling mode. For example, if the input device  15  is set to the cooling mode, the controller  10  will send a signal to the solenoid  13  to place reversing valve  12  in an air conditioning position. Consequently, the refrigerant will flow through reversible loop  9  as described above. If the input device  15  is set to the heating mode, the controller  10  will send a signal to the solenoid  13  to place the reversing valve  12  in a heating position. Consequently, the refrigerant will flow through the reversible loop  9  as follows: the refrigerant exits compressor  5 , is condensed in the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4 , is expanded in the TXV  6 , and is evaporated in the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3 . 
     The controller  10  includes a processor or microprocessor (not shown) that is configured to execute hardware or software control algorithms to monitor and regulate heat pump  2 . In some exemplary embodiments, the controller  10  may include an inverter, an analog to digital (A/D) converter, a non-volatile memory, and other ancillary electronic components that are supported on a printed circuit board  19 . The printed circuit board  19  that supports these electronic devices may be housed in a protective electronics box  18 , referred to hereafter as an “e-box”. The e-box  18  has the shape of low-profile rectangular prism in that the e-box  18  has a height that is much less that its length and width. In the illustrated embodiments, the printed circuit board  19  is supported within the e-box  18  so that a broad surface of the printed circuit board  19  resides in a first plane P 1  that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the height dimension of the e-box  18  ( FIG.  7   ). As used herein, the term “control board  10 ” refers to the printed circuit board  19  in combination with the controller  10 , the inverter and other associated electronic components. 
     Referring also to  FIGS.  2 - 10   , the heat pump housing  20  includes a closed first end or bottom  21  corresponding to an end of the heat pump  2  that rests on a support surface such as the ground, a floor or a shelf. The heat pump housing  20  includes a closed second end or top  22  that is opposed to the first end  21 . The first and second ends  21 ,  22  may be supported on an interior frame that includes four corner posts  29 , and a sidewall  23  that extends between the first and second ends  21 ,  22  and surrounds the corner posts  29 . In the illustrated embodiment, the corner posts  29  extend vertically. 
     In addition, the heat pump housing  20  includes a divider panel  26  that segregates an interior space of the housing  20  into an air handler section  27  and a condensing section  28 , where the condensing section  28  underlies the air handler section  27 . The divider panel  26  is non-planar and has a z-shaped cross section. The divider panel  26  includes a first planar portion  26 ( 1 ), a second planar portion  26 ( 2 ) and a ramp portion  26 ( 3 ) that joins the first planar portion  26 ( 1 ) to the second planar portion  26 ( 2 ). The first planar portion  26 ( 1 ) is parallel or substantially parallel to the housing first end  21  and adjoins a first side  23 ( 1 ) of the sidewall  23  at a location below the air inlet  24 . The second planar portion  26 ( 2 ) is parallel or substantially parallel to the housing first end  21  and adjoins a second side  23 ( 2 ) of the sidewall  23 , where the second side  23 ( 2 ) of the sidewall  23  is parallel or substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, the first side  23 ( 1 ) of the sidewall  23 , and the second planar portion  26 ( 2 ) is further from the housing first end  21  than is the first planar portion  26 ( 1 ). 
     The air inlet  24  is provided in the sidewall  23  at a location that is closer to the second end  22  than the first end  21  so as to communicate with the air handler section  27 . The air outlet  25  is provided in the second end  22  and permits air to exit the housing  20 . The air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4  is disposed in the air handler section  27  at a location corresponding to the air inlet  24 , and the blower  7  is disposed adjacent to the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4  and is connected to the air outlet  25 . The blower  7  may be, for example, a squirrel cage blower. The blower  7  draws air into the heat pump housing  20 . Air drawn into the heat pump housing  20  via the air inlet  24  passes through the air filter  11  and then the coils of the heat exchanger  4 . Air conditioned by the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4  is drawn into an inlet of the blower  7 , and then exhausted from the housing air outlet  25 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the compressor  5  is disposed in the condensing section  28  of the heat pump housing  20  (e.g., at a location that is below the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4  and the blower  7 ), and rests on an inner surface of the heat pump housing first end  21 . 
     The heat pump  2  has been designed to have a predetermined set of parts that can be arranged in multiple configurations, wherein each configuration of the multiple configurations is suitable for a unique set of requirements. As a result, the heat pump  2  has many fewer parts than some conventional heat pumps, and a single stock keeping unit (SKU) is used to represent all the configurations. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the heat pump  2  can be configured in a first configuration in which the air inlet  24  is positioned on a first side of the housing  20  (e.g., a left-hand side) and a second configuration in which the air inlet  24  is positioned on a second side of the housing (e.g., a right-hand side), and the transition between the left-hand configuration and the right-hand configuration is made easy. In addition, the heat pump  2  is configured so that the water inlet and water outlet for the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  are provided on a left side of the front-facing side of the housing  20 , regardless of whether the heat pump  2  is configured in a left-side or right-side air return configuration. Further, the heat pump  2  is configured to permit easy access to the major components (compressor, expansion valve, heat exchangers, reversing valve, etc.) for maintenance and service. Still further, the heat pump  2  is configured to provide easy access to the control board  10  for installation, maintenance and service of the heat pump  2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 - 10   , in order to achieve the above described configurability, the e-box  18  is supported within the housing  20  so as to be suspended above the housing first end  21 . For example, the e-box  18  may be secured to a pair of adjacent corner posts  29  so that the plane P 1  extends vertically. In addition, the plane P 1  is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a front-facing side of the housing, and parallel or substantially parallel to a plane P 2  defined by the air inlet  24 . The e-box  18  is partially disposed within a recess defined between the divider plate ramp portion  26 ( 3 ) and the divider plate second planar portion  26 ( 2 ) so as to maximize the distance between the e-box  18  and the housing first end  21 . In addition, the e-box  18  is configured to translate relative to the housing  20  via a slide mechanism  32  in a direction that is parallel or substantially parallel to the first plane P 1 . The slide mechanism  32  permits the e-box  18  to move between a retracted position in which the e-box  18  resides within the condensing section  28  of the housing  20 , and an extended position in which the e-box  18  resides outside the housing  20 . As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  5   , the slide mechanism  32  permits extension with respect to both of opposed sides, of the housing  20 . 
     Referring, to  FIGS.  11 - 14   , in order to achieve the above described configurability, the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  is disposed on the housing first end  21  in a horizontal orientation. In this embodiment, the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  is a dual, concentric lumen tube  36  in which the inner lumen provides a refrigerant passageway  48 , and the outer lumen surrounds (or “jackets”) the inner lumen and provides a water passageway  46 . The tube  36  has a first end  38 , and second end  39  that is opposed to the first end  38 , and is coiled around a coil axis  37 . In this embodiment, the coil axis  37  is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the housing first end  21 . The coils are stacked so that each coil (or turn) resides in a unique plane, and the coil planes are spaced apart along the coil axis  37 . The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  includes a first water inlet  40  disposed at the first end  38  of the tube  36 , and a second water inlet  41  that is disposed between the tube first and second ends  38 ,  39 . In this embodiment, the second water inlet  41  is disposed in the same coil as the first water inlet  40  and on an opposed side of the coil relative to the first water inlet  40 . The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  includes a first refrigerant inlet  44  that is disposed between the tube first and second ends  38 ,  39 . In this embodiment, the refrigerant inlet is disposed closely adjacent to the second water inlet  41 . The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  includes a first water outlet  42  and a refrigerant outlet  45  that are disposed between the tube first and second ends  38 ,  39 . In this embodiment, the refrigerant outlet  45  is disposed closely adjacent to the first water outlet  42 . In addition, the first water outlet  42  and the refrigerant outlet  45  are located in the last coil of the tube  36  at a location that is aligned with the first water inlet  40  in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the coil axis  37 . The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  includes a second water outlet  43  that is disposed at the second end  39  of the tube  36 . 
     The first water inlet  40  is connected to a first port  30 ( 1 ) disposed in a first corner post  29 ( 1 ), and the second water inlet  41  is connected to a second port  30 ( 2 ) disposed in a second corner post  29 ( 2 ). The first water outlet  42  is connected to a third port  30 ( 3 ) disposed in the first corner post  29 ( 1 ), and the second water outlet  43  is connected to a fourth port  30 ( 4 ) disposed in the second corner post  29 ( 2 ). The first and second corner posts  29 ( 1 ),  29 ( 2 ) are on diagonally opposed corners of the housing  20 . In this embodiment, the first and second ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ) open along a side of the housing  20  that is adjacent to the side that includes the air inlet  24  and the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4 . In addition, the third and fourth ports  30 ( 3 ),  30 ( 4 ) open along a side of the housing  20  that is opposite to the side that includes the first and second ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ). That is, the third and fourth ports  30 ( 3 ),  30 ( 4 ) open along a side of the housing  20  that is opposite to the side that includes the first and second ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ). 
     When the heat pump  2  is in a left-hand air inlet configuration, the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) is on the front and left corner of the housing  20 . In this configuration, the first water inlet  30  and the first water inlet  40  and first port  30 ( 1 ) are open, and the first water outlet  42  and the third port  30 ( 3 ) are open, and the first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ) are easily accessible for connection. In addition, the second water inlet  41  and the second water outlet  43  are closed, for example by capping or plugging the respective second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ). 
     When the heat pump  2  is in a right-hand air inlet configuration, the second corner post  29 ( 2 ) is on the front and left corner of the housing  20 . In this configuration, the second water inlet  41  and the second port  30 ( 2 ) are open, and the second water outlet  43  and the fourth port  30 ( 4 ) are open, and the second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ) are easily accessible for connection. In addition, the first water inlet  40  and the first water outlet  42  are closed, for example by capping or plugging the respective first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ). 
     In this embodiment, the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  is disposed on the housing first end  21  such that the coil axis  37  is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the housing first end  20 , and the compressor  5  disposed on the housing first end  21  so as to be surrounded by the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3 . 
     Since the E-box is positioned in a vertical orientation at a location adjacent to the divider panel  26 , since the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  is disposed on the housing first end  21  in a horizontal orientation and since the compressor is surrounded by the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3 , the reversing valve  12  and expansion valve  6  can be positioned in locations that are accessible from either side of the housing  20 . In other words, the reversing valve  12  and expansion valve  6  can be positioned in locations that are accessible regardless of whether the heat pump  2  is in the right- or left-hand air inlet configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the reversing valve  12  is disposed between the e-box  18  and the divider panel ramp portion  26 ( 3 ), and the expansion valve  6  is disposed between the compressor  5  and the sidewall  23  on a side of the compressor  5  that is opposed to the e-box  18 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15 - 22   , an alternative embodiment heat pump  102  is similar to the heat pump  2  described above with respect to  FIGS.  1 - 14   , and provides at least the same advantages. Elements that are common with the previous embodiment are referred to with common reference numbers. The heat pump  102  differs from the heat pump  2  with respect to how the e-box  18  is mounted within the housing  20 . In the heat pump  102 , the e-box  18  is secured to the divider panel  26  rather than the corner posts  29 . In particular, the e-box  18  is mounted to the condensing section-facing surface of the divider panel second planar portion  26 ( 2 ) using a slide mechanism  32 . As in the previous embodiment, the e-box  18  is configured to translate relative to the housing  20  via the slide mechanism  32  in a direction that is parallel or substantially parallel to the first plane P 1 . The slide mechanism  32  permits the e-box  18  to move between a retracted position in which the e-box  18  resides within the condensing section  28  of the housing  20 , and an extended position in which the e-box  18  resides outside the housing  20 . As shown in  FIG.  17   , the slide mechanism  32  permits extension with respect to both of opposed sides of the housing  20 . 
     The heat pump  102  differs from the heat pump  2  in that it includes an alternative embodiment water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  103  that is disposed on the housing first end  21  in a horizontal orientation. In this embodiment, the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  103  is a dual, concentric lumen tube  136  in which the inner lumen provides a refrigerant passageway  148 , and the outer lumen surrounds (or “jackets”) the inner lumen and provides a water passageway  146 . The tube  136  has a first end  138 , and second end  139  that is opposed to the first end  138 , and is coiled around a coil axis  137 . In this embodiment, the coil axis  137  is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the housing first end  21 . The coils are wound so that all the coils (or turns) reside in a common plane, and the coils are side-by-side in a radial direction with respect to the coil axis  37 . The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  103  includes a water inlet  140  disposed at the first end  138  of the tube  136 , and a water outlet  142  that is disposed at the tube second end  139 . The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  103  includes a refrigerant inlet  144  that is disposed between the tube first and second ends  138 ,  139 . In this embodiment, the refrigerant inlet  144  is disposed closely adjacent to the water inlet  140 . The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  includes a refrigerant outlet  145  that is disposed between the tube first and second ends  138 ,  139 . In this embodiment, the refrigerant outlet  145  is disposed closely adjacent to the water outlet  142 . 
     The first water inlet  140  is connected to the first port  30 ( 1 ) disposed in the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) and the second port  30 ( 2 ) disposed in the second corner post  29 ( 2 ) via a first piping section  149  having a T-configuration. Likewise, the first water outlet  142  is connected to the third port  30 ( 3 ) disposed in the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) and the fourth port  30 ( 4 ) disposed in the second corner post  29 ( 2 ) via a second piping section  150  having a T-configuration. As in the previous embodiment, the first and second corner posts  29 ( 1 ),  29 ( 2 ) are on diagonally opposed corners of the housing  20 . In addition, the first and second ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ) open along a side of the housing  20  that is adjacent to the side that includes the air inlet  24  and the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4 . In addition, the third and fourth ports  30 ( 3 ),  30 ( 4 ) open along a side of the housing  20  that is opposite to the side that includes the first and second ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ). 
     When the heat pump  102  is in a left-hand air inlet configuration, the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) is on the front and left corner of the housing  20 . In this configuration, the water inlet  140  receives water via the open first port  30 ( 1 ), and the water outlet  142  discharges water to the open third port  30 ( 3 ), and the first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ) are easily accessible for connection. In addition, the second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ) are closed, for example by capping or plugging the respective second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ). 
     When the heat pump  102  is in a right-hand air inlet configuration, the second corner post  29 ( 2 ) is on the front and left corner of the housing  20 . In this configuration, the water inlet  140  receives water via the open second port  30 ( 2 ), and the water outlet  142  discharges water to the open fourth port  30 ( 4 ), and the second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ) are easily accessible for connection. In addition, the first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ) are closed, for example by capping or plugging the respective first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ). 
     In this embodiment, the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  103  is disposed on the housing first end  21  such that the coil axis  137  is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the housing first end  20 , and the compressor  5  is disposed on the housing first end  21  so as to be surrounded by the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  103 . The “flat” coil configuration of the heat exchanger  103  provides more space within the condensing section  28  as compared to the previous embodiment, which can be used to improve accessibility of the internal components and/or accommodating more complex piping structures. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  23 - 31   , another alternative embodiment heat pump  202  is similar to the heat pump  2  described above with respect to  FIGS.  1 - 14   , and provides at least the same advantages. Elements that are common with the previous embodiments are referred to with common reference numbers. The heat pump  202  differs from the heat pump  2 ,  102  of the earlier embodiments with respect to how the e-box  18  is supported within the housing  20 . In the heat pump  202 , the e-box  18  is secured to the divider panel  26  rather than the corner posts  29 . Unlike the previous embodiments, the e-box  18  is oriented so that the first plane P 1  is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the second plane P 2  whereby the control board  10  has a horizontal orientation. In this embodiment, the e-box  18  is mounted to the condensing section-facing surface of the divider panel second planar portion  26 ( 2 ) using a slide-and-pivot mechanism  232 . As in the previous embodiment, the e-box  18  is configured to translate relative to the housing  20  via the slide-and-pivot mechanism  232  in a direction that is parallel or substantially parallel to the first plane P 1 . The slide-and-pivot mechanism  232  permits the e-box  18  to move between a retracted position in which the e-box  18  resides within the condensing section  28  of the housing  20 , and an extended position in which the e-box  18  resides outside the housing  20 . As shown in  FIGS.  24  and  26   , the slide-and-pivot mechanism  232  permits extension with respect to both of opposed sides of the housing  20 . When the e-box is in the fully extended position, the slide-and-pivot mechanism  232  is configured to permit the e-box  18  to pivot from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation that overlies the housing sidewall  23 . In some embodiments, the slide-and-pivot mechanism  232  may include a groove (not shown) that receives a rail  18 ( 1 ) provided on an underside of the e-box  18  (e.g., the side of the e-box  18  opposed to the divider panel  26 ). The slide-and-pivot mechanism  232  may also receive T-shaped posts  18 ( 2 ) that protrude from the underside of the e-box  18 . The T-shaped posts  18 ( 2 ) retain the rail  18 ( 1 ) within the groove during translation of the e-box  18 , and retain the e-box  18  on the housing  20  during pivoting of the e-box  18  relative to housing  20 . Two pair of T-shaped posts  18 ( 2 ) are provided on the e-box  18 , and one pair is disposed at each end of the e-box  18 . 
     The heat pump  202  differs from the heat pump  2 ,  102  in that it includes an alternative embodiment water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  that is disposed on the housing first end  21  in a vertical orientation. In this embodiment, the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  is a dual, concentric lumen tube  236  in which the inner lumen provides a refrigerant passageway  248 , and the outer lumen surrounds (or “jackets”) the inner lumen and provides a water passageway  246 . The tube  236  has a first end  238 , and second end  239  that is opposed to the first end  238 , and is coiled around a coil axis  237 . In this embodiment, the coil axis  237  is parallel or substantially parallel to the housing first end  21 , and at an acute angle relative to a given side of the housing  20  (e.g., acutely angled relative to plane P 2 ). For example, the coil axis  237  may extend along a diagonal of the housing  20  so as to intersect diagonally opposed corner posts  29 . The coils are stacked so that each coil for turn) resides in a unique plane, and the coil planes are spaced apart along the coil axis  237 . The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  includes a water inlet  240  disposed at the first end  238  of the tube  236 , and a water outlet  242  that is disposed at the tube second end  239 . The first coil is canted so that the water inlet  240  and the water outlet  242  are disposed on the same end of the coil stack. The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  is arranged so that the water inlet and outlet  240 ,  242  reside above the coils, and are each at the same distance from the housing first end  21 . The diagonal arrangement, along with placement of the water inlet and outlets at the same height, allow equal pressure drop in the heat exchanger  203  regardless of right- or left-hand air inlet configuration. 
     The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  includes a refrigerant inlet  244  that is disposed between the tube first and second ends  238 ,  239 . In this embodiment, the refrigerant inlet  244  is disposed closely adjacent to the water inlet  240 . The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3  includes a refrigerant outlet  245  that is disposed between the tube first and second ends  238 ,  239 . In this embodiment, the refrigerant outlet  245  is disposed closely adjacent to the water outlet  242 . 
     Although not shown, the water inlet  240  is connected to the first port  30 ( 1 ) disposed in the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) and the second port  30 ( 2 ) disposed in the second corner post  29 ( 2 ) via the first piping section  149  having a T-configuration. Likewise, the water outlet  242  is connected to the third port  30 ( 3 ) disposed in the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) and the fourth port  30 ( 4 ) disposed in the second corner post  29 ( 2 ) via the second piping section  150  having a T-configuration. As in the previous embodiment, the first and second corner posts  29 ( 1 ),  29 ( 2 ) are on diagonally opposed corners of the housing  20 . In addition, the first and second ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ) open along a side of the housing  20  that is adjacent to the side that includes the air inlet  24  and the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4 , and the third and fourth ports  30 ( 3 ),  30 ( 4 ) open along a side of the housing  20  that is opposite to the side that, includes the first and second ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ). 
     When the heat pump  202  is in a left-hand air inlet configuration, the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) is on the front and left corner of the housing  20 . In this configuration, the water inlet  240  receives water via the open first port  30 ( 1 ), and the water outlet  242  discharges water to the open third port  30 ( 3 ), and the first and thud ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ) are easily accessible for connection. In addition, the second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ) are closed, for example by capping or plugging the respective second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ). 
     When the heat pump  202  is in a right-hand air inlet configuration, the second corner post  29 ( 2 ) is on the front and left corner of the housing  20 . In this configuration, the water inlet  240  receives water via the open second port  30 ( 2 ), and the water outlet  242  discharges water to the open fourth port  30 ( 4 ), and the second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ) are easily accessible for connection. In addition, the first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ) are closed, for example by capping or plugging the respective first and thud ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ). 
     In this embodiment, the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  is disposed on the housing first end  21  such that the coil axis  237  is parallel or substantially parallel to the housing first end  20 , and the compressor  5  is disposed in a corner of the housing  20  so as to be side-by-side with the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203 . The vertical and angled coil configuration of the heat exchanger  203  provides more space within the condensing section  28  as compared to some conventional heat exchangers, which can be used to improve accessibility of the internal components and/or accommodating more complex piping structures. 
     Referring to  FIG.  32   , the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  is not limited to the specific coil shape described, and may have alternative coil shapes. For example, another embodiment water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  303  may be arranged so that all coils of the coil stack are parallel or substantially parallel, whereby the first and last coils of the coil stack reside on opposed ends of the coil stack. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  33 - 40   , another alternative embodiment heat pump  302  is similar to the heat pump  2  described above with respect to  FIGS.  1 - 14   , and provides at least the same advantages. Elements that are common with the previous embodiments are referred to with common reference numbers. The heat pump  302  differs from the heat pump  2 ,  102 ,  202  of the earlier embodiments with respect to how the e-box  18  is supported within the housing  20 . In the heat pump  302 , the e-box  18  is supported on an upper side of the divider panel  326  (e.g., on the air handler section-facing side of the divider panel  26 ). In this embodiment, the divider panel  326  is planar (for example, the ramp portion  26 ( 3 ) is omitted). In addition, the e-box  18  is detachably fixed to the divider panel  326  so that the plane P 1  is generally horizontal and is generally perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane P 2 . In particular, a first set of brackets  360  protrude from the air handler section-facing side of the divider panel  26 . The first set of brackets  360  are configured to retain the e-box  18  within the housing  20  in such a way that the e-box  18  is spaced apart from, and resides above, the divider panel  326 . In addition, the heat pump  302  includes a second set of brackets  362  that protrude from the condensing section-facing side of the divider panel  26 . The second set of brackets  362  are configured to support the e-box  18  in a vertical orientation that overlies a side of the housing  20 , for example during servicing the heat pump  302 . The second set of brackets  362  is provided on both of opposed sides of the housing  20  to accommodate both the right- and left-hand air inlet configurations. The e-box  18  is supported on the first set of brackets  360  during normal operation of the heat pump  302 . During installation, maintenance or service of the heat pump  302 , the e-box  18  may be detached from the first brackets  360  and mounted on the second brackets  362  to permit easy access to the control board  10 . After completion of the installation and under normal operation, the e-box  18  should remain mounted on the second brackets  362 . For maintenance or service, the e-box  18  may be re-mounted to the first set of brackets  360 , for easy access to components in the condensing section. 
     The heat pump  302  differs from the heat pump  2 ,  102  in that it includes the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  that is supported on the housing first end  21  in an angled orientation via a support bracket  364 . The support bracket  364  supports the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  in such a way that the coil axis  237  is acutely angled relative to both the housing first end  21  and relative to the second plane P 2 . For example, the support bracket  364  may be configured to orient the coils at a 20 degree angle relative to the housing first end  21 . The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  is arranged so that the water inlet and outlet  240 ,  242  reside above the coils and are each at the same distance from the housing first end  21 . In addition, the water inlet and outlet  240 ,  242  are facing a common side of the housing  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the water inlet and outlet  240 ,  242  face, and are closely adjacent to, the side of the housing  20  that includes the air inlet  24 . 
     The first water inlet  240  is connected to the first port  30 ( 1 ) disposed in the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) and the second port  30 ( 2 ) disposed in the third corner post  29 ( 3 ) via a first piping section  149  having a T-configuration. Likewise, the first water outlet  242  is connected to the third port  30 ( 3 ) disposed in the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) and the fourth port  30 ( 4 ) disposed in the third corner post  29 ( 3 ) via a second piping section  150  having a T-configuration. In this embodiment, the first and third corner posts  29 ( 1 ),  29 ( 3 ) are on the same side of the housing  20 , and bracket the air inlet  24 . In addition, the first and second ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ) open along a side of the housing  20  that is adjacent to the side that includes the air inlet  24  and the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4 , and the third and fourth ports  30 ( 3 ),  30 ( 4 ) open along a side of the housing  20  that is opposite to the side that includes the first and second ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ). 
     When the heat pump  302  is in a left-hand air inlet configuration, the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) is on the front and left corner of the housing  20 . In this configuration, the water inlet  240  receives water via the open first port  30 ( 1 ), and the water outlet  242  discharges water to the open third port  30 ( 3 ), and the first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ) are easily accessible for connection. In addition, the second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ) are closed, for example by capping or plugging the respective second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ). 
     When the heat pump  302  is in a right-hand air inlet configuration, the third corner post  29 ( 3 ) is on the front and right corner of the housing  20 . In this configuration, the water inlet  240  receives water via the open second port  30 ( 2 ), and the water outlet  242  discharges water to the open fourth port  30 ( 4 ), and the second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ) are easily accessible for connection. In addition, the first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ) are closed, for example by capping or plugging the respective first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  41 - 45    another alternative embodiment heat pump  402  is similar to the heat pump  2  described above with respect to  FIGS.  1 - 14   , and provides at least the same advantages. Elements that are common with the previous embodiments are referred to with common reference numbers. The heat pump  402  differs from the heat pump  2 ,  102 ,  202 ,  302  of the earlier embodiments in that it includes an alternative embodiment e-box  418  that is supported on an outer surface of the housing  20  in such a way the first plane P 1  is oriented vertically and is parallel or substantially parallel to plane P 2 . The e-box  418  is increased in length and width as compared to the earlier embodiments so that the e-box  418  can serve as a portion of the sidewall  23 , e.g., as a sidewall panel. In the illustrated embodiment, the e-box  14  is disposed at a location underlying the air filter  11 , which typically protrudes outward from a side of the housing  24 . Thus, the e-box  418  utilizes the space under the air filter  11 , and selves as a removable housing panel in this location. 
     Since the e-box  418  serves as a housing panel and resides outside the interior space of the housing  20 , the available space within the housing  20  becomes greater and the options for internal component layout are increased. 
     An outward surface of the e-box  418  is provided with vents  419  that permit airflow into the e-box  418 , providing cooling for the control board  10  via convection. In the illustrated embodiment, the vents  419  are elongated through holes (slots) that are distributed generally evenly across the entire outward facing surface  420  of the e-box  418 , but the vents  419  are not limited to the illustrated configuration. 
     The e-box  418  is secured to the housing  20  via a slide mechanism  432 . For example, the slide mechanism  432  may include a bracket  433  that protrudes outward from the housing  20  and has a planar, horizontal portion  436  that is parallel or substantially parallel to, and coplanar with, the housing first end  21 . The bracket  433  includes a rail  434  that protrudes from the upward-facing surface of the horizontal portion  436 . The rail  434  engages a groove (not shown) provided in a downward-facing surface of the e-box  418 . The rail  434  and groove cooperate to allow the e-box  418  to slide in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the planes P 1  and P 2 . In addition, the e-box  418  can translate relative to the housing  20  in opposed directions such that the e-box  418  can be moved from either of opposed sides of the housing, and the interior of the housing  20  can be easily accessed regardless of whether the heat pump  2  is in a right- or left-hand air inlet configuration. 
     The heat pump  402  differs from the heat pump  2 ,  102  in that it includes the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  that is supported on the housing first end  21  in an angled orientation via a support bracket  364 , as described above with respect to  FIGS.  33 - 40   , and also includes the same port arrangement. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  46 - 53   , another alternative embodiment heat pump  502  is similar to the heat pump  2  described above with respect to  FIGS.  1 - 14   , and provides at least the same advantages. Elements that are common with the previous embodiments are referred to with common reference numbers. The heat pump  502  differs from the heat pump  2 ,  102 ,  202 ,  302 ,  402  of the ember embodiments in that the housing  520  includes two separate cabinet portions  527 ,  528  that are vertically stacked and joined by a heavy-duty swivel bracket assembly  532 . In the housing  520 , the upper cabinet portion  527  provides the air handler section of the heat pump  502  and includes the air inlet  24 , the air outlet  25 , the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4 , the blower  7 , etc., as discussed in previous embodiments. The lower cabinet portion  528  provides the condensing section of the heat pump  502  and includes the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  3 , the compressor  5 , the control board  10 , the expansion valve  6 , the reversing valve  12 , etc., as discussed in previous embodiments. The swivel bracket assembly  532  permits the upper cabinet portion  527  to rotate relative to the lower cabinet portion  528  about a vertical axis  500 . 
     The swivel bracket assembly  532  includes a base plate  534  that is supported on an upper surface of the lower cabinet portion  528 , and a swivel bracket  530  that is mounted in the center of the base plate  534  and is fixed to a lower surface of the upper cabinet portion  527 . In some embodiments, the swivel bracket  530  includes an upper plate  530 ( 1 ) that is fixed to the upper cabinet portion  527 , and a lower plate  530 ( 2 ) that is fixed to the base plate  534 . The upper and lower plates  530 ( 1 ),  530 ( 2 ) are relatively rotatable via a bearing system  530 ( 3 ) that is disposed between, and joins, the upper and lower plates  530 ( 1 ),  530 ( 2 ). The base plate  534  may include an access opening  536 . The access opening  536  may be a circular through opening ( FIG.  52   ), or alternatively may be an elongate slot that extends along a 180 degree circular arc ( FIG.  53   ). The access opening  536  is dimensioned to receive refrigerant connections that provide the reversible cooling/heating loop  9 . In some embodiments, flexible refrigerant connections may be provided between the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4 , the reversing valve  12 , the expansion valve  6 , etc., as needed to accommodate the relative motion of the cabinet portions  527 ,  528 . 
     The upper cabinet portion  527  may rotate 180 degrees relative to the lower cabinet portion  528 , moving the air inlet  24  and water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4  from the left side of the housing  520  to the right side of the housing  520 . As a result, the left-hand air inlet configuration can be transformed to a right-hand air inlet configuration, and vice-versa. 
     In some embodiments, a lock mechanism (not shown) is provided that is configured to retain the upper cabinet portion  527  in a desired angular position with respect to the lower cabinet portion  528 . 
     Since the lower cabinet portion  528  is fixed, the water connections and electronics box locations always remain in the same position, regardless of whether the heat pump  502  is in the right-hand air inlet configuration or the left-hand air inlet configuration. As a result, these components may be arranged in any of the above-described configurations or as configured in some conventional heat pumps. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  54 - 59   , another alternative embodiment heat pump  602  is similar to the heat pump  102  described above with respect to  FIGS.  15 - 22   , and provides at least the same advantages. Elements that are common with the previous embodiments are referred to with common reference numbers. For example, the heat pump  602  includes the configuration of the e-box  18  in which the e-box  18  is secured to the divider panel  26  rather than the corner posts  29 . In particular, the e-box  18  is mounted to the condensing section-facing surface of the divider panel second planar portion  26 ( 2 ) using the slide mechanism  32 . As in the previous embodiment, the e-box  18  is configured to translate relative to the housing  20  via the slide mechanism  32  in a direction that is parallel or substantially parallel to the first plane P 1 . The slide mechanism  32  permits the e-box  18  to move between a retracted position in which the e-box  18  resides within the condensing section  28  of the housing  20 , and an extended position in which the e-box  18  resides outside the housing  20 . As shown in  FIG.  17   , the slide mechanism  32  permits extension with respect to both of opposed sides of the housing  20 . 
     The heat pump  602  differs from the heat pump  102  described with respect to  FIGS.  15 - 22    in that it includes the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  that is supported on the housing first end  21  in an orientation in which the coil axis  237  is parallel or substantially parallel to the housing first end  21  and perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane P 2 . The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  is arranged so that the water inlet and outlet  240 ,  242  are arranged laterally with respect to the coils such that the water outlet  242  overlies the water inlet  240 . 
     The water inlet  240  is connected to the first port  30 ( 1 ) disposed in the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) and the second port  30 ( 2 ) disposed in the second corner post  29 ( 2 ) via the first piping section  149  having T-configuration. Likewise, the water outlet  242  is connected to the third port  30 ( 3 ) disposed in the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) and the fourth port  30 ( 4 ) disposed in the second corner post  29 ( 2 ) via the second piping section  150  having a T-configuration. As in some previous embodiments, the first and second corner posts  29 ( 1 ),  29 ( 2 ) are on diagonally opposed corners of the housing  20 . In addition, the first and second ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ) open along a side of the housing  20  that is adjacent to the side that includes the air inlet  24  and the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4 , and the third and fourth ports  30 ( 3 ),  30 ( 4 ) open along a side of the housing  20  that is opposite to the side that includes the first and second ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ). 
     When the heat pump  602  is in a left-hand air inlet configuration, the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) is on the front and left corner of the housing  20 . In this configuration, the water inlet  240  receives water via the open first port  30 ( 1 ), and the water outlet  242  discharges water to the open third port  30 ( 3 ), and the first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ) are easily accessible for connection. In addition, the second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ) are closed, for example by capping or plugging the respective second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ). 
     When the heat pump  602  is in a right-hand air inlet configuration, the second corner post  29 ( 2 ) is on the front and left corner of the housing  20 . In this configuration, the water inlet  240  receives water via the open second port  30 ( 2 ), and the water outlet  242  discharges water to the open fourth port  30 ( 4 ), and the second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ) are easily accessible for connection. In addition, the first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ) are closed, for example by capping or plugging the respective first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ). 
     In this embodiment, the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  is disposed on the housing first end  21  such that the coil axis  237  is parallel or substantially parallel to the housing first end  21 , and the compressor  5  is side-by-side with the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203 . The vertical configuration of the heat exchanger  203  in combination with positioning the heat exchanger  203  parallel or substantially parallel to and closely adjacent to one side of the sidewall  23 , provides more space within the condensing section  28  as compared to some conventional heat exchangers. The additional space can be used to improve accessibility of the internal components and/or accommodating more complex piping structures. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  60 - 61   , another alternative embodiment heat pump  702  has features that are similar to those of the heat pumps described in earlier embodiments, and provides at least the same advantages. Elements that are common with the previous embodiments are referred to with common reference numbers. Like the heat pump  202  of  FIGS.  23 - 32   , the heat pump  702  includes the configuration of the e-box  18  in which the e-box  18  is secured to the divider panel  326  rather than the corner posts  29 . Like the heat pump  302  of  FIGS.  33 - 40   , the heat pump  702  includes the planar divider panel  326 . In addition, the heat pump  702  includes the e-box  18  mounted to the air handling section-facing surface of the divider panel  326  using the slide mechanism  32  in such a way that the plane P 1  is horizontal and the e-box  18  underlies the fan  7 . By placing the e-box  18  including the control board  10  in the air-handling section, the electronics housed in the e-box, including the inverter, may be efficiently cooled via convective air flow due to the presence of the fan  7  in the air handler section  27 . As in some previous embodiments, the e-box  18  is configured to translate relative to the housing  20  via the slide mechanism  32  in a direction that is parallel or substantially parallel to the first plane P 1 . The slide mechanism  32  permits the e-box  18  to move between a retracted position (shown in solid lines) in which the e-box  18  resides within the air handler section  27  of the housing  20 , and an extended position (shown in broken lines) in which the e-box  18  resides outside the housing  20 . The plane P 1  is horizontal in both the retracted and extended positions. As shown in  FIG.  17    the slide mechanism  32  permits extension with respect to both of opposed sides of the housing  20 . 
     The heat pump  702  is similar to the heat pump  602  described with respect to  FIGS.  64 - 59    in that it includes the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  that is supported on the housing first end  21  in an orientation in which the coil axis  237  is parallel or substantially parallel to the housing first end  21  and parallel or substantially parallel to the plane P 2 . The water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  is arranged so that the water inlet and outlet  240 ,  242  are arranged laterally with respect to the coils such that the water outlet  242  overlies the water inlet  240 . 
     The water inlet  240  is connected to the first port  30 ( 1 ) disposed in the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) and the second port  30 ( 2 ) disposed in the second corner post  29 ( 2 ) via the first piping section  149  having a T-configuration. Likewise, the water outlet  242  is connected to the third port  30 ( 3 ) disposed in the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) and the fourth port  30 ( 4 ) disposed in the second corner post  29 ( 2 ) via the second piping section  150  having a T-configuration. As in some previous embodiments, the first and second corner posts  29 ( 1 ),  29 ( 2 ) are on diagonally opposed corners of the housing  20 . In addition, the first and second ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ) open along a side of the housing  20  that is adjacent to the side that includes the air inlet  24  and the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  4 , and the third and fourth ports  30 ( 3 ),  30 ( 4 ) open along a side of the housing  20  that is opposite to the side that includes the first and second ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ). 
     When the heat pump  702  is in a left-hand air inlet configuration, the first corner post  29 ( 1 ) is on the front and left corner of the housing  20 . In this configuration, the water inlet  240  receives water via the open first port  30 ( 1 ), and the water outlet  242  discharges water to the open third port  30 ( 3 ), and the first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ) are easily accessible for connection. In addition, the second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ) are closed, for example by capping or plugging the respective second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ). 
     When the heat pump  702  is in a right-hand air inlet configuration, the second corner post  29 ( 2 ) is on the front and left corner of the housing  20 . In this configuration, the water inlet  240  receives water via the open second port  30 ( 2 ), and the water outlet  242  discharges water to the open fourth port  30 ( 4 ), and the second and fourth ports  30 ( 2 ),  30 ( 4 ) are easily accessible for connection. In addition, the first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ) are closed, for example by capping or plugging the respective first and third ports  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 3 ). 
     In this embodiment, the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  is disposed on the housing first end  21  such that the coil axis  237  is parallel or substantially parallel to the housing first end  21 , and the compressor  5  is side-by-side with the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203 . The vertical configuration of the heat exchanger  203  in combination with positioning the heat exchanger  203  parallel or substantially parallel to and closely adjacent to one side of the sidewall  23 , provides more space within the condensing section  28  as compared to some conventional heat exchangers. The additional space can be used to improve accessibility of the internal components and or accommodating more complex piping structures. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  62 - 63   , another alternative embodiment heat pump  802  has features that are similar to those of the heat pumps described in earlier embodiments, and provides at least the same advantages. Elements that are common with the previous embodiments are referred to with common reference numbers. Like the heat pump  202  of FIGS.  23 - 32 , the heat, pump  802  includes the configuration of the e-box  18  in which the e-box  18  is secured to the divider panel  326  rather than the corner posts  29 . Like the heat pump  302  of  FIGS.  33 - 40   , the heat pump  802  includes the planar divider panel  326 . In addition, the heat pump  802  includes the e-box  18  mounted to the air handling section-facing surface of the divider panel  326  using the slide mechanism  32  in such a way that the plane P 1  is horizontal and the e-box  18  underlies the fan  7 . By placing the e-box  18  including the control board  10  in the air-handling section, the electronics housed in the e-box, including the inverter, may be efficiently cooled via convective air flow due to the presence of the fan  7  in the air handler section  27 . As in some previous embodiments, the e-box  18  is configured to translate relative to the housing  20  via the slide mechanism  32  in a direction that is parallel or substantially, parallel to the first plane P 1 . The slide mechanism  32  permits the e-box  18  to move between a retracted position (shown in solid lines) in which the e-box  18  resides within the air handler section  27  of the housing  20 , and an extended position (shown in broken lines) in which the e-box  18  resides outside the housing  20 . The heat pump  802  differs from the heat pump  702  illustrated in  FIGS.  60 - 61    in that the heat pump  802 , the e-box  18  in the extended position may be mounted along a side of the housing  20  at a location corresponding to the air handler section  27 , and oriented so that the plane P 1  is vertical and perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane P 2 . As shown in  FIG.  1    the slide mechanism  32  permits extension with respect to both of opposed sides of the housing  20 . In the extended position, the e-box  18  may transition to a pair of vertical rails (not shown) or may be detach from the slide mechanism  32  and then hung from brackets (not shown) mounted adjacent the housing second end  22 . 
     The heat pump  802  is similar to the heat pump  702  described with respect to  FIGS.  60 - 61    in that it includes the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  that is supported on the housing first end  21  in an orientation in which the coil axis  237  is parallel or substantially parallel to the housing first end  21  and parallel or substantially parallel to the plane P 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  64 - 65   , another alternative embodiment heat pump  902  has features that are similar to those of the heat pumps described in earlier embodiments, and provides at least the same advantages. Elements that are common with the previous embodiments are referred to with common reference numbers. Like the heat pump  102  of  FIGS.  15 - 22   , the heat pump  902  includes the configuration of the e-box  18  in which the e-box  18  is secured to the divider panel  326  rather than the corner posts  29 . Like the heat pump  302  of FIGS.  33 - 40 , the heat, pump  902  includes the planar divider panel  326 . In addition, the heat pump  902  includes the e-box mounted to the air handling section-facing surface of the divider panel  326  using the slide mechanism  32  in such a way that the plane P 1  is vertical and the e-box  18  can translate along one side of the fan  7 . By placing the e-box  18  including the control board  10  in the air-handling section, the electronics housed in the e-box  18 , including the inverter, may be efficiently cooled via convective air flow due to the presence of the fan  7  in the air handler section  27 . As in some previous embodiments, the e-box  18  is configured to translate relative to the housing  20  via the slide mechanism  32  in a direction that is parallel or substantially parallel to the first plane P 1 . The slide mechanism  32  permits the e-box  18  to move between a retracted position (shown in solid lines) in which the e-box  18  resides within the air handler section  27  of the housing  20 , and an extended position (shown in broken lines) in which the e-box  18  resides outside the housing  20 . The plane P 1  is vertical in both the retracted and extended positions. As shown in  FIG.  17   , the slide mechanism  32  permits extension with respect to both of opposed sides of the housing  20 . 
     The heat pump  902  is similar to the heat pump  702  described with respect to  FIGS.  60 - 61    in that it includes the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  that is supported on the housing first end  21  in an orientation in which the coil axis  237  is parallel or substantially parallel to the housing first end  21  and parallel or substantially parallel to the plane P 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  66 - 67   , another alternative embodiment heat pump  1002  has features that are similar to those of the heat pumps described in earlier embodiments, and provides at least the same advantages. Elements that are common with the previous embodiments are referred to with common reference numbers. Like the heat pump  302  of  FIGS.  33 - 40   , the heat pump  1002  includes the configuration of the e-box  18  in which the e-box  18  is secured to the planar divider panel  326 . In the heat pump  1002 , the e-box  18  is supported on an upper side of the divider panel  326  (e.g., on the air handler section-facing side of the divider panel  26 ). In addition, the e-box  18  is detachably fixed to the divider panel  326  so that the plane P 1  is generally horizontal and is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane P 2 . In particular, in a retracted position, the e-box  18  is mounted on the first set of brackets  360 , which protrude from the air handler section-facing side of the divider panel  326 . The first set of brackets  360  are configured to retain the e-box  18  within the housing  20  in such a way that the e-box  18  is spaced apart from, and resides above, the divider panel  326  and underlies the fan  7 . In addition, the heat pump  1002  includes a second set of brackets  362  that protrude from the air handler section-facing side of the housing second end  22 . The second set of brackets  362  are configured to support the e-box  18  in a vertical orientation that overlies a side of the housing  20 . The second set of brackets  362  is provided on both of opposed sides of the housing  20  to accommodate both the right- and left-hand air inlet configurations. The e-box  18  is supported on the first set of brackets  360  during transport of the heat pump  1002 . During installation, maintenance or service of the heat pump  1002 , the e-box  18  may be detached from the first brackets  360  and mounted on the second brackets  362  to permit easy access to the control board  10 . After completion of the installation and under normal operation, the e-box  18  should remain mounted on the second brackets  362 . 
     The heat pump  1002  is similar to the heat pump  702  described with respect to  FIGS.  60 - 61    in that it includes the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger  203  that is supported on the housing first end  21  in an orientation in which the coil axis  237  is parallel to the housing first end  21  and parallel to the plane P 2 . 
     As used herein, the word “substantially” in the phrase “substantially perpendicular” and in the phrase “substantially parallel” refers to the degree of accuracy of measurement of the terms “perpendicular” and “parallel,” and indicate that these terms may be largely, but not wholly, that which is specified to reflect, for example, part variations, manufacturing tolerances and/or assembly variations. In some embodiments, the term substantially refers to a structure being within plus or minus ten degrees of parallel and within plus or minus ten degrees of perpendicular. In other embodiments, the term substantially refers to a structure being within plus or minus five degrees of parallel and within plus or minus five degrees of perpendicular. In still other embodiments, the term substantially refers to a structure being within plus or minus three degrees of parallel and within plus or minus three degrees of perpendicular. 
     Selective illustrative embodiments of the heat pump and insert are described above in some detail. It should be understood that only structures considered necessary for clarifying, the heat pump and insert have been described herein. Other conventional structures, and those of ancillary and auxiliary components of the heat pump and insert, are assumed to be known and understood by those skilled in the art. Moreover, while a working example of the heat pump and insert have been described above, the system, the heat pump and insert are not limited to the working examples described above, but various design alterations may be carried out without departing from the heat pump and insert as set forth in the claims.