Right before the last heat wave started, I erected a makeshift structure around our south facing heat pump, b/c I read it increased its efficiency to not have the sun bearing down on it in the high heat. 

The house, which at this moment has no exterior wall insulation, is a 1950s brick cottage, and was indeed noticeably more comfortable with the shielding around the heat pump - even at 90+ temps.  (I hope to get expanding insulation blown into the exterior walls next spring.) 

That's important because our upstairs has no return air. So the heat pump struggles to keep it cool. No idea who thought that was a good idea, but here we are.  I guess the previous owners thought some AC was better than nothing. 

So today we framed up about a foot all they way around the heat pump on the ground with 2x4s and put in concrete mix, which is currently drying. On this, over the next couple of weeks, I will build an airy but shaded permanent structure on this foundation. I'll let you know how it works out.

https://babka-mastodon.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/media_attachments/files/111/161/761/877/975/363/original/eaa485137c1b4419.jpeg