Haier refrigerators require air flow to cool efficiently. One inch of clearance all the way around the unit is recommended to allow the air to circulate.
The clearance is necessary to allow air to circulate easily around the refrigerator, and especially around the condenser. The more air that circulates around the refrigerator, the better the cooling, and the more consistent the internal temperature will be. This means the refrigerator has to work less hard to keep cool, which saves you money.
Because proper air clearance is necessary, Haier refrigerators cannot be flush installed.