Air Conditioner Concrete Pads
If you have a split air central HVAC system in your home, you probably have an air conditioning unit located outside. This unit is obviously one of the most vital components of the entire cooling process. In order for your AC unit to be efficient, you need to make sure that it is set on a solid concrete pad. This article explains the importance of having your air conditioning unit on a concrete pad.
Importance of Solid Footing
The air conditioning unit is made up of several key elements, including the compressor, condenser, and fan. The fan is very large and powerful. If the AC unit is not set on a solid surface, the entire thing can move around, meaning that the fan will not be nearly as efficient as it could be. In fact, even if your AC unit is already set on a concrete pad, the force from the fan can put stress on the concrete. So, it is very common that air conditioning pads will crack and need to be repaired or replaced over the years.
Additionally, many homes have sidewalks around the house, but they don't have concrete near the wall. You want to have your AC unit as close to the wall as possible so it will be covered by the roofline. Even though the air conditioning unit is meant to be outside, it is helpful if it is shielded a little bit from the elements. You never want to have your air conditioner unit set directly on soil, no matter how hard it might feel. Basically, when you air conditioning is running, you should check out the unit. If it is shaking at all, you should repair your existing pad or pour a completely new one closer to the wall.
Concrete AC pads don't need to be much bigger than the actual air conditioning unit, but you might as well build it a few inches wider all around. This gives you a little bit of wiggle room if you ever need to replace your air conditioner. It is also better to be safe than sorry, and elevate your pad bit. If there is flooding around the outside of your home, you don't want your pad to be submerged. Most professionals will pour the concrete pads a little thicker than a traditional sidewalk. This will help to protect against the constant shaking that the concrete is subject to.
For more information, contact local professionals or visit sites like http://unitstepjoliet.com/.
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