Why Is It Necessary To Bolt Down AC Units And How To Do It

The first step in getting your AC system to work effectively is a thorough installation. You might now be wondering if outdoor air conditioning systems need to be bolted down.

Always consult your local construction codes as well as the instructions for your air conditioner. Certain AC units need to be bolted down during installation. Your AC unit will perform best in such setup if the manufacturer or a local building code advises bolting it down.

Wasn’t that really simple, though? Well, keep exploring to find out how to bolt your AC unit as well. Numerous insights are awaiting you below.

How Should Your Air Conditioner Be Bolted Down?

In essence, one of the crucial components of the air conditioning system is the condenser or heat pump. In order to prevent damage during operation, it is customary to bolt down both outdoor units for security. You’ll typically discover that the instructions differ slightly between AC unit models if this is the recommended way to install the unit.

The following tools and materials must be gathered before you start the process:

• Tape
• Spanner
• Hammer
• The impact drill
• Marker
• Protective eyewear
• Shielding mask
• Masonry bit measuring 1/2 inch
• 3 inch long 1/2 inch concrete anchors
• Base footing with pre-drilled holes for your outside equipment

Then adhere to the fastening instructions below:

1. Make sure the outside unit is correctly installed by placing it on a concrete base that has been preinstalled.
2. To mark the location of a future drilling hole, insert your marker pen into the outdoor unit footing holes.
3. Set the impact drill’s 1/2-inch by 3-inch bit aside. If only a longer bit is available, for instance, you might mark the precise depth on it with tape to prevent over-drilling the concrete.
4. Apply light pressure on the impact drill’s handle to begin drilling the concrete.
5. As soon as the tape touches the concrete, you can halt drilling.
6. To the bolt’s end, turn the anchor’s nut.
7. Put the anchor into the pre-drilled base of the outdoor unit.
8. Once you can fully flush the nut and washer into the outside unit’s base, hammer it down once more.
9. The anchor sleeves should be extended into the hole as you tighten the nut with your spanner.
10. To fasten the outdoor unit of your air conditioner securely, repeat this procedure on the other holes.

Should An Air Conditioner Be Raised Off A Concrete Slab?

In theory, there are advantages to elevating your air conditioner above the concrete floor. Because of the reduced vibration, the AC unit will operate more silently and won’t prematurely break down. To support and elevate your air conditioner, you may easily discover some useful risers.

Which Location Should You Keep Away From While Installing An AC Unit Outside?

Follow all installation instructions to the letter if you want to keep your AC units running efficiently. It’s just as important to secure the AC to your concrete as it is to know where to avoid installing it.

Avoid installing the air conditioning unit in the section of your home that receives the most heat. In addition, your AC unit coils don’t like being among plants, twigs, or leaves. The coils could jam as a result of this backyard trash. Therefore, provide some space between any landscaping and the unit.

How Far Up From The Ground Should Your Air Conditioner Be?

In addition to fastening the AC, there are other important issues that you must take care of, like spacing requirements and clearance standards. This is also important since it will affect how effective the air conditioning system is.

You must extend or raise the outside unit from the ground by three inches (or 76 millimeters), in accordance with a residential code. Be ready for the local construction codes to recommend a higher clearance, mounting the outdoor unit up to eight feet, for residential areas that are prone to inadvertent flooding.

The following elements are equally important to take into account:

Guidelines For Side Spacing Of AC Outdoor Units
To ensure optimum ventilation, you should allow enough space around your air conditioner’s outside unit. You must provide six inches (or 152.4 millimeters) of clearance on either side of the outdoor unit according to the spacing guideline code. Additionally, you should maintain a distance of 12 inches (304.8 millimeters) on all of its other sides.

Distancing From Structures
Walls and fences are two examples of structural obstacles that dramatically reduce the amount of air that can move through your AC systems. According to the regulations, there must be at least 12 inches between the AC and these impediments in order for it to be able to breathe.

What Happens When An Unlevel AC Unit?

When the air conditioner is running, the fan motor is constantly turning. If the outdoor unit is not positioned level, this component could be damaged.

Furthermore, the system of an unbalanced AC unit is at risk. This is because freon could eventually leak and plug the tube. Because of this, the AC experiences excessive strain, which may also cause overheating.

Vibration is a common side effect of unbalanced AC equipment. As a result of the system’s nuts and bolts being loose, your AC unit will be damaged and cease to function properly.

How Can You Tell If Your AC Unit Is Installed Equally?

The AC unit can be visually inspected to see whether it is level or not. It’s a straightforward job.

However, if you can’t tell by simply glancing at the AC unit, you can get more precise results by using a leveling tool. Simply set the leveling tool on top of the AC unit to verify the outcome.

Am I Able To Level My AC Unit By Myself?

After determining that your air conditioner isn’t level, you might be inclined to level it. Unfortunately, we don’t advise attempting this task alone. Keep in mind that there are numerous piping lines in your air conditioning equipment. Its pipes can be accidently damaged by bending it if you don’t have the knowledge or experience to do so.

Make sure the level of your air conditioning system is correct. This is due to the fact that even a slight imbalance can seriously harm the system’s motor fan. Because of this, the device operates inefficiently and consumes more electricity.

To avoid damage, contact your HVAC contractor for the leveling task.

How Much Does Leveling An AC Unit Cost?

A unit that is securely level operates much more effectively. It is crucial to do a leveling diagnosis on your AC’s exterior units during a maintenance checkup. The HVAC service provider you hired will take care of this.

You will pay the contractor’s service fee of between $65 and $250. Depending on your state, this average sum may change.

Final Thoughts

Bolting down your air conditioning units will always be governed by specific installation guidelines and regional building regulations. As long as you have some DIY experience, the bolting process is rather simple.

To assist you with a proper AC installation, we learned a lot while researching this post. We also mentioned the need of leveling and spacing for air circulation in the setting of the AC outdoor unit. We hope you will take advantage of this information to maintain your AC running as effectively and efficiently as possible.