How to Level Air Conditioner Pad

This article will walk you through the steps of leveling your air conditioner pad. Air conditioning pads are used to provide a flat surface for your AC unit and prevent it from sinking into soft soil, which can cause damage or instability. This process must be done correctly, so do not rush through the steps. 

How to Level Air Conditioner Pad

First, find out how much dirt needs to be removed by using a simple straight edge such as a level or measuring tape on the surface of the ground in front of your house where you want to place an AC pad. In this article, I’ll show you step-by-step instructions on how to level air conditioner pad.

9 Steps to Follow on How to Level Air Conditioner Pad

Step One: Distribute the weight

Distribute the weight of your air conditioner evenly on the pad by opening up any valves on the bottom of your unit that are called “bleed valves.” Once these are opened, you will need to wait approximately 10 minutes to distribute all of the weight onto your new pad.

Step Two: Unroll Your New Pad

Unroll the pad down your driveway or over your lawn. This way, you will determine if certain areas are more worn than others, making it easier to place the air conditioner on level ground once everything is installed.

Unroll the Pad Down Your Driveway or Over Your Lawn

Step Three: Position Your Unit

Once all of the bleed valves are open, position your air conditioner on top of the pad. You can do this by manually positioning it or by using a hand truck to move the unit around.

Step Four: Mark Holes

If you are not planning to move your air conditioner again anytime soon, now would be an ideal time to mark and drill holes for any extra pieces that may need to be attached to the pad prior to assembly.

Step Five: Drill Holes for Assembly

Drill holes into the air conditioner and onto the pad. This is a very important step, as these freshly drilled holes will be used for assembly purposes and stabilizing pins that must be placed within each of them before the unit can be completely installed.

Step Six: Insert Stabilizing Pins

Insert stabilizing pins into each of the drilled holes on both the air conditioner and the pad. Stabilizing pins are very long pieces with a circular base similar to a washer but designed specifically for this type of application. They are used as an extra level of support for the air conditioner, but they also assist with protecting your unit’s compressor from damage.

Step Seven: Assemble it All Together.

Now that you have all of your stabilizing pins in place and both pieces are completely level, it is time to assemble the pad underneath the air conditioner. Again, this should be pretty simple considering everything is already marked, and all you have to do is tighten a couple of screws and bolts.

If you would like, you can use your air conditioner unit as leverage by placing the bottom edge on the very top of the pad, which would allow it to turn in order for each side to attach easily.

Step Eight: Bleed Valves

Once all the screws and bolts are tightened, you will need to close the bleed valves. These can be found on the bottom of your unit in between each leg or pole. Once they are closed, it is time to check for air bubbles. Air bubbles will indicate that there is still some pressure within your unit and, if left unfixed, will cause the unit to leak.

Step Nine: Let it sit.

Once you have confirmed there is no more pressure in your unit, let everything sit overnight to settle into place properly. This step is significant because any air bubbles that may have been trapped during installation can expand from being under intense pressure, which can cause damage to your air conditioner unit.

Let Everything Sit Overnight to Settle Into Place Properly

After the air conditioner is completely settled and sitting level, you should have a perfectly working pad that will last for years to come while protecting your unit from any further damage.

Does Ac Pad Need to Be Leveled?

The answer to this question is yes. A perfectly level pad will mean that your air conditioner’s drain line will be running in the right direction and that your unit is draining properly. If it doesn’t, you can experience a water buildup, which causes leaks and mold. Not only would these things make life difficult for you, but they can make your unit less efficient.

Some people like to use the top of their air conditioner as a shelf when they aren’t using it. If your pad isn’t level, this isn’t easy to do. Over time, your air conditioner will need some repairs, and you might not notice that it’s no longer level until you’ve had these problems. This can mean more money out of your pocket for repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Put Under My Air Conditioner?

A window unit is the best option to put under your air conditioner.

This is because windows can still allow some airflow into the room and make it feel more relaxed than an air-conditioner without a window.

However, if you have an air-conditioner without a window, you should put something on top of it like a blanket or quilt so that it doesn’t overheat.

Does Ac Pad Need to Be Level?

Yes, it does. An AC pad is the round metal plate that sits in the middle of your furnace. It should be level to ensure optimal performance and prevent water from pooling at the bottom of your unit.

What Happens if Condenser Is Not Level?

If the condenser is not level, the water will not be in a straight line. This will cause it to splash out of the top of the coil, and you may have problems with your unit.

A Window Unit Is the Best Option

This is because if there is an uneven surface, then there will be different heights on both sides of the same point.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You now know how to level air conditioner pad. Remember, leveling is essential for the life of your AC unit and safety reasons as well.

We hope this article has been helpful to you in understanding how it’s done because we want you to have a safe home that cools down quickly during those hot summer days ahead. If you need any further assistance with anything related, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email to help however possible!

Related Article: How to remove rust from air conditioner coils.

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