What Your Trusted Air Conditioning Service Provider Has To Say About AC Condenser Pads | Hinckley, IL
Does your central air conditioner vibrate much? This could stress you for a while. Although you will have to call an air conditioning service provider to check the underlying cause of the shaking, there is something you should also consider installing; the AC condenser pads. An air conditioning condenser pad might not seem like much. It can appear just like a basing, albeit shaped rubber that cannot possibly be as important as some homeowners claim it is, given many other critical parts of an AC. That’s not the case. That piece of rubber you might dismiss as unimportant is vital to ensuring your air conditioner is safe.
What Is an AC Condenser Pad?
An air conditioning pad is a material that sits below your central air conditioner. It is normally the first thing you’ll have to put in place during the AC installation process, assuming you are installing the new air conditioner for the first time. The air conditioner condenser pads lift your air conditioner slightly above the ground. But why is this important? Why will the air conditioning service provider put the AC pads in place before installing the unit?
Protects the Outdoor AC Unit from Rodents, Birds, Pests, and Critters
To begin with, lifting your air conditioner from the ground protects the air conditioner from pests. The outdoor space has all kinds of pets, rodents, birds, and critters. Any of these could enter your outdoor AC unit and wreak havoc. For instance, the birds and rodents might make the inside of the outside AC unit their home and start making nests. Remember, rodents can chew up the insulation on the lines and wiring in your unit, causing shorts and even electrical fires. You effectively reduce this likelihood by lifting your air conditioner above the ground with a pad and having a regular air conditioning service.
Reduce the AC Vibration
By putting a pad in place, you will have effectively dealt with AC vibrations, a bane to the existence of your unit. If the air conditioner sits directly on the ground, you will likely find it makes some buzzing noises. AC vibration will damage the unit. This is why your unit must be installed over a pad; it is protected against damage that could drastically shorten its lifespan.
They Provide Stability to Your AC
Putting the pads in place ensures that your central air conditioner firmly remains stable and in place. Thus, it can optimally function even if there are minimal vibrations. If the AC condenser pad is installed correctly, your central AC will serve you longer with minimal issues. However, ensure that a regular air conditioning service follows this.
The Pads Are Weatherproof and Waterproof
The air conditioner must be water- and weatherproof for it to efficiently do its job of cooling your home. This protects it from snow, rain, and even the UV rays from the sun. Hence, talk to your air conditioning service provider about installing a UV protection unit.
Types of AC Pads
Concrete
If you have a larger air conditioner, the air conditioning service provider will recommend that you install it over an AC pad. Concrete has proven to be a stiff material that can support large weights. Hence, your huge unit will rest safely on a concrete pad. However, a concrete pad might not be necessary because your air conditioner’s capacity barely supports a small-sized and medium home.
Composite
The composite AC pads normally use rubber or recycled plastic. They are best suited for lighter, smaller air conditioners. You might think they won’t last long since they are made from plastic. That cannot be further from the truth. The recycled plastic AC pads will last as long as the concrete is installed correctly.
What to Consider When Putting in Place an AC Pad
With time, the rapid motion of the air conditioner can make it sink into the ground. The AC condenser pads have been designed to give your unit an unmovable, flat surface. Thus, they protect all the unit’s components from failure that could arise from sinking. As mentioned above, you nonetheless have to enlist an air conditioning service provider for routine AC maintenance. Whenever buying pads, you should ensure you get those that meet the specific needs of your unit by considering some factors, including;
Size
Air conditioner condenser pads come in different shapes and sizes. Thus, you should get one with slightly larger dimensions than the footprint dimensions of your unit. Such units offer better support and stability over the lifespan of your unit. However, entrusting the installation to an air conditioning service provider is critical.
Durability
The air conditioner will be installed outside and exposed to different weather and environmental conditions. Hence, you must choose a pad that is both UV-resistant and waterproof. In the warm season, the UV light from the sun will make the pad crack if it doesn’t have UV light protection. With time, a non-waterproofed pad will become waterlogged. Unfortunately, this means the pad will sink, making the AC sink.
Material
Several materials are used to make AC condenser pads. Large-capacity units should be installed on concrete AC pads. However, most modern air conditioning units are smaller and lighter. Concrete pads also tend to sink, while rubber AC condenser pads are durable and waterproof. However, they do not do well when exposed to UV rays.
The benefits of recycled plastic pads are almost the same as those of rubber AC condenser pads. The recycled plastic pads are eco-friendlier and UV resistant. They often do not even crack when subjected to too much rainfall. Composite material AC pads are another excellent choice air conditioning service provider might recommend because they often include a different material that effectively withstands water and UV rays.
Elevate Your AC
Do you need an air conditioner installation or relocation? Contact us at Just In Time to book an appointment.
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