A/C or heat pump compressor/condenser unit installation mistake questions & answers:

Q&A on snafus, mistakes and goofs when installing the compressor/condenser unit outdoors or on rooftops.

This air conditioning repair article series discusses the installation errors in air conditioning compressor and condensing units such as improper location, blocked air flow, out of level, or not properly supported.

Air Conditioning or Heat Pump Compressor / Condenser Unit Installation Errors & Damage

These questions and answers about mistakes in the installation of air conditioners or heat pumps were posted originally

at COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER INSTALLATION ERRORS

Can I install condensers under a window?

Can I install condensers under a window? On 2017-03-10 by Susan

Reply by (mod) - bad idea

Can, yes.

Should? Maybe.

There may be issues however with noise and air movement - IF the window is open when the condenser is operating, depending on the height of the window above the unit and the horizontal distance to the compressor from the wall you might have complaints of both noise and hot air blowing into the building.

(Normally one would think windows would be closed when the A/C system is running).

Details are at at CLEARANCE DISTANCE, HVAC

 

Better to run the compressor lines though an attic or underground?

Is it better to run the compressor lines though an attic or underground? My choices are to either

(a) run 30' of line thru the attic to the side of the house opposite the condenser unit or

(b) to run 20' of line under the patio area to the far side of the patio. My preference is (b) since (a) would put the compressor next to the bedrooms, but I'm not sure if there are issues running the lines underground.

Also, the attic will be hot and the AC will be running most of the year here in Central Texas. Thank you! On 2016-08-26 by Susan

Reply by (mod) - run refrigerant lines underground?

Susan:

You can run refrigeration lines underground but they'll need additional protection from corrosion, damage, frost heave, etc.

Refrigerant lines in the attic also would be insulated.

 

How to mount the upper end of support hanger rods for an attic-suspended air handler

My mitsubishi evaporator is to be suspended from the rafters of my attic by 10mm threaded support rods, but I cannot find any information online anywhere in regards to how to properly mount the upper end of those support rods. Any info would be appreciated. On 2016-02-28 by andre

Reply by (mod) -

Andre

Typically the upper end of the hanger rods is hung from an eyebolt screwed into the under-edge of the rafter or less often, bolted by a clamp to the side of the rafter.

If you must drill a suspension hole through the rafter make the hole in the center of the rafter width.

I found a tipped over condenser unit

I found a tipped over condenser unit on a job. Other then being tipped over for who knows how long , it is a brand new unit. I figure the oil has most likely migrated from the compressor.

How do I correct this? On 2015-06-02 by Oki

Reply by (mod)

Oki

Put the condenser upright taking care not to bend, kink or damage the refrigerant tubing and connections;

Leave it a MINIMUM of 24 hours, I'd wait longer, maybe a few days, to give the oil a chance to run back where it belongs. Then it should be OK.

But on the other hand who knows what else was damaged by such an inept situation. When the unit is turned on for the first time if it clangs or makes other noises shut it off immediately.

Question: My compressor is out of level

My A/C compressor is out of level just slightly - is that going to make trouble? - Dimc

Reply:

Dlmc: - requirement to level the air conditioning or heat pump compressor -

Yes the compressor should be level. That detail is found in the installation instructions for air conditioning and heat pump compressors.

Slightly out of level is unlikely to affect operation, but if you consider that the condenser coil expects to receive high temperature, high pressure refrigerant gas that it then cools to a liquid refrigerant, and that the liquid refrigerant needs to flow out of the condensing coil into the refrigerant line, a significant tip out of level may interfere with refrigerant flow and thus system operation.

Also a unit that is out of level and also not secured to a mounting pad may creep due to equipment vibration, risking development of a leak in the refrigerant lines or a torn electrical connection.

 

Question: the compressor is able to slide around

Our new central air was just installed and we noticed the compressor unit is sitting on the plastic pad but not connected to it, able to slide around on it. Is this normal?

Also, the lines going inside the house are covered with a lot of putty at the house (apparently to seal off the holes for insulation) but the edges of the putty don't appear to be actually touching the vinyl siding of the house. (June 11, 2014) Kathy J said:

Reply:

Kathy

Did you try calling the installer to ask,that these details be corrected? Certainly if the compressor is really sliding around it will soon fail from a refrigerant line rip and leak or worse, an electrical wiring hazard.

Question: code for placement of the AC compressor unit

What is code in sterling heights mi for outdoor placement of an a/c compressor unit? (July 27, 2014) Anonymous

what is the distance or measurement of a condensing fan and condensing coil of a window type unit air conditioner? (Aug 5, 2014) fred

Reply:

Anon,

In most jurisditions the HVAC equipment must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions. The instructions for your specific unit will call for particular clearances from nearby walls or obstructions that may vary for the different sides of the unit.

For details, in ARTICLE INDEX found near the end of this page see the article titled

CLEARANCE DISTANCE, HVAC

Got me on this one Fred. Window type air conditioners include the condenser and all coils within the same individual unit or case. Perhaps you're asking about something else.

 

 

 

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Continue reading at COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER INSTALLATION ERRORS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• CLEARANCE DISTANCE, HVAC
• COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER REPAIR - topic home
• REFRIGERANT PIPING UNDERGROUND, BURIED
• REFRIGERANT PIPING INSTALLATION

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COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER INSTALL ERROR FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMPS

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