jeff s10 hours ago

"I had a Bryant HVAC system installed last week by a dealer with great reputation and is an FAD. They said the old concrete platform was difficult to remove, so they put the new plastic platform on top of it.

After they left, I noticed the new platform is not perfectly level. However, the top edges of the condenser unit is perfectly level in both directions. In addition, the condenser was not completely tightened down, probably because the new platform is just sitting on the old one. I'm going to have them back to resolve both issues, but what to hear the opinions of the experts here. I suspect they will try to assure me "everything is fine". How hard should I push them to fix it?"

I'm sorry Jeff but what you wrote is mostly jibberish. I'd truly like to help you feel comfortable with your investment but don't know exactly where you are having trouble. How can the condenser sit on an unlevel pad but be level across top of condenser?????? Most condensers simply sit on the pad with no fasteners or means of connection. What are you seeing that is only partily tightened?

Hi klem1,

Thank you for your reply.

I suspect the top and the bottom of the condenser are not completely parallel. The condenser sits on a slightly unlevel pad, but the top happens to be level. My other (2-year-old) condenser is the opposite: a level pad, but unlevel top. I'm wondering whether the slightly unlevel pad could cause any problem down the road.

The condenser appears to be bolted to (or is it just sitting on?) the plastic pad, which just sits on the old concrete pad. If you push on the side of the condenser, it moves a tiny bit. Is this acceptable? My other condenser feels like bolted down tight, and it doesn't budge one bit when you push it.

Thanks!

Jeff

It's over my head,never seen one like that.

I fail to understand why a plastic pad was laid on top of a concrete pad. What was wrong with the concrete pad? It is not necessary to bolt a condenser to a pad. I prefer a concrete pad over a plastic or composite pad everyday!

IMO

Typically, a condenser is only bolted down to pad in the following circumstances:

1. If Local Code requires it, because it's an area effected by hurricane force winds.

2. The house is new and the builder is trying to reduce theft, because no one lives in the neighborhood yet.

Many times the concrete slab over time sinks into the dirt and / or the slab may not be large enough to sit on the old slab... in addition to that maybe the area is prone to flooding. In these instances is usually the only reason a new plastic slab or cement covered foam slab is used to place the new condenser on.

In some cases the existing slab has shifted and not level any more. It is best to remove the slab and place a new slab in it's place. However, the size and material used for previous slab doesn't always make this feasible. Typically if this is something you want, you pay extra for it in the way of an add on. The time to discuss it is before you hire someone to do the work. If it's not spelled out on the contract as something to be done, then it's not done.

A contract is binding, to the degree in which the work is spelled out - no two homes are alike --- codes vary from one locality to another. If you have no contract or a contract with minimal language describing what is included -- good luck.

As stated many times before in other threads: FAD (factory authorized dealer) means a company signed an agreement to sell $100,000 or more in equipment every year. It's only about sales, nothing special.

Thanks Austin for the detailed reply. It sounds like in our case the condenser does not need to be bolted down because none of the scenarios you mentioned fits our situation. I hope the slightly unlevel pad won't do harm to the unit long term.

I would think that a plastic pad over a concrete pad would be visually unsightly.

IMO

The concrete pad is completely in the ground, so you can't see it from afar.

It's best to have the equipment level, but slightly out of level (10 degrees or less) probably won't matter much short term. Even a completely level unit can become out of level over the course of the life of the unit.

Tiger the plastic pad isn't any more unsightly than a rusted, fading paint condenser. In as little as 5 years --- fading paint and rust take over. I can almost guarantee that the plastic slab it sits on will go unnoticed.

Plastic is a piece of cheap junk compared to a concrete pad...if homeowner must place a pad over a pad, i would prefer a preformed concrete pad over plastic.

IMO

FYI, preformed concrete pads are mostly Styrofoam.

I have seen preformed concrete pads that are not composites!

IMO

I had a bad feeling about this subject from the very beginning.

Sure Tiger, but that is not common in retro fit market (previously constructed market).

New construction, typically will use preformed (poured) concrete pads.... that are poured on site. There is no back breaking concrete pad market, that delivers cured concrete pads.

This thread is related to retro fit market, not new construction. While you 'could' pay for and get a 'fully' preformed poured concrete pad -poured on site-, the price and wait times would go up.

A homeowner living on site is typically not going to go thru these extra hurdles.

Klem, yeah a real eye opener this one.

I think the real question(s) here is, does the compressor have to be absolutely level and does it need to be bolted down. And I think the answer to both is no, mostly.

My original unit was on concrete and was mostly level, but not bolted down. As it settled, is sat in water and rusted out the bottom. I 'raised' it about an inch to help with drainage, putting some ceramic thingies under it. The new one is on a plastic pad placed on the concrete a few inches high so water is no longer an issue. It appears to be held by it's own weight.

The compressor should be as close to level as is reasonably possible. And it should NOT move when you push down on one edge. They may have tried to level the composite pad by putting some sand or dirt underneath the low point but composite pads are usually formed as a kind of honeycomb, not solid, so this wont work. I'd ask them to come back and make sure the condenser is secure (not bolted down, but not rocking).

Sktn77a,

You are right! Just took a closer look at the condenser. They leveled the condenser on top of the pad, but it's a bit wobbly. Will have them back to secure it better.

Thanks!

Jeff