There are a million reasons why you would want to move your outside AC unit. Off the top of our heads we can think of renovations, noise pollution, and aesthetics; just to name a few. The average lifespan of an AC unit can be between 15 and 20 years; we’re sure you’ll want to make some home changes during that time. While it may seem like a good idea to try moving your outdoor AC unit, we’re here to tell you to wait and read this first.
Moving Your Outside AC Unit is Harder Than You Think
It’s easy to move most appliances. All you need to do is turn off, unplug, lift, and move. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about your outside AC unit. Beyond the weight of the unit itself, moving it comes with a laundry list of liabilities. One of the easiest things, but also the hardest is that wherever you move it to needs to be level, a small rock or uneven pile of dirt can throw your condenser off kilter. Another thing to keep in mind are the number of moving parts that go along with moving a condenser. This includes refrigerant, electric lines, fragile cables, and so much more. Though your condenser looks like a tank, it is actually an intricate piece of equipment.
Why You Should Call a Professional
Beyond the small things mentioned above, the biggest reason you should call a professional to move your outside AC unit is because things can quickly get dangerous. One of the first things a certified HVAC tech will do when they move your AC unit is pump out all refrigerant. If handled incorrectly, refrigerant can be dangerous. Simply breathing in too much refrigerant can lead to headache, nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. The next hazard is electrical. When disconnecting and reconnecting a condenser, you must wire the unit to the indoor thermostat. While this is easily done by a trained professional, someone with little to no experience could electrocute themselves. These are only two of the reasons we ask you to leave this task to the professionals, like the HVAC technicians at Service Champions.