What kind of condenser pad do you use and why?

[DonnieHeating]

Wondering what people prefer. I have seen two, plastic and styrofoam/sprayed with cement. I have only been using the styrofoam ones but want to hear thoughts on both?

Thanks!

[Spitz]

Real poured concrete or whatever A/C package includes from the supply house

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[Achso017]

I prefer plastic over foam. The foam ones never seem to have a level surface and the unit always seems to have a wobble.

[Achso017]

Also I’m not a small guy and I’ve cracked one or two foam pads while “persuading” the corner to be more level.

[Bazooka Joe]

2" Diversitech stucco type pads, just like the way they look over the smooth plastic ones.

[BuddyR]

Usually pour a cement pad.

[clifpaul]

Usually go with the plastic pads. Lighter and easier to level than the covered foam pads. And much lighter less likely to crack or break than the premade concrete pads. Now if the house has a concrete pad that has been poured in place I always reuse them unless they are way too small. Looks nicer.

[Bazooka Joe]

Forgot to mention if existing concrete prefab pad is in place, many sink ( my area anyway ) over time, we just throw a Diversitech or equivalent on top, after releveling even if existing sunken pad is smaller...

[clifpaul]

They do that here too. And I'll do the same. Easier than digging them up.

[theoldscroll]

Our area has a local guy who makes concrete pads. He knows his stuff, don't crack, hollowed out bottom, etc. Some will argue, But in my opinion the plastic or styro pads just make the job look cheap compared to the solid concrete. Just my opinion.

[BNME8EZ]

I like either the 2" or 3" plastic, however I have found where they seem to "settle" (sink into the ground) over time, which I don't like. If I am in a situation where it looks like the ground is loose I will make a metal bottom for it to keep the dirt from pushing up into the hollows. I figure by the time the metal rusts out and settling becomes a problem it will be time to replace the unit anyway.

[Glennhvac]

Usually go with the plastic pads. Lighter and easier to level than the covered foam pads. And much lighter less likely to crack or break than the premade concrete pads. Now if the house has a concrete pad that has been poured in place I always reuse them unless they are way too small. Looks nicer.

Have to disagree there unless you have a pad that is built different than the plastic ones I have been getting. I've found it easier to level a pad with a solid bottom over that honeycomb base. We used to use precast concrete years ago. I'm not even sure the place we bought them sells em anymore. Even bought some long ago that were like 36x60 for those gas chillers! YIKES!

[Core_d]

We have to use the hurricane pads and straps here. Company i worked for use to line the ground with pond pebbles and put down a plastic pad. Its far too common around here to see units with no pads though.


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[clifpaul]

A shovel and the occasional bag of gravel have come in awful handy a number of occasions. So does a pick mattocks. Most of the units we replace are still fairly level, it's just the old pad is either too small or in too bad a shape.

[Bazooka Joe]

Seen OD units attached to the non damaged shipping pallets used as the pad...I think their thinking was full speed ahead damn the torpedos.....just saying

[strogen]

I like to put down a 4x4 treated frame, a scouch bigger than the pad. Lag the corners to hold it together, fill it with pea gravel, and put down a plastic pad. Easy to level the pad on the usual unlevel ground, and keeps the weed wacker away from my work!

[Rivisio]

We mount all our units to the foundation using brackets. The unit will never become unlevel.

[BNME8EZ]

I hate brackets. I have seen too many where you need a ladder to change the fan motor, don't even want to talk about compressors. And most of them end up with the unit to close to the wall for proper service. Not picking on anyone just my opinion.

[Rivisio]

All our units are mounted 16in or less off ground, and 12in from a wall. compressors are a pain but everything else is really nice to work on.