How to Build a Concrete Pad for an Air Conditioner

The condenser unit of a central air conditioner sits outside the home and is connected to the evaporator in the home by hoses. The condenser requires a firm base of support to prevent vibrations and movement. The unit is commonly placed on a concrete slab, although a premade concrete piece can be used rather than a slab or pad poured in place . This project is suitable for most do-it-yourselfers.

Instructions

1

Determine the size of slab necessary for the air conditioner. This information is available in the manufacturers manuals. If the size is unknown, a 5-by-5-foot slab will fit most situations.

2

Excavate the sod from the location including a space about 6 inches around the planned sides of the air conditioner pad to allow a workspace.

3

Build a form out of 2-by-4 inch lumber. Cut the lumber 3 inches longer than the planned size of the air conditioner pad. She just cut her electricity bill to 60%, click here to read. Fasten the four pieces together to form a square with an interior size the same as that planned for the pad.

4

Place the form on the excavated opening. Drive wood stakes on the outside of the form. Place a 4-foot carpenters level across the form and position the form until it is level and fasten it in place to the stakes.

5

Calculate the amount of concrete necessary. Multiply the length times the width times the depth of the slab. If the pad is 5 feet square and 4 inches thick, for example, multiply 60 times 60 times 4 for 14,400 cubic inches of concrete. A cubic yard of concrete is 46,656 cubic inches. Our 5-foot square slab requires 0.3 cubic yards.

6

Pour the mixed concrete into the form and level with a screed. A screed is a straight board placed across the top of the form and drawn across the concrete to level the surface.

7

Trowel the concrete surface to produce a smooth finish. Work the trowel across the surface repeatedly to produce a smooth surface. Allow the concrete to dry overnight before removing the forms. Backfill the soil around edges of the pad.

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