I've read somewhere that the outdoor AC unit needs to be leveled. My outdoor unit is a bit slanted due to the floor not being completely flat (pic below). However, I don't see any obvious structural issues. Is this something I need to correct? Perhaps by sticking a small piece of wood on one side? Refrigerant needs to flow through the coils evenly without too much interference from the slope of the unit. A level concrete slab with rubber pads between the unit and the concrete is what the manufacturers recommend. "Mostly level" is probably okay for a residential unit. Get a half-inch thick outdoor rubber mat and cut it into 6"x6" squares. Put single pieces on the high side and stack several pieces under the low side to bring the unit closer to level. Be careful not to kink or damage the refrigerant piping to the unit when you do that. If you damage the lines when you raise the unit to insert the pads, you will wish you had left it alone. It should be as level as possible. The previous posts make good mention of rubber mat 6x6" squares and careful approach to only tip the unit as little as possible not to kink any lines.

If you don't hire a professional and aren't confident by yourself to address the issue, having a second person watch the lines while you tip can save much potential trouble. close control air handling unitPrevious information from these posts also generate ambiguity over the importance of having the unit level in regards to the compressor. is my ac unit big enoughLeveling the unit will terminate any ambiguity. ac unit running inside but not outsideAn additional concern not previously adressed is the compressor and/or fan bearings. An off level unit will put additional unintended mechanical stress/strain on these rotating components long-term. Therefore for best performance and longevity of your unit, level it and take special precautions in the process.

Outside A/C compressors are typically supported on a concrete pad, concrete blocks, or a vinyl pad such as the one shown in the photo at page top. The air conditioner compressor support pad should be level and secure against movement. Compressors which are badly out of level may fail to function properly and need adjustment. Tipping and moving compressors can also cause can cause leaks in refrigerant lines, leading to costly air conditioning service calls to evacuate and recharge the system after repairing the refrigerant leak. Do not try to move your A/C compressor yourself as you might cause a refrigerant leak or may otherwise damage the equipment. For slightly-tipped air conditioning compressors we generally leave them alone but we add support as needed to avoid further movement. Not being level can cause the oil for the compressor to not lubricate correctly. Over time it will cause the compressor to burn out costing you lots of $ in the long run. For a professional appearance it should not appear to be set without a thought to anything but function as if a war time situation where getting online asap is the priority.

The thought that an AC unit must be absolutely level or its wont work or work well is based on absorption type systems RV's used in the old days that used ammonia and a flame rather than a compressor. Technically speaking, no it matters not if its level or even close to it, it can be at a slant but will look weird. Our unit was off level quite a bit which caused damage that first caused it to perform badly before it quit completely and had to be replaced prematurely. It was installed in 2000. My outdoor a/c fan, condensing unit was making a metal sound when going on and off, that I thought was too loud. The fan blades seemed OK. I checked to see if the unit was level, and it wasn't. In fact it was quite a bit out of level. I leveled it, and now it is very quiet.Step 1: The Original DesignShow All ItemsAnytime you move into a new apartment you need to make sure that you protect yourself from any potential bad business practices or negative situations. Here are a few things about renter rights to keep in mind whether it's your first, or fiftieth, time moving on your own.

Before you move in to your new apartment: Make sure that you walk through the exact apartment that you’re going to move into, not a model. If there are any things that are wrong with the apartment make sure you tell the landlord what they are, and that they need to be fixed prior to moving in. Document anything that needs to be repaired or replaced in writing and with photographs. Send a copy to your landlord and keep a copy for yourself. Things to document are any chips in the walls, broken appliances or anything in the apartment that looks worn or deteriorated. In the event that your security deposit is held for any of these items, you now have proof that they were in existence before you moved in. Make sure that the locks are changed before you move into your new apartment. Ask the landlord to tell you who has copies of the keys. Usually, the only other people that should have access to your apartment is the building management. You might not think that you have enough stuff to need the coverage, but when you start to add it all up it will amount to more than you thought.

Depending on the terms of the policy that you purchase, renters insurance will protect you from fire, break-ins or other disasters at a low cost.After you move in to your new apartment: Landlords must fix major problems in the unit. It is their responsibility to keep the apartment livable and in good condition. If you signed a lease for an apartment with air conditioning, the landlord must keep the air conditioning working in the unit. If the water is shut off (and you've paid your bills), the landlord must fix any problem in a reasonable time frame. Depending on your lease, your landlord may or may not be responsible for minor problems like leaky faucets or problems with appliances. (Make sure you ask about this before you sign the lease.) If it states in the lease that you are responsible for issues of this nature, building maintenance may be able to fix the problem but don’t be surprised if you end up with a bill for the repairs. This is another good reason to make sure you document any problems before you move into the apartment.

If your landlord is not receptive to repairing major problems, or is hesitant to meet with you for any other major dispute after you've moved in, make sure you follow these steps, in this order: Submit a repair request through building maintenance.If this is not acted upon: Propose mediation with your landlord. There are independent agencies that will be able to hear both sides of a case and help the parties in the dispute come to a reasonable agreement.If mediation fails to bring about a resolution: Report your building and landlord to a local housing authority or building agency. Most often this agency can apply the needed pressure for your landlord to understand the importance of your issues and help rectify any problem.Only when that fails should you: Sue your landlord in small claims court. Not only might this damage the reputation of your landlord and the apartment property but if the lawsuit is financial in nature, it may also reflect negatively on your credit report. The Federal Fair Housing Act protects renters from discrimination.