Moving your existing HVAC Equipment
Most homeowners may not realize that there are numerous occasions when it is important that your outside air conditioning unit be moved. These reasons include, but are not limited to:
- Aesthetic beauty of the home
- New fencing
- Addition of landscaping, or landscaping that encumbers service and or operation of the unit
- To reduce the risk of theft of the outside unit, due to the cost of copper, etc.
- Home additions
- Remodeling
- Adding a Porch or a Deck to a home
- Erosion of land
- Difficult access
- Adding anti-theft devices to unit
- A new replacement unit which has a bigger footprint than the previous condenser
- To meet new codes or to comply with existing codes
- Damage to unit caused by pets, children
- New concrete patio
- Swimming pool
- Multiple units next to each other causing lack of circulation of air
- Too close to a dryer vent
- Re-zoning of property or property lines
Moving a unit isn’t as easy or inexpensive as you may believe. First, the refrigerant line cannot be stretched or bent to excessive angles, because this could cause a leak in the line. Before a unit can be moved, the unit must have the existing Freon pumped down, or back into it. Then the copper lines either must be replaced because they only come in certain lengths, and are very expensive, or must be spliced or welded to an extension of the same size and diameter of line set.
Then the unit must be reconnected to the unit, and the Freon must be pumped back into the system, and a vacuum put on it to ensure moisture and air did not enter the system and recharged properly. However, it is important to note that there are restrictions on how far the line set can be run, and on what type of slope to insure the compressor can send it to the evaporator coil, found on top of the furnace without difficulty.
Then you must run new thermostat wiring and secure it properly, proper electrical, including the wire to the disconnect box, insulate the copper line sets, and place a protective cover over the line set, to keep the aesthetic value to the home. In addition, the unit must be re-leveled, the pad moved, and the system restarted.
Depending on the length of the move, with parts and labor, it could cost $500-$750 or more. So if you plan on moving your unit due to remodeling, renovations or other circumstances, keep in mind there is an extra cost associated with doing so. Be sure to include this in your budget, and to ask for a feasibility study to ensure your unit will function within factory specifications. If not, and the work is performed, it is possible should your unit fail, it will not be covered under the manufacturers factory warranty.