If you are new to the world of ACs, you may wonder how to move an air conditioner unit. Some of the best air conditioners, after all, are extremely heavy and represent a health hazard if moved incorrectly. Keep reading to learn all of the safest and most efficient ways to haul an AC unit around.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Moving an air conditioner can be an arduous task, as they are extremely bulky and heavy.
- Enlist friends and family to help or rely on a trolley or a related gadget to make things easier.
- If you are moving a central AC, internal unit, or outdoor unit and its various components (like copper lines and refrigerant lines,) consider hiring a mover or an HVAC pro.
Why Move an AC Unit?
There are plenty of reasons to move an air conditioner, such as when you are replacing it with a new model, when you are selling it, or if you are removing it to be repaired or maintained, like when you are learning how to oil an air conditioner fan motor or how to install a portable air conditioner in a sliding door, which can be hard to do.
Moreover, other topics to study include making a portable air conditioner quieter, how to size a portable air conditioner, and how to size a ductless mini-split air conditioner.
How to Move an AC
There is no universal way to move an air conditioner just like there is no universal way to learn how to make a window AC colder. There are, however, tips and methods worth considering.
Insider Tip
If you want an easy-to-move air conditioning unit, consider a portable AC, which is much lighter and less bulky than window units.
Method 1 – Grab Friends
Many air conditioning units are extremely heavy, often 50 to 100 pounds or more. In other words, for the sake of your back, do not attempt to remove one and move it around on your own. Enlist friends and family and make it a group effort. That way, no one person is holding 50 or 100 pounds, rather just a portion of it.
Method 2 – Plan, Plan, Plan
Get your plan of attack ready ahead of time and stick to it. If you are moving the AC to another room in the home, for instance, clear a path and keep it clear. The same goes if you are moving it outside to a car or even to a garbage truck. Keep the front door open in this case for easy access and lock any pets away in an enclosed room.
Method 3 – Use a Trolley
Don’t fear using a trolley or a related piece of equipment to make hauling the air conditioner around easier. That’s what these tools are there for.
Method 4 – Hire a Mover or HVAC Pro
The above steps are for window units, which are heavy enough. Central air conditioning units are another story and are often too heavy for average folks to lift and move, thanks to the various bulky components. Consider hiring a mover or an HVAC pro to do the heavy lifting for you.
F.A.Q.S
Can I relocate my HVAC unit myself?
Not unless you have done it before. There is a reason, after all, why labor costs to move an HVAC unit are on the higher end. It’s hard to do.
How difficult is it to relocate the outdoor unit?
It is extremely difficult, as there are many parts, including electrical lines and fuel lines. This places an extra cost when outsourcing this job.
What is the price to move an air conditioner?
Relocation cost depends on what needs moving, various building codes, and the size and weight of the evaporator unit, the external air conditioning unit, and related components.
STAT: One of the biggest problems with relocating your HVAC unit and moving the air conditioner is that the refrigerant line must not be bent at any kind of severe angle, because that would likely create a leak in the line. (source)
