No Bill S. I never stated not to follow MFG Install instructions. Just trying to make a point between un-level and common sense. I knew where this thread was going to go. There are those kinds of inspectors out their that would lay a level across the top of a condensing unit and if it was off bubble any, would write it up or write two pages why it should be level. I personally just have never had to call one as unlevel simply have not ran across any that according to my eye caused me any concern.
the unit should be level… I think the responses have been about the drain instead of the pad/unit.
The photographer (me) should admittedly pay better attention but here’s an example on a new house. Plumb the garage wall (my fault) and you have a visibly noticeable slope on all 4 condensing units.
I wouldn’t want the call that any of these puppies needed replacement because I didn’t note this in the report as a repair item. Or the shims they borrowed from the fence pickets and rails on the next inspection. Shimmed units still slope.
What about the units being too close to each other and the wall? Competing for the same cooling air, and recycling the hot air into an adjacent condenser(raising the head pressure, power consumption and reducing life expectancy)?
The heck with level! Read the book.
Don’t pull the book out on Charlie. He’s forgotten more HVAC stuff than most will ever know!
The fact is that all this stuff you guys are “making up” about unlevel condensers have yet to be proven in the field to be viable!
The book wants the unit level, because that is a “Good place to start” , it only gets worse with time!
Some manufacturers state 18" mininum between units.
Some say 24".
How about the electrical access panel?
Barry’s example of the 4 new units installed on the driveway, less than 6" from the Garage door, without any protection from being hit. What about spacing between each unit and I only see 2 single disconnects.
Stupid? yeah, In my area, it would not meet code!
At minimum, (1) pipe bollard at each unit, minimum of 24" -30" seperation, depending on side of unit and Manuf’s spec’s.
Makes me wonder what “whoever” must have been thinking, when adding wood shims under the pads, sitting on the driveway. G/C or HVAC Contr. Tech.?
Stupid? yeah, Rotting from day one? you bet, No Code violation though!
You know, I think we all assume it takes professionals to build a house. Little things like this example is what drives me crazy, and makes me second guess the entire job. You just have too, when you see stuff like we do.
Fair?, probably not.
I try to work from knowledge and experience, and note and report with common sense. It’s kept me out of trouble so far.
And they do, indeed, make mistakes. That’s why all of us inspect brand new homes that have never been lived in. That’s also why I find it helpful to my Clients, as well as profitable to my business, to go back and re-inspect whatever work the sellers or those hired by the sellers have performed as listed on the buyer’s request for repairs.
Barry; were those wood shims placed under the units as a result of your report with the two pics makes me think they were before and after.
As already stated I would be more concerned about the distance between the units than the levelness. I guarantee after 15 years if they last that long they would have died as a result of excessive heat rather the units being un-level
If you choose to not believe this statement why don’t you just make a phone call to Carrier or what ever MFG you choose and ask to speak with a service rep and don’t tell them you are an HI just pretend you own a HVAC company are are working on one of their units and have determined the the compressor has failed due to the unit being un-level and just set back and listen. His statement will be yes the unit should have been level and then he will ask you how much it was out. Then he is going to tell you to start looking for another reason for the failure.
To me in viewing your pics I would not have placed those units on the repair list as the shims look terrible
Thanks David for the compliment but you probally went over kill on me as I was still learning the day I retired. Your not to shabby yourself, very precise very technical
Excellent statement Greg; the only thing that I would have stated different is Common sense, knowledge, Experience:) 
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We never stop learning, till we retire! 
As we discussed yesterday, once you get out of it on a daily basis, things tend to “slip away”.
I like discussing things like this on the BB. It makes you think and helps make things stick around a little longer! I have trouble keeping all the math in my head these days.
Some manufacturer’s require it to be unlevel:D
