Bulky condenser pads with time-consuming installation methods are a thing of the past. No longer do contractors need to rely on heavy machinery to place these foundational elements for HVAC equipment. Welcome to the modern era of HVAC installation, where mounting your system entails carrying in a light, plastic pad and setting it down on a flat surface you can feel comfortable putting your equipment on.
Traditional materials used for HVAC mounting pads like concrete and metal weigh you down during installation and beyond — not to mention their tendency to settle, warp, or rust, turning them into an uneven surface that can harm HVAC systems.
With alleviating these pain points that are top of manufacturers' minds, new innovations in materials ushered in unfailingly flat and sturdy polyethylene pads. These newer plastic options allow HVAC contractors to more quickly set up a longer-lasting foundation for their systems.
The Evolution of HVAC Mounting Pads
While even the ancient Greeks and Romans — and 14th-century Europeans — tried different methods of controlling temperature and ventilation indoors, air conditioning as we know it wasn't invented until the early 1900s. Even then, central air didn't become mainstream in America until the '70s.
Once HVAC units started creeping closer and closer to the iterations we use now, the need for a solid foundation underneath highly complex, stationary outdoor units presented itself. Mounting pads were created to meet this need as a flat, sturdy surface for equipment to rest on. These elevate systems away from potentially harmful dirt and pests, preventing machine clogging.
Initially, pads were mainly in the form of concrete blocks, which are considered the traditional solution for supporting HVAC systems. While affordable, this option isn't eco-friendly, may be uneven without the proper leveling, and can produce debris over time.
From there, more options appeared on the market, such as metal and wood. Metal, while strong as a base, is heavy, making installation a pain. Once placed, it can rust, conduct electricity into the ground, and vibrate, creating annoying noises. Wood has mostly been used as a DIY solution, since it isn't very strong or long-lasting and can easily become water-damaged and trap contaminants.
Tired of bulky and inconsistent solutions, manufacturers saw an opportunity to transition from heavy materials to more innovative solutions. These include rubber and plastic options. Rubber is incredibly shock-absorbent, but might absorb moisture over time. It's also not consistently available, leading to some companies trying to pass off less strong, lower-grade rubber pads as suitable for supporting HVAC systems when they aren't.
Finally, polyethylene pads entered the scene. Light, easy to place, and resistant to damage and contaminants, plastic HVAC mounting pads emerged as the perfect solution for quickly and reliably installing outdoor HVAC systems.
Benefits of Plastic Mounting Pads
When compared to materials of the past, the light weight of plastic makes HVAC pads so much easier to install and replace. This lightness is combined with a durability that makes plastic the clear winner among material options.
The stability and flatness of plastic HVAC mounting pads promote even weight distribution, protecting the longevity and efficiency of the equipment they hold. They are also resistant to damage from very high or low temperatures, water, and chemicals — making them well-suited to withstand conditions in many different environments and climates.
In practice, plastic HVAC pads are saving builders and homeowners money on installation and maintenance. Over the HVAC unit's lifetime, a proper foundation ensures optimal performance, which translates into better energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs.
Getting wise to these benefits, HVAC contractors are now often removing pads of other materials in favor of plastic ones when they have to repair or replace the ones found underneath existing equipment. Since plastic pads are more cost-effective and less labor-intensive to install in the first place — and also require less maintenance over time — they save contractors ample money, time, and effort.
All of these qualities add up to make plastic the superior material for stable and long-lasting mounting pads. Plastic has everything an HVAC contractor needs to start their installation process off strong: It can be precisely molded for complete flatness, it's efficient to install, and it lasts for a long time.
Introducing the PolarPad by DuraPlas
Now that you know about the benefits of using plastic HVAC pads, meet our expertly crafted version: the DuraPlas PolarPad. Engineered to last longer under HVAC systems, the PolarPad is injection-molded from polyethylene to achieve superior flatness and durability. With a wide range of models in different sizes and with different maximum loads, our superior line of plastic HVAC pads is adaptable to fit many spaces and situations.
More on the PolarPad: It's specifically designed to support light, ground-supported equipment such as air conditioning condensers, swimming pool filters, and heat pumps. It features strong, uniform ribbing along the underside for added muscle and even weight distribution. Our design also looks clean and concrete, with a uniform texture on top and rounded edges on the sides.
With support from MARS, a renowned distributor in the HVAC-R industry, the PolarPad has been transformational for many contractors. Frank Mehler, senior vice president of marketing and sales for MARS, says of the product, "We got our hands on the sample of this PolarPad and it clicked on a lot of the right levels in terms of product design. ... Then as we learned more about the product, it became evident that this was different."
The PolarPad is different. When compared to traditional mounting pads, its design and materials far surpass other options in terms of efficiency to install, durability, and performance. Installation requires one person and no additional equipment. Once installed, the PolarPad repels potential damaging factors like UV, weather, oils, and chemicals. In the long run, it is resistant to heat, cold, cracking, breaking, and warping for superior performance.
Let PolarPad Usher You Into a New Era
Plastic HVAC pads make metal and concrete options seem outdated and inefficient. Lighter, stronger, and more resistant to environmental conditions, polyethylene pads are better for contractors, homeowners, and building owners everywhere.
Don't stay trapped in the dark ages of heavy HVAC pads that take more effort to install for fewer long-term benefits. Live in the now with our lightweight polyethylene HVAC pads that last longer than their predecessors.
Ready to upgrade your HVAC support system? Discover the lightweight, durable, and innovative PolarPad by DuraPlas. Visit our website, DuraPlasInc.com, to learn more about our global plastic solutions and how the PolarPad can revolutionize your HVAC installations.