Will a 5 Ton Goodman Fit in Your Utility Space?
Tony Marino’s Guide to Clearance, Pad, and Airflow for the Big 5-Ton R-32 System
🧰 Tony’s Intro: “Measure First, Regret Never”
Let me tell you something I’ve seen too many times.
A homeowner calls me after they bought a shiny new 5-ton system, saying,
“Tony, it doesn’t fit. What do I do now?”
Here’s the truth: a Goodman 5 Ton 14 SEER2 R-32 system isn’t small. It’s powerful, efficient, and heavy — built to move serious air. But with the right prep, it’ll fit perfectly and perform like a champ.
Whether you’re putting it in a utility closet, attic, garage, or rooftop, I’ll walk you through how to measure, plan, and keep airflow free.
Because once you squeeze a system into too-tight a space, no amount of SEER2 can save your efficiency.
⚙️ 1. Know Your Equipment Dimensions
Let’s start with the numbers.
| Component | Model | Dimensions (HxWxD) | Weight | 
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Condenser | GLXS4BA6010 | 39.75" × 35.5" × 35.5" | 220 lb | 
| Indoor Air Handler | AMST60DU1300 | 54.5" × 21" × 22" | 130 lb | 
These are big cabinets — especially the air handler. Add a few inches for duct collars, drains, and insulation, and you need at least 65 inches of vertical clearance indoors and 42 × 42 inches outdoors for the condenser pad.
👉 Tony’s Tip:
If you’re swapping from a 3- or 4-ton, measure doorways and attic access before delivery. I’ve seen guys remove trim and drywall just to fit a 5-ton air handler through.
🧱 2. Utility Closet & Mechanical Room Requirements
If you’re installing the AMST60DU1300 inside:
Minimum Clearances
| Side | Distance | Purpose | 
|---|---|---|
| Front | 30 in | Service door access | 
| Sides | 3 in | Coil insulation & airflow | 
| Rear | 0 in | Against the wall, OK | 
| Above | 1 ft | Duct transition | 
(Energy.gov central AC installation basics)
Make sure the door opening is at least 24 in wide and 60 in tall. Add a sound-damping board inside if it’s near living spaces.
👉 Tony’s Advice:
If your mechanical room’s tight, go vertical instead of horizontal. Gravity drainage and front-service panels make life easier later.
🪜 3. Attic Installations
Attic installs can work, but they need planning.
- 
Deck must hold 350 lb minimum load. 
- 
Build a service platform (plywood + 2×6 framing). 
- 
Include a secondary drain pan with a float switch. 
- 
Maintain 30 in service clearance front and top. 
(Energy Star HVAC attic install guidelines)
👉 Tony’s Story:
I once replaced a water-damaged ceiling because a drain pan overflowed in August. Always install a float switch — it’s a $25 lifesaver.
🏗️ 4. Garage or Basement Mounting
Garages are great for vertical upflow installs. Just remember:
- 
Keep 18 inches in clearance above the floor (code for ignition source). 
- 
Elevate on a cinder block base or stand. 
- 
Seal duct penetrations through walls to stop exhaust fumes. 
In basements, use vibration pads to reduce sound through framing.
🌬️ 5. Airflow Requirements
A 5-ton system needs 2,000 CFM of airflow — that’s non-negotiable.
| Section | Recommended Duct Size | Notes | 
|---|---|---|
| Main supply | 20" × 10" | Rigid metal preferred | 
| Main return | 26" × 10" | 1 large or 2 smaller returns | 
| Branch ducts | 7–9" | Flex or metal | 
(Energy Star duct sizing chart)
👉 Tony’s Rule:
If ducts whistle, rattle, or “breathe,” you’re losing efficiency. Oversized slightly; you can always throttle with dampers.
🧊 6. Condenser Pad & Placement
Your GLXS4BA6010 outdoor unit needs a solid footing and plenty of airflow.
| Factor | Recommendation | Why | 
|---|---|---|
| Pad size | 42" × 42" × 4" | Stability | 
| Level tolerance | ±1/8" | Prevent oil migration | 
| Distance from the wall | ≥12" (rear) | Airflow | 
| Open clearance (front) | ≥24" | Coil exhaust | 
| Above grade | ≥2" | Drainage | 
👉 Tony’s Tip:
Don’t put pads directly on soil — use compacted gravel. Keeps rodents and moisture out and prevents slab tilt.
🌿 7. Airflow Clearance Around Condenser
Your system breathes like lungs — block the intake, and it suffocates.
- 
Minimum 24 in on all sides. 
- 
5 ft vertical clearance above. 
- 
No lattice, mulch, or dense shrubs within 2 ft. 
(Energy.gov outdoor clearance guide)
👉 Tony’s Trick:
Plant short shrubs 3–4 ft away if you want to hide it — they’ll break sunlight but won’t choke airflow.
🔧 8. Rooftop Installations
Rooftop setups need attention to structure, drainage, and service access.
- 
Check with a structural engineer for load (≈400 lb, including pad + service weight). 
- 
Use 4" vibration pads between the unit and the curb. 
- 
Install a roof-rated disconnect within 6 ft. 
- 
Add railings or tie-off points for safety. 
👉 Tony’s Experience:
Wind uplift can rattle a condenser loose if it’s not strapped down. Use four hurricane brackets in storm-prone areas.
⚡ 9. Electrical & Drain Routing in Tight Spaces
If your utility area’s cramped:
- 
Run flex conduit for electrical instead of rigid EMT. 
- 
Use PVC drain elbows with cleanout caps. 
- 
Label lines with arrows showing flow direction. 
(Energy.gov condensate control)
👉 Tony’s Tip:
Future you will thank present you when service techs don’t need to guess which pipe’s the primary drain.
🧱 10. Noise & Vibration Control
| Source | Fix | Notes | 
|---|---|---|
| Air handler hum | Rubber isolation feet | Dampen motor vibration | 
| Duct rumble | Flexible boot | Absorbs pressure shock | 
| Condenser rattle | Composite pad or risers | Breaks ground contact | 
👉 Tony’s Saying:
A quiet system isn’t luck — it’s padding, balancing, and tightening done right.
💨 11. Return Air Considerations
Make sure returns equal supply flow. For a 5-ton:
- 
2,000 CFM return total. 
- 
Prefer dual returns (living area + hallway). 
- 
Keep returns away from kitchens and bathrooms to avoid odor draw. 
👉 Tony’s Tip:
If your filter door gets sucked shut, your return’s too small. Air should move smoothly, not struggle.
🧰 12. Ventilation Around Utility Rooms
- 
Provide louvered doors or wall grills if the system is in a closed closet. 
- 
Add 1 sq in of vent per 1,000 BTU as a rule. 
- 
Keep drains accessible for maintenance. 
👉 Tony’s Trick:
If your air handler shares space with a washer/dryer, add a small vent fan to dump heat — it protects the ECM blower from baking.
🪶 13. Weight & Handling Tips
| Part | Weight | Best Practice | 
|---|---|---|
| Condenser | ~220 lb | Two-person lift or dolly | 
| Air handler | ~130 lb | One strong tech, one spotter | 
Never tilt condensers more than 15° when moving — oil can displace inside the compressor.
🧩 14. Condensate Drain Access
If the unit’s in a closet or attic:
- 
Run the drain toward an exterior wall. 
- 
Use ¾" PVC with ¼" per foot slope. 
- 
Add a float switch in the secondary pan. 
👉 Tony’s Warning:
You’ll spend $20 for parts or $2,000 for ceiling repair. Choose wisely.
🧮 15. Space-Saving Alternatives
If your closet or utility room is too tight:
- 
Consider horizontal installation in the attic crawlspace. 
- 
Use slim return grilles to save front clearance. 
- 
Stack vertical coil + blower sections with a custom plenum. 
🏠 16. Airflow Path Planning
Visualize the air:
- 
Supply leaves coil top. 
- 
Loops through the main duct trunk. 
- 
Returns pull back from opposite ends. 
Use Y-branches instead of T-joints for smooth flow. Sharp T-splits cause turbulence, killing efficiency.
👉 Tony’s Tip:
If you can hear air “hissing,” it’s working too hard. Smooth ducts equal quiet comfort.
🔋 17. Outdoor Airflow Obstacles
Avoid placing condensers near:
- 
Dryer vents (lint clogs fins). 
- 
Gutters or roof run-off (corrosion). 
- 
Outdoor grills (grease fumes stick to coils). 
👉 Tony’s Advice:
Give your condenser breathing room and a clean sky above. You’ll gain years of service life.
⚙️ 18. Checking Clearance for Service
Future service access matters as much as installation space.
| Component | Minimum Access | 
|---|---|
| Electrical panel | 36 in | 
| Filter door | 18 in | 
| Coil access panel | 24 in | 
| Drain trap | Visible + reachable | 
👉 Tony’s Saying:
“If I can’t reach it, I can’t fix it — and if I can’t fix it, you’ll be buying another one sooner.”
💧 19. Humidity & Condensate Control in Tight Areas
Large units like this pull serious moisture — up to 6 gallons/hour in humid regions.
- 
Always route drains downhill. 
- 
Add a secondary emergency plan. 
- 
Wrap cold suction lines with closed-cell insulation. 
🧾 20. Tony’s Final Word
A 5-ton Goodman R-32 system is powerful, but it needs room to breathe — physically and mechanically.
Get the pad right, give it clearance, and route airflow properly. Do that, and your system will run whisper-quiet and efficiently for 15 years.
👉 Tony’s Bottom Line:
“You don’t cram power into a corner — you give it space, air, and a little respect.”
Measure twice, plan once, and your Goodman will thank you every summer.
Now, Tony will explain the noise levels in the next blog.







