The Importance of a Quality HVAC Installation:
More than 50% of the air conditioning and heating systems in this country are incorrectly installed. What this means to the homeowner is that they are not getting the maximum performance from their HVAC system investment.
When an air conditioning and heating system is improperly installed; it is much more likely to experience costly repairs and breakdowns throughout the life of the system. To prevent future problems make sure you have an experienced professional team install your air conditioning and heating system. Check their credentials, review their Customer Satisfaction Guarantee and see what their customers have to say about their performance.
There are several key factors that distinguish professional, highly trained HVAC teams from those with less experience and who may take shortcuts. Among the items to go over with your professional air conditioning and heating installation team are:
Proper Sizing – One of the most common problems with incorrectly installed air conditioning and heating systems is that they are oversized or undersized. A Manual J load calculation performed by your air conditioning contractor will determine the best-sized components for your home environment.
If the HVAC system is oversized then the system will cycle on and off too frequently, which causes poor performance, early system failure, higher energy bills and generally less comfort for your home. In addition, oversized systems do not adequately remove moisture from the air because of short cycling. Though oversized systems may quickly cool the air temperature in your home, they do not run long enough to remove the humidity – a particularly critical consideration in Florida.
If your system is undersized it will not adequately cool your home during the hottest days of summer. The air conditioning system will run longer than needed and will not allow for proper humidity control. An under-sized system will increase your energy bills and can reduce the useful life of your unit.
Air flow - Your air conditioning professional should test for proper air flow through your system. If there is too much or too little air flow it could result in higher energy bills since your system has to work harder to keep your living space comfortable.
Duct sealing – Around 20-25% of your conditioned air is lost to leaky ductwork. Ductwork should be inspected, repaired, sealed or replaced if needed. Seal ductwork using mastic or tape that has been designed to withstand heat. Remove all kinks to ductwork for best air flow results.
Refrigerant Charge – Less than half of all air conditioning systems are properly charged. Even new systems are frequently incorrectly charged. In a recent study 31% of AC units tested were under-charged and 28% were over-charged. Incorrect charge can reduce the cooling capacity of the unit and can also result in damage to the unit. Severely over-charged or under-charged systems can experience early compressor failure if not corrected.
Take the time to go over the following items with your HVAC contractor:
- Refrigerant levels in air conditioning units should be checked and at the correct level
- Air flow should be tested and verified to confirm that it is within guidelines
- Equipment should have adequate space around it for system maintenance; debris removed and foliage trimmed
- Outside condenser unit should be placed in a protected area.
- Filters – obtain instructions for changing filters and recommendations on best type for your system
- Programmable Thermostat- your thermostat should be set and tested and instructions for use should be provided
- Permits – ask your contractor who will take care of any required permits for the HVAC work
- Energy tax credit certificate should be provided for qualifying units
For a comprehensive Quality Installation Checklist visit the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) website for details.
Turn to experienced professional HVAC installers to ensure a quality installation job for your air conditioning and heating system investment.
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