Over 87% of homes in the United States now use air conditioning.
In this day and age, it’s now more common for a home to have central air conditioning than it is to have a garage or basement. This is especially true for those living in midwestern or southern states, where summer is prolonged and hotter. There are many AC installation mistakes you can encounter when looking into acquiring a new unit.
According to the Department of Energy, air conditioners use around 6% of all the electricity that is produced in the country. Considering how vital air conditioners are, as well as how much they can feasibly add to your electrical bill, it pays to do your research so you can avoid any problems.
If you’re shopping around for a new HVAC system, you need to know what type of equipment best fits your needs and what mistakes you can encounter. Keep reading for the top six mistakes to avoid when installing AC units.
1. Know What AC Unit Sizes You Need
When you work with an HVAC technician for installation, they handle figuring out the needed size of an air conditioning unit for the number of cubic feet in your home. If you’re attempting to do this yourself, you must make sure that the unit fits the space in your home properly.
If you fail to get the right size for your AC, this can cause it to work overtime. An AC that has to work overtime will quickly wear out.
2. Using Refrigerant Pipes That Are Too Long
Refrigerant pipes connect the indoor and outdoor units of a central AC unit. These pipes must be just the right size. If you use pipes that are too long, the unit will have difficulty completing its cooling cycle.
3. Air Distribution Is Flawed By Design
Your AC unit cools your home by pushing cool air through the duct system. The duct system must be designed to fit the space of the home and the AC unit itself. This means the duct size must be able to match the output capacity of the AC unit you choose.
4. Drain System That Causes Leaks
Your AC unit uses a drain system to pump condensation outside. If the pipe is flawed in design, this can lead to severe water damage to your home. Any drain system you go with must be able to carry waste water away from the AC unit and be dumped outside.
5. Indoor Tubing Is Lacking Proper Insulation
The indoor tubing on your AC unit needs proper insulation. Without it, the tubing sweats, otherwise known as condensation. This condensation can be in a large enough quantity that it can cause water damage to walls and mold growth.
6. Using the Wrong Refrigerant
When you install a new AC system, it’s vital that you use the rated refrigerant that the system requires. Using the wrong refrigerant can cause certain parts of the AC unit to fail and will lead to a costly repair bill. Using the wrong refrigerant can also lower the power efficiency of your unit, increasing your utility bill.
Avoid AC Installation Mistakes With the Right Contractor
If you follow these tips presented in the article, you’ll be fast on your way to not making some of the most common AC installation mistakes around. Of course, the best option is to hire a professional to handle your installation. This will ensure that the installation goes smoothly.
If you live in Austin, Texas and the surrounding area, Texas Reliable Services is a family-owned and operated HVAC company that can handle all your installation and repair needs. Contact us today to make an appointment!