Air Conditioner Installation: Useful Hints And Tips That You Must Know
AC installation is a process that will greatly change your lifestyle. A lot of people find AC installation to be overwhelming and difficult because there are so many things to worry about during this time. Moreover, everybody wants to get this done right, for the sake of their health as well as their family members. Also, a poor installation will invite frequent breakdown and repair. Hence, you need error free installation of the AC unit.
If you are looking for the hints to have precise air conditioner installation, you are at the right place. In this article, you will get insights into useful tips and hints that will make a big difference in your new purchase as well as help you to get effective installation.
13 Handful Tips of AC Installation That You Must Know
Choosing the right AC for a house is not a cake walk. It’s immensely essential you not only choose the reliable brand but also consider following tips to ensure proper comfort in the rooms you live in. Hence, with no ado, let’s drive through the tips that will help you to have effective air conditioner installation.
1. The Size Of The Ac Unit Should Be According To The Size Of The Room
The most important thing to consider when talking about your air conditioning unit installation is the size of the room you are trying to cool off. However, the size depends on your preference whether you are going for a window unit, portable or split system, and central cooling. Obviously, central cooling systems are going to be bigger than window units and portable units for obvious reasons.
Additionally, the size of the unit depends on the number of rooms and number of people in the household. If it is just for yourself then an 8-10 seer (sensible energy rating) can suffice. On the other hand, if there are more than four people at home or multiple rooms, then you need a 12-14 seer unit with split cooling capabilities to save on energy costs.
2. Check Specifications Of The Unit
The specifications help to choose a reliable brand based on the cooling capacity, warranty period, and after sales service. Also, you need to check out for the following:
Seer Rating – This decides how much power consumption per hour is saved by the air conditioner.
Size of AC Fan – You need to know that for a 10 seer unit 6 inches fan is ideal, and 8 inches fan is the right choice for 12 seers and above.
Number Of Fans & Fins – The more the number of fans and fins your AC has, lesser will be the chances of formation of ice on the evaporator coil during winter or scorching heat in summers. It also decreases noise made by the AC.
3. Proper Placement Of The AC Unit
The AC unit should be placed at least 4 feet away from any window in your home. Any smaller distance than this, the unit will produce heat which might cause inconvenience to the room occupants. Also, it should be at a distance of 10 feet from the appliances that might produce excessive heat or noise.
It is also okay if the AC is placed in your bedroom, especially when you are an active sleeper. However, other rooms can also be used for keeping the AC where there is good ventilation.
Additionally, refrain from hiding your AC unit behind the couch, bed, or anything; otherwise, it would mess the ventilation and intrude on the optimum functioning of the unit.
4. Look For Air Quality
When it comes to your comfort and well-being, it is important to check the quality of air in the room where you are planning to install the AC. You can use a digital air quality monitor to check for excessive dust or pollen. Improper air flow can cause a lot of problems in the long run.
Keeping in mind the air quality, you need to provide enough ventilation for your AC as well as your home. For this, you must place some vents (if not already) on the walls so that there is proper circulation of air inside the house and also around the AC unit.
5. Keep A Condenser In A Place Which Is Properly Shaded As Well As Have Sufficient Air Flow
A good rule is to keep a condenser at least 4 meters away from trees, walls, and fences as they might block cooling air. However, coils can get clogged easily due to leaves and twigs of the trees and plants. Also, it should be at least 2 meters or above from the ground. Failure to do so might result in overheating and may cause electrical hazards.
6. No Installation in The Hotter Areas and Near Fire Hazards or Trash Can
Installation in hotter areas of your house is not recommended. Avoid it; else your appliance has to work harder to keep the place cool. So, your monthly utility bills will hike. Also, placing your AC near anything that can result in an electric shock or short circuit is a BIG NO. This is hazardous to you as well as your property.
However, refrain from keeping the AC near the trash can. Otherwise, the filthy odor of the waste will spread all over the house, leading to discomfort and health issues. AC will not be able to filter air properly and you can never enjoy fresh healthy air in your living.
7. Ensure The Efficiency Of Ductwork
Make sure your ductwork is in good shape. You can let professionals clean it, or you can have a DIY cleaning with a garden hose and brush. Proper insulation and sealing of the ducts is very essential to avoid heat loss into the walls and floors of your home.
8. Do not Install Refrigerant Pipe That Are Too Long
Refrigerant pipe connects the indoor and outdoor of the central AC unit. While installing, make sure that it is not too long. Otherwise, it will interrupt AC in completing the cooling cycle. Also, the compressor has to run constantly, draining more energy, and frequently wears it down.
9. Vertical Drop in Drain Pipes
It is very crucial to keep a vertical drop of 1 feet in the drain pipe of an indoor unit to restrict reverse flow of water in the unit. It will also aid the route to the drain line. Usually, to keep up with the aesthetics of the house interior, expert technicians conceal the drain pipes ensuring that there is no leakage.
10. Decide Beforehand Whether You Want Separate Controls For Upstairs And Downstairs
Many units have separate outdoor and indoor controls. Having separate control units depends on your personal preference and should also be adaptable to your lifestyle. If you feel that you are running short of time in your home, then it is good to have separate controls for upstairs and downstairs.
In case you want to control the unit from one location, make sure you are meeting all the safety requirements for this type of system.
11. Ensure The Accessibility Of The Thermostat
The thermostat should be placed in a way that it is easily accessible by you or someone else in your household. It can also be placed near a window so that you are able to adjust the temperature once you put up the blinds in the evening while keeping an eye on pollution levels and traffic noise so that everything remains under control.
12. Use The Correct Type Of Sealant
The type of sealant you use on joints between different pieces like ducts, mounts, doorways, etc. depends on how you are planning on connecting it to the ductwork. It is pretty common to seal AC ducts with silicone but it does not hold. Also, you can use other sealants like urethane or polyurethane.
However, if the ducts are made of metal, then it’s better to have rubber seals instead of silicone in order to avoid any corrosion from taking place.
13. Get A Professional Engineer To Install It
It’s best to have a professional air conditioner installation service handle this task. DIY installation seems easy when you watch videos on YouTube or TV. But reality is different. There are high chances of mistakes and incorrect cooling load calculation.
However, it goes without saying that it’s a complicated job with many risks from improperly sealing pipes to accidentally hitting gas lines. They are mechanically and electrically complex. Also, to handle refrigerant needed to AC, you need special certification. Without extensive knowledge of all this, you will keep yourself in an extremely risky situation. Moreover, it’s time consuming for inexperienced and first time installers.
This is why DIY AC installation is a bad idea. Hence, always consult with EZ Heat and Air professionals for air conditioner installation so that the entire job is done in a proper manner.
We have an expert AC installation team who are profound in installing all brands as well as models of AC. Our skilled technicians will install it properly and in no time. Also, after installation, we will check that your AC unit is capable of cooling air properly without any noises or vibration in the ducts. So, call EZ Heat and Air technicians for AC installation in your home and have a cool and comfortable place to retreat.
Now, once the installation is completed, go through the following checkpoints and measurements.
Final Checkpoints of AC Functioning
- Input voltage of the HVAC system
- Ensure the current taken, when the compressor is running, is in accordance with the nameplate of the unit. The difference of +/-5% is acceptable. Also, check the current taken when the compressor is off.
- Additionally, keep an eye on the temperature of the suction side as well as the outflow side.
Keep a record of these checkpoints and measurements. This will help you to evaluate your next maintenance service. When there are unusual changes in the utility bills in comparison to your last year, it is an indication of the requirement of AC service and maintenance.
Yearly AC Maintenance For Smooth Functioning of HVAC Throughout The Year
Malfunctioning or problems in air conditioning usually feel blue, especially when the summer is in full swing. This is why we offer an annual maintenance package so that you can stay comfortable with the healthy humid levels and fresh air throughout your home all round the year.
Our professionals will clean dirt and debris in the filters, evaporation coil, and drain line. This will increase the efficiency of your unit, less usage of energy, saving money on utility bills, and increase the lifespan of your AC. So, for quick HVAC installation, repair, or maintenance services, call EZ Heat and Air anytime and schedule a consultation with one of our expert technicians. We will offer quality services at your convenient time.
