As summer approaches many homeowners begin to think about having central air conditioning added to their home. While there are many projects around the home that you can do yourself, installing an air conditioner is best left to professional HVAC technicians. Of course, if you only need to install a single room window air conditioner then that is relatively easy to do. Here are 5 air conditioning installation tips to ensure that your air conditioning installation is a success:

GUIDELINE #1 –  Prepare For Installation Day

It is very important that things start off right. Central air conditioning can be a wonderful addition to your home, but if it is installed incorrectly it could result in a long series of breakdowns and repairs. Start by hiring an HVAC company that has experienced technicians and a good reputation.

A new AC unit can last many years if maintained properly. But if you use an incompetent, fly by night company, then they are likely to do poor work which will lead to the unit not working as it should and will then lead to it breaking down long before is should have.

GUIDELINE #2 – Make Sure You Have All The Necessary Permits

If this is a major installation where the technicians are having to install or replace air ducts throughout the home and other major renovations, then it will require various permits depending on the work being done and the city and neighborhood you live in.

Any failure for the contractor to get required permits could lead to serious legal issues. This is something that should not be taken lightly. In most cases, it should not be a big issue to get the necessary permits. But if the company you use fails to get them, it could cause you problems in the future.

GUIDELINE #3 – Only Use Fully Insured And Licensed Contractors

You want to use only professional companies with the experience to perform quality workmanship. If a company is not properly licensed this is a sure sign they are not professional and should be avoided. If a company does not carry appropriate insurance then you are at risk.

If their technicians damage your home and the company is uninsured then you are less likely to recover the cost of repairs. If they do not have the kind of insurance that covers the technicians when they are working, you could be held liable if they are injured while working on your property.

GUIDELINE #4 – Make Sure All Workmanship And Products Are Warranteed

It is not uncommon for air conditioning units to have short term warranties. If the homeowner has it installed in early spring the warranty may expire before the unit is ever used. You should make sure that the unit warranty is at least a year. It is also important that workmanship is warrantied at least a year as well.

 

GUIDELINE #5 – You Shouldn’t Work With Subcontractors

While some do a good job you are less protected when working directly with them. Instead, use a contractor. They might have a subcontractor do the work, but often guarantees and warranties are in place to protect the homeowner. Also, the contractor will have relationships with the subcontractors and know their workmanship.

Installing an air conditioner doesn’t need to be a big deal. Simply follow these 5 tips for installing your air conditioner and it will be completed with relative ease. It is all about using a trustworthy company such as Altitude Comfort – Air Conditioning Installation Denver.

Installing an air conditioner system is not an easy task, especially if you don’t have extensive experience in plumbing and electrical work. That’s why you should be extremely cautious when considering DIY installation of an air conditioner system in your home. There are so many common mistakes made by the majority of homeowners when installing an air conditioner system in their homes. This article provides information on some of the common air conditioning installation mistakes.

NOT PROPERLY SIZING THE AIR CONDITIONER

One of the most common mistakes made by a majority of homeowners is installing an improperly sized air conditioner in their homes. Most people would either install a unit that is too large for their homes or a unit that is too small. The best thing is to conduct a proper load calculation in your home before deciding to purchase the right air conditioning system for your home. That’s where a reputed AC contractor comes in handy. A reliable AC installation contractor will come to your house and inspect the home to determine the right unit for your home. There are computer software and guidelines used by professional AC installation services for this purpose. The contractor will measure the ceiling, windows, walls, floor, and check the insulation or R-value of your home before recommending the best unit for your home.

OVERSIZING AN AIR CONDITIONER IS DANGEROUS

A unit that is oversized will cost more to operate and won’t provide proper humidity control. On the other hand, an undersized unit will not provide the best comfort for your home and endure more waste in the process. Your energy bills will also increase as a result. That’s why you need the right-sized AC unit for your home. Another common problem experienced when installing an AC unit is improper ductwork. The size of the ducts should be based on the load calculation. In fact, undersized ducts can impede the efficiency of the unit and overwork the compressor. This can result in early equipment failure.

IMPROPERLY INSTALLED DRAIN LINES

Improperly installed drain lines is another common problem when installing an air conditioner unit in your home. There is a chance for the main drain to fail and water to leak from the ceiling if the right drain lines are not installed. That’s why condensate drains should be installed according to the mechanical code.

AIR CONDITIONER IS LEAKING REFRIGERANT 

Refrigerant leaks are another common problem with a majority of air conditioner systems. That’s why you need to check the AC unit quite often. In fact, a 10% loss of refrigerant coolant can increase the energy bills by at least 20% over time. It will also hasten the wear and tear of the unit. That’s why you need to examine the system at regular intervals to prevent such leakages.
The right air conditioning installation company can prevent many of these installation mistakes. That’s why you need to choose the right contractor for the job. With hundreds of contractors in the area, you should be cautious when choosing the best AC installation company in the area. The above article provides information on the common air conditioning installation problems.

 

 

There are some parts of the world where a functioning air conditioning system is the only way to stay remotely comfortable in the summer. Though living without such a system is possible, as it has been for thousands of years in many parts of the world, modern conveniences and comforts have allowed generations people an unprecedented degree of comfort during the summer season.

While drinking enough water and staying out of the sun are important and indeed very comfortable for people living in a sweltering climate, the fact is that air conditioning really does make the summer a lot easier to handle no matter what kind of health you’re in. And if your state of health is fragile for one reason or another, a good air conditioning system can be vital for staying healthy in the summer heat.

Hire An Experienced AC Installation Contractor

But there are a number of problems associated with improper installation of air conditioning systems, the least of which is setting them up, typically the work of a technician or team of technicians that is trained and ideally certified to work on residential HVAC systems. A major step in the installation of an air conditioning system is the nitrogen purge. This purge works by pumping a full-fledged infusion of nitrogen into the air conditioning system to prepare it to run chilled air through its pipes and vents.

The nitrogen flows through copper tubing during brazing. Flowing nitrogen through an air conditioning system’s copper tubing is essential. Because oxygen tends to fuse with copper to cause copper oxidation, the pipes tend to crack and flake. While outwardly this seems to be merely a cosmetic problem, inside the pipes, the black flakes and grit are capable of plugging up essential systems and meters in the air conditioning system, typically at the worst possible times.

Prevents Copper Oxidation

Flowing dry nitrogen through the copper tubing of an air conditioning system will prevent oxidization because it is inert, that is non-reactive to the copper. However, it will displace the oxygen that would otherwise transform the inside of the pipe into a flaky copper oxide. The nitrogen typically enters the systems through a device called a Schrader valve once the core of the pipe is removed, though other system openings for this procedure do exist.

 

From there a hose from the nitrogen cylinder connects to the system. The cylinder is universally connected to a regulator, also called a flow control valve. The goal is to use a low volume of nitrogen piped in under low pressure to displace the oxygen. Most HVAC technicians start with 2-3 CFH or 1.5 to PSI. Other technicians set pressure until they feel a slight but noticeable flow on their skin when placed near the exit point.

Watch The Flow Rate

An excessive flow rate is generally a bad thing. A high flow rate of nitrogen into copper tubing tends to cool the tube too much to allow for efficient brazing heat to prepare the tubes to flow air. Excessive pressure from the nitrogen can also build up in the tubes and severely lower the rate of braze alloy penetration.

So remember, using nitrogen to purge the refrigerant lines is a critical part of a professional air conditioning installation.

Many homeowners prefer to install a central air conditioning system in their homes compared to installing window AC units in each room. That’s because of the numerous advantages offered by a central air conditioning system. Hence, if you are unable to make a decision between a central AC unit and a window unit, you have come to the right place. This article provides information on the top benefits of central air conditioner installation.

WINDOW UNITS FOR SMALL COOLING PROBLEMS

You will feel more comfortable in your home since a central air conditioner system cools the entire home at one time. You can save on your energy bill over time due to this reason. In fact, you will not have to keep turning on and off separate units in each room to keep your house comfortable thanks to a central AC system. This prevents the wasting electricity by having to operate each unit separately. That’s why if your home is hot and uncomfortable, you should consider purchasing a central air conditioner unit for your home without further delay.

CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONERS ARE QUIETER

On the other hand, central air conditioners are extremely quiet compared to window units. That’s because the condenser, compressor, and fan are located outside the house. The occupants will barely hear the operating noise of a central unit. You may hear only a slight click and blow sound when a central air conditioner is in operation. This happens when the thermostat kicks the system on. In comparison, window units operate with a much louder sound which can disturb the occupants in your home.

The central air conditioner system improves the aesthetics in your home. You will not find any visible signs of the system inside the house. In fact, the compressor unit will be located outside the house. In comparison, window-based systems have many components inside the house which would disturb the aesthetics in your home. That’s why you need to invest in a high-quality central air conditioner system for your home, which can be done by hiring the best air duct cleaning company in your area (see Yelp! for recommendations).

THERMOSTAT CONTROLS THE SHOW

A central system is controlled by the thermostat which helps keep your home at a comfortable temperature at all times. The system will turn on and off as needed for this purpose. This programmable thermostat can be adjusted to change the temperature in your home at numerous times in the day and night. This helps maintain the right comfort at your home as well as conserve energy at the same time. On the other hand, a window-based unit can be turned on and off manually. Hence, you cannot set them to keep your home at a more constant temperature at all times.

LONG-TERM VALUE

The upfront cost of installing a central air conditioner unit is much higher compared to installing a window unit. But the numerous advantages of the system help you save money in the long run. You can save on energy bills each month and keep your home comfortable at all times thanks to a central air conditioner system. That’s why you need to install such a system without delay.
The above-mentioned article provides information on the top benefits of installing a central air conditioner system in your home.