4 A/C Installation Mistakes To Avoid
Posted on: 10 January 2018
Everyone makes mistakes, but when it comes to air conditioning installation, there are some mistakes you should avoid at all costs. These mistakes can easily result in reduced comfort as well as extra money spent on maintenance and corrective repairs. The following offers 4 common mistakes to avoid when choosing and installing your next A/C system.
Passing Up the Latest A/C Features
You may think that you don't need those expensive doodads that come with your A/C system, but many of those optional features could help you save plenty of money in the long run. For instance, a variable speed air handler offers better air distribution with less noise, resulting in a quieter and more efficient A/C system that uses less energy than other units.
You should also be careful when choosing bargain A/C units, as these units often trade a lower price tag for poorer and less efficient A/C performance throughout the life of the unit.
Placing the Condenser Too Close to the House
Your A/C system's condenser cabinet needs plenty of room to breathe. Placing the cabinet too close to your home can actually disrupt its airflow, resulting in reduced performance. Planting shrubbery or placing solid fencing too close to the unit can also have the same effect.
It's usually a good idea to maintain at least 2 to 3 feet of space between the condenser cabinet and any nearby structures or shrubbery. You should also avoid installing the condenser cabinet underneath balconies since there may not be enough overhead clearance for the condenser cabinet to vent exhaust air properly.
Choosing the Wrong System Size
Eyeballing your A/C system's cooling capacity could result in choosing a unit that either offers too much or too little cooling power. The former could result in constant short cycling issues, ice buildup and a home that's constantly damp and clammy. The latter often results in an A/C system that runs nonstop just to keep up with cooling demand, wasting energy and creating premature wear and tear in the process.
Instead of relying on the traditional rule of thumb or simply guesstimating your A/C system's size, you should have your contractor perform an accurate measurement of your home's cooling needs through a Manual J load calculation.
Placing the Thermostat in the Wrong Spot
Your thermostat must be able to read the correct indoor temperatures in order for your A/C system to work correctly. Placing the thermostat in a spot that gets too hot or too cold can throw these readings off, resulting in a unit that runs at the wrong time, runs too long or fails to run at all.
You should keep your thermostat away from direct sunlight and areas prone to cold drafts. The best place to install a thermostat is along an interior wall in the central-most portion of your home.
Share