Air conditioning installation can be a time-consuming endeavor. To ensure the best possible outcome, there are a few measures you can take in advance to prepare yourself.
In this post, I'm going to share some tips on how to prepare your home for air conditioning installation – from what to do for preparation, to what to decide when it comes to hiring a HVAC specialist to install air conditioner at home. Let's dive in!
No matter if your current air conditioning system is outdated and ineffective (which you can learn here) or you have just moved into a brand-new house, ensuring a professional air conditioner installation will ensure your family remains comfortable all summer long.
By taking steps before professional cooling contractors arrive to install their cooling equipment in your home, stress levels and their time on-site can both be minimized significantly.
Clearing a Path
Before inviting cooling contractors in for their work, be sure the area where they will operate is free from obstructions such as rugs, toys, and tables that might block access to equipment. Doing this can prevent property damage as well as keep installers safe.
Cleaning the Window
Before installing an air conditioning unit in a window, our technicians must clean its frame, as well as any screens or storm windows if applicable. Furthermore, if there is any significant wood rot near your window frame, wooden supports may need to be added as additional support.
Review of System
Before installing your AC, professional installers will meet with you and evaluate your home to discuss your cooling goals and determine what size unit will best meet them.
They may assess factors like wall and attic insulation levels, west-facing window count, and any other elements that affect heat gain for optimal results.
Preparing the Line Set
Copper suction and liquid lines are placed near beams and ductwork in paths with as few bends as possible to reduce leakage risks. Every four to six feet, these lines are secured using brazing or welding for leak-free connections to the unit and service valve.
An HVAC professional will start their service by performing an in-home evaluation, which does more than collect pricing information; it also gives their team the chance to assess your current air conditioning system and make notes that they will bring with them on installation day.
They may note its proximity to windows or any obstacles that might interfere with its removal – this enables them to be ready with specialized equipment if required for the completion of their task.
Source: Unsplash
Commissioning
Commissioning is an integral component of building performance, serving to verify that a new or retrofitted facility, system, or component operates according to its intended design intent and meets all relevant codes, regulations, and standards.
Commissioning involves various activities like risk assessments, inspections, functional testing, on-site training sessions, and documentation.
As technology develops, so too needs commissioning phases in HVAC installations become ever more vital due to increasingly sophisticated building designs and systems construction projects. Unfortunately, many projects fail to include this step which may lead to inefficient or unreliable operation as well as cost overruns.
Commissioning ensures all equipment has been installed as promised, using professional team verification. Furthermore, commissioning serves as a quality check of design by identifying and correcting oversights before construction and occupancy take place.
As a critical component of every project, commissioning provides tangible bottom-line benefits for owners, occupants, design teams, and environmental agencies alike.
All stakeholders involved must understand their roles and responsibilities during the commissioning process.
Typically, the Owner determines its scope, including:
selecting and engaging a CxP
developing OPR/CFR documents
reviewing various commissioning plans, including specs, schedules, and reports for new construction
making a decision for all commissioning plans from contractors/consultants
etc
Source: Unsplash
Maintenance
Similar to how it's essential that your vehicle receives regular tune-ups or you head out to the gym regularly for fitness, your HVAC system also needs routine maintenance for optimal operation and to prevent costly repairs in the future.
Doing this will ensure it continues running efficiently while helping prevent issues from worsening into costly repairs later.
After your air conditioner installation is complete, your technician will return for a follow-up inspection to make sure everything is functioning as intended and that airflow is sufficient, answering any queries regarding operating your system and providing any support that might be required.
Remember that before your technician begins their work on your AC unit, you must switch off its power, either by switching off its circuit breaker or, if there is no separate shutoff box available, turning off the main power source at your panel.
Once the new system is connected to your ductwork and functional, a technician will conduct a full cycle test to make sure everything functions as intended. He may add refrigerant to boost its levels if they fall below threshold levels, before sealing and brazing its evaporator coil to the compressor inlet and reconnecting its service valve.
Disclaimer:
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