If you want maximum comfort from your cooling unit, you’ll have to be picky and careful about certain things. Without being aware of these, you’ll face issues such as higher energy bills, frequent AC repairs, and a degradation in HVAC performance. But don’t worry. To simplify things, this exclusive guide on AC install in Houston, TX covers everything a homeowner should know before installing AC in their house.
Things Every Homeowner Should Know Before AC Install [Houston, TX Guide]
AC installation technique and time will vary from one unit to another. For example, if you plan to install a window air conditioning unit, firstly, you’ll have to break the wall, and then you can install the AC. And this will take up to half of the day. However, if you already have space to install the air conditioner, you can do it a bit faster. But still, installing a window AC is very time-consuming.
Again, if you have a larger house and want to install central air conditioning from scratch, it can take up to a day. To install a central cooling unit, an HVAC professional will have to install the ducts throughout your house and the A/C, which will take considerable time and effort. This is why many AC installers charge more for a central A/C than window cooling systems.
For portable ACs, you don’t even need an installer. Compared to other AC types, this is the most manageable unit to install.
Existing AC Setup and Installation Time
If you already have an air conditioner setup in place, you won’t have to spend additional time and labor on setting them up again. However, if you’re setting the AC from scratch, you’ll have to prepare the house, install the ducts, and place the other equipment correctly on various corners of the house. All these will require more time, eventually increasing the AC installation time and cost. But don’t worry. Houston air conditioner installers are experts in installing all sorts of HVAC units from scratch. For HVAC installation, repair, or maintenance, you can trust their services.
Don’t Install an Oversized AC
Many first-time homeowners think a bigger AC will be better for their house. But in reality, it is the opposite. When you install an oversized AC, you’ll face various issues and won’t get the desired output from it. For example, an oversized air conditioning will continuously turn on and off. This will put your AC under additional stress, leading to frequent and heavy repairs. Moreover, as it will frequently cycle on and off, you’ll hear unusual noise coming from it. Apart from these, your monthly cooling cost will be absurdly higher.
What if I install an undersized A/C? If you install an undersized or small AC in your house, your AC will need more time to cool your space. And as the AC will be running for longer hours, it will have more stress and need repairs. Besides, you’ll have higher cooling costs when the air conditioner runs for longer hours. Furthermore, the overall comfort of your house will be hampered. You’ll notice uneven cooling in your house.
Considering the above mentioned issues, you must install a right-sized AC in your house. For this, you can consult an air conditioner expert. He will measure the area of your space and factor in that data to find the right AC size for your house.
Typically, if the area of your space is 900 sq. ft., you’ll require an AC with 1.5 Tonnage. Again, if the area is 1500 sq. ft., you’ll require an air conditioner with 2.5 Tonnage. And for a larger area, say, 3,000 sq. ft., you’ll need an AC with 5 Tonnage.
Fix the House Insulation
Apart from installing the right-sized air conditioner, you must ensure that your house is insulated correctly. If the house isn’t properly cleaned, the treated air will leak through your house, which will eventually increase the overall operation cost.
To find out the leaks in your house, you can smoke pens. Also, you can use a blower door to find leaks.
You can use your senses to find leaks in your space. Put your hand on the walls and ceiling. If you feel that the walls and ceilings are dry, it indicates that there is no leak on them. However, if you feel cold or damp on the ceiling or walls, you must take measures to seal the leaks.
Again, if you plan to replace the old duct air conditioner with a new one, check for leaks in the air ducts. You can hire an HVAC expert to find out the leaks in the ducts.
Install the AC Professionally
You can be great at DIY installation methods or DIY fixes. But for AC installation, you cannot use DIY techniques. Some AC manufacturers instruct homeowners to install the AC professionally only. Without following this, the warranty will be revoked.
Besides, when you install the AC with DIY methods, the unit is not guaranteed to be installed correctly. But to get the optimum result from the unit, it must be installed correctly, all the wires must be in the right place, and it requires a correct power connection. That’s why, if you don’t want to lose the warranty and ensure correct installation, you must install the AC professionally.
Conclusion
Apart from these, you must install the AC in the right corner of your house. Also, it would be best to place the thermostat where it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
