Air Conditioning (AC) units are vital for keeping your interior spaces cool, especially during the summer. While your contractor will take care of the installation, as a homeowner, you must prepare your property beforehand to ensure the process runs smoothly. Ideally, preparation is needed for any construction project. Failure to do it may complicate the work and incur more costs due to mistakes.
Therefore, here are four ways to prepare your home before the actual AC installation:
Conduct A Heating And Cooling Load Calculation
A heating and cooling load calculation takes into account the size and layout of your house to determine the size and type of AC system you should get. That’s because the amount of cooling power used depends on the air volume in your home. If you install a small AC system, it may not have the cooling capacity to deliver conditioned air to all parts of your house.
Therefore, conducting a heating and cooling load calculation based on your home’s structure is vital. For this part, it’s best to work with a professional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor so that they can give you a full assessment and recommend the best AC system suitable for your property.
Below are three types of air conditioning systems:
- Split system air conditioner: Consists of an indoor and outdoor unit that transmits conditioned air through ducts. This is the most popular type of air conditioning system.
- Ductless mini-split system: Like the split system, it has an outdoor unit. However, it utilizes individual blowers inside the house instead of ductwork to deliver conditioned air.
- Geothermal system: Uses an in-ground loop and utilizes the steady temperatures beneath the earth’s surface to cool and heat your house. It’s the most eco-friendly solution.
If you’re based in Porterville, CA, you can contact the best HVAC contractor for air conditioning installation Porterville, CA. They’ll perform a load calculation during in-home consultation and suggest the best unit to install to cool your home efficiently.
Choose A Location
You should select an ideal location to install the AC unit on your property. Note that AC units require access to the outside to vent away excess heat generated during operation. In that case, it’s best to set it up near an exterior wall or main-floor window. Likewise, check for an electrical source nearby to power the equipment.
The following are more tips for choosing the right location for your AC system:
- Locate it in an obstacle-free area for maximum airflow. Any blockages may prevent airflow, forcing your AC unit to work extra hard to maintain comfortable room temperatures.
- Make sure it’s away from heat sources so it doesn’t detect false temperatures. For example, if you install it near a furnace, the temperature detector will record high temperatures making the AC unit think the house needs to be cooled when in reality, the other areas of the house are cold.
- Check your room measurements to ensure there’s adequate space in the installation area to hold the AC unit. If not, you should make the necessary adjustments.
Ideally, you should carefully assess the structure of your home and determine where to install the AC system so that it will best serve its cooling purposes. You can check out this video to learn more about the installation process: https://youtu.be/fwAqC91MCsk.
Prepare The Ductwork
It may be difficult for contractors to install your new AC unit if the ducts are filled with dirt. This accumulated dirt may damage your new air conditioner or prevent efficient air circulation. Therefore, ensure your ductwork is cleaned, aired, and sealed before installing the new system. Otherwise, you can ask your contractor to do it for you. The good thing is that most HVAC contractors offer duct cleaning as an additional service.
Check Your Space
It’s important to clear the installation area so that your contractor has adequate space to work. Good access is a requirement of the job. This means they should be able to stand in the correct position and get the right angle. Therefore, you should check your space and remove any obstacles.
Below are some tips to clear the way for contractors:
- Remove curtains or blinds on windows where you plan to install the AC system.
- Keep your pets away from the working area for the duration of the installation.
- Move desks, tables, stools, vases, toys, couches, and slippery rugs out of the way. Ideally, the path from the entrance to the installation area should be clear.
Keeping these items out of the way gives your technician an easy time and reduces the risks of property damage or accidents.
Conclusion
Getting an air conditioning installation is an ideal way to make your living spaces more comfortable. Even so, you must get your property ready for the system. Therefore, the above are four ways to prep your home and ensure a seamless AC installation. Also, ensure you work with a qualified HVAC technician to get all the dynamics right.
