Air conditioning installation: what you need to know
Purchasing or replacing a whole house forced air conditioning unit is a major expense for most homeowners. If you are faced with such a prospect and are looking for information on how to select the right air conditioning unit for your home, then you are in luck because we have what you are looking for here.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to select the right air conditioning unit you need, how to find the right HVAC contractor to install it, and how much you can expect to pay. By the time you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll have a good idea of where to start in your search to buy or replace your home’s air conditioning system.
choose a contractor
Finding the right company for your air conditioning installation is just as important as finding the right equipment. You want a company that gets the job done right the first time and doesn’t bother with too many follow-up visits.
Start by talking to your neighbors and asking them who they use to service and repair the air conditioning units in their own homes. Are they satisfied with the service and the quality of your work? If so, you may want to contact those references and ask them to bid on your work.
When it’s time to get bids, be sure to get a FREE estimate along with a full and detailed written bid/proposal from the contractor. Also make sure they give you a written warranty that outlines both equipment coverage and labor coverage. You want everything in writing so there are no misunderstandings in the future.
Also, make sure the company only uses qualified, licensed technicians and not apprentices. Before committing to the purchase, make sure that the company itself is licensed in your state. They should be able to provide you with your state license number. Also check out the company on the BBB.
Selection of a unit
The first thing to do is decide on the brand of equipment you want to buy. For example, Trane AC equipment is considered one of the best brands on the market. Other comparable brands include Amana and Carrier.
The next thing to do when selecting an air conditioning unit is to make sure it is the right size for your home. Your contractor will need to do a heat gain calculation to determine the correct unit tonnage that can heat and cool your home in the most efficient way possible before installing air conditioning.
For example, a one ton unit has the capacity to produce 12,000 BTUs. As a general rule of thumb, you need 12,000 BTUs per ton of air conditioning. Your home may need a unit that is one ton to five tons in size, depending on the size of your home. An undersized unit will not be able to cool your home sufficiently on a hot and humid summer day and will actually cost you more to operate because it has to run longer to get the job done. Also, the longer it runs, the shorter the unit’s lifespan will be.
How much is it?
Central air conditioning systems come in a variety of sizes and costs. A lot depends on the size, construction, and even the shape of your home. Some will need conduit, some will not. But to give you an idea of the wide range of prices, air conditioning systems can range from $3,000 to $15,000.
Installing a central air conditioning system is definitely not a DIY project. You need a professionally licensed HVAC contractor to ensure the job is done right and you get many years of useful service for your investment.
