In the United States, people spent over $120 billion on the services of heating and air conditioning contractors every single year. More than 650,000 people work in this industry so that we can enjoy modern HVAC systems.
However, many people need to replace their AC systems sooner than they would otherwise need to because of common AC installation errors. The market for new HVAC systems might not be as large if more people knew how to maximize the longevity and functionality of their systems with a quality installation. But what are the most common AC installation errors people make in Livingston, TX?
Read on to learn all about these common errors and how you can avoid them during your own AC installation process!
1. Choosing the Wrong AC System Size
One of the easiest mistakes to make is choosing an AC unit that is the wrong size for your home and situation.
If you choose a unit that is too small, your home will struggle to get as cool as you would like. On top of that, the AC system will probably need to run all the time.
AC systems last much longer when they can take occasional breaks. If your system is too small and has to run all the time, it will wear out faster and you will need to spend money on an expensive replacement.
On the other hand, if you choose a unit that is too big, you will pay more for it than you need to.
2. Installing the Thermostat in the Wrong Place
Many AC units do not work the way they are supposed to because the thermostat is installed in a location that is less than ideal. Your thermostat keeps track of the temperature in your home so that your AC system can know when you want it to turn on and make the home cooler. The thermostat also detects when your home reaches the correct temperature so that your AC system knows when to turn it off.
However, different areas in your home will be warmer or colder than others. If your thermostat is in an unusually warm area, your AC system will think that the whole house is warm.
That means that it will stay on all the time and it may even make your home cooler than you intend. This can also raise your energy bills. Considering how high energy bills have been in recent history, it is even more important than usual to avoid this problem.
If you place your thermostat in a cool area of your home, your thermostat will tend to think the whole house is cool. In such cases, it might not turn on even when your home is uncomfortably warm.
This can lead people to conclude that there is a problem with their AC unit itself. However, poor thermostat placement is often the culprit.
3. Misplacing the Condenser During the AC Installation Process
Some contractors rush through the installation process and end up placing the condenser in the wrong location. Your condenser needs to be somewhere where it can stay cool and avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Otherwise, it may overheat and your AC system will stop functioning.
4. Overfilling Residential AC System Refrigerants
AC systems tend to run out of refrigerant after enough use. However, some people respond by adding too much refrigerant during the installation process.
If your unit has too much refrigerant in it, then it will not be able to properly cool down air for your home. Fortunately, solving this problem is often as simple as removing some of the extra refrigerants in the system.
However, this solution is only easy to apply if you first realize what is going on. When your system is malfunctioning, it can take a while to figure out if the problem is as simple as a little extra refrigerant.
5. Shoddy Ductwork Installation
Even if your AC unit itself is installed well, you need to match that with excellent ductwork. Your AC unit needs to transport cool air from a single location to every extremity of your home. The only way for it to do this is with efficient ductwork.
But if your ductwork has leaks in it, then your system will not be able to deliver cool air to the farthest corners of your home.
However, this will not only keep some areas of your home from cooling down. It will also force your AC unit to work harder and harder. That can increase your energy bills and cause your unit to wear out faster.
6. Installing Vents in the Wrong Areas
On the other hand, some contractors place AC vents in the wrong areas around homes. Even if your unit is working fine, this can cause some areas of your home to get cooler faster than others. Unfortunately, resolving this problem can require contractors to change the arrangement of vents around your home.
7. Replacing AC Units Without Adding Insulation
It is essential to wrap insulation around the suction line of your AC unit so that it can work properly. Otherwise, the system may lose pressure.
If your AC unit is blowing air that is room temperature, this may be the cause. Solving this problem can be as simple as having quality contractors add the missing insulation to your AC suction line.
Avoid the Most Common AC Installation Errors in Livingston, TX
The more that you know about common AC installation errors, the better the chance that you can avoid all of them. The better your AC installation process goes, the less likely you are to discover little problems weeks or even months later. You will live with the results of your AC installation for many years, so it is crucial to invest in quality installation.
To learn more about how you can find the best AC installation services in Livingston, TX, reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!
