Is Your AC Properly Installed?

Some government surveys have suggested that about half of the heating and cooling equipment in the US has not been installed properly, which leads to these systems not performing up to their advertised efficiency or capacity. Improper installation means that the system will wind up costing more to run than it should because it is not running according to standards.

One problem with installation is making sure the unit is the correct size. Larger units take more energy to start up, and if an installed unit is too large for the home, it will have to start up many more times than it should, wasting energy. Additionally, because it runs more often but at shorter bursts, it cools the air too quickly, which does not give the system time to reduce humidity. This can be a big problem in the hot and humid Florida summers. On the other hand, an AC unit that is undersized might remove enough humidity, but it will be working far too much to properly cool, wasting a lot of energy.

Another common problem with installation is the ductwork. If the ducts are the wrong size, the airflow will be poor and may cause excessive noise in the registers. Additionally, proper duct layout is important to balance the AC system and keep all rooms in the home equally comfortable. A badly laid out duct system will cause some rooms to get too cold and others to remain too warm. However, upper-floor rooms will almost always take longer to cool than downstairs rooms: in that case, you might consider a zone-control system that cools upstairs and downstairs separately.

Other small inefficiencies in the system can also lead to extra costs over time. Make sure the condenser has the appropriate amount of refrigerant to make cooling as efficient as possible. Additionally, if the airflow over the coils is at the wrong speed, the cooling can be inefficient or it could cause more serious problems in the long run.

When you’re installing a new AC system, be sure to find a reputable company whose service technicians have years of experience with AC systems and installation so you can be sure it is installed properly. If your home already has an AC system that continues to have problems, it might be because of improper installation. In either case, be sure to contact All Day Air Cooling and Heating to discuss installation or maintenance options. Call today at (239) 357-0727.