In the United States more than 86 percent of households utilize air conditioning of some type. The most desired air conditioning for its accessibility as well as convenience is central AC. It is common for people to want whole-house cooling. Many wonder if they could perform their own central air conditioner Installation. It is possible for someone to do this properly and safely.
Central AC
This is a system that depends on openings like registers or ducting to move cool air all over a home. There are two different central AC systems. There is a split system that involves an outdoor unit connected to an indoor cabinet. The outdoor unit could be placed outside a home or on its roof. Packaged units are also able to be used as a heater if electric heating coils are added or if it is attached to a gas furnace. A home without duct work may need to have some renovations done before central AC can be installed.
Purchasing Central AC Unit
Many people have had success in purchasing a central AC unit online. It is not the best option for everyone. These systems are heavy and the additional freight costs can have a significant impact on the purchase price. A local heating and cooling company could offer assistance in finding a central AC unit. Home improvement stores, as well as local hardware stores, could be a good place to search. If the unit is not brand new, it is important to make certain it is in good working condition prior to purchasing.
Choosing Installation Location
It will need to be placed outside when installing and connecting it to duct work. This will involve creating a concrete pad to where the unit will sit or installing it on the roof. The location must have good airflow but also be easily accessible for when maintenance on the unit is necessary.
Duct work
Check duct work to make certain it is properly sealed. Air leaks could cause unnecessary higher energy costs. Doing this could involve removing flooring as well as going into a crawl space under a home and more.
Safety Considerations
If replacing an existing AC unit, the refrigerant in it needs to be recovered. This must be done by a professional with an EPA refrigerant handling certification. Any attempt to remove the refrigerant without the necessary training can be dangerous. A new unit should already have refrigerant.
Connecting Central AC Unit
Prior to starting any AC Installation, the diagrams and installation instructions that come with the central AC unit must be reviewed. The unit must be correctly positioned and carefully placed in the right location. The configuration of the unit will determine if there are indoor components to install. The length of the refrigerant line must be configured. The right length of drain piping must be confirmed. The electric lines and thermostat must be connected. Any contaminants must be removed from the refrigerant lines. Once installed, a test must be run to ensure the unit is functioning properly.
Once the system is installed, both the compressor and the blower should work efficiently. The air moving through a home's duct work should feel properly cool. Even after a correct HVAC Installation, a unit could have electronic control failure, refrigerant leaks and more. It may be a good idea to ask a professional to check the installation once it is done. This is a good way to make sure everything will operate at peak performance.
