Installing a new air conditioner can require crawling under the house, lifting heavy parts and climbing on roofs. Hiring an HVAC professional avoids these physical tasks and takes care of all the paperwork involved in getting permits.
Open the window and extend the side panels if they came with your model. Some manufacturers include L-shaped brackets to keep the window sash from being pushed up accidentally.
Installation Location
The location of an AC unit can have a huge impact on how well it cools your home. A professional will help you determine the best location for your new system.
The optimum location for a window-mounted air conditioner is in the center of a room. This maximizes air distribution and helps your system to work effectively. Avoid locations near heat sources, such as ovens or stovetops. They can skew the temperature of the air your AC is heating or cooling and reduce its efficiency.
Make sure the unit is firmly supported from underneath or anchored from inside with angles. This prevents the lower window sash from opening accidentally and damaging the unit. It is also important to check that the unit isn’t blocking a fire escape exit. It is a good idea to keep the AC away from anything that could obstruct it, such as plants, newspapers, telephone books, gypsum board and other objects.
Condenser Installation
A condenser is the workhorse of an HVAC system, and it’s where the “magic” happens to create your cool, comfortable home. It’s important that your Air Conditioning Installation in Madison WI technician is experienced with installing and repairing this complex piece of equipment. Improper installation can ruin expensive equipment, cause hefty fines and possibly put the installer at risk of eye injury from high pressure refrigerant gas venting.
The outdoor condenser is the large receptacle that you’re probably most familiar with. It should be placed outside so that the noise of running it doesn’t bother people indoors and so that there’s ample ventilation for its hard-working coils. Do not place the condenser in an attic or garage, as this will restrict the flow of air over the coils and limit the amount of heat they can remove from your home. Make sure to thoroughly inspect the outside unit’s copper lines for damage that can affect performance. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for piping, wiring, charging and more.
Thermostat Installation
The thermostat is the heart of your home’s temperature control system, and replacing an old non-programmable thermostat with a smart model can save you money throughout the year. The process isn’t too complicated, though some systems may require a new set of wires be run from the furnace to the thermostat to ensure proper operation. If you have any doubts, always call in a professional.
Start by turning off the power to the thermostat at your circuit breaker. Usually, the breaker will have a connected switch you can flip off.
Next, remove the old thermostat by loosening or unscrewing the mounting screws. Be careful not to disconnect the low-voltage wiring from the backplate. If possible, take a photo of the wires before you start disconnecting them. You’ll want to be able to reference the letter labels as you connect them to the new thermostat base.
Screw the low-voltage wires into the specified openings on the thermostat base. Match the letters on the labeled wires to those on the thermostat terminals, and then snap the thermostat faceplate into place.
Ductwork Installation
When done correctly, ductwork is a critical component of your air conditioning system. It carries heated or cooled air from your HVAC system to each room of your home and back again, and helps distribute it evenly throughout the house.
Ducts that aren’t properly sealed or placed can leak air, which wastes energy and costs you money on your electricity bills. Poorly placed or sized elbows and bends can also interfere with airflow.
A qualified technician can help you decide where to install ducts, whether it be in the attic or crawl space of your home, and will usually have to do a load calculation first. They’ll also make sure your ductwork is properly sized to match the capacity of your HVAC system. Once they’re finished, they’ll seal the ducts with either mastic or tin tape to prevent any further leaks. They may even have to build an insulated chase for the ducts in areas that aren’t part of your conditioned living spaces, such as the attic or basement.