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Guide To Installing An Air Conditioning System
Anyone who has ever endured the heat of summer without a working air conditioning knows this system’s importance. If you have some DIY skills, and you’re brave enough to install the AC unit by yourself, you must be prepared to put in the time. You will save on the installation cost and you can be proud of the work you’ve done after the installation.
How to Plan for the InstallationIf you’re not careful, you may end up wasting your time and money as you try to install the air conditioning system, so proper planning is crucial. To get the most from your air conditioner, you must ensure the power supply to the air conditioning unit will be enough to power the air conditioner effectively. If not, you may have to get a new circuit breaker with a higher current rating. If you encounter a challenge, be sure to get in touch with a professional for assistance. They are just a call away!
The Installation Process
The first item to install is the air handler, so you’ll need to identify a suitable space in your attic, garage, or basement to install this unit. Most units come with installation instructions, so you just need to follow those instructions before plugging the unit into the power supply.
Since you’re not interested in getting electrocuted, it’s recommended you turn off the power at the main switch. Be sure to take your time to identify the main control panel in your home or building and turn off the power before you start the installation.
Once the air handler is installed, the next step is to install the condenser/compressor. This unit must be installed outdoors, either on the wall, ground, or rooftop. During installation, make sure the ground or wall is stable enough to hold the weight of the compressor and sustain the vibration of the compressor motor.
Tool Time
During installation, you will have to use several tools. For starters, you will need to use an electric drill to make holes through the wall to run electric wires and refrigerant tubing to connect the compressor and air handler. After installation, be sure to use a filler to seal any gaps in the wall. Before connecting the system to the power supply, make sure you’ve installed a thermostat to control the system. All electrical connections must be ready before the air conditioning system can be powered on.
After double-checking everything, turn the power back on and confirm both the air handler and compressor are running. You’ll need to have a bit of electrical knowledge and some DIY skills to be successful. In case of difficulty, be sure to consult an HVAC contractor.
The Importance of Location
Window AC units are easier to install. However, you must identify the right window to install the unit. Be sure to keep in mind the size of the window unit because it may not fit on your window opening. You’ll have to use a tape measure to prevent any inconveniences.
Once you’ve found the right window AC unit and the right window, locate the mounting brackets and attach them properly. The mounting instructions are usually provided in the user manual. You’ll also need to use the piece of foam that comes with the unit to seal the window to prevent air leaks around the window unit. If your unit does not come with a piece of foam, you will need to find an alternative. By sealing air gaps, you’ll be able to prevent hot air from the outside from getting into the house through the window.
Locate the drain pipe that comes with the air conditioner; most units usually come with a drainage hose. If your air conditioner did not come with this pipe, you can purchase a drain hose at a nearby home improvement store. Be sure to use caulk around the outside of the window unit to seal any air gaps you might have overlooked. This is crucial in separating the indoor and outdoor environments.
Lastly, connect the window unit to the power source and adjust it to ensure it cools your home properly.…
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Why You Hire Experts For Air Conditioning Repair
You don’t need an expert to help you achieve this, but you must understand that taking proactive steps will help your air conditioner perform efficiently. If you maintain your A/C properly, it will use approximately 15% to 40% less energy.
You can take some simple steps to improve or maintain your cooling system. However, it is best to call in your local St Petersburg AC repair experts to get the job done when it comes to highly technical tasks.
Complications Of AC Repair
Your air conditioner is complicated, and you don’t have to make matters more complicated than they already are. If you are not a trained technician, you have no reason to try your DIY skills on air conditioning repair. This is because your A/C has coils, fans, compressors, fins, and joints. It also has gases, sensors, switches, filters, and lubricating oil. Other components of your air conditioner include dryers, thermostats, drain pans, insulation, and control systems. Your A/C has other components, but we don’t have to mention all of them here. The point is that only a trained technician can make sense of these and other components.
Apart from all these complex components, there are special tools for air conditioning repair. These tools include the voltmeter, solder, clamp meter, cutter, vacuum pump, coil cleaning chemicals, and flaring tube. Other tools are a brazing torch, gas charging manifold, and the ratchet socket meter.
When your air conditioner is due for servicing, the smart move is to invite a professional to get the job done. An experienced technician should lubricate moving parts and clean the evaporator as well as the condenser coils. This expert should also check refrigerant pressures and ensure they are at the right level. In addition to all these things, your technician should look for other tell-tale signs that could cause problems and deal with them immediately.
If you have a packaged system, the first thing your technician will do is inspect the duct damper. Depending on what the expert discovers, the right move would be to repair the damper or replace it. If the damper is missing or malfunctioning, this would lead to a huge waste of energy and might even cause other complications. Rectifying the problem immediately would stop further complications.
When it comes to the frequency at which you call in the experts, one size doesn’t fit all. It all depends on whether the air conditioner is operating in a cold or hot area. Below are some recommended intervals to guide you:
- In hot regions, your experts should visit once a year.
- In warm regions, every 2-3 years will do.
- In cold regions, 3-5 years is just fine.
Note that these intervals depend on how many months in a year the air conditioner operates. Sometimes, you have to do more than just maintenance. When you need to replace some components in your air conditioner, you should do so without delay. Replacement makes sense in the following situations:
Your air conditioner does not work efficiently, and it keeps breaking down.
Your air conditioner efficiency (SEER or EER) falls below 7 or 8.
Your air conditioner is ten years or older.
Repairs and modifications will end up costing you about half the price of replacing the A/C.
Your home is properly sealed, but your air conditioner doesn’t cool the house efficiently.In case your air conditioner is giving you all or most of the problems above, it is time to call in a technician. Among other things, the expert will do the following for you:
Replacement of the air conditioning system
There are times you can no longer manage an old and worn-out air conditioner. If your A/C is inefficient and keeps breaking down, it is time to get another one.
Sometimes, repairing an old air conditioner may seem like a good idea because it costs less money. However, this move will cost you more in the long run. If you keep paying for frequent repairs, you are just postponing the inevitable. Make up your mind and buy a new air conditioner. This will save you money in the long run because you get to enjoy energy efficiency and lower energy bills.
Sizing your air conditioner.
When it comes to air conditioner sizes, some people have the impression that bigger is always better. However, this is not always true because oversized cooling equipment will not work efficiently. Go for the right size, and you will be happy.
Evaporative coolers.
If you live in a hot and dry area, you should consider using an evaporative cooler instead of the refrigerant-cycle A/C. This is because, in very hot places like the southwest, evaporative coolers (swamp coolers) make plenty of sense. Evaporative coolers use less energy than standard air conditioners, and what’s more, the evaporative variety works better in hot places. Discuss this option with your technician, and they will make the switch if it helps your cooling unit.
When it comes to installing, maintaining, and modifying your air conditioning system, it makes sense to seek professional advice. Let the experts guide you because this will pay dividends in the future. Just leave it all to the professionals, and they will not disappoint you.…