How To Prepare For An AC Installation
Before a new air conditioning system is installed in your home, prep work needs to go into the project. In Seattle, WA, having a well-operating AC is a must when the weather and air quality gets a little muggy. To prepare for an AC installation, you need to pick out the unit. Then, you must get its new space right. Plus, you have to find the right contractor. This is one of our specialties at Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning. Here is some information to get you started.
1. Estimate Your Costs
If you need a new AC unit in your home, you are going to go through the installation process in some form, and it includes estimating the total costs of the project. So, as you begin your prep work, gather your due diligence. Take into consideration the current heating, cooling and ventilation system installed in your home. Then, decide if you are going to make drastic changes or not.
Older homes commonly have a central HVAC system installed that utilizes ductwork. If you are going to remain with that system, the bulk of your costs are going to revolve around the unit and the cost of labor. If you have decided to alter a central HVAC system, there will be additional labor costs. You also have to decide how many new AC units you want to be installed in your home.
2. Pick the New AC Unit
A new AC unit is an investment. The great thing about this investment is that you are going to break even more quickly thanks to the latest HVAC technology. The units produced today are more energy-efficient than ever before. Their labels are easy to read so you can easily figure out what you are going to get with your purchase.
When it comes to the cost of a new AC unit, you can reach a balance between the price and the energy efficiency it will deliver. The higher it’s Energy Star rating, the higher the unit’s cost. It is also going to be more energy-efficient, however.
You also have to take other things into consideration like the unit’s size. It is important to ensure that it is going to fit the available space perfectly. You want to make sure that the unit is going to be able to handle your household’s demand as well. A unit that cannot handle demand has to run longer, which ends up making your energy use more expensive.
3. Prepare Your Home
Now, it is time to prepare your home. If your new AC unit is the same size and model as your old unit, the switch out is going to be a little easier. Finding an updated model of your current unit is a bonus if you are someone who enjoys consistency. Individuals who make a complete switch, though, are going to require more foundational work. The area where your new AC unit is going to live must be clean. Next, clear the area so that there is enough space to work.
A technician is going to bring his tools with him for the installation. So, he needs enough space to complete his tasks. The last thing anyone wants is to accidentally bump into your home’s furnishings and knock them over or cause other damages.
4. Remove the Old AC Unit
Once the space is clear of debris, you have cleaned up and have made enough room to create a working space, it is time to remove the old unit. How long the removal takes depends on several factors, such as the age of the unit, cleanliness of the unit and state of the unit. If it is rusty, for example, more care is going to be needed because the unit may not slide out very easily. It is a good idea to set aside 8-14 hours for the task. If you’ve hired Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning in Seattle, removing the old unit is generally included in our installation package.
After shutting off the power to the old AC unit, a technician has to follow a set of safety protocols. For example, he has to be careful with the refrigerant and other fluids. These fluids are great for cooling your home’s air, but if they find their way out of their place, they are hazardous. This means that they are not environmentally friendly either.
5. Find the Right HVAC Contractor
Professionals like us understand that homeowners enjoy a good DIY project. We encourage you to leave the removal of your old AC unit and the installation of the new unit to us, however.
When our customers hire us for a job like this, we walk them through the process so that they are on the same page as us. This gives them peace of mind and assures them that they are are going to gain more comfort in their home. We also take the time to answer any questions you may have. It is important that we communicate to you how we will complete the job so that you have no doubts about our expertise. We stay up-to-date on any industry advances so that you can have peace of mind and confidence in our ability to complete your AC installation properly.
6. Prepare for Unforeseen Circumstances
Installing a new unit is a job that has several steps. Therefore, professionals like us make a contingency plan so that we can prepare for unforeseen circumstances. When an old AC unit is removed, there could be surprises. There could be damage to the surrounding infrastructure, which is usually a result of age.
If you have decided to stick with the existing ductwork in your home, this is a time when damage may be found. We get into your home’s crawl spaces and other hard-to-reach places. So, areas that are not usually inspected during routine maintenance get looked at during an installation
When unforeseen circumstances are found, rest assured that you are filled in with the appropriate information. We also walk you through your options and our suggestions.
7. Have the New AC Unit Installed
When all the foundation work is set, your home is ready for the new AC. The goal is to install it in a manner that is going to allow the unit to operate at an optimal point as long as possible. We install the unit according to the manufacturer’s specifications. The specifications are used as a guide. As long as your AC unit remains as close as possible to them, it is going to deliver.
A great way to keep an AC operating efficiently is to secure ongoing routine maintenance.
8. Test the New AC Unit
The task of installing a new AC unit is not complete until it has been tested. All of the steps in the process are important, but testing the unit is a must. It is like test driving a vehicle before you purchase it.
By testing the unit, our team ensures that they followed all the steps and guidelines correctly. It also gives us the opportunity to double-check that your home’s HVAC infrastructure is compatible with the new AC unit.
If you have any questions about your new system, this is a great time to ask, too. We won’t leave until we show you how to use your new AC system.
When it is time to replace your home’s old AC unit, give us a call at Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule an appointment in Seattle. Our NATE-certified heating and cooling technicians are also well-versed in furnace repair, maintenance, and installations in addition to providing electrical assistance and hot water heaters. We look forward to telling you about all the ways we can assist you with your home climate comfort needs.