Getting a new air conditioner is exciting. Many modern ACs use Opteon refrigerants. Unlike their predecessors, these refrigerants don’t add ozone-depleting chemicals to the atmosphere. The latest air conditioners are also rich with smart features and cutting-edge convenience and efficiency technologies. You can look forward to a cleaner, cooler living environment, better indoor air quality (IAQ), and optimum humidity control. The following is everything you need to know about preparing your Richmond, KY home for this important installation.
What You Should Do
Fortunately, much of the preparation for AC installs falls into the hands of HVAC companies. We’ll take care of sizing your new unit and setting it up according to manufacturer specifications. Most of what you’ll need to do involves creating a clean, accommodating space for our technicians and all of the necessary tools and equipment.
Clear Out Your Backyard and Side Yard
Central air conditioners have indoor air handling units and outdoor condenser/compressor units. AC condensers are installed in backyard or side yards in areas that provide adequate shade during the summer months. This prevents condensers from overheating and keeps them away from heavy foot traffic.
Before our technicians arrive, clear out any bicycles, lawn equipment, and other items that are in these spaces. This way, we’ll have plenty of room to lift and position your condenser. We’ll also have ample options when choosing your condenser’s location. If you’ve never had central air conditioning before or if your last condenser’s location was less than ideal, we’ll carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks of each area.
Limb Your Trees and Take Care of Your Roof
To protect your new cooling equipment, take the time to limb your trees and schedule annual roof maintenance. Taking care of everything that overhangs your AC condenser will prevent structural and functional damage caused by heavy, fast-moving items. Remove all weak and dying tree branches and have all loose gutters, shingles, and flashing repaired.
Clear a Path Indoors
If your AC installation includes a new air handler, make sure that our team has plenty of room to move around inside. We’ll also install one or more thermostats that are compatible with your new air conditioner, and we’ll have to scout around to determine the ideal locations for these devices.
What Your AC Installer Will Do
We use the Manual J Load Calculation to size air conditioners. This calculation accounts for factors like:
- Ceiling heights
- Household sizes
- Insulation amounts and R-values
- Window types, sizes, and locations
- Building layouts
By considering far more than just square footage alone, we help homeowners avoid common size-related issues like frequent short cycling, overheating, and inefficient AC performance.
Install Your Concrete Pad
Outdoor condenser units are installed on stable, level, concrete or composite pads. If you have an existing concrete pad, we’ll check its integrity and determine the need for replacement. As needed, we’ll put in a supporting slab that’s perfect for the weight, pressure, and size of your new condenser. You can make mounting your AC condenser much easier by taking care of all grading and outdoor drainage issues before we arrive.
Integrate Your Air Conditioner’s Smart Features
HVAC equipment is becoming increasingly smart. If you’re interested in a thermostat upgrade, we can help you choose a smart thermostat that’s compatible with your current smart home system. We’ll also integrate your AC and thermostat so that you can easily adjust, monitor, and use your new equipment with your laptop, mobile phone, or smart home control.
Install and Test Your AC Condensate Drain
Air conditioners cool homes by sourcing warm air from building interiors, passing it over their cooling coils, and extracting its heat. When collected heat is funneled outside for release, its moisture is condensed and routed out via an attached condensate drain. Our team will install your AC condensate drain and test its functionality.
Ductwork Modifications
Residential air conditioners typically last between 15 and 20 years. With their efficient and strategically refined designs, some of the latest models can last up to 25 years. Unfortunately, the ductwork that supports these cooling systems has an average life span of just 12 to 15 years.
If you haven’t had new ductwork installed in quite a while, you may need air duct replacement. However, even if your air ducts are still relatively new, we’ll make several modifications to accommodate the demands of your new cooling equipment.
We help homeowners in Richmond, KY create comfortable, healthy homes. We offer outstanding heater and air conditioner installation, maintenance, and repair services. We also provide advanced indoor air quality solutions, geothermal heating, and HVAC preventative maintenance plans. To learn more about getting your home ready for a new air conditioner or schedule an appointment, contact Affordable Service Solutions Heating & Air Conditioning now.
