When the time comes for your house to have a new AC system, you want to make the right decision as to what to buy. After all, this is not an expense that should be taken lightly and many factors play a role in the type and size of equipment you need to buy.
At all times, you should opt for quality AC installation in Las Vegas since you do not want to risk your new equipment being poorly installed and not giving you the comfortable air temperatures you need and expect.
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What to Look For in a New AC Unit
The purpose of an AC unit is to distribute cool air throughout the house by using the handling capabilities of the furnace. As opposed to a mini-split system or a window AC, central AC equipment is capable of cooling an entire home.
The most common central AC systems sold in the United States are made up of two main components, a compressor outside the home and an evaporator coil inside.
Size
When considering the purchase of a new AC unit, you must take into account the system’s size. This means the unit’s cooling power and not its actual dimensions.
Your AC technician will be able to advise you on the British Thermal Units, or BTUs, that you need to look for for the new equipment to satisfy your home’s needs
Efficiency
To measure how efficient an AC unit is, you need to look at its seasonal energy efficiency ratio or SEER. A piece of equipment with a high SEER will be more efficient. It will make use of a two-stage compressor and a blower with variable speed. The higher the SEER rating, the less energy the unit will consume.
How Are ACs Installed?
If you are considering installing your own AC unit, this is a project better left to the professionals unless you have ample experience in this area. The correct installation of an air conditioning system calls for too many skills.
It also calls for permits and you may end up voiding any warranties if a professional is not involved and components end up being improperly installed. You may also need permits and must satisfy licensing requirements. To avoid any of these issues, it is recommended that you work with a pro.
AC Installation Process
You should expect your AC upgrade to take about a day to be completed following these steps:
Ductwork Modification
If your home already has an existing AC system, ductwork should be minimal. If your home has a new addition, your AC technician can work with you to find the best places to hide the new ductwork which can be hidden in closets or along soffits.
Interior and Exterior Unit Installation
Your AC technician will install the interior unit on the side of the air handler which is the area where air is brought in and sent back out into the home.
The exterior unit will be placed in the ideal place outside your home, depending on how level your land is, how close to the house the noisy unit will end up so that windows or doors are avoided, and following the distances marked by code as to the proper distance from water and gas meters.
Both halves of the system will then be connected by a pair of copper pipes which make up the path that the refrigerant will follow.
The electrical part comes next and the condenser unit will need an exterior shutoff installed. Electrical lines will run from the condenser to the shutoff and from there to the electrical service panel. You will also get a low-voltage wire connecting the condensing unit to the furnace so the thermostat can control it.
Your technician will be able to tell you if your electrical panel has been maxed out and whether an upgrade will be needed to handle the new equipment.
Since all AC units generate condensation, a condensate drain line will need to be installed. You will also need to decide whether you will want the unit to work with your existing thermostat or if you want to buy a new one. There are several options when you upgrade a thermostat since you can now get them with remote controls and the ability to control them from an app on your phone.
Talk About Cost
Before starting an AC upgrade just like with any other major home improvement project, it is important to have your technician’s clarity on how much the project will cost. Ask whether it will be more cost-effective for you to purchase the equipment on your own and just pay them for the installation job and whether there will be a charge for disposing of your current AC unit.
