You wouldn’t believe how many people call us to fix their air conditioner installation mistakes in San Diego. We have narrowed the list of common installation errors down to eight of the most common ones, and also provided simple solutions for you to avoid future mistakes. Here are the 8 most common air conditioner installation mistakes:
The first HVAC mistake that we're going to talk about in this article is installing an air conditioner without using a drain pan. Most HVAC professionals will tell you that the drain pan is the most important part of an air conditioner installation. Without a drain pan, your brand new air conditioner can begin to leak water immediately. The unit may even begin to make noise. This water will flow underneath your unit and cause drafts in a non-insulated crawl space or basement area. This can also cause the unit to have condensation problems on the inside of the unit. When water flows up inside of the unit, it will eventually be received by the evaporator coil and be transferred into your home. This can cause water damage to your walls and flooring. The solution to this problem is a level drain pan, or even better, a double drain pan that is placed under your air conditioner unit. When the unit is installed, the drain pan should be lowered slowly and evenly into place, taking care that it doesn't pinwheel back out again.Â
The second HVAC mistake discussed in this article involves using a level drain pan, but not leveling the drain pan to be level with the ground. If your drain pan is not level, it will direct water back up into your air conditioner when it rains. This will cause damage to the unit as well as the rest of your home. Should this happen, the affected unit could be damaged beyond repair. Instead, use a double drain pan and level your drain pan to be even with the ground. The last thing that you want is for water to leak from under your home onto your lawn or driveway when it rains.
The third mistake that we're going to talk about in this article involves not installing a "filtering barrier" in front of your air conditioner. This may also be referred to as a "filtering liner." This filter, which is similar to the kind that fits in your refrigerator, will prevent insects from entering your air conditioner and damaging parts of the HVAC system. It will also prevent leaves from being sucked up into your air conditioner and increasing wear on the unit. This is especially important for homes that are located near trees or in wooded areas.Â
The fourth mistake that we're going to discuss in this article involves mounting the air conditioner without installing a thermostat, or with a thermostat that is too small for the area it is intended to be used in. When installing an air conditioner, it is important to use a thermostat appropriate for the size of the room. If you do not install an oversized thermostat when needed, you may end up with "short cycling" problems later on. This is where the thermostat keeps turning on and off frequently. This will wear your compressor out prematurely, and it will eventually burn out. If you do not install a thermostat that is larger than necessary for the room, the unit will not cool the room sufficiently. This means that you will be running your air conditioner's compressor more frequently than necessary, and in turn using more electricity. This can be especially dangerous because it will be using more power while the unit is in operation. This can also cause other problems down the road with a new air conditioning system. The solution to this problem is to install a thermostat that is large enough to cover the area that it is meant to be used in. You should also install a thermostat that matches the room's temperature, as well as the size of your central air components.
The fifth HVAC mistake that we're going to talk about in this article involves using too much or too little ductwork. Your central air conditioning system is only as strong as the air ductwork that is used to supply it with cooling air. If you use too little ductwork, the system will not be able to move the required amount of air through your home. This can result in a large amount of energy waste and wasted money for your utility bill. If you use too much ductwork, it will take up valuable space in your home, which also means that air conditioning equipment will be cramped and hard to use. This is particularly important in homes with significant additions or renovations.Â
Conclusion:
It is best to use a central air conditioning system that is installed with at least 7 foot-3 inches of ductwork for each unit. If your home has more than two units, you may require up to 9 feet of ductwork per unit. For most homes, the minimum amount of ductwork is usually between 3 and 4 air handlers per unit. Placing your central air conditioning equipment in a place to be used easily will allow you to make better use of the space that you have available. You can install your air conditioner smoothly but it is always better to let an expert team do the installation of your air conditioner so that the process is finished quickly and without any tiny mistakes.
Author Bio:- Michael Cabral
Michael is a marketing manager at EZ Heat and Air. He loves writing about innovative and hybrid HVAC installation tips. His articles help readers to have valuable insights into the importance of duct cleaning, water heater maintenance and repair, optimum working of thermostat, Mini split and heat pump installation in Orange County. Read articles for more information on keeping your HVAC system in a tip-top condition and lead a hassle-free life.