According to the EPA, about half of all air conditioners in the U.S. do not perform to their advertised capacity and efficiency due to incorrect installation. There is a lot that goes into installing an air conditioner properly, and it takes a well-trained and NATE-certified contractor to get it right. So what exactly goes into an air conditioner installation and how can an improperly installed unit affect your cooling system’s performance?
The components of a proper air conditioner installation
- Air conditioner is properly sized. Before an installation even begins, it’s crucial to ensure that your contractor has selected the air conditioner size that’s right for your home. There’s only one size that fits the specifications of your house, and a quality contractor will use a Manual-J load calculation to figure out what that is. An improperly sized cooling system can waste about five percent of your unit’s energy consumption.
- Ductwork is properly sealed. Your ductwork is responsible for distributing conditioned air throughout your home. If your ducts are not properly sealed during an air conditioner installation, cool air can leak out of them and cause your unit to work harder than it needs to. Improperly sealed ducts can waste as much as 15 percent of your unit’s energy consumption.
- Cooling system has adequate airflow. For your home to feel comfortable, and for your air conditioner to work properly, your cooling system needs to have the right amount of airflow. To allow for this, there should be enough supply and return air registers throughout your home. Inadequate airflow can cost you about three percent of your unit’s energy consumption.
- System is installed with proper amount of refrigerant. To operate properly, your air conditioner must have the correct amount of refrigerant added during installation. Without the right amount of refrigerant, your unit will run inefficiently and could lead to breakdowns and system failures. An air conditioner without the right amount of refrigerant can waste about four percent of your unit’s energy consumption.
If you have any questions about what goes into an air conditioner installation, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical, your St. Louis area heating and cooling company.
