6 Things To Consider Prior To An Air Conditioner Installation | Dallas, TX
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There’s nothing worse than having to bear through some hot, humid summer months without an AC unit. If your current home does not have an existing AC system installed or if your AC unit is too old and needs to be replaced, you’ll need to consider getting an HVAC company in Dallas, TX to come out and help you figure out what type of air conditioner installation is needed.
There are simply so many different types of AC units that it can be difficult to narrow down your choices. If you have no experience or prior knowledge on HVAC systems, you can easily get overwhelmed and choose an air conditioning unit that is not suitable for your home. If this happens, the AC unit will not be able to call your home efficiently. You’ll also likely be spending a lot on energy bills.
Instead of attempting to choose an AC unit by yourself, ask an HVAC company about their air conditioner installation services. Usually, this includes an initial inspection and examination of your home. From this inspection, the HVAC company will be able to help you figure out things like the type of AC unit that’s more suitable for your home, the size of the unit that’s needed and whether your household requires any additional features. In fact, let’s look at 6 things that you need to consider before making a decision.
#1. Type
First things first, you must consider the type of air conditioner that will be best suited for your home. Some of the most common air conditioner types include central air conditioners, ductless air conditioners, window units, portable units and hybrid AC units. Each type possesses its own unique benefits and drawbacks.
For example, ductless air conditioning units are a great choice for houses that do not have any existing ductwork. These AC units require less costly air conditioner installation services to begin with; however, the units are more expensive to operate if you’re cooling an entire home.
Portable AC units, on the other hand, are very easy to install and use because they do not require an external condenser unit. However, they tend to have a lower capacity. With that said, portable AC units may be a better choice if you’re renting a property from someone else. It’s also a good choice if you believe that you’ll be moving the AC unit from one room to another. If you’re going to choose something like a portable AC unit, you’re likely not going to need an HVAC company to perform the air conditioner installation. Every time that you move the AC unit to another room, you’re going to have to perform the air conditioner installation yourself.
#2. Size
One of the most difficult things to gauge is how big of an AC unit is needed to cool down your home. If the AC unit is too large, it will be using up a lot of energy to get very little done. Your home might feel a lot chillier than you would like it to be. On top of that, you’ll also be spending a lot on energy bills.
With that said, you’ll also be spending a lot on energy bills if you choose a unit that’s too small. In these situations, the AC unit will need to work overtime in order to call your home down to the set temperature. The excess work that the AC unit has to do will also have a negative effect on its overall life. A lot of parts will get worn down prematurely. This could result in you needing to call the HVAC company for more repair services in the long run. In a sense, the AC unit will be costing you money.
If you do not have any prior HVAC knowledge, it can be very difficult for you to choose an AC unit that’s the right size for your home. To calculate this, the HVAC company will need to take a look at the volume of space within your home, the electrical wiring present in the home, as well as many other factors.
#3. Type of Filter
Most manufacturers will install a generic type of membrane as a filter, the truth of the matter is that you can actually choose the type of filter that you need and want. The HVAC company can change out the filter during the air conditioner installation.
The important thing that you need to consider is the type of filter that is best suited for the needs of your household, as well as the filter that comes with the unit. In order to determine the type of filter that you need, you should consider:
- The overall price of the filter and how often it needs to be changed. In general, most HVAC companies recommend that you change out the filters every year or two in order to maintain the air quality within your home; however, some filters are designed to last much longer and do not need to be changed within the first several years of installation.
- The reusability of the filter. Although some filters need to be replaced, some other filters can be cleaned. All you have to do is to remove the filter and clean it under warm water with soap. You’ll let the filter dry before reinstalling it into the AC unit. These photos tend to be more environmentally friendly.
- The type of particles that it can filter. Another important thing to consider is what the filters can filter out. Some filters can filter out only dirt, dust and pollen while others can kill bacteria and germs.
If you have no prior HVAC knowledge, choosing the right type of filter can be very difficult. This is why you should need to have an honest and thorough discussion with the HVAC company before the air conditioner installation. The Dallas, TX HVAC technician needs to know exactly what you’re looking for and what you need.
For example, if you struggle with respiratory issues, you’re probably going to want to look for a filter that can filter out particles, pollen and dust. A good sized filter will be able to help improve your overall health.
However, if you are immunocompromised. You might be more worried about whether any germs or bacteria may circulate within your home. In these situations, you might want to look for a filter that will kill off pathogens.
#4. Additional Functionalities
Another thing that you need to discuss with the HVAC company before the air conditioner installation is whether the AC unit comes with any additional functionalities. For example, a lot of smart units nowadays come with remote control access. You can program the AC unit to turn on and off even if you’re not at home. This can come in handy and can greatly improve your overall quality of living.
For example, let’s say that you won’t be home for another 30 minutes. However, it’s extremely hot out and you definitely need a break from the heat. If you own a traditional AC unit, you’ll need to go home and manually turn on the AC yourself. However, if you have a smart AC unit with remote control abilities, you can turn on the unit approximately 10 to 15 minutes before you arrive home. This way, your house will be nice and cool from the moment that you step foot in the door.
Whether the AC unit can accommodate the functionalities that you want solely depends on the amount of space that you have in your home, as well as whether you have the right appliances or electrical wiring to accommodate the air conditioner installation.
#5. Warranty Services
Before you agree to any type of air conditioner installation, you need to ask the HVAC company whether they offer any warranties for their work. This includes any errors that may occur during the air conditioner installation. For example, if the HVAC technician did not properly perform an air conditioner installation and there are parts that are still loose, you want to make sure that the HVAC company will come out and fix the problem without charging you a dime. If you have to pay for it out of your own pocket, it could get expensive rather quickly.
Different companies will offer different types of warranties. As for the unit itself, some manufacturers are able to offer some type of manufacturer’s warranty on the unit for the first couple of years. You definitely need to be informed about the type of warranty and protection that you have prior to the air conditioner installation. You don’t want to be left with no protection at all. If any mistakes happen, you don’t want to be left with the bill.
#6. Overall Cost and Financing Services
Last but not least, you’re really going to need to consider the overall cost of the AC unit. This includes not only the cost of the unit itself, but also the cost of the air conditioner installation services. If you’re going to be installing a very complicated system, you’re likely looking at an HVAC bill that’s going to total over $1000. This might not always feel like it’s affordable.
With that said, you can always negotiate the price of the installation with the HVAC company. For example, you might be willing to get less warranty on the product in order to get a better installation price. Or, you might want to bundle the installation service with some other HVAC service in order to lower the price.
Since the installation service can be quite costly, many HVAC companies will offer some type of financing plan. Usually, you’ll be able to apply for the financing plan online and get immediate feedback on the amount of money that you are eligible to get financed. We’re having all the numbers ready, you’ll have a better idea of the type of AC unit that you can afford, as well as how much you can pay for installation services.
When choosing a financing plan, there are several things that you need to consider. First of all, you need to consider whether the payments will be split into biweekly payments or monthly payments. Biweekly payments can look a lot more affordable than monthly payments. You also need to consider whether the financing company will be charging you interest. Make sure that you get a good grasp on the amount of interest that you’ll be charged, as well as whether you’ll be charged any fees. You’d be surprised at how quickly the fees can add up.
Call Us for Air Conditioner Installation Services in Dallas, TX
Trying to figure out the type of air conditioner installation services that you need can be a headache if you’re not sure what to look for. Instead of trying to go out the situation alone, give One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas a call. Our expert technicians are licensed and fully insured. They are always receiving ongoing training on the newest types of air conditioners and other types of heating units, so they can easily help you find what you’re looking for.
One of the best things about relying on a professional company is that you always know that you’re getting an AC unit that’s suitable for your home. Most HVAC companies will combine the air conditioner installation with the cost of the AC unit. Because these companies have good relationships with manufacturers, they’re often able to get a really good deal on the AC unit. By getting the AC unit and the air conditioner installation services from them, you’ll be saving a lot of money and time.
You can give us a call at 817-835-6016. We offer not only air conditioner installation services, but also other types of HVAC services for those who reside in Dallas, TX as well. Our company, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas, has been around since 1988, and has helped many homeowners here with their HVAC needs, from installations to repairs and more.