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8 Things To Consider Before An Air Conditioner Installation | Dallas, TX

8 Things To Consider Before An Air Conditioner Installation | Dallas, TX

Living in Dallas, TX, you need air conditioning. On most days, the temperature outside reaches 90 degrees and can get as high as 96 degrees. When it’s this hot outside, you need air conditioning inside so you have a place to escape the heat.

If you’re using window units to keep your home cool, you understand the hassle they can cause. You will need to install the window units at the beginning of the cooling season and remove it at the end. If you leave the unit in the window, the cold winter air will leak into your home around the unit, creating drafts, and your heating system will have to work harder. Window units are very heavy, and if you have them in multiple rooms, installation and removal can be a long, exhausting project. You also need a place to store the window units, and if you have a small house or minimal room for storage, finding a clean, dry area away from the elements can be challenging.

Window units are designed to cool down one room, and you have to keep the door closed when the unit runs to ensure the room stays cool. To keep a room without a door cool, such as the living room or den, you will need to hang a sheet or blanket in the doorway to keep the room cool. Finally, you can’t open the window to let fresh air into the home on an unseasonably cool day if there’s an air conditioner in the window.

Central air conditioning is more convenient than window units, and an air conditioner installation is an option. Unfortunately, the central unit won’t last forever, and when it reaches the end of its lifespan, you will have to start planning for a new air conditioner. Whether you’re installing your first central air conditioning system or you need to replace the existing unit, several things have to be considered before an installation.

#1 The Type of Air Conditioner

The first decision to be made when planning a new air conditioner installation is the type of AC that you need. The two most common options are central air conditioning and ductless mini-split. Central air conditioners have an indoor unit and an outdoor compressor, and they work together to produce cold air. Central systems require ductwork throughout the home to deliver the cool air to the vents in every room in the house.

Mini-split units are very popular today because they are more energy-efficient than central units, and you won’t need to have ductwork installed. Mini-split units consist of an outdoor compressor and condenser, and one or more indoor units with air blowers and are mounted on the wall and are connected by tubing that allows the refrigerant to circulate. These units are great because you can control the temperature in each room, and you can take the system with you if you move. Best of all, you can have a heat pump installed, and the unit will provide warm and cold air.

If you aren’t sure which option is best for you, a professional in AC installation can explain how both unit types work and the pros and cons of each, helping you make an informed decision.

#2 The Cost

When planning a new air conditioner installation, you need to create a budget. You have to figure out how much you can afford to spend before starting the process.

You may be tempted to choose the least expensive model to save money; however, going with a more expensive model is more cost-effective in the long run. Low-cost models consume a significant amount of energy that will cause your energy bills to increase, while more costly models consume less energy and keep your energy bills down. In addition, pricier air conditioners have longer lifespans than cheaper units.

If you aren’t sure which model is the most cost-efficient, a professional in AC installation in Dallas, TX, can help you choose the best model for your home.

#3 Quality

You want to choose a high-quality unit for the new air conditioner installation. If you install a lesser quality unit in your Dallas, TX home, you will have to deal with frequent repairs. With proper maintenance, higher quality units require fewer repairs and will last longer.

If you need help finding the highest quality unit that works with your budget, a professional in AC installation can help. They can explain the pros and cons of various units that won’t go over budget, helping you make a more informed decision. You’ll be happy you chose a higher quality unit when the installation is complete because you’ll have peace of mind that the unit will operate correctly for years.

#4 Size

When choosing the right size unit for the new air conditioner installation, the size of your home and the dimensions need to be considered. First, if this is your first central air conditioning system, you will need to select the areas the indoor unit and outdoor unit will be installed. You need to choose a model that will fit your desired location. If you need help measuring the space and finding a unit with the correct dimensions, an air conditioning installation expert can help. They can measure the area for you and discuss the pros and cons of each unit that has the correct dimensions for the space it will be installed. You also need to consider where the outdoor compressor will be installed. The compressor should be installed in a shaded area. If it’s installed in an area that gets plenty of sun, the sun’s heat will heat the compressor, causing it to overheat. In addition, the compressor should be installed in an area where sticks, leaves, and other debris cannot get stuck in the compressor and cause problems. If you need help selecting locations, you can call a professional in air conditioner installation who can come to your home to check out the possible areas and choose the best ones.

Next, you need to consider the size of your house. If you install a unit that’s too small for your home, the unit will have trouble keeping your home at the desired temperature and work harder to keep the house cool and comfortable. The extra work will consume more energy, resulting in expensive electric bills during the summer. In addition, working overtime will put excess strain on the unit, reducing the maximum lifespan. If you choose a unit that is too large for your home’s square footage, it will cycle on and off very quickly and won’t be able to eliminate the humidity from your home effectively.

Choosing the right size unit for the size of your home can be challenging. If you want to avoid hours of research, call a professional in air conditioning installation. The tech can use your home’s square footage to choose the best size unit for your home, and you’ll avoid the issues caused by installing a unit that’s too large or small.

#5 The Unit’s EER Rate

Every air conditioner has an EER rate which stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio. A unit’s EER rating is determined by dividing the BTU rating by the wattage. The EER rating ranges from 8 to 11.5, and the higher the EER rate, the more energy-efficient the air conditioner will be.

When choosing the best unit for the air conditioner installation, units with higher EER ratings require less energy, saving money on your monthly energy bills. Units with higher EER ratings are more expensive than models with lower ratings, but you can recoup the cost in the money you’ll save on your summertime electric bills.

An HVAC professional can help you choose an affordable unit with a higher EER rating, making the air conditioner installation process easier for you. If you don’t want to spend hours researching the EER rating of every air conditioner within your budget, an AC installation expert can do the work for you, ensuring you’re installing the most energy-efficient model you can afford.

#6 Durability

To avoid frequent repairs and replacements, you want to choose a durable unit for your new air conditioner installation. Choosing a durable unit can be challenging if you don’t know much about air conditioner installation because you might not know what to look for. Fortunately, a professional in air conditioner installation knows what to look for and can help you choose a durable model that doesn’t draw too much energy and will last long without needing frequent repairs.

#7 Ductwork

If you’re planning a central air conditioner installation and there’s never been a unit in your Dallas, TX home, you will need to have ductwork installed. The ducts allow the cold air to travel from the unit to the vents in every room of your house, and installing ductwork is a crucial part of the air conditioner installation process. A professional can install the ducts and vents throughout your home so the cold air travels to every room, providing a powerful rush of cold air in every room.

If there once was a central unit installed, you’ll need a professional in air conditioner installation to inspect the ducts. If the air ducts are old, there could be damage, or the seal may have failed, and the cold air will escape from these areas before reaching the vents. When this happens, your new air conditioner will work harder to keep the home cool, increasing your energy bills and can decrease the unit’s lifespan.

An HVAC tech can repair any damaged areas and re-seal the ducts to prevent leaks, keeping your house as cool as possible.

#8 Additional Equipment

Before installing the new unit, you should speak to a professional in air conditioner installation to discuss the additional equipment that can be installed to improve how the air conditioner functions. The add-ons you can choose from include:

  • Air purifier: Your air conditioner will have a filter to catch airborne particles that could affect your home’s air quality. If you or a family member suffers from allergies, asthma, or a chronic lung or respiratory condition, a professional in air conditioner installation can install an air purifier. High-quality air purifiers can capture 75 percent of organisms that are .30 microns and up to 95 percent of organisms over .30 microns, ensuring safe air quality.

 

  • Dehumidifier: Your new air conditioner will extract humidity from the home. Dallas, TX, is a humid subtropical climate, meaning that summers are very hot and humid, and the air conditioner may struggle to eliminate the humidity. When it gets too humid in your home, it will feel hotter than it actually is. Fortunately, an HVAC tech can install a dehumidifier to ensure your home is never humid during the summer.

 

  • UV lamps: It isn’t uncommon for bacteria and mold to form on the drain pan and the indoor coils, which is hazardous and can lower the unit’s efficiency and restrict airflow. An HVAC professional can install a UV lamp inside the unit to stop these dangerous growths.

It’s a good idea to talk to the tech about the additional equipment options available and those that could benefit you.

If you’re planning to install a new air conditioner in your Dallas, TX home and want to work with the best air conditioner installation professionals in the business, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas. We are a full-service HVAC company with nearly 35 years of experience in air conditioner installation, maintenance, and repair.

Our techs have undergone thousands of hours of professional training and are required to take continuing education classes and seminars to ensure they can install, maintain and repair the latest HVAC technology. They are also licensed, insured, and NATE certified and must pass a background check and drug test before they’re hired.

If your air conditioner breaks down or experiences any issues that should be repaired immediately, we provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We’ll get a tech to your home as quickly as possible to resolve the problem regardless of the day or time.

To schedule an appointment for air conditioner installation or any other HVAC service, give us at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas a call today.

Photo By WhiteBarbie at Shutterstock