What To Expect During Air Conditioner Installation | Dallas, TX
Whether you are having an air conditioner installed for the first time in your new home or you are replacing your air conditioning unit, you may be a bit unsure of what to expect during an air conditioner installation in Dallas, TX. You are not alone; a lot of people who need to replace their AC systems have a lot of questions for our team. Most people only have to deal with an air conditioner installation once or twice in their lifetime. After all, the average person moves 11 times, so unless you are extremely unlikely, you probably will not move into a place that needs its AC system replaced every single time.
Most of the people who are caught off-guard by an air conditioner installation in Dallas, TX are new homeowners because in the past, when they had a problem with their AC system, all they had to do was call the landlord to come out and take care of the issue for them. However, now that you own your own home, if there is a problem with your AC, it falls squarely on your shoulders to handle. This does not have to be an impossible task if you work with the right company. They should be upfront about everything you should expect, which should help make the entire air conditioner installation a lot more comfortable for you.
You should also feel comfortable with any HVAC company you work with for air conditioner installation. If you are afraid to ask questions or don’t like how they treated you when they came out to assess the problem, then it never hurts to get a second opinion. This is a big task and a large investment, so you should feel confident with the company you choose to handle your AC installation. One thing you may not know is that the accuracy of installation is the number one factor that influences the lifespan of a new AC system. With that in mind, it is worth it to call a second company and get someone you are comfortable with.
Of course, it is understandable that in Dallas, TX if your AC system goes, you won’t have much time to work with it before you have to book your air conditioner installation. Summer heat is so intense that it quickly becomes an emergency, which is why the availability of the company you end up booking for your AC installation will play a large role in who ends up getting the job. However, even if you are in a rush, you should be comfortable with the company that comes out to handle the installation. There are even a few things that you may want to ask the HVAC company before they begin the air conditioner installation. This is even more important if you have never worked with an HVAC company before and this will be your first time using them.
What to Check Before Hiring an HVAC Company to Install a New AC Unit
First of all, you want to make sure that the HVAC company you call for an air conditioner installation is certified. HVAC technicians that are certified have had to pass through a strict regimen of training to obtain certification. Therefore, this proves that they have the experience and the knowledge to properly install your new unit. This one extra step can mean a lot when it comes to ensuring that the installation process moves smoothly. You also want to make sure that the HVAC company you choose has the availability to handle your installation promptly.
As mentioned, the summer months can be very busy for HVAC technicians in Dallas, TX since all AC issues are considered emergencies. It is impossible to live safely in Texas without AC in the summer months, so this can create a backlog for many technicians. If the HVAC company you usually have out to your home cannot get to your installation for a few months, then you will need to look for someone that can to make your home safe and comfortable to live in again. After all, in Texas, just opening your windows is not an option.
How Long Does AC Installation Take?
How long AC installation will take heavily depends on whether this is your first air conditioner installation or a replacement AC installation. A replacement is often more accessible because the pathways have already been created for the AC system. Therefore, the old system just needs to be removed, and the new system needs to be connected. In some cases, if the old system is completely broken and no longer able to function, it will be removed before the new AC arrives, helping to expedite the process. In this case, you can expect a new installation to last about four hours.
However, if the old unit is still functioning, just not as well as it should be or on its last leg, then it will be left in place until the day of the air conditioner installation. In this case, the time estimate will have to include removing the old unit and installing the new unit. This may push up the installation time, and you should expect it to last more than four to eight hours. Depending on how old the older AC system is, there may be rust and broken fixtures to attend to, which can also affect the overall time that AC installation takes. These are all variables that need to be accounted for.
While it may seem like a new air conditioner installation should be quicker, this may also take some time since the entire system needs to be installed from scratch. There will be no outdoor pathway inside your home to connect it to the HVAC system. Most likely, a space will also have to be prepared for the new AC unit to sit on, which is a task that does not have to be accommodated for if you are replacing your unit. This may also be done in advance, depending on the type of surface that is going to be used for your new AC unit. Cement bases require more advanced planning, whereas stone bases can be done upon installation. This is something you will want to discuss with your HVAC company in advance so that you can prepare for it properly. Luckily, this is one of the very few things you will have to worry about when it comes to HVAC installation.
How Can You Prepare for AC Installation?
The good news for you as a homeowner is that they’re not too many things you need to worry about to prepare for an air conditioner installation in Dallas, TX. Outside of booking the original installation date, the only thing you have to do is wait for the HVAC company to come out to your home to finish the process. This is due to the fact that they will handle everything that happens in the background such as ordering the new unit and sizing your home.
Well, they will probably consult with you about what air-conditioning unit you should buy, for the most part, they will handle the selection of the AC unit based on several parameters, such as the size of your home, efficiency of your air duct system, and the expected performance levels in terms of energy efficiency. Everybody has a different budget when it comes to air conditioner installation, so they will work with you to find a model that fits within your budget and the expectations of what it needs to deliver. This is not something that you should attempt to handle on your own because the calculations of the exact amount of energy and machine you need are quite complicated.
You don’t want to pay for more than you need, and you also don’t want to pay for an air conditioning system that is not going to effectively cool your home. If your system is not properly fitted to your room, then you will end up paying more and have to deal with a system that breaks down sooner due to the advanced wear and tear. When you factor these things into your decision, it is clear that you should allow the HVAC company to help you. Given the cost of an air conditioner installation, you want to make sure that this is a one-time process that you won’t have to deal with for at least another decade, if not two.
Now that you don’t have to think about these things, it is worth noting that there are a few things that you can do to help expedite the process. First of all, you will need to make sure that you are home throughout the process of the air conditioner installation. The technicians will need access to your home often throughout the day so you will need to be there to provide it. Keep in mind that an indoor and outdoor unit needs to be installed, which is why indoor and outdoor access will be required on both sides of your Dallas, TX home.
You will also want to make sure that you secure all pets and children before the crew shows up. If possible, it is best if your children are out of the way and busy and may meet at somebody else’s house. The same could be true of your animals because even I will behave dog or cat or sometimes start outside when a stranger is coming in and out of the home. This is for their safety, as well as the people who are installing the unit. There will be big machinery, pieces, and tools lying around, and it is often easier if there’s just no one to interfere with the process.
You also want to make sure that there is enough room for everyone to get around the indoor and outdoor units easily. If your AC system is on the basement or the first floor of your home, this may mean clearing a 4-foot pathway between your home door and the actual unit. Keep in mind that the air conditioner installation crew will also need access to your thermostat, so you will need to have a clear pathway to your thermostat and probably a few of the air vents for when they check the new air conditioner installation. Well, no one expects your home to be perfectly clean and it doesn’t have to be; you do need to make sure that they can navigate the home space well.
The same is true of the outdoor space, which should also be clear of any debris, and anything that might cause a trip hazard. It is actually easier than you think for debris to get in the way of an air conditioner installation, especially when professional crews are carrying important items. This might mean cleaning away sticks or anything else that’s fallen outside of your Dallas, TX home. It also might mean parking your car in your neighbors’ driveway or on the street until the installation is complete so that the crew can get closer to the outdoor unit they are installing. During the air conditioner installation, you will also want to ensure that your driveway is free of any scooters, bikes, or other objects that may interfere with their work. While these are all just small things, they will be valuable to the HVAC technician that comes to your home to complete the repair.
If you are ready to replace your unit and start enjoying the perks of a new AC system, give One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas a call. We are happy to talk you through your options.