When it comes to installing a new air conditioner, the question of budget often brings up the question of whether to attempt DIY installation or to hire a professional. While it may seem relatively simple, there are a host of things that can go wrong. Consider these six common mistakes you can avoid by hiring a professional technician to install your air conditioner.
1. Personal Injury
One of the major risks of installing an air conditioner is injuring yourself during the process. Air conditioners are high-draw appliances, which means there’s substantial risk of electrical shock if you don’t know how to work on power properly. Additionally, air conditioners are heavy and require multiple people to lift them safely. Professional installers usually have multi-person installation teams to ensure no one is left trying to lift too much independently.
2. Leaking Lines
The refrigerant lines run between the inside evaporator unit and the outside condensing unit. Damage to these lines during installation causes leaks that lead to ineffective cooling and excessive wear on the system. Further, the junctions of the lines and the components can be damaged causing another common refrigerant leak.
3. Unlevel Compressor Installation
The outside compressor runs best when installed on a level platform, minimizing the vibration it experiences as it runs. Professional installers take great care to level the surface before mounting the unit. In some cases, this may mean installing a concrete slab and letting it cure before installing your outdoor unit.
4. Faulty Condensate Drain
Every air conditioner condenses moisture from the circulating air on the evaporator coils. This eventually drops onto a drip pan and drains out through a condensate drain pipe. The drain pan must be installed with the appropriate tilt to work properly. The drain line must be installed correctly, without leaks, and have enough slope to allow gravity to draw it down to wherever it ends, such as the sump pump well.
5. Improper Refrigerant Charge
Your system requires the right amount of refrigerant to run properly. Too much refrigerant can ruin your seals while too little can burn out the compressor. Getting the proper refrigerant charge requires having the right gauges to monitor the pressure on both the high and low-pressure lines while you’re charging.
6. Failure to Comply With Building Codes
Building codes include requirements for how HVAC equipment is installed, especially the electrical supply. While homeowners can typically do work on their homes legally, doing so can create problems when trying to sell your home. Inspectors commonly identify things in a home that aren’t up to the current code. Further, some insurance companies won’t honor insurance claims if a non-compliant issue causes the loss.
All of these blunders cause increased energy consumption, further repairs, shorter AC service life, and higher costs for the homeowner. Avoid all of them by calling Payne Heating and Air for professional AC installation in Tallahassee, FL.
