When homeowners need to upgrade their air-conditioning systems, they expect the newly installed systems to perform as advertised. However, poor cooling installation methods can lead to a significant drop in efficiency — one that affects comfort, too.
In fact, Energy Star, a government-funded energy-efficiency website, reports that up to half of all cooling installations are compromised, meaning poor installation practices have led to countless homeowners spending more money over the life of their systems to keep them operating well and efficiently.
If you’re looking at new cooling equipment, you should know that its installation counts for a lot. Here’s what you should expect from a quality cooling installation:
- Careful sizing. Expert sizing methods are critical during any cooling installation. Factors that affect sizing include heat gain from the sun through windows, insulation levels and the home’s square footage. Without taking into account all factors that affect sizing, you could end up with a system that’s either too big or too small for your space. And that means your new system won’t operate efficiently or create a comfortable home.
- Well-maintained ductwork. Of all of the factors that affect efficiency, ductwork leaks generally contribute to the largest energy losses. Before you have any new cooling equipment installed, it’s essential that your HVAC contractor performs a comprehensive evaluation of the ductwork and seals all leaks.
- Proper airflow. Your contractor should also evaluate the system’s airflow. Too little or too much will compromise comfort and cause energy bills to soar.
- Precisely measured refrigerant. With an A/C, efficiency rests on the refrigerant’s ability to cool. Improper refrigerant charges can greatly affect your cooling bills, comfort and equipment life span.
With your new, efficient cooling equipment in place, you can expect to see a dip in your energy bills, better comfort and long-lasting equipment — but only if the cooling installation is done right. Contact the experts at Jon Wayne Heating & Air Conditioning today. We’ve been helping San Antonio homeowners since the mid-1970s get efficient results from their systems, built on a solid foundation of an expert cooling installation.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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