AC Installation

Several factors can affect how long an AC setup takes. For most homes, a team of residential HVAC professionals will either finish in the first day or return to wrap up the work within a few days. That first day can span anywhere from 4 to 10 hours. The number of workers on a team, the home's duct situation, the system size, and the complexity of the job will all affect how long the first day lasts. Once the work begins, the removal of the old unit will be the first major task.

Choosing the right size for your air conditioning unit is essential if you want it to run well and use energy efficiently. When I perform a load calculation, I take into account not just the square footage of your house but also several other necessary variables, like the height of your ceilings, the number and type of windows you have, and how your house is arranged. Then I look at the quality of your insulation, the way you use your house, and the sorts of things that might make it warmer or cooler. Finally, I consider the local climate—how hot it is, how often it gets hot, and how quickly it cools down again.

Several factors affect the cost of installing an air conditioning system. For the average homeowner, the range of costs for a new installation is between $3,000 and $7,000. The specifics of the installation can change this price dramatically in either direction, though, based on the type of unit, home size, and installation intricacies. The efficiency of the unit and the technology in play also impact the total. If you're installing a unit with lots of great features, expect the upfront cost to be higher. Yet these high-efficiency, high-tech units can pay for themselves over time in energy savings.

To maintain the efficiency of your new air conditioning (AC) system, regular upkeep is crucial. Most manufacturers recommend that homeowners have their AC systems professionally maintained at least once a year, and ideally, just before the system is first put into heavy use. This guidance complements the recommendation that homeowners replace their air filters every 1-3 months and that schedule fits nicely with "going into the unit" inspections. While many manufacturers would like to see their systems maintained annually, the unit may have certain features or qualities that would equate to "2x" in the upkeep department.

When you install a new air conditioning system, energy efficiency is a key component. Choose a unit with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, which indicates good energy performance. Modern air conditioning systems with energy-efficient features can cut down monthly utility bills and the environmental impact of your cooling system. And you might just get a check in the mail after you install your system, as many utility companies offer rebates for high-efficiency A/C installs.

To ensure safety and compliance with building codes, most local jurisdictions require permits for air conditioning systems to be installed, with the specific requirements varying by locality. Although the majority of permits deal with electrical aspects of the installation, mechanical permits are also usually involved. Because professional contractors typically apply for the necessary permits and coordinate the required inspections, it is probably safe to say that if a homeowner is hiring a professional to install the system, the system is being installed legally. But be warned: if a contractor tells you that you do not need a permit, that may be a red flag.

Choosing the appropriate air conditioning system depends on several factors, among them the size of the home, the budget, and the kinds of cooling demands the homeowners have. For whole-home cooling, central air conditioning is the best kind of system. The next best thing is a ductless mini-split system, which works well for either zoning (lots of individual areas of a home that need cooling) or for homes that don't have existing ductwork. And then there are window units. They're cheap, and in a pinch, they can be made to work.

When installing an air conditioning unit in a house, the first step that the technicians usually take is to do an exhaustive assessment of the home. If there is already some kind of air conditioning system in place, the technicians will take it out and ready the area for the new installation. Sometimes, new ductwork is necessary, and if so, the ductwork is installed before the actual unit. Once the AC unit is installed, the technicians will do some basic tests to make sure the thing is working, and they will also give the homeowner some instructions on how to use and maintain the system.

The installation of an air conditioning system is a complicated task, needing specialized knowledge and necessary tools. A homeowner who might be thinking of doing an installation themselves could consider this to be an enticing thought: saving quite a lot of moolah on not having to pay for a pro to do the install. But what this line of thinking overlooks is that doing it yourself could well lead you into a morass of electrical and safety problems that might very well damage the unit, voiding any warranty that comes with it, and could also endanger your life and the lives of your family. On top of that, if you don't meet code and pass inspection, the unit might not work properly, if at all.

A new AC system usually lasts somewhere between 10 to 15 years, assuming the system gets an even, adequate amount of maintenance. Well-maintained systems can last longer than that; in fact, high-quality units made by reputable manufacturers can really stretch the limits of AC lifespan when it comes to service. The factors that most directly impact how long an AC lasts include the quality of the installation (was it done correctly?), the climate (how hard does the system have to work?), and the pattern of usage (is it run night and day, or is it off for long stretches?).