A properly installed air conditioner keeps your home cool and comfortable during the warmest weather, but do you know what a proper AC installation requires? It affects everything from temperature and humidity control to indoor air quality to maintenance and utility costs. A licensed HVAC professional knows how to install your AC correctly and ensure it runs safely, reliably, and efficiently. Below, we’ll review the main requirements an AC installer must consider.
Specialty Tools
The tools needed to install most air conditioners aren’t common in the typical home. You might have a power drill, but drilling holes for AC lines and other components requires special bits and attachments. While the process also entails using simpler tools like screwdrivers, hammers, levels, pliers, and wrenches, others you may be less familiar with include:
- Multimeter: To test for the presence and strength of electrical currents in wiring, outlets, and other components.
- Reciprocating Saw: It can cut through metal pipes, cables, drywall, wood, brick, and other materials during AC installation.
- Tubing Cutter: It is designed to cut through strong copper pipes in air conditioning systems.
- Hex Head Nut Drivers: Some AC units have standard screws, but hex heads are often used. They must be installed with a specialized nut driver.
- Pressure Gauges: A gauge that measures refrigerant levels helps determine if the proper amount of coolant is added and there are no leaks.
- Flare Tool: This tool seals copper tubes, forms a mechanical joint, or connects any type of tubing to a fitting.
- Tin Snips: Straight-cutting, left-cutting, and right-cutting snips may be used to size, cut through, and access metal ductwork. Shears are similar but handle longer straight cuts.
- Vacuum Pump: By compressing the air in the system, the pump forms a vacuum to eliminate any gas, water, or air still in the lines.
These are a few of the many items found in an AC installer’s toolkit. Since there are so many, it can be time-consuming and expensive to obtain them all yourself. A technician already has the necessary items and expertise to use them safely. They arrive fully repaired for AC installation.
Proper AC Sizing
Air conditioning units don’t usually differ much in physical size from one model to another. However, each type and model has a specific cooling capacity. It is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) and tons. Determining the number of BTUs and tons you need ensures you have an energy-efficient AC that delivers comfort and won’t wear out too soon.
A 1-ton AC provides about 12,000 BTUs of cooling power. Its BTU rating defines how much energy an air conditioner uses to remove heat, and how much heat the system can remove each hour. For an average 2,000-square-foot house, a 3- to 3.5-ton AC provides sufficient cooling power. The larger your home, the more BTUs are needed; the number of occupants, the number of windows and doors, climate, and other factors also impact how your AC should be sized.
Knowledge of Energy Efficiency Requirements
An AC’s seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) is a rating that shows how much energy a unit consumes in a year. It’s determined by dividing a system’s cooling output over the season by the total energy it uses. In the Southern U.S., an air conditioner must be rated at least 15 SEER (per requirements set in 2023).
The higher an air conditioner’s SEER rating, the more it typically costs, but the more you can save over time. Lower utility bills aren’t the only way to save. Installing a high-efficiency unit can also qualify you for federal tax credits, state incentive programs, and rebates from utility companies. Therefore, several opportunities are available to make AC installation more affordable. Plus, there may be discounts and other incentives from dealers and manufacturers.
If energy efficiency is your top priority, carefully weigh your options. A traditional system only turns on or off. A two-stage system can run at high or low power, while an inverter-driven, multi-speed compressor can adjust incrementally to demand, whether operating conditions require it to run at, for example, 40% or 80% of full power.
A Suitable Location
Choosing a location requires enough space to fit an AC unit. If it’s in an area that is too warm or airflow is restricted, the system’s performance and energy efficiency won’t be optimal. Therefore, the AC installation process must include careful planning as to where each component will go:
- Indoor Unit: The air handler should be in a large enough cabinet or closet or mounted on a sturdy wall, out of direct sunlight and away from heat-producing appliances. Leave a few inches of space on all sides for proper ventilation. Also, install it away from sources of dust and moisture.
- Outdoor Unit: The condenser unit must be on a flat surface. Ensure there are no plants, debris, or objects within two feet of it so the unit has enough airflow and absorbed heat can escape. To limit the effects of sunlight, place the condenser in a shaded area or under an awning, shield, or cover.
Properly Sized and Sealed Ducts
Air ducts must be correctly matched with your AC system. If they’re the wrong size, the unit won’t work efficiently and airflow issues will reduce temperature control. The right-sized ducts allow enough cool air to reach each room. Proper sealing and tight connections help maintain airflow and indoor air quality. Your AC installer should perform an airflow test after installation to ensure the system is properly balanced.
The Right Amount of Refrigerant
Each type and model of air conditioner requires a precise amount of refrigerant. Unless there’s a leak, the same amount of coolant will circulate. The manufacturer should specify your system’s requirements. The installer must provide exactly the right amount or your AC won’t provide enough cooling. It will also use more energy and can break down.
An Effective Filter
The basic air filter included with an AC may not be best suited for your home. A thin fiberglass filter maximizes airflow but doesn’t have the filtration power of more advanced media filters. A filter’s effectiveness is measured using its minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). A MERV 12 or higher filter can capture very small dust and smoke particles, bacteria, and some viruses. A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter captures a range of pollutants. Whole-home air filtration systems, such as UV lights, can be installed in ductwork to improve indoor air quality significantly.
What Does the AC Installation Process Require?
Most importantly, the process requires a licensed and certified AC installer. They are familiar with every installation step and the tools, equipment, and materials needed to ensure the project is successful. No overview of AC installation requirements would be complete without looking at the following steps:
- Site Preparation: Once you’ve chosen an air conditioner and scheduled installation, the site must be cleaned of dirt and debris. The ground must be leveled, and a new pad must be installed (a durable composite pad is most often recommended) before the outdoor unit is set. Electrical wiring, circuitry, plumbing, and other necessary updates to your home must be completed before installation day.
- Remove the Existing System: If replacing your old AC system, the evaporator coil, line set, and outdoor unit must be carefully disconnected, removed, and discarded. Licensed AC installers know the laws for safely decommissioning your system, from evacuating refrigerant to disconnecting electrical components to hauling away equipment.
- Set Up the Indoor Unit: A mounting bracket is secured and the indoor air handler is mounted on it. The unit won’t perform optimally unless it is horizontally level. The installer will ensure the unit is level and securely fastened. In the case of central AC installation, the air handler and evaporator coil will be installed in an out-of-the-way location and connected to your ductwork.
- Mount the Outdoor Unit: The condenser unit is set on a flat, stable surface with adequate clearance. From here, the refrigerant is charged and the electrical disconnect is wired. This is one of the most complex stages of the job, as the condenser coil, compressor, fan, and other components are among the hardest working in your HVAC system.
- Connect Refrigerant and Electrical Lines: The copper refrigerant lines are installed in as straight a path as possible and secured with clamps every few feet. The suction line is connected to the indoor and outdoor components and the liquid line is installed. Electrical wiring is set up precisely according to the manufacturer’s specifications, avoiding performance issues and electrical hazards.
- Final System Test: The AC installer cycles the system on and off to measure cooling performance, airflow, and other parameters. They also check for noise and leaks. If necessary, they tighten connections, check for air leakage, and seal and insulate any ducts or gaps in walls. After any final checks or adjustments, the technician will clean the installation site, explain how the system works, and answer your questions.
Schedule an AC Installation with Trilogy AC
Trilogy AC provides high-quality HVAC installation and other air conditioning services in Katy, TX, and throughout the Houston area. Our technicians are fully trained and NATE-certified. Whether you need an AC installation or 24/7 emergency service, they are reliable and highly efficient. We also perform preventative maintenance that includes annual tune-ups to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. To learn more about our AC maintenance plans or schedule an appointment with one of our AC installers, call (832) 730-5047 today.
