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HVAC

home renovation, HOME REPAIRS + MAINTENANCE

What Can Go Wrong During an HVAC Installation?

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HVAC system installation is a complicated business. Many moving parts are involved in your heating and cooling system. Each piece has to work seamlessly with the other.

You could pay a professional to set up your new system or attempt an HVAC installation yourself. If you go with the latter, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with installing HVAC systems. That way, you can spot minor issues before they become significant problems.

Your new system could be at risk of malfunction if you don’t catch problems during installation. What could happen during an HVAC installation, and how can you prevent issues?

We’ll give you some things to watch out for below; keep reading to learn more.

Inadequate Sizing and Design

If the HVAC system is undersized, it can cool or heat the space adequately, leading to discomfort and reduced energy efficiency. On the other hand, an extensive system can lead to frequent cycling, inefficient operation, and increased energy costs.

Working with experts like IndustrialMech ensures the system is accurately sized and designed to meet the space’s specific requirements. Visit this link https://www.industrialmech.com/hvac-services/ and explore what they can offer.

Electrical Issues

Poorly installed wiring can lead to wasted energy, potential fires, or overloaded circuits. Ensuring that the wiring is installed correctly is essential to avoid these HVAC problems.

Electrical safety is an integral part of any installation job, and you should do periodic inspections to ensure all electrical components are up to code. It would help if you did wiring according to local codes, and you should securely connect all wires to terminals and should never be clamped or bunched together. It is also important to have GFCI outlets connected to all HVAC systems.

Poor Installation Techniques

A poorly installed system is much more prone to breakdown, leading to costly replacement or repairs. Poorly installed parts can create a fire, water, and air quality hazard in the home. Poorly installed ductwork can lead to energy loss, decrease air quality, and form condensation on ducts and in the house’s interior.

In addition, improper installation techniques can void warranty coverage. It is essential to have a professional HVAC installation. The system’s life and the occupants’ safety depend on it.

Lack of Proper Ventilation

Without proper ventilation, the air will be polluted with contaminants from outside and inside sources. It can cause respiratory issues and exacerbate existing medical problems.

Dust, pollen, and other airborne particles cannot evacuate. It can lead to increased allergies and health issues.

Poor air quality also increases the risk of mold and mildew growth. Proper ventilation of an HVAC installation needs to be in place to create the appropriate airflow for healthy living conditions.

Preventing Issues for HVAC Installation

In conclusion, HVAC installation might be complicated for a homeowner. You should hire a professional HVAC technician to install your system correctly and safely. A professional can anticipate and prevent problems and create a safe and efficient method.

Though things can go wrong, thorough research and preparation can help minimize potential issues. With experience and the right tools, they can ensure the best possible results for your home.

If you are seeking a helpful, friendly HVAC professional in your area, please get in touch with us today!

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home renovation

Planning to Install an Air Conditioning Unit?

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When the time comes to install an air-conditioning unit for family comfort during the hot months, the homeowner must decide whether to purchase and install the air conditioning unit themselves or go to an HVAC company and have experts install the air conditioning equipment. This decision must be driven by the homeowner’s budget and skill level. Mistakes can be costly. Since wiring and plumbing might be involved, many homeowners choose to leave this job to professionals.

Hire a Professional HVAC Company

The easiest, safest way to get the house air conditioned for summer is to contact a company such as blairsair.com and have them inspect the home and suggest different possible air conditioning systems for the home. They can then give the homeowner quotes on different units and their installation. Choose a company that is licensed and insured with satisfaction guarantees. Check the company website for information and customer ratings and comments. Check with the local Better Business Bureau. It doesn’t hurt to get two or three bids and then choose the company that will best meet family needs.

Consider These 13 Mistakes People Make Installing Air conditioners

Before considering installing your own air conditioning unit, learn how to properly do the job by reading how-to books or watching online tutorials. Choose a system that lends itself to homeowner installation and comes with complete installation instructions. If the homeowner is hiring an installation company, make sure they avoid these serious installation mistakes. Air conditioning installation mistakes can be made doing the work one’s self or hiring the wrong installer.

1. Purchasing the wrong size air conditioning unit for the home. The size unit needed depends on the size of the house and the number of people living there. The room or home area should match the BTU or the British thermal power unit listed on the system. The unit capacity or strength should also match the size space to be cooled. A guide is that the cooling power should equal 2000 BTUs for every 50 square meters.

2. Mistakes with electrical wiring during the installation can affect the working of the air conditioner and can be dangerous. There should not be any exposed wires. This is where a qualified heating and cooling technician or licensed electrician must be used. The unit’s manufacturer’s warranty can be voided if a professional does not do the wiring.

3. Not enough insulation on the refrigerant suction line or improperly installed insulation will affect the efficiency of the unit. It is also important to check the system for coolant levels and leaks. A leak can cause health problems for those living in the home and also adversely affect the efficiency of the system, costing more in electric bills. Do not assume a new unit will not have leaks because it could have been damaged in shipping or during the installation process. The correct refrigerant charge is also important.

4. The suction line should not have right angles because this causes too much resistance and makes the air conditioning unit work harder to achieve the correct amount of cooling.

5. In both split and wall air conditioning units, there must be enough space on all sides of the unit for proper airflow and effective functioning. Do not plant shrubs or other plants too close to the outside unit in an effort to hide it.

6. The refrigerant pipes must not be too long between the outdoor and indoor units of the central air conditioning system. In addition, installers can choose the wrong size pipes or connections for the distances they will run. Read the installation manual for the air conditioning system being installed and use the diameter pipes specified for the length of run.

7. There may be permits needed to install central air conditioning. Make sure the permits that are needed have been applied for.

8. The airflow is not sufficiently considered. Air conditioning is a complex system that needs to be designed to meet the needs of each home. This includes planning cooling zones and sizing of the system. The air conditioning system must be carefully chosen for quality and efficiency. This includes containing a good filter system to protect the equipment, improving the air quality in the home, and reducing allergens. Some poor-quality systems do not include filters and draw dirty air from outside the home and dump contaminants into the home with unfiltered air. Some systems have the air filter assembly in the wrong location to be efficient.

9. The homeowner doesn’t get a signed contract with the air conditioning unit installer. Not hiring a qualified, licensed technician can void the manufacturer’s warranty.

10. Putting the thermostats in the wrong places. This might involve sunlight hitting the thermostat all day and throwing off readings. Using cheap thermostats that do not use the latest technology can be a costly mistake. Thermostats should be programmable with unit timers so they can be set to run less when no one is home to save energy costs.

11. When installing the air conditioning unit, the drip pan should be removed. If it is left on, the airflow can be reduced and the unit efficiency will drop several percentage points. Installing an incorrect drainage system can cause damage to the system and expensive repairs down the line. Water must be drained effectively and safely so it does not spill on other unit components.

12. The system ductwork must be properly installed and sealed to avoid air leaks and wasted energy. This is a place some installers skimp on the quality of materials or cut corners on labor. This is why only reputable HVAC installers should be used.

13. Air return vents must be correctly placed so they do not become blocked by furniture or boxes. The idea is not to hide vents but to place them where they do the most good.

If An Existing Air Conditioning System Needs Updating, Replace the Whole System

If one part of an air conditioning system is worn out, the whole system is showing wear. Whole-house air conditioning systems are two-part systems with an outdoor condenser unit and the indoor equipment that includes coils, bowers, and fans. The inside parts also include a duct system and thermostats. All the parts are designed to work together as one system. A mix of old and new parts will not work efficiently.

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CLEANING

How To Keep Your HVAC Running Smoothly

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Every appliance we have needs to be kept in good working order. Over time, things either become less efficient and leak money, or just don’t work as well as they should.

It pays to use preventive maintenance to keep any big issues from appearing.

That holds especially true for your HVAC. If you have central heat and air conditioning, then you also have to keep an eye on its performance. Otherwise, when you need it, you may not have it. 

Since spring is arriving, this is a good time to be thinking about your central A/C so let’s dive in and get to the tips on keeping it running smoothly.

Keep the filter clean

Hopefully, during the summer last year you were regularly cleaning your filter and replaced it when the time was due.

When your filter is clogged it can cause a number of issues with the performance of your A/C as it is an integral part of the HVAC system. You can end up with blown circuits and even have warm air circulating instead of cool.

If you saw some ice building up on your condenser last summer, then that was a sure sign that your filter was clogged.

This year, make it a point to regularly clean your filter to avoid any issues. Even when you have been cleaning it, you will eventually need to replace it. Check with the owner’s manual of your unit to see how often that should be.

You should also be keeping the ducts clean to avoid spreading germs, pollen and dust throughout your home when the heat or air conditioner is working. You’ll need a professional to do this job for you. Learn More About Duct Cleaning by clicking that link to a professional duct cleaner site. 

Check outside

The outside unit can easily get obstructed by debris which will impact how it works. It needs the space around it clear so the air intake can happen unimpeded. There also needs to be space for the hot air to exit.

If the unit is obstructed, then it will cause uneven cooling and your electrical bill will also end up higher.

Does it smell?

Mildew can also build up inside the evaporator coil. This will cause a musty smell when you turn on the unit. It is very common when you turn on the HVAC for the first time that season. Over the time when it isn’t being used, the mildew can build. 

Make sure to clean the evaporator coil and the condenser before you fire it up for the season to get rid of any mildew or mold. Use a mix of a half cup of bleach and a gallon of water and use a rag to clean them off. This will kill the mildew or mold.

If you have a recurring problem even after it’s been cleaned, then you will need to call a professional to take a look to see where the problem lies.


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