Let’s face it; nobody wants to replace their HVAC system when it’s reached the end of its useful lifespan. After all, the process can create disruption in the home, and then there is the expense of the new system and the installation costs to pay for. But, when your HVAC system reaches a certain age, it will have lost a great deal of its efficiency, and it will be less effective at treating the air in your home. Many homeowners focus on the replacement HVAC system that they want to purchase, but they pay less attention to the installation process, and this is a bad idea. A poorly installed HVAC system can create a number of problems in your home, and it could have poor energy efficiency making it expensive to run.
Professional vs. DIY Installation
The installation of a new HVAC system is not a project to be tackled by a DIY enthusiast. Installing this type of equipment requires a thorough understanding of how an HVAC system works, the safety implications, and how the local building codes work. If the HVAC system is poorly installed, the loss in energy efficiency will cost you money on your energy bills, but there are other implications that are far more serious. An improperly installed HVAC system could result in carbon monoxide poisoning, a house fire, and other dangers that you need to avoid to keep your family safe. Hiring a professional HVAC company to carry out your installation may cost more, but you get what you pay for, and it’s important to get the job right.
How Can a Bad HVAC Installation Affect Your Home?
There are three main ways that a lousy HVAC installation can deny you the benefits of your new system and affect your home negatively.
- A Mismatched HVAC System
If you’ve been shopping for a new HVAC system, you will have realized that there are many systems to choose from and they come in a variety of sizes. Many homeowners simply get the largest system to meed their needs, and this is a very bad decision. Buying a system that’s too small is also a bad choice, so it’s important to get a system that’s carefully matched to the size and layout of your home.
When the HVAC system is too large, it will condition the air in the space too quickly, and this will cause the system to cycle on and off to compensate. This is known as short cycling; this causes high humidity in your home, making it feel cold and clammy. Short cycling also places unnecessary strain on the equipment leading to component failures and premature system failure.
If the HVAC system is too small, it will run all the time as it tries to cool a space that is too large for it to handle. Despite its best efforts, the system will never be able to get your home to the required indoor temperature. This will use a great deal of energy for no real gain, and this makes it a tremendous waste of money.
The HVAC installer should carry out a load calculation to find out the ideal system capacity for your home. If this specific formula is misapplied or a poor installer simply guesses, then you may have an uncomfortable home and an out of control energy bill. This is why it’s important to choose a local certified HVAC company that has a reputation for carrying out high quality work.
- Leaky Ductwork Issues
A professional HVAC installation should include a thorough inspection of the ductwork and the vents. After all, these are essential to deliver the treated air throughout the home, and they need to be in good shape. The HVAC technician will inform you if any ductwork repairs are required or if one or more sections need to be replaced. If the ductwork is in very bad shape, it may even be easier and less expensive to simply replace it entirely.
One of the primary causes for a loss of energy efficiency in an HVAC system is leaky or cracked ductwork. There is little point in spending money on a high efficiency HVAC system and then let the treated air escape through the leaky ducts. It’s also worth mentioning that holes in your ductwork are a vector that allows vermin to enter the system, and this can lead to problems later down the line.
Many homeowners are complacent about ductwork, but it can really make the difference between an excellent and poor installation. When the ductwork is in great shape, the HVAC system will work better, and it will be far more energy efficient, saving money on energy bills.
- Incorrect Refrigerant Charging
Every air conditioning system needs to be charged with liquid refrigerant to meet exact specifications for that equipment. The precise requirements will be detailed in the owner’s manual. If this isn’t carried out correctly, it will cause problems in your home and cost you money.
If the air conditioning system is undercharged with refrigerant, you may notice ice or frost developing on the cooling coils in the outdoor unit. This is not good, a modern air conditioner is designed to remove heat from your home, and it doesn’t cool you indoor spaces using refrigeration. A lack of refrigerant will lead to a failure in cooling; the compressor motor will be overworked as the system attempts to compensate and this can cause major damage leading to a hefty repair bill or a component replacement.
If the air conditioning system is overcharged with refrigerant it will cool your home, but it will be extremely inefficient, and this will lead to elevated energy bills. If the refrigerant pressure is very high, it can even force the coolant into the compressor unit and cause damage to the motor. This damage cannot be repaired, and the compressor will need to be replaced, which is an expensive way to begin life with your new system.
In Conclusion
Always hire a local certified HVAC professional to carry out an installation in your home. A new HVAC system represents a significant investment, and if it’s installed poorly, the equipment can be damaged, and the efficiency could be compromised.