Many homeowners have thought about replacing their HVAC system for a more efficient unit from time to time. Every HVAC system reaches that stage when the performance is less than optimal, the energy efficiency is compromised, and the repairs are becoming too frequent. Let’s face it; no-one wants to spend money; an HVAC system represents a significant investment in your home comfort, and if you need a new system, it’s tempting to cut corners. Everyone likes to save money, but if you don’t get your new HVAC system installed correctly, any savings you would make in the short term would be canceled out by massive losses in the medium to long term. Let’s take a closer look at why a proper installation is the key to attaining the best possible HVAC efficiency.
Professional HVAC Installation Basics
Before we examine the key areas where a professional HVAC installation would make your system more efficient, let’s look at the basics of an installation. Firstly, an HVAC installation isn’t a suitable job for a DIY enthusiast that has no formal training. This type of work is very specialized; the equipment must be understood thoroughly to avoid damage, and safety should be a priority. An HVAC professional will also be able to conform to your local building codes to get the job completed right the first time and avoid any problems later.
If you attempt the installation yourself or hire a “handyman” to carry out the work for you, the losses in energy efficiency may be the least of your problems in the future. When an HVAC system is installed poorly, it can be unsafe to use. The risk of an electrical fire, exposure to deadly carbon monoxide and a myriad of other potential dangers are ever present. An HVAC professional has formal training, plenty of relevant experience, and the knowledge to install your system safely.
When you’re considering an HVAC installation, it’s a great idea to get your chosen professional involved at an early stage. They will be able to make a load calculation that will help you to choose the ideal HVAC system to treat the air in your home. They will also be able to offer useful advice on the best new systems and the energy efficiency benefits they can bring to your home.
3 Ways That a Poor HVAC Installation Can Sap Your Energy Efficiency
There are three main ways that a poor quality HVAC installation can affect both the performance and the energy efficiency of your new system. They are a mismatched size, incorrect refrigerant charging and leaking air ducts. Let’s take a look at each of these in more detail.
- A Mismatched HVAC System Size
When you start to look for a new HVAC system, you will quickly notice that they are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes to suit different sizes of space. Many people simply purchase the largest system that they can afford and hope for the best, but this is a terrible way to choose your next HVAC system. The system must be closely linked to the size of your home, and this requires a complex formula known as a load calculation. You can find online tools for load calculations, but they only cover so much information, and without a visit to your home, it would be difficult to get accurate results. If your new HVAC system is too large or too small, it can create a number of problems in your home.
If the new HVAC system is too large, it will condition the air inside your home too quickly. This may sound great, but in practice, the unit will cycle on and off frequently because the thermostat will be confused as the space is cooled too rapidly. If the unit is too small, the HVAC system will run almost constantly because the space can never be conditioned to the desired temperature. In both cases, the HVAC system will have to work much harder than normal; this will increase the frequency of repairs, and the useful lifespan of the equipment may be lowered.
If your new HVAC system is incorrectly sized for your home, the performance of the system will be compromised and you may notice that you energy bill is higher than it should be. The home may feel clammy because the indoor humidity is higher as the system will not be able to run for long enough to dehumidify the spaces. A professional HVAC technician can carry out a load calculation for your home and help you to find a system that will meet all of your needs.
- Incorrect Refrigerant Charging
Every air conditioning system must be charged with an exact volume of refrigerant, and if the system is undercharged or overcharged, it will be affected in different ways.
If the system is undercharged, the external unit can develop a layer of ice or frost on the surface of the cooling coils, and the system will be unable to remove heat from the home. The AC unit will work harder, this can cause the compressor motor to overheat, and this could cause damage to the unit. A compressor motor is one of the more expensive components, and a repair or replacement could be very costly.
If the system is overcharged, it may still remove heat from the home, but this will be inefficient. You may not realize that there is a problem until you get your next energy bill. If the refrigerant pressure is too high, it can force coolant into the compressor motor, and this will cause extensive damage that cannot be repaired.
- Leaking Air Ducts
Every professional HVAC installation will include a comprehensive evaluation of the duct system. Any repairs or a replacement should be carried out as required, and if the ducts are in very bad shape, it may be cheaper to simply replace them entirely. Leaking air ducts make your HVAC system less efficient because treated air can escape into your attic, basement, and wall spaces. If you’ve invested in a high efficiency HVAC system, the last thing that you want to do is waste the treated air. A professional HVAC technician can help you to design an efficient duct system that will evenly distribute the treated air throughout your home.