A Properly Installed Air Conditioning System Will Give You Many Years Of Trouble Free And Efficient Operation

One of the most common problems with central air conditioning systems in North American homes is improperly installed duct systems. A duct system that is not sized and installed properly can have a very dramatic impact on an air conditioning system.

Air conditioners are designed in such a way that they require a minimal amount of air flow to work properly. This rule applies to all air conditioners, central, portable, window, ductless and any other type you can think of.

Air conditioners require about 400 CFM per ton of cooling capacity. If this number is exceeded or falls a little short the equipment will still work properly. However this is the recommended air flow. When a system operates at this CFM you will get the best performance. That is why a properly sized duct system is critical for a unit to operate at maximum efficiency.

Too little air flow and air conditioners can ice up and not cool properly. This is also why it is important to change filters regularly and have evaporator coils checked periodically. Too much air flow and there will not be an adequate temperature drop across the evaporator coil.

An improperly sized duct system will have a dramatic effect on the air flow of an air conditioning system. Undersized duct systems are the most common problems that home owners face.

Some of the common signs of an undersized duct system are noisy air flow or whistling sounds, banging noises as the duct tries to expand when the fan comes and evaporators icing up during operation. There are other things that can cause an evaporator to ice up.

It is often estimated that 70 percent of all central air conditioning systems have improperly installed duct systems. If this number is accurate it means that 70 percent of all the air conditioning systems in North America are not working a their maximum efficiency and keep in mind that this in only duct related problems. There are many other problems that can be encountered when unqualified people install this equipment.

Some of the other problems that can effect system performance are undersized refrigerant lines, poor equipment location, not insulating duct when required, not insulating refrigerant lines, over sized and undersized air conditioning equipment, mismatched indoor and outdoor sections, and poor installation practices. These are only some of the things that can have an impact on how efficient the equipment operates and it’s operating life.

The problems listed above increase operating costs, decrease useful operating life, cause more frequent breakdowns and can create an uncomfortable environment due to erratic operation.

To avoid these problems when having a new heat pump or air conditioning system installed is to find a contractor who has an experienced crew of journeymen HVAC technicians with experience in residential installations.

Many companies that install residential heat pump and air conditioning systems are owned by sheet metal mechanics, plumbers or electricians who don’t have the required mechanical experience or training to properly size and install this equipment. This is a very specialized and complicated industry that requires an in depth knowledge and understanding of how residential air conditioner systems work.