In the summer months, the home can become so hot that you cannot do anything without a fan being nearby. The most robust solution to this is having an air condition fitted into the home. This provides cooling air into most parts of the house. However, it is almost necessary to need an air conditioning contractor to conduct the air conditioning installation.
Four main types of air conditioning systems are available. Firstly, there are those which are installed inside the windows, known as A/C window units. Secondly, split systems are installed as both outside and inside units. Then there are portable A/C units, available as hose, split or evaporative systems which can be easily moved around the house. The main type of system is the central A/C system. This makes use of the duct system and is merged with the home’s central heating system, giving it the ability to cool the entire house. A central air conditioning can cost up to $4000, depending upon the unit itself, additional items for air conditioning installation and the rate offered by each individual contractor.
The first thing needed to decide the kind of air conditioning required for your needs is the size of your home. A/C units are usually measured either in tons or based on how much heat they are able to remove from a certain home in an hour. This is calculated in British Thermal Units (BTUs). Larger houses require more cooling power to remove heat. However, this isn’t directly related to the actual size of the unit, because bigger A/C units have a tendency to waste energy and make very loud and undesirable noises.
Next, the A/C contractor conducts a load calculation to deduce which central A/C unit will be most appropriate for your home. This is determined by taking into account the home’s size, shape, climate and orientation. The contractor must also look at the home’s windows, walls, insulation and floors, looking for any seals, leaks or vents. Although calculations vary, it is generally accepted that every 500 square feet need one ton of cooling. Using certain computations, the contractor will analyse the home’s A/C characteristics to calculate the amount of air it will lose. Then taking environmental considerations such as solar rays and geography into account, the contractor determines the most appropriate system for the home.
After this whole process, the contractor will arrange a date and time for the air conditioning installation. The contractor will usually need assistance for this job and everything must be handled with care, especially the refrigerant. When the air conditioning installation has occurred, the contractor and their assistants will carefully test the air conditioner to check if everything is meeting the required standards, the refrigerant charge and piping is ok and if the airflow is balanced properly. In the end, all waste material is cleaned up. They will then give you instructions on how to operate the system and then leave you with an operation manual for reference.
So the overall process of having a nice and cool home, especially in the hot summer days, is nice, easy and convenient.