When it’s time for a new heating and air conditioning system for your Fredericksburg, VA, home, it’s important to know what to expect. The HVAC installation process typically takes a full day, and several of our NATE-certified technicians will be working inside and outside your home. Read on to learn about the step-by-step process of installing a new heating and cooling system.
Calculate Heating and Cooling Loads
According to the Department of Energy, 3,000,000 new heating and cooling systems are installed every year in the United States. The first part of a heating and cooling system installation is to calculate the heating and cooling loads for the home. This thorough calculation takes into account the home’s location, size, age and construction materials. It also considers the number of levels, doors and windows. Nearby trees and amount of direct sunlight are also factors.
Update or Install New Ducts
Most heating and cooling systems use air ducts to deliver the warmed or cooled air to the living space. A new efficient heating or cooling system may require new ducts or updates to old, leaky ducts. This process might require creating new access holes in walls, floors or ceilings. If you choose a ductless system, it requires a 2- to 3-inch hole through the wall for the conduit between each indoor unit and the outdoor unit.
Select Ideal Locations
The next step of installing a new heating and cooling system is choosing the locations for the indoor and outdoor units. Our technicians do a thorough site evaluation. The outdoor unit needs a flat concrete pad with at least three feet of clearance for efficient operation. Once equipment locations are chosen, the units are connected to the ducts or conduit and wired to the thermostat. The final steps include connecting the condensate drain, charging the refrigerant and installing the air filter.
To learn more about the HVAC installation process, take a look at Ultimate Air, Inc.’s heating and air conditioning installation services, or call us today for more details.