Author: Air Conditioning

What to Expect When Your New Air Conditioning Unit is Being Installed

You have done a lot of research into searching for the right air conditioning unit that you are going to use at home or in your office. You spent countless hours comparing the various products and what they can give. You even checked out the different brands and read different reviews. You compared the prices of the various units and the features that they can provide until you have finally made your decision. Now that you have made a choice, and you have chosen your air conditioning unit, the fact remains that you need to have your air conditioner installed. How are you going to do that when you have no knowledge about what you should do?

Some people think that the installation process is going to be easy. They can just watch some London air conditioning installation videos and they feel that they can already do it on their own. There is one thing that you should remember: you may not have all the right tools and the right skills to ensure that things will go on as planned.

Why Hire Licensed Professionals?

Licensed professionals install air conditioning and HVAC units for a living. They are trained by their companies. They have all of the right skills and the knowledge to ensure that your air conditioning unit will be properly installed. There are some that specialize in a particular type of brand. For example, some air conditioning companies can recommend professional companies that they can trust to install their own units.

If you do not install your air conditioning unit properly, expect that it will not work that well. The unit’s performance can be greatly reduced. This means that you will be unhappy with your unit. You may even think that you made the wrong decision only to realize that it is because you have installed your unit wrong.

Replacing or installing the AC unit can be stressful for you if you need to find time to do it. Why not allow the professional company to do the installation instead? It will be more ideal for you. It can also get rid of the unnecessary stress you will experience if you are going to do it on your own. There are a lot of companies who are very particular about the services they will provide. They want to make sure that their customers are happy, satisfied, and comfortable with what they can give.

What to Look for in Licensed Professionals

• Look for courteous professionals – You want to find people who are properly trained not only to do the installation process with ease, they should be trained to recognize that you are a customer and your satisfaction is their main goal. You would like the technicians to treat your home or your office like it is their own so nothing will get lost and nothing will get damaged.

• Look for efficiency – You know that it will take years before people can actually become good at what they do. It will take not only training but also experience in doing various types of work. The more experiences technicians have, the better they will be in providing the services that you need to make the installation of your air conditioning unit a success.

• Professionals should be familiar with the safe and efficient process to do the installation – There are a lot of steps that need to be done so that the air conditioning unit will be installed properly. If professional companies do not know these steps, it can be problematic for your unit. Look for technicians that can provide the best care possible so that your unit will not have any problems once installed.

Other Things to Consider

Searching for the right professional installation companies can be complicated when you do not know where to start looking. These are a few tips that will make things easier:

• You need to ask for recommendations from your family members and friends. You may have family members who have hired companies in the past to install their very own air conditioning units. Ask them for some company names that you can trust. Once they give some recommendations, check the companies online.

• Look for reviews. There are some customers who will be happy to say if they were satisfied with the services that they have received or not. It goes without saying that you should pick those who have received positive reviews as compared to those who did not.

• Choose a company that provides air conditioning services that you are looking for. What if you would pick a company only to realize that the company does not offer what you need. It can be a huge problem. This is something that you can easily check.

• Find companies that will provide 100% satisfaction guaranteed services. This means that if you are unhappy with the services that you will get, you do not have to pay for anything. Who would not want when their home conditioning unit is being installed?

• Does the company offer 24/7 support? There are moments when the installation process will be done in a short amount of time but once you start using your AC unit, you will notice some things that are unsatisfactory. It is best that you let the installers know about it. This is especially true when your complaints are related to how they have installed the AC unit.

Now that you have also learned enough details about choosing the right company who can do the installation, you can just call them. You need to ask the company if they provide the service that you need in your area. You also have to know when they are free. Look for a time wherein you can be free as well. This will allow you to monitor what is happening as they install your AC.

Setting Up the Place

Expect that the professional installation company will check the area where the AC unit is going to be installed. They will check what they can work with or if they have enough space available for all of the possible tools that they would need. The areas that may become damaged will be covered with cloths and other material that will provide extra protection to the items. Some would even protect their floors especially if they have used exotic materials for their flooring.

Another reason why the place should be set up is to prevent the accumulation of dust in certain areas of the house. Some of the items may need to be moved and removed so that the installation process can go smoothly.

Old Units will be Removed

Do you have an old air conditioning unit set in the place where the new one will be set? If you answer yes, then this is something that the professional company still has to do. The air conditioning installers will brief you about the things that they are going to do so that you will be prepared. To remove the old unit, it must be unplugged first. There are some professional companies that would require that the power will be turned off for a certain period of time while the AC is being removed from its old spot for safety reasons.

It is best that you have done all of the things that would require electricity before the professional installers arrive so that you will be comfortable as they work on removing your old unit before the new one can be installed. Once the old unit is disconnected, they will then remove it from the vicinity.

The Installation of the New AC Unit

Once the old unit is removed and placed in a different area, the area will be cleaned and prepared for the new unit. This will be done to make sure that the installation process will go on smoothly. The time frame for this will be different from one household to another. There are some who will get their new AC units installed in less than an hour. There are some that are more complicated because of various reasons. For example, if the ceiling is high, there are some tools and materials that are needed by the professional installers to make this happen.

You also have to prepare yourself because there may be times when there are unseen complications that may occur while the unit is being installed. Once these complications are checked and addressed, then things may be easier. The time it will take to install the AC unit will also depend on the number of AC units that will be used.

AC Installation Completed

Once the air conditioning unit has been installed properly, it will be tested with you, the owner, present in the area. During the testing, you will see if the air coming from the unit is cool. You can also test if the air is going to the areas that would require cooling. The professional installers may also take the time to check your ductwork just to see if there are some leaks that would need to be repaired soon. The airflow will also be measured to be sure that that the AC unit is performing its best and will perform its best when you use it during random times.

This is the time when you can ask questions about the AC unit especially if there are some things that you do not understand about it yet. If in case you cannot think of questions, do not worry. Professional installers will make an effort to explain details about how your AC will work. You need to familiarize yourself with the VRV VRF systems.

VRV means Variable Refrigerant Volume while VRF means Variable Refrigerant Flow. There are some air conditioning units that are made with VRV systems that are more apt for homes while there are also some that are better used in commercial establishments. This will make sure that a certain space will be cooled properly. The VRF makes cooling possible with the use of refrigerants.

You can double check if you like where the new AC is installed and if it works with the rest of the room. There is a need to know the following details:

• How you can keep the unit working as efficiently as possible.

• What are the maintenance requirements for your particular AC unit? You may refer to your user’s guide or manual. Once again, if you have some questions, you can ask the installers about it.

• The benefits and the features of the AC unit. You need to know if you have made the right choice with the AC unit and there is a big chance that you have.

100% Satisfaction

A lot of professional installers know that your satisfaction with the AC unit that you have purchased will also be dependent on how they have installed the unit. You need to let them know if you are not 100% satisfied with the services that they have provided. If in case you are, you need to keep their number so that you can contact them when you need air conditioner repairs.

If you are happy with the services that you have received from your chosen company, you can refer them to people you know who are also looking for a company to provide the same services. You may also place a positive review on their website just to let people know what your experience with the company was. It will help spare people the trouble of searching for other companies that may not provide the proper services that they are searching for.

Do you think you already know all of the important details regarding what you to expect with your air conditioning installation? It is only normal that you will feel a bit confused with all the details but the more that you educate yourself, the easier it would be to deal with the actual installation day.

Enjoy the cool air coming from your newly-installed air conditioning unit!

How Often Does  an Air Conditioner Need a Service?

Many of us have a home air conditioning unit.  It is a vital addition to many homes, if you live in a hot climate.  If you have children, it is important to keep them cool in hot weather, and the same applies for the elderly as well.  However, it is much more pleasant for all of us to have a home where you can regulate the temperature as we choose.

We are adding more and more electrical items to our homes all the time.  Computers, television, games consoles, lights, all these items give our heat.  Our homes can become oppressively hot as a result of the heat that these items generate as well as the heat from the weather.  Home air conditioning units have become much more energy efficient in recent years.  Many people worry about the cost of installing such a unit, because of prohibitive energy costs.  However, modern units have been developed to reduce energy consumption by up to 50%.

Research has pointed to the value of a home air conditioning unit, as a health benefit as well as for our preference to feel cooler.  Many homes are built to ensure adequate heat retention, so they have done their jobs too well.  Homes can become oppressively hot in periods of warm weather.  In the UK, there was a heatwave in 2003 and 2000 people died as a result of the heat.

Many more people are working from home thanks to links from the internet and other digital innovations.  It can be oppressive to work in an environment that is too hot, and research shows that workers are more productive when working in an ambient temperature.  Your electrical equipment will also work more effectively if it is cooled down.  Computers, printers and your IT equipment will all benefit from the cooled air that a home air conditioning unit provides.

So, home air conditioning units are a much more popular household item than ever before.  Like any other household appliance, a home air conditioning unit can break down.  It also needs regular maintenance to ensure optimum performance.   How are the best ways to approach air conditioning repairs?  How often do we need to use air conditioning maintenance?  We will look at some of the options available, so that you can get the most out of your unit.

 

Air conditioning services

If you have purchased your air conditioning system recently, it may be covered by a warranty.  In this case, the professional engineer will arrange a time to come to your home and check your unit over.  They can make recommendations about how to use your unit more effectively, and if necessary, replace any worn out parts.  Warranties can be taken out for a number of years to ensure peace of mind, and to avoid paying out if your machine needs frequent repairs or services.

When purchasing a unit, you can purchase a regular servicing contract, perhaps annually, which will ensure that an engineer comes out regularly to service your machine.

You can find a company online if you do not have a contact at the company where you purchase the machine.  Many engineers will not charge a call out fee, but only charge you for new parts.  Always check that the engineer has the necessary accreditation and qualifications.  Reputable professionals will be able to provide evidence of this and should offer a full guarantee of any parts they supply as part of the service they provide.

Your unit is more likely to need a service if it has been used more frequently.  Therefore, it is important to get regularly servicing, as warm weather can encourage people to turn their units on and turn them up.  Any glitches in the system will soon be evident and engineers will be under pressure to answer emergency call outs.  If you have been sensible enough to ensure your unit is regularly serviced, you are less likely to need to call an engineer out, as any problems will have been fixed or anticipated during the service.

It is always important to remember that your unit may not always function to its maximum capacity when the temperature is especially high.  During temperatures of over 100 degrees the unit may not be able to reach your desired temperature, and no amount of servicing can rectify this issue.

 

Air conditioning maintenance

There are two main types of home air conditioning unit and they both need regular maintenance.  The first type consists of a furnace and an air conditioning unit, the second has a heat pump which heats and cools.

Both types have an evaporator and a blower inside the unit and a condenser and compressor in the exterior unit. There are many components of an air conditioning unit that need regular maintenance.  The coils, fins and filters all need to be checked regularly, and need to be working efficiently if the unit is to function correctly.

Before you undertake any maintenance on your air conditioning unit, you must ensure that the power supply is cut off.

Filters need to be cleaned and changed regularly.  They can easily become clogged with dirt and if this happens the air flow will not be effective, and this can lead to damage in the coils as well.  If you replace the filter regularly, you will not only ensure that your unit works more efficiently, but you will reduce energy consumption as well.  Before the season when you most regularly use your air conditioning unit, it is wise to check your filter is clean, and keep checking it regularly thereafter.

If you have a machine that has reusable filters, they need to be cleaned rather than replaced.  A general rule is to clean the filter at least once a month for optimum performance.

The coil in the system will benefit from clean filters in the air conditioning system.  However, over time they will naturally gather dirt, especially if the unit is located outdoors.  Try and keep the area close to the coil as clean as possible and remove any debris as it collects.  Dust the area around the coil, and if you prefer, you can purchase a specialised coil cleaner to spray on to the coil.  You will need to spray this onto the coil, it will foam up and drip in to the drain tray which you can then clean with soapy water or bleach and replace.   You can keep the drain clean by using a 50/50 solution of water and bleach and pour it down the drain.  Or you can purchase a commercial drain cleaner to keep the drain free from algae.

The evaporator coil is where the warm air from your home enters the unit.  The purpose of the coil is to take the warm air from your home, cool it, then send it back out into the air flow in your home.

You may need to prise a cover off this unit if it is a block unit on the exterior.  Once you have removed the lid of the cage, you can remove the debris with a vacuum cleaner or by hand.  It’s important to maintain a free airflow around the unit, so check regularly that there is no build up of leaves or other debris around the exterior unit.

The fins on an air conditioning unit are usually made of aluminium.  If they become dirty, the system will not work as efficiently as it could.  You can purchase a ‘comb’ for these fins, and use this to clean your system on a regular basis.

On a large exterior unit, you may need to use a vacuum to clean the fins. You can then apply water from hose to clean the rest of the stubborn dirt away.  Be careful not to use a pressured hose, as this can damage the fins.  There is a commercially available fin cleaner spray, which can be applied to the fins if they are particularly dirty.

Sometimes the fins of the unit can become slightly bent or distorted. If you are maintaining the machine yourself, you can purchase a straightening tool, but you must be careful not to push the tool too far into the unit as there are delicate tubes behind it and they can be easily damaged.

In an exterior unit which is placed on exterior land, the soil beneath can shift with differences in weather or climate.  As the condenser sits on the land, the level needs to be checked regularly to make sure the levels are as flat as possible.   This can be done using a spirit level.  If the unit is not flat, it can damage the mechanics of the unit.  However, it is acceptable to have a slight slant away from the building which the unit is attached to, as this can allow for excess water to seep away safely.

It is vital to follow the manufacturer’s advice on coolant as well.  The unit will not function properly if the correct amount of coolant is not present in the system.  It is important to consult a professional if you are considering altering the level of your coolant.

There is plenty you can do to maintain your home air conditioning unit and improve its efficacy and its longevity.

 

Air conditioning repairs

When something goes wrong with your home air conditioning unit, it is important to call out a professional.  If you have kept your unit maintained and serviced, problem might be out of the scope of your expertise.

If you do not have an engineer who you know from the installation of your unit, you can use a local directory, or search on line for a local engineer.

The main problems that can occur with your unit are caused from two reasons: ineffective maintenance and faulty installation, servicing and maintenance.

When you are using a home air conditioning unit, it is important to keep outside doors and windows closed while you are using the unit.  It is also important to keep interior doors closed as much as you can to isolate the unit.

When the unit is installed, the engineer needs to add the correct amount of Gas to the unit.  Insufficient Gas can be very problematic to the functioning of the unit.  If the engineer is not trained properly, they can damage the machine by not adding the correct amount of gas, according to the manufacturer’s specifications.  Damage can be caused by adding too much gas as well.  Ensure that your engineer is fully qualified and experienced.  Ask for references or recommendations from other satisfied customers if you are at all unsure.

Other things the engineer will check is the electricity supply to the unit.  There could be a blown fuse or a break in the circuit.  Both of these would stop the condenser from working properly.

If the air is not cooling properly, the engineer may try turning the thermostat down, and see if this reduces the temperature.  If this doesn’t resolve the problem, there may be a problem with the thermostat.

If this is not the problem, the engineer will look at the condenser in the exterior unit of your system.  He will check to see if this is blocked or needs cleaning.  This is one reason that you should keep up regular maintenance of your cooling system, as this can cause damages in the unit if it is not done regularly.  One issue that a faulty compressor can cause is that the unit turns on and off repeatedly.    Often if the engineer gives the unit a good clean it can transform the operation of the unit.

If this is not the issue, then the compressor might be faulty and the engineer will need to replace this.  He will also check the gas charge as this is a common problem that occurs with home air conditioning units.