How To Approach Air Conditioner Installation | Fort Worth, TX
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No one wants to start thinking about replacing their AC unit because it is a costly endeavor that is painful to your budget and time-consuming. However, if your AC is starting to falter proactive air conditioner installation is much better than finding yourself without AC with no warning. Waking up in the middle of the night in the sweltering Fort Worth, TX heat is also not something that you want to deal with. Plus, air conditioning installation does not usually happen right away since the unit needs to be ordered, so if you wait until you have no choice you could be without AC for a week or so.
These are not great scenarios either, so if you have any reason to think that your AC might be going out on you soon, it is time to contact a local HVAC company in Fort Worth, TX to discuss your options. Keep in mind there are a lot of benefits that come with finally choosing to upgrade your AC system. For instance, a new machine will be much more energy-efficient so at least once the air conditioner installation is complete you should see your energy costs drop. Additionally, most newer machines are much quieter, much more effective, and better at consistently cooling down a home.
Reliability is a big factor in AC, and it is nice to know that you will finally be able to just enjoy being comfortable in your home. Paying more for energy and still not feeling comfortable is a reality for far too many people. The truth is that updating your AC is one of the best ways to get your home ready for the next decade or so, and with the weather becoming more unpredictable each year it is a very safe bet that you need to be prepared for the next heating surge.
When Do You Need to Start Thinking About Air Conditioner Installation?
So with all of this said, you might be wondering when the right time is to start thinking about air conditioner installation. If you have your AC serviced every year (and if you don’t you really should consider doing so), this is a question you should ask the HVAC tech. They have a lot of experience working with HVAC systems and usually have a pretty good idea of how AC systems can perform under different circumstances. While they cannot see the future, they have seen the insides of your AC and roughly have an idea of the condition they are in.
Outside of their input, you need to consider the age of your AC system and if it seems that your energy bills are slowly creeping up every year, or even every month. AC systems can last between 10-20 years depending on the manufacturer and how compliant you were with annual maintenance visits. That said, technology has improved immensely over the last decade, so even if your system is still running it may not be the most energy-efficient. If your energy bills are slowly creeping upwards this is a sign that it is time to consider a replacement because yours is working harder to produce less cool air.
Signs Your AC Needs to be Replaced
Looking for some obvious signs that your AC needs replaced before you call to schedule a new air conditioner installation? Here are a few of the biggest ones, but keep in mind this is a limited list. There are likely many more signs not on this list so by no means should you consider yourself safe if you don’t see your problem on it.
Limited or No Cool Air
While this should be obvious, in case it is not, if your AC system is no longer blowing out cool air then it may be time to consider air conditioner installation for a new unit. Sometimes the issue is a clog, in which case you have an HVAC tech come and explore the issue a little deeper, but sometimes the issue is that your AC system is simply wearing out and the fan is no longer able to push the air around your home the way it should. Whether your air supply is limited or lukewarm air is simply being pushed around much like the fan function, it is time to think about air conditioner installation to put an end to your trouble. As always, consult with a Fort Worth, TX HVAC tech first to make sure you opt for the right choice.
Odd Sounds
Your AC should be fairly quiet, so if strange sounds are the new normal operating sounds of your AC system it is definitely time to call an HVAC technician to take a look. Sometimes it is something that you can fix, but you need to weigh the costs of a new unit versus the costs of repairing the old unit. Remember that you don’t want to keep putting money into a system otherwise, you will end up outspending what you would have spent on new air conditioner installation. You need to think of upgrading your system the same way you would think of upgrading an old used car that keeps breaking down.
Moisture Is Evident Around Your AC
There is no way to avoid the creation of moisture when you use your AC, but your system should be able to handle it without any real signs. If you start to notice moisture or even worse, leaks around your AC system this is a sign that the system is breaking down or there is a refrigerant leak. Not only will this affect the way your system performs, but it can actually be dangerous. Even a water leak from excess moisture can be a health issue since it creates the potential for mold to form which is also dangerous to your health. Since the windows are not open during most Fort Worth, TX summers, anything you put into the air in your home will stay in your air. Therefore, you need to be extremely cautious about the air being produced by your AC.
Energy Bills Keep Rising
The number one reason to consider upgrading your system and going through with air conditioner installation is if your energy bills keep jumping up. If you have noticed your energy bills are higher than they have ever been, there is a chance that your cooling system simply is working harder than it should be to cool down your home. This is even more true if you are running the AC constantly and your home still does not feel cold. You don’t want to continue to pay for energy that is not actually cooling your home, so if you get to this point it is time to invest in an air conditioner installation and solve the problem once and for all.
How Much Does Air Conditioner Installation Cost?
The number one question that people ask when they call for air conditioner installation is how much will it cost. We understand why everyone wants to know the upfront costs, but there is no standard quote that we can offer all of our customers. There are a lot of variables that go into choosing the right AC system for your home and then completing the air conditioner installation.
The best way to get an estimate is by calling so that we can come out to your home and take a look at your AC needs on our own. The size of your home, the required routing of your AC unit, the square footage of your rooms, split levels, the existing duct system, the current furnace, and your budget will all influence the cost of your unit. Once we know the appropriate AC unit then we can figure out what the air conditioner installation costs will look like. Every single home has its own specific needs, so we really need to investigate before we can quote you an exact price.
Any HVAC company that offers you a flat rate is not offering you a service that is customized to your home needs. This makes it more likely that you will end up paying for excess energy because the unit will be overproducing or under producing. There is no guessing when it comes to an AC upgrade, every single factor should be carefully weighed so that your investment is a solid one you can count on for the next decade or two.
How to Choose an HVAC Company for Air Conditioning Installation
That said, you might not be sure how to choose an HVAC company in Fort Worth, TX that you feel comfortable trusting. The number one factor that influences the lifespan of a new AC system is how accurate the air conditioner installation was. With that in mind, you don’t want to choose just anyone to install your system and this is not the place to attempt to cut corners.
An AC unit is one of the most expensive appliances in your home, you want to carefully approach air conditioner installation to ensure that you get the most out of your investment. Two things you want to check before hiring an HVAC company are whether or not they are state-licensed and if they hold N.A.T.E certification. In order to obtain the license and certification HVAC techs have to complete a lengthy training process and complete exhaustive exams. Therefore, if you choose a company that only employs HVAC techs who are licensed and certified you can rest assured the professional is invested in his job and has the right amount of experience to complete the job accurately.
How to Prepare for Air Conditioner Installation
While a lot of people understandably get nervous during air conditioner installation, there is not a whole lot that you need to do to prepare for your service call. The best thing you can do is make sure that the HVAC technicians have room to access your unit. This means that outside of your home you need to clear an easy pathway to the outdoor unit installation spot. Generally this is located on the side of your home either near your driveway or the other side of your home based on the average path of sunlight. If the unit is going to be located near your driveway you need to ensure that your vehicles are not blocking access to it and that all kids toys and debris like bikes and scooters are out of the way.
It is vital that the unit is carefully placed onto the slab and not damaged along the way, so it is important that there is nothing obstructing the pathway. In fact, your technician will not even see the unit before its installation because it will be delivered straight to your home. The idea is to minimize travel time and set it up as quickly as possible. Once installed an AC unit should not be moved.
Keep in mind that the HVAC techs will also need to access your home to complete the indoor part of the installation process. You should clear a four-foot pathway from the entryway of your home to the HVAC machine as well as a pathway to the major air ducts in your home and the thermostat. If the furniture is blocking or obstructing the vents then you may want to move things in advance to minimize the installation time.
Finally, if you have pets in your home you will need to secure them in a safe place for their safety and the safety of the HVAC techs who will be in and out of your home frequently until the installation is finished. It can take anywhere from four to eight hours to complete air conditioner installation. If you are ready to explore the installation of a new AC system in your Fort Worth, TX home, give One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth a call. Our fully licensed and certified technicians will be happy to come out to your home and discuss your options.