Installing a new air conditioner in your Shawnee, KS home is exciting. This is an opportunity to lower your monthly energy bill, improve your indoor air quality (IAQ), and optimize your comfort. However, to enjoy these benefits and more, it’s best to pay for professional AC installation. Read on to discover why professional installation is far preferable to tackling this project on your own.
Ensure Accurate AC Sizing
The first and most important step in installing a new air conditioner is choosing one. You can find low-cost AC models at popular, big-box stores. Retail giants often carry several options from well-known brands.
When consumers shop for air conditioners on their own, they usually consider factors like price, brand reputation, and size as it relates to the square footage of their homes. Unfortunately, square footage isn’t the best gauge for AC sizing on its own. Although it’s definitely an important factor, it’s one of many, including:
- Ceiling heights
- Window sizes and locations
- Insulation amounts and R-values
- Building layouts
- Number of residents
When sizing air conditioners for our clients, we use the Manual J Load Calculation to account for these and other pertinent factors. Using Manual J is the best way to determine the correct AC capacity for any residential building. This calculation is so complex that it’s often performed using special software.
Using square footage alone to determine the size of your next air conditioner could leave you with cooling equipment that’s too small or too large for its intended service area. Undersized ACs lack sufficient power to cool homes effectively. They run longer and more frequent cooling cycles, and they use far more energy than correctly sized models. This extra effort isn’t just costly; it’s also damaging. Running non-stop or nearly non-stop can cause air conditioners to ice over, overheat, or fail prematurely.
Oversize ACs have ongoing performance issues, too. These units cycle on and quickly cycle back off before they’ve adequately cooled building interiors. Worse still, these short cooling cycles don’t give oversized air conditioners the chance to extract excess humidity. This leaves homes feeling damp and muggy. It also increases the likelihood of mold and mildew problems.
Avoid Electrical Hazards
AC installation isn’t a “plug-and-play” operation. Your AC must be hardwired into your home’s electrical panel and connected to your thermostat. Lacking the right tools and experience, these jobs can lead to electric shock and potentially fatal electrocution. Faulty wiring as the result of do-it-yourself AC installation also creates the risk of electrical fires.
Protect Your AC Manufacturer’s Warranty
All new air conditioners come with manufacturer warranties. These warranties cover repairs and replacements resulting from defective parts, faulty assembly, or other manufacturing issues. However, manufacturer warranties are mutually binding agreements.
While most homeowners are well-versed in the guarantees that AC manufacturers make, it’s also vital to pay attention to warranty requirements. In addition to regularly changing HVAC air filters and scheduling annual AC service, homeowners are required to pay for professional installation. Failing to meet any of your warranty’s requirements can result in the automatic voidance of your warranty protections and lead to unfortunate claims denials later on.
Sidestep Problems With Your Home Insurance Plan and Home Warranty, Too
If your air conditioner causes an electrical fire because you’ve installed it incorrectly, don’t expect your home insurance company to cover the damages. If your AC breaks down prematurely due to improper sizing, your home warranty won’t help. Much like the warranties offered by air conditioner manufacturers, home insurance plans and home service agreements are mutually binding. If you check the terms of these contracts, you’ll likely find that their issuers require professional AC installation, too.
Don’t Miss Out on High-Value Incentives
Under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, homeowners can qualify for significant federal tax credits when installing new air conditioners with high efficiency ratings. These credits offset year-end tax debts or bolster tax returns. The City of Shawnee, the State of Kansas, local utility companies, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offer incentives for upgrading to efficient appliances as well. Choosing the wrong air conditioner and installing it on your own might prevent you from claiming these benefits. When you work with us, we’ll help you make the most of all available rewards.
Get Necessary Ductwork Refinements
On average, air conditioners last between 15 and 20 years, and the HVAC air ducts that support them last between 12 and 15 years. For this reason, many homeowners have both their air conditioners and their air ducts replaced at the same time. However, even if your ductwork is still in good condition and at the beginning or middle of its service life, it will still need a few minor refinements during AC installation. When installing your air conditioner, we can streamline your ducting to reflect the needs and nuances of your new cooling equipment.
Promote Optimum Cooling System Performance
Professionals can optimize the performance of your new cooling system. Choosing an AC with the highest possible efficiency rating and all of the latest features and functions won’t have much of an impact on your home comfort or cooling costs. This is true if your air conditioner isn’t installed correctly. Not only will professionals accurately size your AC and install it to manufacturer specifications, but we’ll also make sure that it has the right capabilities for meeting all of your goals and needs.
Extend the Lifespan of Your New Cooling Equipment
Properly sized and installed air conditioners last longer than those that are not. While you might save money now with DIY AC installation, you’re virtually guaranteed to spend more in the long run. Working with our team will help you get more value from your new cooling equipment. It will also limit the number of repairs required throughout your air conditioner’s lifespan.
Avoid Future Cooling Emergencies
Among the many drawbacks of having an improperly sized and installed air conditioner is never knowing when it will fail. Small mistakes made during the installation process might not make themselves apparent for months or even years. However, when the first lengthy heat wave hits and your air conditioner is put to the task, your cooling equipment could break down, overheat, or fail to maintain safe indoor conditions. Having experienced HVAC technicians handle the AC installation process from beginning to end is one of the best things that you can do to avoid dangerous cooling emergencies.
Add Value to Your Home
In addition to lasting longer, performing better, and needing fewer repairs, a professionally installed AC will have a greater impact on the value and marketability of your home. This is important to keep in mind if you plan on selling or refinancing your house in the near future. If you make glaring mistakes during AC installation, these could be caught during lender-required inspections.
We help homeowners in Shawnee, KS get the most from their new cooling equipment. We offer outstanding heater, AC, and indoor air quality services. We also provide HVAC preventative maintenance plans, ductless mini-split systems, and geothermal heating and cooling. To schedule an appointment, get in touch with Air Care Heating & Cooling today.
