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 What to Do Before Your Next HVAC Installation

HVAC installation, Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment is not plug-and-play. There is more work involved in their installation than your face with other appliances. Here are a few tips of what to do before your next HVAC installation to make the process as smooth as possible.   Take Care of Your Air Filters While a new AC may have new air filters in the unit itself, this has no effect on the grey air filters in your home’s walls. Go ahead and replace the air filters throughout your home. You may forget about it for months until the new HVAC system needs maintenance. Meanwhile, your old air filters are clogging up and forcing the AC motors to work harder to move air through your home.

Check Your Ducts   Consider having your air ducts checked before you install a new air conditioner. You may find that the reason your home is not as cool as expected is that all that cool air is leaking out before it reaches your air vents. If the ducts are intact but filthy, have them cleaned. This will remove dirt, dust, and mold that you do not want circulating through the new HVAC system.  There is another reason to check your ducts and air vents. You want a second look at them before your HVAC installation so that small or merely crimped ducts and vents can be fixed. These choke points will cause pressure problems with the HVAC system. This results in wasted energy at best and damage to the equipment at worst.

Clear Space around the Condenser.

Condensers are where your HVAC system draws in outside air. This is the time to clear the area. We are not just talking about removing dirt, leaves and dead insects. Remove the fence posts piled up in the corner. Trim back the bushes in the area. Everything you can do to open up space where the condenser will go will make it easier for the system to bring air in. This reduces the strain on the motors that bring in the fresh air. Furthermore, clearing the debris will minimize how much junk can collect on the air filters.

Double Check the Thermostats.

Before your new HVAC system installation, research the compatibility between the new HVAC system and your thermostat. It is easier to install a new thermostat to go along with the HVAC system than spend hours trying to figure out the error messages caused by their incompatibility. If you are aware of potential problems, the HVAC tech may be able to install the necessary software or sensors to make things work. Conversely, this may be a great time to upgrade to a programmable thermostat if you did not already have one.

Educate Yourself about Maintenance

If you are driving a used car, you may not take good care of it because it will eventually be replaced. When we buy a new vehicle, we tend to learn about its proper care from changing the oil to caring for the exterior paint job. We do this so that we can maximize its operating life and its performance. The same should be true for your new HVAC system since it can cost as much as a used car. What type of air filters does it need? Will you need to clean the drains or replace batteries in the controller?  Suppose the HVAC installation includes a long-term maintenance agreement. Read your warranty and service agreement. How often do you need to have the HVAC contractor come to perform maintenance? What should you avoid doing, because this voids the warranty? What are you expected to do yourself? What DIY activities void your warranty and maintenance agreement? Whom would you call for service under the warranty or maintenance agreement?

Research Deals, Rebates, and Incentives   There are several variations of this advice. Before you commit to the installation, find out what deals are available. Do not choose an HVAC system simply because it is on sale or has a large rebate. However, you should run the numbers and determine which one is the best value. If you have already decided which HVAC system you want to be installed, find out if there are deals or dealer incentives available. Bring this up with the HVAC installer. Maybe you could get a few hundred dollars off the purchase price or a free maintenance agreement out of it. Good HVAC installers like 75 Degree AC can tell you what rebates and incentives are available for the model you are buying. A manufacturer rebate may require action on your part, such as sending copies of the purchase receipt to the manufacturer to get money back. Know that you might be able to receive credits from your utility company, too. Understand the paperwork required to secure these rebates or incentives, where you have to send the paperwork, and the deadlines involved before the installation. You may find that you need to move up the installation date to qualify for a several hundred dollar tax credit.

Prepare for the Installation

It is wise to prepare for the installation just as you would other home contractors. For example, determine how they’re going to access the installation site. You may want to lay down boards so that they can transport HVAC equipment to and from the site without ripping up your yard. Check the size of the units involved relative to your access gate. You may need to remove the gate from the hinges so they can get everything in and out. Taking care of this in advance of the arrival of the technicians will prevent literal shortcuts. This information also allows you to take steps to solve the problems before they arise. Perhaps you need to switch to a unit with a narrower body. Alternatively, they need to bring a trolley that can carry the AC on its side. Clean up the yard and remove trip hazards so that the work crew has room to maneuver. Arrange for your pets so that there is no risk of your dog attacking the HVAC installer.  Plan your own schedule, if possible, as well. An HVAC installation will take eight to twelve hours. You want to be available to answer questions and give input on problems. Verify the work order and invoice before the equipment is installed. Otherwise, you’re committed to the final bill for the new HVAC equipment.