AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION
At G&R Heating and Air, we know that you and your family want to be happy and comfortable during the summer months. When warm temperatures return to Gilberts and the surrounding area, then it’s important to make sure your air conditioner is working properly. If your current AC is struggling to keep up, then it might be time to install a new unit. Instead of paying for constant repairs, you can invest your money in a new air conditioner that will serve you and your family for years to come. A new AC unit can last for up to 15 years, with proper maintenance, and our team is here to help you find the right options. If you’re looking for air conditioning installation in the Chicagoland area, then gives us a call today!
How Central Air Conditioning Works
When it comes to central air conditioning for your home, you want to find a unit that will keep your house at a comfortable temperature, even on the hottest of summer days. You might not be sure how central air works, which is why we’ve outline the basics here:
- The Outdoor Unit: The most familiar part of a central air system, the outdoor unit, contains a condenser coil, a compressor, a fan, and specific electrical parts. The refrigerant in the outdoor unit circulates between the condenser and the indoor evaporator coil that can be found on the air handling unit.
- The Air Handler: This piece of equipment pulls air from the rooms in your house through your return ducts. The air handler pushes warm air across the evaporator coil, and the refrigerant in the coil absorbs the heat. In a “split” system, the evaporator coil will be found inside the house, with the air handler that is on or near the forced-air furnace. In a “package” system, everything is contained in the outdoor AC unit. As the air is cooled by the refrigerant exchange, the handler pushes it through the ductwork to the vents throughout the house.
- The Thermostat: The thermostat is often found in a central location inside the house. This is where you set your desired temperature for your home. If working properly, the thermostat will send a signal to the AC unit to begin the cooling cycle, and once the desired temperature is reached, the thermostat will tell the system to turn off.
If you have questions about central air conditioning and how it works, then please don’t hesitate to ask. Our team has years of experience with many different AC types and models, and we can provide the answers that you need. If you want to upgrade from an older AC unit to a new one, then we’ll be ready to install a new system whenever it works for you!
Deciding To Install A New Air Conditioner
There’s a lot that can go into deciding to install a new air conditioner for your home. You may have lived for several years with AC that couldn’t keep up, and you finally got tired of having a house that was too warm. You might be remodeling your home, and you need new ductwork for the addition that you plan to build. If it makes sense to install a new air conditioner, then take the time to think about when you want it installed, what model you prefer, and where the unit will be located. When replacing an old unit, it can be easiest to simply put the new AC where the old one was. However, if you want to relocate the AC unit to a different spot outside your home, then we’ll gladly help you find the best place for it.
Hiding Your AC Unit
Once you’ve decided to install a new air conditioning unit and you know where it will be located, then you may begin to think about how you can hide it from view. Hiding the AC can be especially beneficial if the unit is located on the side of or near the front of the house. You don’t want it to be visible from the sidewalk or the street, and there are methods for obscuring it. Wooden enclosures and medium-height shrubbery are two popular options, but you’ll want to be sure that there’s plenty of clearance on every side, as well as above, your new AC unit. We can provide the guidance you need when it comes to hiding your AC unit while making sure it still runs properly.
New Construction Projects
At G&R, we’ve completed many AC installation jobs for new construction projects. If you’re building a new house, then it’s imperative to have the right cooling system in place before you move in. Depending on the square footage and configuration of your house, we can recommend the best unit option for your property. Above all, we want you to feel confident that your AC unit will be installed in a timely and professional manner, and that you’ll have a team that will be willing to work with you on any issues that may arise.
When Should You Start Looking For An AC Unit?
It’s never too early to start looking for an air conditioner for your new home. The sooner you start, the more at ease you’ll likely feel, and it will give you more time to make up your mind. You’ll be able to do your research into the models that are suitable for your house, and you’ll be able to weigh your options before you make a final decision. We’re always here to answer any questions you may have, and we’ll work with you every step of the way.
Sizing Your New AC
When we talk about “sizing” your new AC, we’re not referring to the physical dimensions of the unit; rather, we’re talking about cooling ability. You want an air conditioner that will be able to cool your home adequately, but you don’t want it to cycle on and off too frequently, or not turn on when it needs to. Each unit is measured in tons, and a 1-ton unit can generate approximately 12,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) of cooling in one hour. You’ll need to know the square footage of your home in order to determine how many tons your new AC unit needs to be.
Calculating Your Cooling Needs
Most residential air conditioners range from 1-ton to 5-ton models, and anything over 5 tons falls into the realm of commercial air conditioners, which will be too large and unnecessary for your home. Once you know the square footage of your home, you can take that number and multiply it by 25. Let’s say that your home is 2,500 square feet:
- 2,500 x 25 = 62,500
You would then take that number and divide it by 12,000 (which is the number of BTUs that a 1-ton system can generate in an hour):
- 62,500/12,000 = 5.20
By subtracting 0.5 from this final number, you can find how many tons your system needs to be:
- 5.20 – 0.5 = 4.70
Now you know you need a system that’s between four and five tons. Our team can recommend the best model based on your needs and preferences, and we will make sure that your system is properly sized before we install it.
Too Small Or Too Large
When an AC unit is undersized, or too small, for your home, it may struggle to keep up with your cooling demands. If you set the temperature at 72 degrees, then your system is going to run until the interior temperature is 72 degrees. However, since the system can’t supply enough cool air to bring the temperature down, it will run continuously, which will drive your energy costs up and reduce the lifespan of the system. This can put quite the strain on your bank account, not to mention the fact that your home won’t be at the desired temperature.
When an AC unit is too large, it will cycle on and off constantly, since it only needs to run for a short while to cool your home. Once the desired temperature has been reached, the system will shut off, only to turn on again when the interior temperature rises. These short bursts can take their toll on your cooling system, which can mean you’ll be repairing the AC unit more often than you would like.
At G&R, we can help you size your new AC unit, and we’ll take care of the entire installation process. Before long, you’ll be enjoying a cool and comfortable home, and you won’t have to worry about higher energy bills or an inefficient cooling system. Our installations come with a full 10 year parts & labor warranty.*
The Installation Process
When the time comes to install your new air conditioning unit, you can count on us to handle everything. We’ll come to your home before we begin to get the lay of the land regarding your current AC unit, or where in your new construction project the new unit needs to go. We’ll make sure everything is in order before we begin so that the installation goes smoothly and quickly.
Replacing Your Old AC
If we’re removing your old AC unit to make room for the new one, then we’ll get to work right away on safely dismantling everything. The power to the cooling system will need to be shut off so that we can work without risk of shock, and we’ll double-check everything we do as we move through the removal process. Once the site is cleared, we’ll get started on installing your new AC.
We’ll Respect Your Property
Your new AC unit will arrive on our truck, and we’ll take great care when hoisting and transporting it onto your property. We’ll always treat you and your home with respect, and we’re always cautious when it comes to placing your new cooling system. We’ll take into account the location of your new AC, the landscaping around it, and how best to access the installation site. If we need to work inside your home at all, then we’ll be sure to leave everything as clean and tidy as we found it. All in all, we want the AC installation process to be enjoyable for you and your family. We’ll arrive on time ready to work, and we’ll come prepared with all the parts and tools that we need to get the job done. If you have any questions or if there are any issues that arise while we’re there, we’ll do everything in our power to address them as soon as possible.
Your AC Installation Experts
Air conditioning installation can seem like a big project, but with the right team by your side, everything can go smoothly. At G&R Heating and Air, we have the skills and knowledge necessary to install your new AC, make sure it’s running properly, and keep it running for years to come. If you’ve been contemplating a new cooling system, then give us a call or fill out the form below today. A member of our team will answer your questions or respond as soon as possible to help you decide what is the best way to proceed. We’re proud to serve the people of Gilberts, Schaumburg, Elgin, Naperville, and the surrounding communities. When summer arrives in the Chicagoland area, don’t let a house that’s too warm negatively impact your life. Contact us today to discuss your new air conditioning options!
We Look Forward To Helping You!
