A Homeowner’s Guide to Installing and Repairing Air Conditioning Systems

Being able to control the temperature of your home is now a part of modern living. When the summer gets hot having a reliable air conditioning system makes the difference between a luxury and a necessity. Air conditioning systems are complex, with numerous components including compressors, high voltage electrical systems, measured air flow and high pressure refrigerants.

Many people won’t think about their cooling systems until they break. If you don’t look after your unit and try to repair it yourself this can greatly reduce your units lifespan and cause expensive bills. By knowing some basic information about your cooling system you’ll be able to make the right decisions. Knowing how your air conditioners have been professionally fitted will ensure that you know what to do in case of an emergency, upgrade your old unit and have a comfortable, energy efficient and safe home for the future.

1. Why it is important to have your air conditioning installed correctly.

Having your air conditioning installed correctly will give you the best performance from your unit. Even if you have a top of the range unit it will struggle to work properly if not installed correctly.

Incorrect Sizing

One of the most common mistakes made during installation of your home’s HVAC unit is incorrect sizing.

• Over-Sized Unit – An oversized unit will provide cool air too quickly and not run long enough to remove moisture. This causes humidity in your home and will cause the contacts and compressor motor to wear quicker.
• Under-Sized Unit – An under sized unit will constantly run on the hottest days causing it to struggle to hit your desired temperatures and cause a spike in your energy bills.

Professionals will not guess how big your unit needs to be they will carry out a detailed Manual J Load Calculation. This is a basic calculation to determine cooling requirements based on number of square metres in your home, climate zone, R value of your insulation, windows, shading and ducts.

Ducting

The cooling unit will require balanced ducting.Having leaked, poorly insulated or too small air ducts can cause your system to lose 20-30% of its efficiency. Technicians will check the static pressure.

2. Common Air Conditioning Issues And When To Get Repairs

Most HVAC issues will give you warning signs so you can identify them early to stop small issues becoming major motor or compressor issues.

Things To Look Out For

• Poor Airflow/Warm Air – If the air coming out of your vents is warm then it is likely due to a dirty air filter, faulty blower motor capacitor or a slow leaking refrigerant.

Unusual Noises

• Squealing/Grinding – Usually means the bearings on your motor are dry or damaged.
• Buzzing/Clicking – Indicates the relays or contacts are wearing.
• Hissing/Bubbling – This indicates you have a refrigerant leak.
• Smelly Air – Smelly air indicates you have mould or bacteria in your condensation tray or evaporator coil. A burning smell indicates electrical overheating or melting wires.
• Short Cycling – If your unit is constantly cycling on and off every few minutes it could be due to incorrect thermostat settings, faulty thermocouple or serious frosting on the evaporator coil.
• Leaking Around Indoor Unit – If your condensation tray is blocked it can cause overflowing of the tray damaging drywall, flooring and electrical components nearby.

3. Should I Get It Repaired Or Replace?

Many homeowners wonder whether to get their old unit repaired or replace. As a general rule it is better to replace your unit after $5,000 Rule: multiply the quoted repair cost by the age of the cooling unit (in years). If the resulting total exceeds $5,000.

Comparison Table

Modern units have very high SEER2 ratings meaning they are up to 30-50% more energy efficient than units 2 decades ago. This means you will save a lot on your monthly bills.

4. How To Maintain Your Unit For Maximum Longevity

Whilst complicated repairs should be done by a licensed technician there are some simple tasks you can do on a regular basis.

Tasks To Complete Yourself

• Air Filter – Change your air filter every 30-90 days. A clean MERV 8-11 will keep your airflow good, improve your indoor air quality and protect your evaporator coil.
• Condenser Area – Ensure there is at least 2ft of space around the outdoor condenser. Remove any leaves, branches, weeds or garden waste.
• Condensation Drain – Flush out your condensation drain with warm water and distilled white vinegar twice a year to stop algae build up.

Tasks Completed By A Licensed Technician

• Check subcooling and super heating for correct refrigerant level.
• Clean Evaporator and Condensor Coils
• Check electrical connections are tight and capacitors are okay
• Lubricate motor and check fans.
• Thermostat setting has been adjusted and ducting is fine.

Key Takeaways

• Correct Sizing – Never go for a ball park figure. Ensure your contractor uses Manual J calculations to determine your load requirements.
• Warning Signs – Unusual noises, smelly air and uneven cooling means there is early wear and tear on the components.
• $5,000 Rule – Consider how old your unit is and efficiency ratings when getting estimates for repairs. Don’t waste large amounts of money on an outdated machine.
• Regular Servicing – Regular servicing every 6 months will prevent any emergencies whilst the weather gets hot and increase the lifespan.