Guard Against These HVAC Installation Errors

While purchasing a new HVAC system or if upgrading from the old one, Northern California homeowners invest a lot of time and energy doing market research and shortlisting the best and most advantageous HVAC systems.

Although this is important and must be done thoroughly, choosing the right installation company is as important. No matter how advanced or expensive your system is, if the installation is not done correctly, you will face recurring issues and repair work. This can lead to sudden malfunctions and expensive part replacements, not to mention the inconvenience to residents.

There are certain common installation errors that are easy to overlook but which will cost you dearly in the long run. Check out what can go wrong during installation and how it can hamper system functioning.

1. Oversizing or under sizing

The right HVAC installer will conduct a thorough inspection of your space, perform the necessary calculations and recommend you the right sized furnace or air conditioner based on your house layout, direction, ambient temperature, seasonal climatic conditions, and your family requirements.

Do not fall for the “bigger is better” concept. Also, if you have made any changes to your house in recent times, it may be time to resize from the old system.

2. Faulty installation of ducts

Ducts are crucial to heating and cooling as they circulate conditioned air around your house. If the ducts are poorly installed, have gaps, cracks are left unsealed or the job is done by untrained people, even your new HVAC system will not be able to compensate for energy and temperature loss. Leaky ducts result in multiple problems that are difficult to manage.

3. Inadequate or incorrect air distribution design

Your system may do an excellent job of heating or cooling air, but taking it into the different rooms can only happen if the distribution of air is designed keeping in mind the layout and size of your residence. Duct size needs to match the output capacity of the unit. So, the distribution system needs careful designing.

4. Poorly designed drain system

All the conditioned air means creation of waste water. This needs to be drained and expelled from your house properly, otherwise it can significantly damage the structure of the property. A poorly designed drain system will lead to leaks and seepage, water accumulation causing mold or even frozen pipes.

5. Faulty exhaust

Just like air conditioners produce waste water that needs to be drained out of the house, furnaces produce toxic gases that must be expelled in the correct manner so as to not harm others. Wrong placement of the exhaust damper, for instance, can cause accumulation of fumes. Dangerous carbon monoxide will re-enter your house.

How to choose the right HVAC installer?

By verifying whether HVAC installers are trained professionals with good domain knowledge, you can save time and money. Do not hire the lowest bidder. Instead, check whether the installer has enough experience, can they give references, do they receive regular training and whether they are MSCA or NATE certified.