If you’re looking for air conditioner installation service, there are a few things to first keep in mind as you conduct your search. First, this overview will detail the steps you need to take in order to achieve a properly installed cooling and heating system at a cost-effective price. Afterward, you’ll learn how to install a window air conditioning unit.
Centralized Air Conditioner Installation
If you’re looking to have a centralized heating and cooling system installed in your home, you should have this task handled by a certified heating and cooling serviceman. Efficiency of the air conditioning system and the lives of everyone in the house may be compromised if you take a do-it-yourself approach to air conditioner installation for your entire house (improper venting can cause carbon monoxide to escape into the house). With this in mind, it is wise to “shop around” for the best AC installation service, not only for the safety aspect, but also to ensure that the heating and air conditioning system runs as efficiently as possible.
A quick online or phone book search can provide you with a list of companies that specialize in AC installation. Some websites provide reviews for these companies, which may give you an idea of which heating and cooling service companies are great at what they do, and which perform terribly or cost too much. You can even call up friends or family to see what their experience was with the heating and air service companies they’ve dealt with in the past. After this, you’ll have a more refined list of companies to call, and you can call and ask whether the company(/companies) offers a free estimate. If the weather is warmer, expect to wait a bit longer for your air conditioner installation services, as heating and cooling companies tend to have fuller schedules in the spring and summer.
Be sure that someone capable of paying for the service charges is home when the heating and cooling serviceman is supposed to arrive. If the air conditioner installation charge is pricey, ask if the company offers a payment plan before any services are rendered. Many do allow monthly payments with a down payment, but you’ll need to check ahead of time.
Window AC Installation
The installation procedure is vastly different for a window air conditioner, however. Whether you’re looking to use your window air conditioning unit as your main source of cooling, or you plan to use it to supplement your centralized air conditioning system, it is a cost-effective option that doesn’t require air conditioner installation service; you can install it yourself very easily.
Before you purchase your window air conditioning unit, it is essential to first check a few extremely important things. First, make sure that the window you intend to use for the air conditioner closes vertically, rather than sideways. If the window has a screen, this will need to be removed. Be sure to check that there is a nearby outlet to plug the air conditioning unit into. Next, measure the width of the window and choose an AC unit that complies with the measurement. If the air conditioner doesn’t fit the window, you won’t be able to use it!
After these key steps are completed, you can begin the air conditioner installation. First, make sure the AC is ready; this means that the mounting brackets (most window AC units come with these so that you don’t have to buy them separately) and fanning (extensions), and other pieces are all in place. Then, prepare the window by laying down some foam rubber padding where the air conditioning unit will touch the window sill; this prevents the air conditioner from damaging the wood by leaving scratches or removing the paint. The padding can be fastened with tape, but make sure it is secure so that it doesn’t move around when you put the window AC unit into place.
The next step of D.I.Y. air conditioner installation is to put the AC unit into place. This is most easily done with two people, so that one person can put the air conditioner into place, while the other person is on the other side of the window to help in case it falls outside. It can be done with just one person, however. First, open the window so that the opening is around the same size as the piece that fits into the window. If the opening is too small, the piece won’t be able to fit through the window, but if the opening is too large, the piece is more apt to fall out of the window as you are trying to put it into place. Next, making sure that the back side of the piece is facing the window, set the piece onto the sill (while still holding it). Then, find the part of the AC piece that the window is supposed to rest on (on the top). Move it until the part is directly underneath the window, and close the window onto it. Lastly, pull the extensions on each side outward, so that the width of the piece fits the window. The piece should be held tightly into place by the window, but there may be some small cracks where air from outside can come into the room. Simply line these areas with some wide tape in order to keep the bugs and hot air from coming in.
The process of this is something you can easily do yourself, unlike with centralized air conditioning. When it comes to air conditioner installation for the entire home, leave it to a professional to handle the task!