There are two main factors to consider when having a new air conditioner installed. The first is, what type of air conditioner you should have installed. While the conventional central air conditioner may have gotten you through our sweltering weather for the last 10–15 years, it doesn’t automatically mean this is the most efficient option for you. Ask us about variable speed systems, heat pumps, or ductless systems.
The second factor is properly sizing the system. As long as your air conditioner is installed by a team of experienced professionals, you don’t need to worry about it being properly sized … but this is more important than you might realize.
Proper air conditioning size is determined by a process called a cooling load calculation. This is actually one of the most important parts of AC installation, and if it isn’t done correctly it can lead to a number of problems, including premature system replacement. Keep reading to learn more!
What Happens During a Cooling Load Calculation?
When our professionals properly size an air conditioner for a home, we look at a number of factors, such as the volume of air needed. This just only means the square footage of your home. We look at factors like where conditioned air might escape from your home, by looking at how many doors and windows your home has, how high the ceilings are, and the type of insulation you have.
We use precise measurements and high-tech equipment to determine the size of air conditioner that is best for your specific home.
What If Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Sized Correctly?
Think about the engine of your car. If it were too small, it couldn’t power your car to make it over a hill let alone down the street, right? The motor could overheat and your car would be damaged.
Your air conditioner is somewhat similar. It needs to be able to properly condition the air in your home, but without it putting too much strain on the air conditioner itself. Read on to learn what happens when an air conditioner is too little, and when it’s too big!
Too Little
As we just alluded to above, an air conditioner that’s too small for the space in which it’s installed won’t be able to effectively cool the home. It will just keep running, trying to reach the desired temperature on the thermostat but never truly being able to because the space it’s meant to cool is just too large.
Too Big
Alternatively, your air conditioner can be too large. When it’s too big, it will go through a process called short-cycling. This is when the system turns on for a brief few minutes, then cycles right back off. It’s very damaging to the air conditioner itself and can lead to premature system replacement if you let it go on for too long.
Basically, the system is too large and creates cold air too fast, signaling your thermostat to shut the AC off. But then the home warms up again really quickly, so it’s signaled back on. This short-cycling creates strain on the air conditioner, exacerbating wear and tear.
But this problem can be avoided by contacting our team for your AC installation—we’ll make sure your system is installed correctly!
To schedule your professional air conditioning installation in Tallahassee, FL, contact Parker Services Inc. today!