Air conditioning system installation

Or how to get ready for summer in Sacramento

It’s fair to say that summers in California are about as hot as it gets in the US, which means that Sacramento falls in that line. This means that a lack of air conditioning will be brutal. Air conditioners as we know them have been pretty common for the last thirty years. 

Unfortunately, many people still have the same equipment they installed years ago and by now, most of them have either begun to fail or have failed. Fortunately, newer, more efficient models have been created, which means air conditioning installation in Sacramento as well as replacement is available according to Alpha Mechanical. With the right installers, you can have your old system replaced with a new one.

Getting the systems

Only the best professional companies can properly install units, especially because of how far technology has come in recent years. As such, replacement projects are incredibly complex. Such projects usually end with radical changes to several aspects including:

• location of the unit
• distance to the utility meter
• ductwork layout

These changes in particular are what make the process rather expensive and may deter you from thinking of a full replacement. However, going this route has some benefits that more than offset the drawbacks and these include:

• modern conditioners are more efficient
• they cost less in the long run
• modern conditioners are quieter
• are better at reducing humidity
• they are better at air purification

The replacement procedure

As stated earlier, such processes are very complex and can only be done by the most competent teams. How complex is it? Well, let’s take a look and see the main steps to acquire.

Step 1: Taking the first look

Qualified companies will always come to you for the initial inspection. It is here that professionals, usually one individual, will look at your situation and have an idea of the extent of the project and the tools needed to finish it.

Step 2: Starting with analysis

With proper analysis done, the job can begin. You should be given a lot of insight as to what the workers are going to do, especially since they are working from your place.

This is also the stage at which all the tools are brought in as well as safety equipment. Note that during the replacement, all safety precautions are taken, which include cutting power and gas.

Step 3: Taking out the current main conditioner

This begins with the removal of refrigerant, which can only be done by an EPA-certified individual. Afterward, every electrical component such as the disconnect box is removed and replaced later on.

Step 4: Getting ready for a new machine

The larger AC units of today require an entirely new space, which means that prep has to accommodate that. The key part of it is the pad on which the machine will sit. Said pad is best made out of composite, as its shifty nature deals with the unit’s vibrations without making noise.

Step 5: Taking out the old mechanisms

These two components are responsible for the movement of refrigerant. The coil is usually built into small rooms in the house while the two copper lines are strapped to floor joists. As such, they are fairly difficult to remove with the former requiring an influx of plenum and the latter needing cleaning of older lines which may be buried in concrete.

Step 6: Adding the new mechanisms

The indoor Evaporator coil comes in first and a cased version is preferred because all that is needed is for it to be put on the furnace. The casing surrounding it also makes it easy to modify when necessary. The line set is added afterward and the best course of action is to have them galvanized and placed as close to the ductwork as possible.

Step 7: Introducing the main machine

The new machine has to be inspected for damage before placing it on the pad. This is also where the line set is connected to the conditioner at the right service valve and via brazing, which is done to prevent leaks.

Step 8: Putting in the receiver-rehydrator

Filter dryers as they’re also called are important as they remove moisture caused by expected condensation. As major parts of it can corrode, it’s important to put the dryer close to the expansion valve of the indoor coil, to keep it from the elements.

Step 9: Adding the new wiring

Air conditioning needs both high and low-voltage wiring to function. This requires the appropriate disconnect box as well as the fastening method that fits the building in question. This is also the stage at which all major connection aspects are addressed following the Non-Electrical Code.

Step 10: Fixing the condensate drainage pipe

All condensate from a functioning unit has to be drained to avoid flooding essential equipment. This is why drainage pipes are fixed to the evaporator coil and lead to either a floor drain or a pump. Make sure that the workers will offer service to the tubes over the next few years as the pipes will need it.

Step 11: Initial testing and clean up

With everything set, you can begin testing by ensuring that the house in question is warm and then having the unit run for up to 20 minutes. Some mistakes are obvious and others, not so much.

A thorough look at the work should follow and any minor flaws should be addressed immediately. If everything is working properly, the unit should be locked up and the area cleaned of all materials before the job can be considered done.

Final thoughts

Only the best installers can provide service anywhere near this good and they should be able to explain each of the above steps. One mistake people often make is taking a minimalist approach, which means they get half-hearted service. Though it may work in the short run, such a job can only end in sub-par functionality.

This means that expenses going forward will be far greater than if you fixed everything at once. So, just to be safe during the blistering heat of the Sacramento summer, find the best installer in the area and get a full replacement. It will be worth it.