We all love the comfort that air conditioning brings. It’s pretty much the best investment you could ever make. And this, you will realize as soon as the summer heats you red and all you have is a fan. Central air conditioners are costly. But what happens you badly need one, and your cash can’t cover the installation? Can you install it yourself?
Well, yes. You can easily install your air conditioning unit. Most of the steps involved are simple and don’t necessarily need a professional. These include arranging the evaporation coils and the condenser and ensuring that the connecting wires are running correctly.
But it’s advisable to let the professionals handle the air conditioning refrigerants. It’s a tricky process, and only a certified contractor should handle that. With that in mind, we discuss the steps to take so that you can successfully install your air conditioning.
Discover more details for installing your air conditioner.
Can I Install A Central Air Conditioning Unit On My Own?
How to install you’re A/C
According to Home Guides, the first thing you do is check your ductwork. Is it properly installed?
Does it need a little repair?
If there’s a problem with the ductwork, the cold air can get out rather than circulate in your home, and that’s just a waste of time and resources.
You then look for a level location outside the house for the condenser.
The location has to be calm and at least 1 foot from the wall.
An ideal place is an unattainable one.
Ensure you put the condenser on a condenser pad.
Make a hole in the wall nearest the condenser using a hole saw.
Pass the connecting wires through it, and connect them to the compressor.
The next step is installing the evaporator coil.
You must install it inside the supply plenum and ensure the evaporator line faces the outside.
For this, you must also make a hole in the plenum and construct shelves for placement.
Instead of a hole saw try using a metal shear instead of a hole saw.
But if you have an air handler, you don’t have to go through all this trouble because the coil is usually installed already.
Take the suction line from the condensing unit and pass it through the hole along with the ceiling.
Ensure that it reaches the evaporator coil.
And it would be best to ensure the line isn’t left hanging.
You can use mounting brackets to secure it there.
In the condensing unit, you will find the surface valve.
Now, without making kinks, connect the suction line to it.
For any angles you have to make for it to reach the condenser, you must use copper tubing.
You must now connect the liquid line to the proper condensing unit valve.
As you run them to the evaporator, take some remaining mounting brackets to secure the lines.
After connecting them, discharge the refrigerant through the system.
Use low-voltage electric lines and run them from the circuit to the evaporator units and compressor.
Now, link a thermostat to the furnace and main power line.
Note: you should let a certified contractor connect the lines to the evaporator and discharge the refrigerant.
Many things could go wrong here, and it would be best if you left that step for the professionals.
For one, you will have already reduced the installation costs by at least ¾, and it won’t cost as much for the contractor to connect the lines and discharge the refrigerant.
But now that you know how to install the air conditioning unit yourself, you can either use this guide or let the professionals handle the job for you.
Here are some perks of letting professionals do the job for you;
Why let the contractors install the A/C unit?
Maintenance
Most air conditioning companies offer upkeep for any new system they install.
By letting professionals handle the installation, you can request them to drop by and check the systems.
Installation packages often come with maintenance plans.
That way, the contractors ensure your air conditioning is safe and works perfectly for longer.
Less work for you
Installing an A/C isn’t an easy job as you may have already noticed.
Manual labor takes a lot of energy and time.
You not only lift heavy parts, but you have to climb on the roof to ensure the lines are entirely secure.
And time is also a factor here.
The time you take to finish the installation alone is way longer than when a team of professionals handles it.
And time is money, and you’re not getting wages for all those hours.
If you’re not ready for that job, give the contractors their tools.
And all that’s left for you to do is pay the bill.
Paperwork
You may not be aware of this, but there’s paperwork required for such an installation.
Local governments in most states need you to get proper permits before installations, which may take time.
You will need to visit the county officials to find out all you need to know to get the permits.
You will have to pay for the permits and fulfill some specific requirements.
That will surely take time, and unless you have that, then contractors are the better option.
Contractors are uniquely positioned to get permits quickly and save you a lot of trouble.
That way, you do a good job smoothly without any hassle whatsoever.
Certified contractors
Only people certified by EPA can handle refrigerants.
You will therefore need certification, and you can get one by taking an exam and passing.
Well, I doubt you have the time to study for the exam.
Plus, you need to pay a fee for it.
Final take
Numerous reasons may make you want to install the A/C yourself, and the cost is one of them.
With these simple-to-follow guide, you can easily do that.
But as much as it may sound like a thrilling experience to do it yourself, professionals will do a more satisfactory job than you.
Therefore, you must give them a thought first before contemplating doing it yourself.