What is Involved in Installing a Central Air conditioner?

Written by Michael Haines  06/13/2024  Installing a central air conditioning system is a complex undertaking that requires a deep understanding of HVAC principles and meticulous execution. While AC Direct specializes in providing top-quality HVAC equipment, a comprehensive grasp of the installation process empowers homeowners to make informed decisions and collaborate effectively with qualified professionals.

It all starts with a load calculation, which is an assessment that determines the cooling capacity required to maintain your home's comfort based on factors like square footage, insulation, window orientation, and climate. This calculation ensures that the chosen air conditioner is appropriately sized, avoiding issues like short cycling or inadequate cooling.

There isn't a single, universal graphical representation of a load calculation, as it involves a combination of calculations and data gathering. However, here are a few ways the results and components of a load calculation can be visually represented:

Tabular Format

This is the most common way to present a load calculation. It often looks like this:

This table summarizes the heat gain and cooling load for each room and the total for the entire house.

Residential Cooling Load Calculation

Explanation of Columns

• Sensible Heat Gain: Heat that directly raises the temperature of the air.
  
  
• Latent Heat Gain: Heat that increases the moisture content of the air.
  
  
• Total Heat Gain: The sum of sensible and latent heat gains, which represents the total cooling load for each room.

Additional Factors to Consider

• Infiltration: Heat gain due to air leakage through cracks and openings in the building envelope.
  
  
• Ventilation: Heat gain due to fresh air introduced into the home.
  
  
• Occupancy: Heat generated by people in the space.
  
  
• Climate Data: Outdoor temperature and humidity levels, which vary depending on location and season.

Professional Calculation

This table provides a more detailed look at the factors involved in a cooling load calculation. However, it's important to note that this is still a simplified example. A professional HVAC technician will use specialized software and industry standards to perform a more accurate and comprehensive calculation. 

This is important for ensuring that your new HVAC system is properly sized to meet your home's unique cooling needs, providing optimal comfort and energy efficiency.

Bar Graph

A bar graph can visually compare the cooling loads of different rooms or zones within the house.

Pie Chart

A pie chart can show the percentage contribution of different factors to the overall heat gain, such as windows, walls, infiltration, etc.

Floor Plan with Heat Map

A floor plan of the house can be overlaid with a color-coded heat map to indicate areas with higher or lower cooling loads.

Psychrometric Chart

This is a more technical chart used by HVAC professionals. It plots various properties of air, such as temperature, humidity, and enthalpy, to analyze the cooling process and determine the required equipment capacity.

For homeowners, a simple table or bar graph might be sufficient to understand the results. For HVAC professionals, a more detailed psychrometric chart may be necessary.

The placement of the outdoor condenser unit demands careful consideration of various factors to ensure optimal performance, longevity, and minimal disturbance. A qualified HVAC technician will assess your property, considering the proximity of the unit to your home, balancing convenience with the need to minimize noise and heat exposure. They will also take into account any local building codes or regulations that might dictate specific setback requirements.

Noise considerations are considered, especially if the unit is placed near bedrooms or outdoor living areas. The technician may suggest strategic placement or sound-dampening solutions to mitigate potential disruptions. Additionally, ensuring easy access for future maintenance and repairs is crucial. The unit should be positioned in a way that allows technicians to comfortably perform their duties while ensuring adequate airflow around the unit for efficient operation.

Sunlight and shade play a significant role in the condenser's performance. While some sunlight is acceptable, excessive exposure can strain the unit and decrease its efficiency. Therefore, a partially shaded location is often preferred.

Once the ideal location is determined, the condenser unit is securely mounted on a perfectly level concrete pad or other approved foundation. This not only ensures proper drainage of condensation but also minimizes vibrations that could compromise the unit's longevity or create unnecessary noise. A level surface is essential for the proper functioning of the condenser's internal components, including the compressor and fan motor.

Indoors, the location for the air handler, the component that circulates cooled air, is determined. The air handler, which houses the evaporator coil and blower fan, is typically installed in an attic, basement, or dedicated utility closet. Proper placement ensures efficient airflow and minimizes noise disruption.

Connecting the outdoor and indoor units involves running refrigerant lines, typically made of copper, through walls and ceilings. These lines facilitate the flow of refrigerant, the substance that undergoes phase changes to absorb and release heat, enabling the cooling process. The lines are carefully insulated to prevent energy loss and maximize efficiency.

If your home doesn't have existing ductwork, a custom duct system will be designed and installed. This network of ducts distributes cooled air to different rooms while returning warm air to the air handler for re-cooling. Proper ductwork design and sealing are crucial to prevent air leaks and maintain optimal airflow.

Just a side note, if you don’t want ductwork, there is an alternative to centralized air conditioning.

Ductless mini split systems offer a versatile and efficient alternative to traditional central air conditioning. These ductless systems consist of an outdoor condenser unit and one or more indoor air-handling units, each capable of independently controlling the temperature in a specific zone or room. This zoning capability allows for personalized comfort and energy savings, as you can cool or heat only the occupied spaces. Mini splits are particularly well-suited for homes without existing ductwork, additions, or areas where extending or installing ductwork is impractical. Their compact design and flexible installation options make them a popular choice for a variety of residential and commercial applications.

The electrical wiring phase involves connecting the air handler to your home's electrical panel and establishing a communication link with the thermostat. This ensures that the system receives power and responds accurately to temperature adjustments.

Additionally, safety features like circuit breakers and grounding are implemented to protect both the system and occupants.

After the physical installation is complete, the system is evacuated to remove any moisture or non-condensable gases that could hinder performance. It is then charged with the precise amount of refrigerant specified by the manufacturer. This critical step ensures that the system operates at its designed capacity, providing efficient cooling and dehumidification.

Finally, a comprehensive inspection is conducted to verify compliance with local building codes and safety standards. This may involve a licensed electrician confirming the integrity of the electrical work and a qualified HVAC technician verifying the proper functioning of the system.

We hope that this info has been useful and that you are better equipped to select the right system for your home and collaborate effectively with experienced professionals. If you have any questions about equipment, give us a call. 

At AC Direct, we are committed to providing you with the knowledge and resources necessary to make informed decisions about your home's cooling system. Explore our wide range of high-quality HVAC equipment and discover the perfect solution for your comfort needs.