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Air Conditioning 102

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Air Conditioning System Installation Process From Start to Finish

Air Conditioning System Installation Process From Start to Finish
24 mins

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How long does it take to install an air conditioner?

How long does it take to install an air conditioner?
6 mins

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Cost Savings of a New Air Conditioner

Cost Savings of a New Air Conditioner
6 mins

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Changes in HVAC Refrigerants: What You Need to Know

Changes in HVAC Refrigerants: What You Need to Know
6 mins

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Bad Air Conditioner Installation - Signs to Look Out For

Bad Air Conditioner Installation - Signs to Look Out For
7 mins

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The Definitive List of Air Conditioning Myths

The Definitive List of Air Conditioning Myths
9 mins

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Air Conditioners and Aesthetics: Your Questions Answered

Air Conditioners and Aesthetics: Your Questions Answered
8 mins

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What is HVAC Commissioning and Why is it Important?

What is HVAC Commissioning and Why is it Important?
13 mins

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How long does it take to install an air conditioner?

A typical air conditioner installation can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours to complete. In some instances, this can take longer depending on the scope of the project. In this video, we’ll go over the entire process of installing an air conditioner and from start to finish.

Revised:

November 11th, 2021

A typical air conditioner installation can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours to complete. In some instances, this can take longer depending on the scope of the project. In this video, we’ll go over the entire process of installing an air conditioner and from start to finish.

Hi, I’m Billie and I’m the Install Field Supervisor at Fire & Ice. Over the years we have helped thousands of Columbus and Central Ohio homeowners find the best solution for their heating and cooling needs. A question we get asked by our customers is how long will it take to install my air conditioner? At Fire  & Ice we want to be as transparent as possible and our customers to be as informed as possible. By the end of this video, I hope you'll have a better idea of what to expect from an air conditioner installation.

The In-Home Estimate

Did you know that all installations start with the in-home estimate? Why? Because it’s the best time to determine the exact size air conditioner for your home. To do this, a manual j load calculation should be performed at every estimate. A load calculation is used to find how much heat your home naturally absorbs during the summer and releases during winter. With a manual j load calculation, you can determine the exact size air conditioner that will meet your home’s individual needs.

Additionally, your sales professional will take note of any additional work that will be needed, which includes placement of the system, line set configuration, ductwork modifications, and more.

On the Day of Installation

A typical air conditioner installation typically takes between 4 and 8 hours to complete. These times can fluctuate depending on the size of the existing system, weather, and accessibility.  

Air conditioners are made up of two components: the indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condenser. On the day of installation, the installers will need access to both units. Before they begin, the installers will take a few minutes to lay drop cloths to protect your flooring and assess the current system for the best way to remove it.

With a plan in place and power cut off to the air conditioner, the installers will capture the refrigerant inside the air conditioner. Refrigerant is considered hazardous to the environment by the EPA, and licensed HVAC contractors should always take this step when removing an air conditioner. This process can take a couple hours.

While the refrigerant is being captured, the disconnect is dismantled and removed as well as all the wiring to the air conditioner. Once the refrigerant is captured, it's time to remove both the outdoor and indoor unit as well as the old line set. Disconnecting and removing the equipment and line set can take an additional hour.

Next, the new air conditioner is brought out and the area where the air conditioner will be located is prepped with a bed of gravel for the pad to sit on. The outdoor unit then is slid onto the pad and leveled. Inside, the new evaporator coil is attached to the furnace. Getting the indoor and outdoor units in position and mounted can take a half hour to an hour and a half.

Next is to run the new line set from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit. At Fire & Ice we replace all line sets and wiring with every air conditioner we install. The line set is connected by brazing it with nitrogen to create an airtight seal free of contaminants. Running a new line set and brazing it in can take anywhere between 1 and 2 hours.

The next step is connecting all the wiring. First, we install a new disconnect for power. The second step is all the wiring needed for the air conditioner to communicate with the rest of the HVAC system. This is important since the wiring dictates whether or not the air conditioner switches to heat mode to cool, and vice versa. This step typically takes around an hour to complete.

Once everything is wired, it’s time to release the refrigerant and pressurize the system. Depending on the size of your system this can take between one or two hours to get within manufacturer specifications. During this time, we add line set protection to each air conditioner we install. This adds a layer of protection from the elements and helps maintain your system's efficiency.

Once the system is charged, it's time to turn everything on and commission the system. Commissioning new HVAC equipment is critical and is often ignored by HVAC contractors. It's done to ensure everything is operating as it should. Failing to commission an air conditioner can result in lackluster performance, wasted energy, and potential breakdowns. Afterwards, the installer will clean the area where they were working and review the system with you.

Best Practices to Protect Your Air Conditioner

Now that the installation is complete, there are a couple things you can do to help get the most from your system. First is to change your filter on a regular basis. A dirty filter can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Your air conditioner will work harder than it needs to, costing you in energy and could potentially lead to premature breakdowns.

Next is to schedule maintenance on your air conditioner. In order for manufacturers to honor their warranties, yearly maintenance is expected. Neglecting to have your HVAC system serviced could result in 30-50% higher utility bills.

What are the next steps?

I hope by now you have a better understanding of what goes on during a typical air conditioner installation and a better idea of how long it can take. If you are looking to invest in a new air conditioner or full HVAC system for your home and live in Columbus or Central Ohio, feel free to schedule a free estimate on our website. We’d love to discuss your options. Thank you for watching and we look forward to making your day better.

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Chris Husmann

Fire and Ice has been wonderful to work with! Our new Furnace and AC are working like a dream. We had a number of places come out for estimates and Fire and Ice was the only one who actually went around and measured our windows and home and determined we should get a smaller furnace than what was installed before, saving us money both up front and on efficiency down the road. We were also impressed at the quality of the installation itself, as our old setup was clearly done without much care or thought. Fire and Ice took the time to move pipes and such that were just hanging from my ceiling before, move the humidifier to the proper side of the furnace, move over the ductwork that was not put in a good location, raise our electrical box outside away from the ground, and all kinds of little things to make sure our system runs right for a long time. It's been a few months and our setup runs perfectly. You get what you pay for, and I'm glad we paid for Fire and Ice!

Emily

When the 30 year old HVAC system in our house went out Fire and Ice was recommended to me. Brad, my sales representative, showed me a comprehensive list of my options, set me up with financing make a brand new system affordable, and professionally communicated throughout the entire process. The installers, Demetrius, Willard, and Tyler, were fantastic! They were very helpful and professional throughout the entire installation process and walked us through the ins and outs of the final product. The AC works like a dream just in time for the hot summer weather and we could not be happier! Fire and Ice is our go-to recommendation for anyone seeking HVAC work.

Mary Avalos-Miller

Our complete HVAC system was replaced a month ago. We experienced a flawless, informative process from sales to installation. Bryan, our sales pro, performed a detailed anaysis of our home's size, construction & features to develop an evaluation of our HVAC needs to offer the optimum sized equipment and has returned several times since the installation to insure it's proper functioning and our understanding of the entire system. The installation was performed within 3 days of our agreement - with the crew (Jon, Daniqua & Colby) getting the old system removed (furnace & A/C) and the new system installed in a matter of hours - they even modified ductwork and rerouted some lines originally installed by our builder to increase efficiency and give the system a cleaner appearance. Another great surprise was their tenacity with the cleanup - all their work areas were left totally spotless!!! Overall the best contractor performance we have experienced in 35 years of home ownership including having 2 homes built by the area's most reputable developers. The system runs great, is quiet and can now be operated through my phone from anywhere - even if just to insure it's running while at my winter haven. Thank You Fire & Ice!

Cathy Mace

Fire & Ice was great. Our sales rep, Bryan, was excellent. He was knowledgeable, professional, and didn’t pressure us to make a purchase. Due to our experience with him, we were already planning on using Fire & Ice to replace our old AC, but during the heat wave and storms, my once limping-along-AC decided 20 years was enough cooling and decided it’s job was done. My husband had initially set the meeting with Bryan, but was out of town, leaving me to pick up the sale. Bryan didn’t miss a beat when I emailed him asking to get a new AC installed ASAP. Within two days, my install techs, Demetrius P. and Willard J. were here to install. The excellent service continued. Both were amazing and incredibly professional, even dealing with my very vocal dog with grace every time they entered my house. They completed the job in a timely manner and everything was top notch. They were mindful of the fact that I work from home, and kept noise to an absolute minimum. By the time they left, I could feel the cool air flowing once again. They even took the time to swap out my furnace filter! Loved working with them and will recommend Fire & Ice to my friends & neighbors.

Jared Petersen

The entire process of having a new furnace and air conditioner installed was awesome. Scheduling the estimate was quick and easy and I didn't have to wait on availability. The estimate was very thorough, and Bryan was extremely helpful in explaining everything. Install was just a few days later based on my schedule (they could have installed sooner) and the install technicians (Bryan, Alontae, Von) were awesome. Very professional and courteous, adhering to local health guidelines the entire time. They also had somebody come out and take photos and videos of the install so they could use it in their training. They took the time to ensure everything was installed properly (my old install wasn't). They were also very helpful to show me everything about the system and new thermostat before they left. Bryan followed up with me a week later and stopped in to check on the install. He's awesome and having a tech come out and tweak a couple things (humidifier and thermostat) to ensure everything runs properly!

Jayson Nayuki

One of my good friend’s had a great experience with Fire and Ice, so I went ahead and tried them out. Amazing customers service. Brad was awesome with walking me through the process of getting a new furnace and answered all of my questions. I will be a returning customer and recommend Fire and Ice to all. Update on furnace installed: I can not praise this company enough. The technicians Floyd and Jacob were very professional and the craftsmanship was amazing. You can tell when someone takes pride in their work. Thank you for your hard work. It’s greatly appreciated.

Bryan Wade

Bryan and Nick were true professionals. They gave me a good heads up when they were going to arrive and did a great job installing the new furnace. They made sure to keep my house clean and walked me through what they did and gave me tips on how to get the best use/life out of my furnace. Will definitely recommend to a friend.

I Daniels

The two technicians arrived exactly when they said they would, immediately began to take care of business. They had more trouble than they anticipated getting the old furnace out but still pretty much finished at the time they told me. The system and heating space were left clean and tidy. they took a few extra minutes to troubleshoot my water tank to get it to ignite which was greatly appreciated. Very nice gentleman throughout the experience and gave me a thorough explanation of the paperwork and how to use the thermostat as well. Was a great experience