According to the EPA, Half of All AC Units Are Installed Improperly

Whenever you decide you’re going to install central air conditioning on your property, it’s important to make sure you’re working with a skilled and reputable HVAC contractor in Tampa, FL who is capable of getting the job done not just efficiently, but also correctly. It may surprise you to learn this, but according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately half of all heating and cooling equipment in homes across the United States never performs up to its advertised capacity and efficiency, simply because it has not been installed correctly.

This is a rather shocking figure, and it highlights the need to research any company you work with before signing on any dotted lines. What it means is that there are millions of homeowners who are paying higher operating costs over the life of the equipment when they should be getting lower costs and more efficient operation.

There are several common HVAC installation mistakes that the EPA reports to be the primary culprits behind this widespread issue. Here are a few examples:

• Size mismatches: In some cases, an HVAC system can be too big for the space it will be cooling, which means it will naturally produce more energy than needed—a waste of energy that can often result in more humidity. The larger the air conditioning system is, the more it’s going to cost to start up the engine, and the engine has to start many times during a hot day. Oversized units can also cool down the area so quickly that there will not be enough time for it to decrease the humidity in a home, which is especially problematic in humid climates like Florida. Meanwhile, an undersized unit will remove moisture but be constantly running and straining to cool a home.
• Sealing: Ducts must be well sealed to ensure proper efficiency in AC operation. Failure to seal ducts will result in homeowners paying more money.
• Improper refrigerant levels: The amount of refrigerant in the system must be set at proper levels. An incorrect level of refrigerant causes inefficient operation and can hinder the unit’s ability to dehumidify an environment.
• Duct sizing: Ducts, like the AC system itself, must be the correct size. Ducts that are too small or too large can result in poor airflow throughout the home, and also make it more likely that you’ll have to deal with noisy grills and registers.
• Poor duct layout: It’s important to design a proper layout of a duct and register system. A poor layout could result in uneven cooling and dehumidifying throughout the home. For multi-story buildings, it’s always going to take a little longer for the upper floor to cool, but it should still get cool eventually. A lack of cold air indicates a ductwork issue.

These are just a few of the most common HVAC installation mistakes noted by the EPA in its reports. For more information about avoiding these issues, contact an HVAC contractor in Tampa, FL at Kenny’s Air Conditioning & Heating Services, Inc.

Categorised in: HVAC Contractor