The Smart Guide On Planning Your Aircon Installation

With the constant climate change in Singapore and around the world, air conditioner installation is at the top of many homeowners’ to-do lists. Many people want to add central air to their homes, either as their first aircon or to replace an outdated window unit that is not energy-efficient. The most cost-effective way to add central air is to tack it onto an existing forced-air heating system. If that already exists in your home, the installation costs will be much lower and can take as little as 2 days when using a reputable company. Often, only minor changes are made to the ducting, which can also keep costs down.

However, in homes that require new ducts, installation can take longer and be more expensive. Bear in mind that a contractor specializing in retrofitting can work magic to hide ducts behind walls, in closets, or even in the attic, with minimal ceiling or wall cutting. The first step is choosing a unit, which is likely the most critical decision to make in the A/C installation process. Hire a cooling contractor to evaluate the home and perform the Air Conditioning Contractors of Singapore Manual J load calculation. This tells you exactly what the steady rate of heat gain in the house is, and ultimately what size unit you will require, though their demands lie within your reach.

Energy: Efficient
Once homeowners have the heat-gain calculation, a reputable contractor can offer several recommendations. Securing the right-sized unit is paramount because if you go too small, the rooms will not cool well, especially on hot days, and your system will try to compensate, which will dramatically increase your energy bills (while wasting resources). Go too big and you are also wasting money and resources because larger units work harder. Plus-sized units do not do well with low humidity. Many homeowners with oversized units report feeling damp in the room.

For many, unit efficiency is crucial not just for cost savings, but for going green. You can easily gauge efficiency using the seasonal National Environment Agency rating for energy efficiency posted on the unit and packaging. It tells you exactly how many BTUs the system removes for every watt of electricity. The higher the SEER number is, the lower the costs. 

Do You Have a Type?
You know you want central air, but you still have decisions to make. Central air systems come in two main types: package systems and split systems. A package system uses a fan and coil to cool air and blow it into the home, and the ductwork connects directly to the unit. Ultimately, this is a big wall A/C with ducts; however, these kinds of systems are rare to find on the market (which gives you fewer options).

The more common split system places the condenser, or aircon unit, outside the home, while leaving a fan and coil system inside. Pipes connect the system, running refrigerant throughout. For homes without an existing forced-air system, a fan-and-coil system can be installed in the attic and deliver cool air via ducts. No matter what type of home you have, existing ducts or not, a savvy cooling contractor can work with it to create a system that is effective, energy-efficient, and keeps you comfortable in the summer.

Steps to follow with aircon installation
There are four main steps in installing a central air conditioning duct in the house. First, you have to plan the layout. Then you will need to prepare the ducts. Third, you have to determine the type of duct material that you will use in your central air conditioning system. And lastly, you need to install the ducts in the house.

The first step of the process involves planning the destination of the vents and the endpoints of the ducts in every room of the house, so they are in a reasonable location in each room. This means that the vents should be placed on the wall or the ceiling floor to achieve the most efficient cooling system.

The following step involves creating paths for the ducts and vents (if your house was not built with any) that will run through the walls and ceiling. If you already have a path, then you must make sure that it is not clogged or blocked by any objects inside. On the other hand, if it will be the first time that your house gets ductwork, you should get advice on the statutory codes as well as regulations regarding opening the walls and also the house ceilings to avoid unnecessary issues with the local housing authorities.

At the third step, when choosing the appropriate materials for your central air conditioning duct, the most common material is aluminum because of its light weight and thin profile. Its build makes it safe to install in walls and ceilings, as you will not have to worry about the material causing your house’s foundations to cave. But if you do not want aluminum, you can also use galvanized steel or flexible plastic.

As for the last step, do not think you can install the ducts yourself. If you’re not an expert carpenter, it might cost you more if you insist on doing it on your own. This is essentially because installing the aircon ducts will involve taking down the walls and even the ceilings, so you might be forced to hire a contractor to help you do the job. When hiring a contractor, make sure he is reliable and dependable, as he will determine the most efficient route for the entire system.

Bear in mind that a contractor specializing in retrofitting can work magic to hide ducts behind walls, in closets, or even in the attic, with minimal ceiling or wall cutting. If you’ve got air conditioning in your building, you’ll want to make sure it’s running properly at all times and providing the heating and ventilation you need.