Air Conditioner Installation, A Checklist To Ensure Top Quality Workmanship.

Not all air conditioner installation jobs are equal. With these basic tips you can feel confident about yours! It is a good idea to have the installer walk around the job with you to look at these things.

It is better to check them while the company representative is there so that issues can be quickly be resolved. Most unit manufacturers require the installing company to pay for the labor for repairs within the first month after installation.

1. The outdoor unit should be level. This is important for proper distribution of oil for lubricating the compressor as well as for looks.

2. The outdoor unit should have a pad under it that is made of hardened plastic or concrete. This is to provide a solid base for the unit.

3. The outdoor unit should be about 1 foot away from the house. This is to allow proper air circulation through the condensing unit. Without proper air flow, the unit will have higher operating pressures which will use more electricity and also cause more wear and tear on the unit.

4. There should be a refrigerant filter/drier in the system. This is important to ensure that there is no moisture inside the refrigerant system. Moisture, when combined with refrigerant and elevated temperatures can produce an acid. This acid can cause leaks in the system over time and costly repairs.

5. There should be an electrical disconnect within 3 feet of the outdoor unit. This is an important safety requirement for repairs, maintenance, and emergency situations. It is required by most residential and commercial building codes.

6. There should not be any scraps or trash from the installation left laying around. Someone that does not pay attention to the small things is likely to perform a sub-standard air conditioner installation.

7. The large copper line running from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit should be insulated and there should not be any tears in the foam insulation. This is important for proper compressor operation.

8. The copper lines should be supported about every 4 feet. Ensure that there are no sagging places in the lines. A sagging line can trap oil that is needed to lubricate the compressor. If the compressor does not have sufficient oil, it will fail.

9. The copper lines should be as short as possible.

10. Normally the copper lines should be the same size as the connections on the unit. If not, ask why and ensure you understand the reason.

11. Both the main and emergency drain connections on the indoor coil should be connected to a suitable drain.

12. Run the system through a cycle to ensure it works!