Choosing and installing a new air conditioning system for your home is a process. ACs are not one-size-fits-all and skipping steps during your installation process can put you in the position of having the wrong system in your home. The experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling can help you with all of your AC installation needs in Bolingbrook, IL, whether you are installing a system for the first time or replacing an outdated one. All you have to do is call and our helpful staff will take care of the rest!
DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Installation’
Make Your AC Installation a Success with These 3 Steps
Monday, August 3rd, 20153 Reasons to Install a Ductless Mini Split System
Wednesday, April 30th, 2014Once upon a time, all forced-air central heating and cooling systems needed to use ductwork to distribute comfort through the rooms of a house. However, the invention of the ductless mini split heat pump changed this. Although ductless systems at first remained limited to commercial use, they have now entered homes as an alternative to standard ductwork-based air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces.
Ductless systems work through blower units mounted on walls in different rooms. Each blower contains a fan and refrigerant coil to send conditioned air directly into a room. Each of the blowers connects separately to the single outdoor unit through a condensing, refrigerant, and power line. Otherwise, the ductless system operates identically to a central heat pump.
To find out more about ductless heating and air conditioning installation in Naperville, IL, call DuAll Heating & Cooling today. We can help you discover if ductless will work for your home.
Why go ductless? Here are 3 reasons!
- Save money through zone control: Because a ductless system uses individual blowers mounted in different parts of a home, you do not need to cool or heat the whole house every time the heat pump turns on. You can shut off the blowers in rooms that aren’t being used, and this will result in large energy savings. (It also means improved comfort for people in your house, since they can adjust the blowers nearest to them.)
- Remove air quality issues due to ducts: Ducts develop dust, dirt, and other contaminants over time, and without regular cleaning they can negatively affect your indoor air quality. Because ductless mini split heat pumps do not use ducts at all, you will have higher quality air—and no need to spend money on duct cleaning or duct repairs.
- Add-on rooms: You don’t have to replace your old system with a ductless mini split; you can make it an addition to cool and heat new rooms. If you add on a new room to your home, you don’t need to worry about linking it to the current ventilation network or requiring a replacement installation for your current HVAC system because it cannot handle the new space. You simply install a mini split heat pump for the new room.
Also keep in mind that ductless systems are heat pumps, so you will have both your heater and air conditioner needs taken care of with one system. As a replacement for separate air conditioning and heating systems, a heat pump is a great way to save money and space.
Ductless systems will not work ideally for every home, so call DuAll Heating & Cooling today and make an appointment to learn your best options for heating and air conditioning installation in Naperville, IL.
What You Need to Know About Adding Central Air Conditioning to Existing Homes
Monday, August 13th, 2012There are a number of factors to consider when looking at upgrading or adding central air conditioning to your Bolingbrook home. These range from the air conditioner type, to its energy-efficiency ratings, the necessary AC capacity and proper AC sizing, as well as the fact that a ductwork system will be needed for it to function. All of these are items which our skilled AC technicians can help you understand.
Central air conditioners are very energy-efficient providing anywhere from 15% to 30% more efficiency than those that are ten to twenty years old. This is because every AC goes through rigorous testing and receives its own SEER rating which shows how energy-efficient it actually is comparable to others on the market. A central AC unit is usually placed in an inconspicuous place such as outdoors in the backyard or in a garage or basement. Central air conditioning systems are very quiet and easy to use.
As air conditioning contractors we will perform a heat-gain calculation that will determine how many BTUs the air conditioner needs to be in order to properly cool your space. Things which get taken into account during this determination include square footage of the space, how much shade or sun is present throughout the home, whether insulation is present in the exterior walls of the home, as well as window and door placement. These are all put together to calculate the AC capacity which is necessary to give you a properly sized air conditioner.
When looking at a central air conditioning system one of the biggest factors will likely be whether there is already an existing duct system which can be utilized, if it is in good shape, or if it needs to be repaired or replaced. If there is no duct system then many central air conditioning systems require that a duct system be installed. There are also other options such as ductless systems.
DuAll Heating and Cooling has experienced air conditioning technicians in Bolingbrook who understand the various factors associated with adding or upgrading to a central air conditioning system, and can walk you through the process of deciding whether it is the correct AC system for your specific needs. Contact DuAll Heating and Cooling today!
Air Conditioning Question: How Much Do High Efficiency Air Conditioners Save
Monday, August 6th, 2012High efficiency air conditioning systems are designed to save money by cutting the amount of energy that it takes to use them. If the air conditioner being replaced is ten years old, your monthly utility costs could decrease anywhere from 15% to 30% with your new system.
If the air conditioner being replaced is twenty years old, it could save you up to 40% in monthly utility costs.
Every high-efficiency air conditioner must be built to very strict standards which are created by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The SEER gives you an idea of an air conditioner’s energy efficiency: the higher the SEER, the less energy the unit will use to keep your home cool. While higher SEER can mean a higher initial cost to purchase the AC itself, you will quickly make up the difference in cost with your monthly energy savings.
In addition, when a high-efficiency air conditioning system is installed professionally it can qualify for tax credits, tax breaks, and government rebates that will save even more money.
The skilled Bolingbrook AC technicians at DuAll Heating and Cooling work with high-efficiency air conditioners through a variety of AC services which include air conditioner installation and repairs. Let our experienced team help you determine which high-efficiency AC system is right for your specific needs, ensuring you understand exactly how much money you will be saving.
HVAC Guide: Quality Air Conditioning Installation Steps
Monday, July 30th, 2012Installing a new central cooling system can be a sizable job, and it is definitely one to leave to the professionals. There are many steps in the process, and naturally you may want to know what to expect before the work starts. Here’s a step by step guide of what your Plainfield HVAC technicians will do when installing your central AC.
- A spot will be chosen for the condensing unit outdoors. There are many factors to be considered when choosing this location, such as evenness of the ground, sunlight exposure, and code regulations concerning proximity to gas and electric meters.
- A hole will be cut near the condensing unit, towards the bottom of your home. This will allow necessary wires and pipes to enter the structure.
- If you do not have an air handler or a cased coil, an evaporator coil will be installed in your furnace. A line set will connect the condensing unit to the evaporator coil.
- High voltage connections will required, as central systems run on 220 volts of electricity. Regulations call for safety/disconnect switch to be place by the condensing unit. This is definitely a job for a professional.
- Once this is done, the low voltage wiring to the condensing unit will be completed. This will run to your thermostat. If your thermostat does not have both heating and cooling setting then a new one will have to be installed.
- Finally, drain tubing will be hooked up to the evaporator coil, allowing the condensed water on the coil to empty into a floor drain. Now all that’s left is for your HVAC technician to solder your copper refrigerant lines and release refrigerant in the system. Pressures will be balanced, the high voltage wiring will be connected, and the entire system will be inspected. Your central system is now ready to go.
Remember, the installation of a central air conditioning unit is a big job, especially if you do not have preexisting ductwork in your home. Certain steps of the process can legally only be performed by certified Plainfield HVAC technicians. Call DuAll Heating & Cooling with any questions you have about installing central air in your home.
The Benefits of Ductless Mini Splits
Monday, July 9th, 2012A cooling system is a great comfort during the hottest months of the year. If you’re thinking about upgrading, replacing or installing your Naperville current cooling system, you might want to consider a ductless mini split system. While not as common as systems such as central air conditioning, ductless mini splits can provide a number of benefits and advantages over other cooling systems. Here is some helpful information for you to consider before shopping for a new cooling system. If you have any unanswered questions or concerns, call Duall Heating and Cooling for answers today.
First of all, one of the big advantages that these systems offer is right in the name. If the space that you want to service does not have room for bulky ductwork or if you are in a multifamily home, ductless systems eliminate the need for the ductwork. Like central systems, ductless mini splits have two main components. There is a compressor/condenser unit that is installed outside, and an indoor air handling unit that is generally installed on a wall. A conduit housing the power cable, refrigerant and drainage tubing connects the two components and requires only a small hole to be drilled in doing so. This makes the installation process fast and easy.
Another great benefit of ductless mini split systems is the zoning capability they allow you. If you are using the system to cool multiple rooms you can utilize multiple wall units. This allows you to control the temperature settings of different rooms individually. This is a great way to boost efficiency, as you will not be cooling rooms that do not require it. Remember, increased efficiency generally coincides with increased savings.
Along the same topic of energy efficiency, it’s no secret of the industry that most energy loss in cooling air is the result of duct losses, which account for more than 30% of energy consumption. It can be even less efficient if the ducts themselves are in an unconditioned part of the house such as an attic or basement.
In addition to all of this, there are numerous ways in which you can install your indoor air handling units. They can easily mount on a wall or hang from a ceiling. You can also mount the flush in a drop ceiling or opt for a floor standing model. We’ll leave the interior design options to you.
Weigh the pros and the cons carefully before making any decisions, and call Duall Heating and Cooling with any remaining questions about Naperville air conditioning installation.
Ductless Air Conditioning Installation Steps
Monday, July 2nd, 2012If you are ready to install a ductless air conditioning system in your Bolingbrook home or office, call DuAll Heating and Cooling. There are plenty of do-it-yourself jobs around the house, but a ductless system installation is not one of them. Our team of trained professionals will make sure that everything is done correctly, and we’ll keep you informed throughout the process installation process. In fact, we thought we’d start right now. Here is a walkthrough of the work involved when professionally and safely installing a ductless system.
Outside
Like window units and centralized systems, the louder components of a ductless air system are kept outside. We set up your condenser on a flat, hard surface, making sure it stays where we put it. Casings are generally waterproof, but elevating the components a few inches is ideal. We will keep your condenser an appropriate distance from your house, eliminating any noise. When our professionals install your system, you’ll forget that your condenser is even out there. DuAll wants you to enjoy your new cooling system without being kept up at night.
Inside
Ductless mini split systems feature indoor, wall mounted units that disperse the conditioned air. This allows you to create temperate zones, heating or cooling only those rooms you want to, only as much as you want to. Most manufacturers recommend positioning the indoor unit high up on your wall, approaching the ceiling. Cold air circulates throughout the room from top to bottom. When we install your blowers we make sure that all measurements are accurate and that your units fit in your walls perfectly.
And in Between
This would be the tricky part, but our AC team in the Bolingbrook area has the experience and training necessary to handle all steps of the installation process. A hole, about 3 inches in diameter, is drilled in your wall. Copper tubing and refrigerant lines connect the indoor and outdoor components, and a condensation line keeps the humidity out of your home. Now the mounting plate is installed and the mechanical components are connected. Your new system will be up and running in no time.
Remember that many areas require the work of a licensed plumber or electrician for this installation. Letting the Bolingbrook air conditioning professionals here at DuAll install your system will ensure that your warranty is not voided and your system is installed right.
Air Conditioning Guide: Different Types of AC Systems
Tuesday, June 19th, 2012If you are thinking about buying a new air conditioning system in Chicago, you should a take a little time to consider all your options. You not only have to keep in mind the different types of air conditioners, but also the different energy efficiencies and advanced features available. Simply replacing your old system is not always the best option, making yourself familiar with all the types of AC available will help you find the best system for your home.
Central air conditioning systems are the most common type of cooling systems for residential homes. A split system consists of an outdoor compressor unit, an indoor air handler, and a series of ducts that distribute the air conditioned air throughout your home. Central air conditioning system comes in a variety of sizes to be able to meeting the cooling needs of almost any home. However, ducts are necessary part of central air conditioning systems, which can make their installation an extensive process.
If your home does not already have ducts or you are looking to cool only a small space, ductless mini split air conditioners are great option. Ductless mini split air conditioners are very energy efficient, and since they don’t use ducts, they avoid all the energy losses associated with forced air systems. The outdoor unit is connected to multiple indoor air handlers through a conduit (containing the power cable, the suction tubing, the refrigerant line, and a condensate drain) , and the indoor air handlers distribute the cooled air throughout the area. Since each one of the indoor units can be controlled individually, ductless systems are easy to zone, which can also reduce how much energy you use to cool your home.
For larger, commercial buildings, rooftop air conditioners are often used. These air conditioners have all the components in one cabinet, and they distribute the conditioned air via ducts (similar to central air conditioning). Rooftop unit are for cooling large spaces, so they are rarely used for residential homes.
The right air conditioner for your home will meet both your cooling needs and your budget. For more information about installing an air conditioning system in Chicago, give DuAll Heating & Cooling a call today!
