Austin Heating And Air

How Long Does It Take to Install an AC Unit?

How Long Does It Take to Install an AC Unit

How Long Does It Take to Install an AC Unit?

In this article, we will be talking about How Long Does It Take to Install an AC Unit. You can find details about the process and all the other details about air conditioner installation. Let's dive in.

The Hot Weather is Here

The summer heat has taken hold over the entire country. Everywhere from the east to west coast and the south, temperatures have been climbing. Although you can experience hot temperatures in the northern states, both the central and southern states are the ones that have been seeing temperatures well into the triple digits. Staying indoors is definitely ideal if you have a dependable air conditioning system and proper attic insulation Austin. Whether you’re looking to install a new AC unit or replace the one you have, now is the time to do it. However, you may be wondering about the installation process and how long it can take. In this article, we’ll go over some of the ins and outs of the installation process along with the expected completion time.

The Average Installation Time

When you’re about to have an air conditioning unit installed for your home, it’s important to prepare and plan ahead. Having an idea of how long the installation can take will help you. On average, you can expect the installation time to range anywhere between 4 – 8 hours. This does not include other factors, such as planning, inspecting the home and other variables that can affect the completion time. Because of these reasons, it is important to schedule your time around the installation job from your Austin Heating and Air service company. Make sure that you prepare yourself and your family for an all-day event.

The First Visit With the HVAC Contractor

There are a few things that you can expect from the initial visit from your HVAC services Austin contractor. Usually, these visits are to give the homeowner an estimate of how much the total price will be for everything, including the units. The technician will take almost everything into account to give you an accurate price. They will inspect the home for the ideal place to install the cooling units. The technicians will also consider any existing units that will need to be removed along with any ductwork. The technician will assess the size and layout of your home. By doing this, they will be able to recommend the right size and model for your HVAC unit. The total visit can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

Are You Replacing an Existing Unit?

One of the most important variables to consider is the replacement of any existing air conditioning units. Since most of the components are already in place, the total installation time can take as little as four hours. However, the technician will consider things like the age of the HVAC system. Parts and components that are failing due to wear and tear will have to be replaced. Components that do not fit the new HVAC model will also have to be replaced.

What to Expect on Installation Day

It’s a good idea to prepare a day or two before the technicians arrive to install the AC unit. This can help make the installation process much faster. You can do things like clean the area where the technician will be working. The first thing the technicians will do is lay drop cloths to protect the flooring in your home. If you do have an existing unit, the technician will evaluate the best way to remove the existing unit. Installation time will take longer depending on the complexity of the unit, the size and location for installation.

The Ductwork and Other Variables

Ductwork installation can take anywhere from one to four days, depending on the layout and size of the house. However, once this process is completed, installing the AC unit itself will be much faster. If your home is already equipped with ductwork, you won’t have to worry about installing new ducts. The technician will inspect attic insulation Austin and the ducts to ensure that they are fully optimized for the new HVAC system. Another variable that you should consider is the weather. The technician can delay the installation for a couple of days or as needed if you’re in for some rainy weather. It is always best to wait out any bad weather before starting any type of HVAC or air conditioning installation.

Finding the Ideal Placement for Installation

When it comes to installing the AC unit, the entire system will be composed of the indoor evaporator coil and the outdoor condenser unit. If you have an existing unit, it will need to be removed. The Austin HVAC TX installers need to make sure that the power is shut down before working on the systems. Once the existing unit is removed, installing the new air conditioning is the next step. The outdoor unit has to be placed on an elevated concrete slab, blocks or a bed of gravel. This can give it a slight elevation above ground level. The technician will run any new necessary lines before connecting and installing the air conditioning unit.

Running the Wires and Refrigerant Lines

HVAC technicians need to have the proper licensing to handle refrigerants. These types of materials are considered hazardous by the EPA and can be dangerous when handled incorrectly. Running the wires and refrigerants can take a couple of hours. The technicians must capture the refrigerant from the old AC unit before removing it. This includes removing both the indoor and outdoor units. Disconnecting the lines from the units can take one hour. After the old air conditioning units are removed, the technician can then prepare the new units for installation. The tech will run lines to connect the indoor unit to the outdoor unit, which can take anywhere from 1 - 2 hours. Finally, the electrical wiring is connected by the technician so that the system communicates properly when you want to switch from heat to a cold setting and vice versa. The electrical setup can take around one hour to complete.

Turning On the System

Making sure the system is wired and ready to turn on is important. The technician will give the AC unit time to pressurize as they release the refrigerant. This step can take an additional two hours, depending on the AC unit’s model. The technician should ensure that the system is working properly once everything is set and ready to go. By commissioning the AC unit, the technician can ensure optimal performance and reliability.

Author
George Arlen
My name is George Arlen. I am a seasoned author who is passionate
about various HVAC topics.
Eddie
2023-10-04
From the get go, Kassidy was excellent in scheduling options and even managed to snag me an earlier time slot than previous discussed. She took the time to reach out and confirm. A major shout out to Jamie and Carlo—talk about pros. They were excellent on providing education and explaining the why behind my duct issues. This was the initial inspection and I’ll make sure to leave details once the work is completed.
Jose Carlos Rodriguez
2023-09-25
Awesome
Eric Corum
2023-09-25
Very professional, great communicators, and very thorough.
Agustin Hernandez
2023-09-21
Todo muy profesional desde que hablé para pedir información la Srita que me atendió muy amable y el técnico que vino a mi casa también muy amable y profesional resolvió todas mis dudas 100% recomendable
Cindi Taylor
2023-09-14
What an amazing team of people! I came home from vacation and my house was hot. It was hot outside- Austin in the summer hot. I spoke with Petra and she was able to get a technician out within a couple of hours. That in itself is quite a feat given it was after 1:30pm. Jaime Ortega was dispatched and came to check the system. This guy has great customer service skills! He is a is very respectful, polite, communicate well, explains what is going on and is very thorough. He was joined by Carlos, who is also very polite, considerate and knowledgeable. These guys make a really great team. I was told there were several problems and I explained I had been trying to deal with one side of my house not working properly and the other side never getting cool in the summer and warm in the winter. My electric bills over the last 2 months were unsustainable. They went into the attic and traced down all the ductwork, discovered some of it had been installed incorrectly and they formulated a solution. It was also decided by me to replace the entire AC system. By the time this was decided, it was well after 6:30pm. I asked when we would be able to get this to happen and they said - tomorrow! They showed up on time and regretably I did not get the 3rd team member's name- and he deserves a shout out too. They worked for more than 8 hours in that horrible heat- got the system installed and everything cleaned up, packed up, and left the space better than they found it. I really appreciate skilled professionals that respect someone's home and who take the time to talk with me and let me know what is going on, what they are finding and how to take care of my investment. I have chosen for several years to be part of their maintenance membership plan and I have never been disappointed- even when I have an unexpected event - like a system failure while on vacation. I have had the privilege of meeting one of the owners, talking with the administrative staff, and 3 technicians that are really awesome people. These guys care about the quality of work they perform and they work to keep their customers happy. No wonder they have such great reviews! I am very happy with the service I received, the way I was treated and the value they bring to their industry. Keep up the good work! I will certainly tell everyone I know to call you when they need help. Perfect name too- GRANDE AIR SOLUTIONS!!!
Lourdes Alonso
2023-09-09
A/C stopped working on a Friday night and Isael came out within the hour and got it working. He was really knowledgeable and showed us other areas to keep an eye on. He stayed long enough to make sure the system was lowering the temperature in the house.
Sascha Rips
2023-09-09
Our A/C went out late in the day on a Friday. Grande Air was able to get us in Friday evening and got our A/C up and running in just a short time. Prices were also very reasonable even though it was a weekend evening. We will definitely use them again for future A/C needs.
Kiersten Legge
2023-09-07
Jaime was AWESOME!!! Professional and let us know each step he was taking in diagnosis and repair. Love Grande!!!!!

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