Best Location for Central AC Unit Installation
Location of a central air conditioner is a crucial part of central ac installation. Poor placement of your AC unit can lead to some issues in the long run. Placing the outdoor or indoor components of a central HVAC system in a less than desirable area can make your HVAC system work harder than it needs to, which leads to multiple issues and increases the likelihood of a costly ac repair. Every home is different but there are a few considerations to keep in mind when deciding the best location for central ac installation. Choosing the best location can help you enjoy increased efficiency of a new system, and greater comfort and reliability in the long run.
Condenser – Outdoor Unit
The condenser is the outdoor unit of an HVAC system. The condenser contains the compressor pump and condenser coil, it is sometimes placed on the roof, side of home or backyard. The main job of the condenser is to take the air from the outdoors and bring it into the home where it will go through cooling process to cool your home. A couple things to keep in mind when deciding is level of sunlight and general landscaping and always work with a trusted and proven HVAC contractor. Below we discuss more about what to keep in mind.
Shady Location
It is important to consider placing the unit in a location away from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can also increase the workload of your HVAC system. Consider placing your outdoor unit on a shady side of your home during the hottest parts of the day away from any trees or shrubs. A shady location for your condenser can help keep it cool, when the air around the condenser is cool, it means the unit does not have to work as hard to lower the temperature of the air to cool your space. A system that is consistently not overworked, will help it last longer and save you money in the long run.
Open Location
Placing your air conditioning unit in a shady location does not mean putting it behind plants, you want to keep as far away from any vegetation as possible. You want to choose an open location with ample clearance of at least two to three feet of space on each side with at least five feet above, away from anything that could restrict airflow. Proper airflow is vital to the condenser and compressor for proper operation of the cooling process. Furthermore, keeping your unit away from trees and other vegetation, will help keep the outdoor unit and filter cleaner. It will help prevent debris such as leaves, grass, sticks and other loose debris from getting in the unit and clogging itor even possibly damaging outdoor components. Keep in mind to also schedule routine HVAC maintenance, a clean system will help it last longer and be more efficient.
Away from Common Areas
An important thing to remember is that AC units can be very noisy and large. Try not to place the ac unit in an area where it will be distracting for the inhabitants of the home. It would be best to keep from placing it on a wall shared with a bedroom, office or living room area. Also outdoors keep it away from entertaining or play areas.
Away from Fire Hazards
When considering your surroundings also keep in mind to keep your unit away from anything that could cause an electrical fire. Also it is important to remember that AC units require a lot of power so avoid sharing circuits with other high energy appliances.
Contact LA Construction, Heating and Air
Even with these tips it may be hard to determine the best location for central ac installation. However, proper central ac installation can help you avoid many issues that could arise down the road and should be the first step in setting your AC up for success. Give LA Construction, Heating and Air a call today we offer free consultations and here to help with your new central ac installation or replacement. 818-341-3406 or contact us online today!
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