5 Things You Should Know When Installing an Air Conditioner

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5 Things You Should Know When Installing an Air Conditioner

Posted On: June 23, 2022

5 Things You Should Know When Installing an Air Conditioner

With the heat of the summer approaching, you may be looking to buy a new Central air conditioner.


Here are some tips to help you get the job done right! Today’s residential air conditioning systems are not as simple to install as they may appear.


Merely connecting all the tubing and wiring is just the beginning.


Beyond that, there are several important steps in the installation that can either make it or break it for you!


Here are 5 very important things that need to be done properly for your new air conditioner to last a long time.


This is how we do it day in and day out.


Number 1 - The installation of the evaporator coil (usually above your furnace) is a crucial part of a good install.


It must be installed in a way that directs all the air flowing out of your furnace, through the new matching evaporator coil.


This ensures that no air is flowing around it.


Also, the air leaks in the sheet metal work should be sealed with tape or sealant made for this purpose.


In the field, we often see an installation where the coil is mounted so that much of the air is flowing around the coil, which was never right to begin with.


We use 26 Gage Galvanized Metal Angle for this purpose because we come prepared to do it right.


Number 2 - The airspeed needs to be set at approximately 350 to 400 CFM per ton for air conditioning to work as it was designed to.


This is a very important step that is needed later when testing the level of “charge in your new system.


" Also, be sure to know the type of restrictor device your system has.


Is it a piston-type or a TXV (THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVE)? It is not unusual, on a service call, to see that an installer has left the furnace fan speed set in the factory position, which is usually too high and a good indication that the charge was never checked when the AC was installed.


There can be a more negative effect on piston-type systems if the airflow is too high or low.


Systems equipped with a TXV also need to have the “bulb” installed in the correct location and orientation.


So many times, when removing someone’s old system we see the bulb still sitting in the shipping location, which means it was never working right from day one.


Number 3 - With today’s systems running on R410a refrigerant, it is more important than ever to have inert gas such as NITROGEN flowing through the copper tubing.


This is used to move the refrigerant from the outside unit (condenser) through the inside unit (evaporator).


The reason for this is that oxides can occur from the brazing process, and they contaminate the new system before it even starts.


This result can result in poor performance and a short life span of your new air conditioner.


Number 4 - It is important to test your new system for leaks before starting it up for the first time.


This is a two-part process that we follow on every installation.


The first step in this process is to pressure test all the welded joints, and since we are using NITROGEN for brazing, we just leave it connected to your new system.


Then, we pressurize the evaporator and new copper line welds up to 200 PSI for a few minutes.


If there is a leak, it will show on the gauge, and you may even be able to hear it if it's big enough.


It's not uncommon to have a small leak at this time because sometimes the position of the joint is difficult to access.


So by using NITROGEN as a first step, the system can be pre-approved as leak-free.


Number 5 - The final step we take, for all new installations or on any repair calls, is to use a Micron gauge to prove that the new system is 100 percent leak-free.


We pull our vacuums down to 250 microns using a properly calibrated digital gauge.


You cannot pull a deep vacuum, such as this, with any kind of small leak or non-condensable in the lines.


Once we establish the deep vacuum, then and only then, do we release the refrigerant from the new AC condenser that comes with a factory charge, which is usually sufficient for installations.


The final part of the start-up process is to measure the charge to ensure it is within the manufacturers' specifications.


We use digital gauges, which measure all the important things needed to be certain the system is right on the money, such as using a superheat calculation for piston-type systems and sub-cooling for systems equipped with a TXV.


We usually end up either having to add a bit of refrigerant to the system or remove a bit of refrigerant depending on the length of the tubing or other variables to dial in the charge just right.


Sometimes it takes an extra bit of time but now you are ready to enjoy many years of trouble-free air conditioning to keep your home comfortable through the hottest days of the season.



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See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by Hector in Scarborough on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Last week our Furnace failed overnight. We called Twintech to help us get it running again. They did a really thorough check on it, and got it running in less than an hour. Given that it was an old Furnace (+20 years old), we were giving two options: repair it or replace it. Instead of doing a repair on it that could break in a week or two, they recommended us to change it. I like that they were honest on the recommendation, not forcing a new furnace on us. At the end we went with a new Furnace. Twintech solutions service & salesman gave us recommendation on the size of the unit and many options that could work for our home. They ended up doing an excellent work in our furnace, replacing the filter to a better option and replacing some pieces that had water damage. They cleaned after themselves and leave everything even better than what they found. They even went far and beyond tiding up the hose connections that we had on the basement.

by Ryan Doherty in Whitby on Twintech Heating and Cooling

I am in the process of finishing my basement and wanted to make sure I got the low hanging duct work fixed in advance. After reviewing 5 quotes I selected Twintech to award the contract to. The price was competitive however what won me over was Grant's (co-owner) attention to detail and his ability to focus on what my goals and priorities were for the project. His team completed the job over 3 days as there was significant duct work changes and the relocation of all of the equipment. They also completed the job with little downtime so we weren't left overnight without heat during freezing winter temperatures.

by Private User from Oshawa on Twintech Heating and Cooling

My father woke up to no heat one Saturday morning. We had a few names that friends had recommended but while checking out the companies' ratings on HomeStars, we found Twintech with great ratings too. The other companies either didn't get back to us or didn't have time to come at such short notice. TwinTech made the time in their schedule for what they judged to be an emergency: no heat in the home of an elderly person. At no extra fee for a short notice, weekend visit. They recommended an upgraded furnace unit and explained that we would qualify for a rebate that would bring the price down to that of a lower model. They set us up with the rep from the MNR that covers the rebate so that we didn't have to deal with the paperwork & phone calls ourselves. Installation was quick, efficient, & smooth. We were so pleased with their service we ordered a new water heater too. Both are working great (efficient & quiet!) & my father is safe & comfortable. We can't say enough about how pleased we are with their service. We have already recommended them to others.

by joe calabro in Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Twintech Heating & Cooling. I just want to say thanks for helping me . My Furnace stopped working. And l phone Dave Getgley he set me up with Greg. What an amazing team they did a great job in setting me up with a new Furnace. Anyone that needed a new Furnace these are the guys to call. Thanks again for a job well done.

by Peter from Ajax on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Our home has had poor heating and air conditioning the past couple of years. Dave recommended a Goodman solution with more power than we had. Grant and Greg installed the units in late November. Heating is better than ever. We have a warm home again and look forward to the winter. Can't wait to see how the AC runs in 2018. Job was super clean and professionally done. Highly recommended.

by iqster in Toronto on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Received a new range and needed someone to disconnect the old range and connect the new gas range. They did a thorough job and were kind enough to remove the old range from the house. Thank you!

by AJM in Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Very satisfied with this company! Salesperson Dave was very good, very knowledgeable and gave me the impression that he wanted to sell me what I needed rather than what would put the most money in the company's pocket. He also called back after the installation to see if I was satisfied with the result. The installation crew of Greg, Grant and Peter did a great job. They arrived on time, completed the job quickly, answered all my questions and thoroughly cleaned up. They told me to call if I had any further questions. They left me with the impression that they really cared about their work and my satisfaction and that it wasn't " just a job". Prior to researching for a new furnace, I had never heard of this company but I'm glad that I did and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a new furnace or air conditioning unit. They may be small but they do a great job!!

by David from Toronto on Twintech Heating and Cooling

I first met Greg and Grant (The Twin Brothers from Twin Tech - yup -it's not just a cool company name) back in 2014 when our furnace broke down and they installed our Carrier Furnace and AC that we purchased through Sears. I liked them instantly when I met them due to their friendly and professional service, and the fact that they didn't mind taking a little extra time to explain things in terms I could understand. Since that time they have reached out to me at least once a year to ensure that everything was running smoothly with my system and to keep me appraised of their evolving services. Due to this high level of proactive customer service I didn't hesitate to call and obtain their help for a Gas Stove removal and installation. When I scheduled the call Greg and Grant let me know that they would arrive the morning of the appliance delivery to disconnect the old gas stove, and then return in the afternoon to connect the new stove. Sure enough, they did just that as promised. Where they exceeded my expectations is with the extra level of support helping to assemble the burners and grills on the stove and in the oven. This may seem like a small thing to some but to my wife who was at home during this entire process it meant a stress free transition to the meal prep for the day. When I called home to ask about the install she commented that, "they left the place cleaner than it was when they arrived and they setup all the grills on top of the stove and in the oven... they didn't have to do all that -Wow!". You know what they say, Happy Wife, Happy Life. So in summary, I am recommending Twintech Heating & Cooling for all of your Furnace, Air Conditioning, and Gas Line needs. I've even called on these guys to help swap out a leaky water valve. They are just so easy to reach and communicate with by phone, and they don't mind a text message to confirm the details. You can rest easy when you have the Twins on your side as an extension of your household maintenance plan.

by Jr in Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

First thing, they actually showed up for a quote. Other big name companies in the area didn't even return my call , job was done as expected and new equipment is quiet and installed very clean and professional. Would highly recommend these guys.

by Melissa P. from Port Hope on Twintech Heating and Cooling

They removed our old furnace and replaced it with a new furnace and AC system.

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