The Sunshine Coast is not a place for anyone who doesn’t enjoy the heat. Temperatures here can easily go up towards 40°C, especially during summer. Although appealing to beachgoers, these temperatures are nothing short of annoying for families who just want to spend their free time resting comfortably in their homes. It’s no wonder most residential and commercial facilities in the suburbs and throughout the entire Sunshine Coast are air conditioned.
If you don’t have a fully-functioning air conditioner in your home yet, now is the best time to call in an air conditioning installation service. Here are some of the factors that you have to consider.
Air Conditioner Type
There are at least four types of air conditioning system that you can choose from, each of which comes with a different assembly and requires a different installation method:
- Split System – consists of an outside compressor/condenser and an indoor air handling unit connected to each other via a conduit.
- Ceiling Cassette – provides fantastic temperature control for large areas and are perfect for open plan living.
- Multi-Head – Like the split system, it is mounted on the wall and has a compressor/condenser outside the house, except it is directly attached to the machine. It may cool one or two rooms depending on the size.
- Ducted Air Conditioners – It cools the entire house through a duct system with release points either on the floor, wall, or ceiling.
In choosing a type of air conditioning system, you need to consider a number of factors, including the size of the room to be cooled, the preferred minimum and maximum temperature, and the supposed location of the unit. This way you can make the most out of your cooling unit and save on energy.
Purchase and Installation Cost
While air conditioning installation looks simpler than most other remodelling or updating work, it is quite a costly project. Apart from the installation cost, don’t forget that you also have to buy the unit. The bigger and tougher the unit, the more expensive it is. This is why many are tempted to buy the least expensive product to save more. What they don’t realize is that poor-quality cooling systems don’t last long. How much they can save upon purchase is nothing compared to how much they will have to spend on future repair. This makes costlier units ironically a more cost-effective option.
Size of the Unit
Air conditioning units usually come in a range of sizes. Each size has a specific cooling capacity. Before deciding on the size, measure the floor area of the room you want to cool first, then compare it with the capacity of the unit you are considering purchasing. Many homeowners make the mistake of not factoring in size, thinking that it’s not a big deal.
In truth, choosing a unit with an inappropriate size may lead to certain issues. For example, if the unit is too small for the room, it has to work twice as hard to supply enough cool air. This results in higher electricity bills and the unit wearing down more quickly than expected. If, for instance, there is no suitable unit for the room, you may decide to install more than one of the smaller units just to meet the room’s cooling needs.
Efficient Ductwork
If you’ve chosen to install a ducted system, then you have to set aside funds for the duct system, too. Otherwise, your air conditioning unit won’t be able to deliver cool air into all of the rooms of your house. This is a complex and invasive job considering that the technicians need to tear the ceiling or wall apart to install the pipes. Make sure the ductwork runs through every room that needs cooling.
In the future, this duct system will have accumulated dust and debris mixed with the air blowing in from the cooling unit. If neglected, these particulates can make their way into your home and cause respiratory problems. Make sure that the duct system is equipped with easy access to its interior to facilitate regular cleaning.
Location
It is imperative to let the technician know in advance where the air conditioning unit will be installed as its location may influence the manner of installation and even your choice of air conditioning type. Remember that the work needed when installing on the ground floor is different from that when installing on a higher level. Especially if you are installing a split system, setting up the compressor may be a little more complicated. Most builders already include a certain spot in the building plan to anticipate HVAC installation. Also, it is important for the technician to know all about this so that they can prepare the right gear for safe installation.
Choosing a Contractor
This is perhaps the most difficult part of the project, but if you get it right, you don’t have to worry about anything else. Your contractor will guide you through the process and give you the most useful advice. In fact, with the right contractor, you won’t even have to worry about all those considerations. They can lead you to the best brand, improve your original layout so that you can achieve maximum efficiency, and install your unit in the quickest possible time. If you’re still asking the question “Where can I buy an air conditioner?” they can help you with that as well.
ere’s how you can find a trustworthy air conditioning installation company on the Sunshine Coast:
- Ask if their technicians are licensed. It will give you peace of mind to see proof of their expertise. You wouldn’t want to put such expensive equipment in the hands of an unskilled technician.
- Look for insurance. Make sure that every person who will step on your property to work on the air conditioner is sufficiently insured to avoid any financial liabilities in case an accident happens.
- Talk to their previous clients. Ask about their workmanship and the quality of their services.
- Check out their website. If it looks professional and all the information a prospective client like you would need is there, it’s a sign that they are serious in doing business with you.
At Port City Air Conditioning, we’re proud to meet all of these conditions, with licensed, safe technicians. Not only that, the contractor you hire will probably end up being your partner in keeping your home air conditioned from now on – so make sure it’s a company you have trust in.
To book a free on-site installation quote or for a comprehensive discussion about air conditioning in your home, contact us today.