Air Conditioning and Heating Systems in the Home

Two tips for people who want to add split systems to their homes

Here are two tips for people who want to add split-system air conditioners to their homes.

They should consider how large and powerful they need their split system to be

A person who'll be getting an HVAC contractor to fit a split system in their home should consider how large and powerful they need this system to be. For example, if they select a small split system with a relatively low output level and their home has large rooms with high ceilings, the air conditioning system might not cool the rooms effectively during bouts of hot weather. Furthermore, because a system like this would need to be kept on almost all of the time to keep the rooms even remotely cool when it's warm out, it could also generate excessively high energy bills. Conversely, if a homeowner picks a large and powerful split system for their compact home, the system might cool each room too rapidly. This could result in its on-off cycles being too frequent (which could increase the wear and tear the system is subjected to and possibly shorten its lifespan) and result in there being a lot of temperature fluctuations within the home.

As such, it's important for people in this situation to choose a split system based not only on its cost but also on whether it's the right size for their home. If they're unsure about which one would best meet their home's cooling needs, they should consult an HVAC contractor before making this purchase.

They should consider where the best locations for the system's indoor and outdoor units might be

A person who wants a split system air conditioner will also need to consider where the best locations might be for the system's indoor and outdoor units. For example, the indoor unit should be mounted on a wall that is not exposed to direct sunlight for long periods and is not too close to other indoor heat sources (such as the cooker in the kitchen), as this could result in it staying switched on for long periods, to compensate for this additional heat. This, in turn, could result in the system generating costlier energy bills.

Likewise, the place on which the person's contractor positions the system's outdoor unit also matters. Ideally, this unit should be placed in a well-ventilated area, that's not too close to walls, fences or shrubs, as these things could disrupt the airflow around the condenser and thus lower its efficiency and overall performance. The spot selected for this unit should also be easy to access so that in the future, it will be easy for HVAC contractors to do maintenance and repairs on it.

For more information, contact an air conditioning professional near you.