If you've had enough of those overly long and extremely humid Australian summers, then you may be about to bite the bullet and install an HVAC system. Yet there is no such thing as an "off-the-shelf" system, and if your contractor tells you that there is, you may need to shop around. What is the correct approach when it comes to installing a system from scratch?

Custom Approach

Most HVAC contractors will take a good look at the property and help to design a system that is custom made. They will be looking for practicality and performance. They'll want to make sure that you can capitalise on the system once it is installed, overcome any potential issues and condition your home effectively for the least amount of money.

Assessing and Sizing

To begin with, a good contractor will want to have a look in the attic space, around the walls or under the floors. Here, they'll be looking at the quality of the home build, will want to see how well the property is insulated and determine how best to introduce the ducting system.

Crucially, they will need to size the ducting system appropriately and make sure that it is designed so that it can follow the "straight-line" approach as much as possible. In an ideal world, after all, an air-conditioning duct should be completely straight from the source to the outlet and while this is rarely practical, the fewer bends or kinks, the better. It is also important to make sure that each duct is of the correct size so that it does not choke the system and lead to overload or unnecessary energy cost.

Safety and Ventilation

Contractors will also need to install the equipment properly and with safety in mind. Otherwise, there is a risk that carbon monoxide could build up, and the system has to be installed with an adequate amount of ventilation from the outset.

Calculating the Ratios

Contractors will often calculate the ratio of heat loss to heat gain within the specific property. If they can gather this type of information, then they will be able to estimate how much run-time the HVAC system will require, make design alterations as appropriate and help the homeowner save energy and money in the long run.

Making your choice

Shop around when you're looking for an HVAC contractor. Make sure they fully understand how to do the job properly and select your partner wisely.

If you need more help with an air conditioning installation, contact an HVAC contractor in your area.