Professional Air Conditioner Installations & Replacements for DC Metro Homes
Trying to beat the heat without a fully functioning, reliable air conditioner can feel like an uphill battle. With air conditioning installation services from F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical, you’ll enjoy reliable performance from your new system.
Whether you’re looking to get a new version of your current model or upgrade to a more energy-efficient one, our technicians have you covered.
Call to schedule air conditioning installation and replacement in Washington, DC.
5 Signs You Need Air Conditioning Installation
Air conditioners have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. However, wear and tear from regular use and lack of maintenance can cause your AC to fail prematurely.
A few telltale signs that it’s time to install a new air conditioner include:
- Your AC is over 10 years old: Aging systems are less efficient and more prone to breakdowns.
- Frequent repairs: Constant fixes (repairs costing more than two-thirds the price of a new AC) indicate yours is on its last legs.
- High energy bills: Older, inefficient air conditioners can cause a significant increase in your energy costs.
- Inconsistent cooling: If some rooms are too cold while others are too hot, your AC might not be distributing air properly.
- R-22 refrigerant: R-22 is being phased out due to its environmental impact, making it costly and difficult to recharge your system.
The Dangers of DIY AC Installation
While installing an air conditioning system yourself might seem like a way to save money, the reality is that AC installation is complex and requires specialized knowledge and tools. Improper installation can lead to inefficiency, increased costs, and even safety hazards.
The HVAC technicians at F.H. Furr have the expertise to ensure your system is installed correctly, providing optimal performance and peace of mind.
Avoid costly DIY mistakes by calling and scheduling professional AC installation in DC.
What To Expect During AC Installation
Once you’ve decided that it’s time to scrap your old air conditioner for a new, energy-efficient system, we’ll take these steps:
- Consultation & assessment: We’ll evaluate your home’s needs and recommend the best AC system.
- Removal of the old unit (if applicable): We will safely dispose of your old air conditioner.
- Installation: We’ll install your new AC with unwavering precision.
- System testing: Your dedicated HVAC technician will test your system to make sure everything works correctly and efficiently.
- Final inspection & cleanup: We’ll leave your home as clean as before we entered and make sure your system is ready to begin cooling your home.
- Customer walk-through: We explain how to operate your new air conditioner and answer any questions.
Call today to schedule an AC installation in the DC area.
When To Call a Professional
Depending on the make and model of your air conditioning system, installation can be a complex process. And if you’re looking to enjoy benefits, including efficiency, reliability, and safety, it’s best to leave the installation up to the professionals.
Plus, professional installation ensures you don’t accidentally void your air conditioner’s warranties or damage it in the process.
Have your AC installed with confidence. Schedule AC installation in the DC metro area by calling today.
Common Mistakes Made When Replacing Your AC?
Buying The Wrong Size Equipment
The Department of Energy states that a large percentage of people who replace their heating and air conditioning systems end up installing the wrong size equipment. The results are scary: high utility bills, buildup of unhealthy mold in the ductwork, damaged equipment, and uncomfortable living conditions. This can easily be avoided by making sure you get an accurate load calculation from your contractor. The load calculation is determined by your home’s physical characteristics and takes into account your family’s personal needs. This, along with detailed system analysis, will correctly verify the proper size of equipment needed for your home.
Choosing the Lowest Price
If you get a bid that is significantly lower than the others, it’s probably too good to be true. It’s good to remember that sometimes, you get what you pay for. Essentially, every contractor is installing the same heating and air conditioning equipment, and in many cases, the only difference is the name on the outside of the equipment…not the price of the equipment. Also, there are laws that regulate how systems are installed, so when bids are lower, you are saving on installation costs vs. equipment costs. That begs the question, are the technicians qualified? Are they taking any shortcuts? Are they leaving anything out? Are they cutting corners just to get the work?
Installation Delays
You shouldn’t have to wait days for a heating and air conditioning estimate or even longer to have your system installed. A lot of companies hire helpers or high school co-op students to work with mechanics. Because mechanics don’t specialize in installing any particular type of system and they lack support, installations can be delayed.
Using Untrustworthy and Unqualified Contractors
Choosing the right contractor can mean the difference between having a horribly expensive experience you’ll never forget and an experience you can’t wait to share with friends and family. Here are some steps to take to make sure you choose the right contractor for you:
- Research. Doing a little homework on the work to be performed will set you up for success in choosing the right contractor for your job. You don’t need to become a technical expert, but a little research will help you ask the right questions and be able to assess the contractor’s answers and experience.
- Get 3 – 4 contractor referrals from people you know and trust. Referrals from the people you know and have had hands-on experience with the contractor go a lot further than references from people you don’t know. You are more likely to get both positive and negative feedback from people you know.
- After identifying a few prospects, make sure each prospect is located locally and has a physical address. Then, call the Better Business Bureau to verify the company information.
- Interview contractors. Make sure you take time to meet with each contractor and go through your list of questions.
Not Getting a Written Guarantee
Make sure the contractor you choose stands behind the products and services they offer. If they don’t provide you with a written, no-hassle, no-questions-asked warranty, you may not want to use them. You need to make sure you and your family are protected from any unforeseen breakdowns. Also, make sure the guarantee includes a performance guarantee, investment guarantee, and a real 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Things to Consider When Installing a New Air Conditioner
- Home Size: Homes come in all shapes and sizes. So do heating and air conditioning systems! Properly measuring the size of your rooms and the placement of your windows and vents is essential to adequately heating or cooling your house and preventing costly energy bills.
- Load Calculation: Choosing the right-sized system also means performing what’s called a load calculation. Your Home Comfort Consultant will plug in the different aspects of your home energy use to choose a system that will be best for the comfort of you and your family and save you money on your utility bills. Our load calculations consider many factors, including but not limited to the number of windows and type of window treatments, whether you have skylights or fireplaces, the height of your ceilings, the existing insulation and ductwork, and the number of people in your home.
- Duct Inspection: We will inspect the size and length of your current ductwork to ensure they are adequately delivering the correct amount of heating and cooling to your home.
- System Features: Your Home Comfort Consultant will discuss all the features and benefits of the system we recommend and answer any of your questions.
- Comfort Enhancements: In customizing your new heating and cooling system to your home’s unique needs, we may suggest a number of enhancements to make your system run more efficiently and improve the air quality in your home. Have questions about keeping your home’s air clean? Visit our air quality and cooling FAQs to better understand your AC system.
- Payment Options: F.H. Furr accepts a variety of payment options, and your Home Comfort Consultant will work with you to find the one that’s best for you.
Frequently Asked Air Conditioner Questions and Answers
How long does AC installation take?
Installation times can vary, but most are completed within a day, ensuring minimal disruption to your routine.
Can I finance my AC installation?
Yes. F.H. Furr offers financing options and promotions to make your AC installation affordable and stress-free.
How do I know which AC system is right for my home?
Our experts will assess your home’s size, layout, and cooling needs to recommend the most efficient and effective system for you.
How does your Air Conditioner Work?
The most common central cooling system is a split system, which includes an outdoor cabinet containing a condenser coil and compressor, and an indoor evaporator coil, usually installed in conjunction with your furnace or air handler. The compressor pumps a chemical called refrigerant through the system. Once warm air inside your home blows across the indoor evaporator coil, its heat energy transfers to the refrigerant inside the coil. That transfer, in turn, “cools” the air.
The refrigerant is pumped back to the compressor, where the cycle begins again. The heat absorbed by the refrigerant is moved outside your home, while cooled air is blown inside. Moisture that contributes to humidity is also condensed out of the air. Your cooling system is usually combined with your central heating system because they share the same ductwork for distributing conditioned air throughout your home.
What can I do to protect my unit and how can I keep it clean?
Trim plants and bushes around the unit to provide at least twelve (12) inches of clearance for airflow.
Keep pets away from the outdoor unit, as the acid in pet urine is a corrosive substance that will deteriorate the metal.
Have the unit services annually to maintain cleanliness and ensure proper airflow.
Do I need to repair or replace my comfort system?
In making this decision, there are three factors to consider:
- Looking at the Big Picture: Although you may be tempted to only address the broken-down component, make sure to address all components of your system as they all work together to boost efficiency and reliability. For example, should you replace your furnace with a new model but leave the old thermostat, you are missing out on the efficiencies of the newer furnace. In addition, you can save on installation costs if you upgrade several components at the same time.
- Life Expectancy of Current System: The first thing to take into account is the age of your equipment. When your equipment breaks down, you may be tempted to go the immediate, least expensive route of repair. However, should your equipment be getting up there in age, it is more likely that repairs will be frequent, and it may actually be more cost-efficient in the long run to replace the equipment instead of paying for many repairs…and then paying for the replacement.
- Operating Cost: As equipment ages, it becomes less and less efficient. Even six-year-old heat pumps and air conditioners are considered grossly inefficient by today’s energy standards. Repairing your equipment may fix the immediate problem, but it does not address energy efficiency, so that needs to be factored into overall costs. Installing a new heating and cooling system can actually pay for itself in energy savings within a relatively short time.
Why Choose F.H. Furr?
When you need an HVAC team that’s committed to your comfort, F.H. Furr is the company to choose. Here, we treat your home like it’s our own — respectfully and with the utmost care. No matter your cooling needs, F.H. Furr offers flat-rate pricing, so you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying with no surprises.
Schedule your AC installation with F.H. Furr by calling today.
