Having a new air conditioner installed in your Chandler home should improve your comfort and lower your energy bills. But when installation isn’t done the right way, problems can start as soon as the system is turned on. Homeowners often assume that buying a quality AC unit is enough, but how it’s installed makes just as much of a difference.
Poor installation can lead to higher monthly bills, frequent repairs, and even early system failure. Whether you’re replacing an old unit or setting up a cooling system for a new home, avoiding common mistakes during AC installation in Chandler can save you a lot of time and money. Here are some critical issues to watch for to help ensure your air conditioner runs smoothly for years to come.
Incorrect Sizing Of The AC Unit
One of the most common mistakes during AC installation is getting the size of the unit wrong. Homeowners sometimes think bigger means better, but an oversized unit won’t keep your home any cooler and it can actually make things worse. On the other hand, a unit that’s too small won’t be able to keep up during peak heat days in Chandler.
When the unit is too large, it cools the house quickly but doesn’t run long enough to remove humidity. That can leave your indoor air feeling sticky and uncomfortable. It also causes the system to start and stop frequently, which wears down parts faster and raises your energy costs.
A system that’s too small will run almost non-stop, struggling to reach the set temperature. This keeps your home uncomfortable and causes the internal parts to wear out faster due to constant use.
Proper sizing should be based on:
1. Square footage of your home
2. Number of windows and direction they face
3. Amount and quality of insulation
4. Ceiling height
5. Number of people living in the home
6. Internal heat sources like ovens and lighting
Skipping the proper calculations can lead to a setup that doesn’t match the cooling needs of your home. This is why installation should always begin with a full assessment handled by trained professionals. That way, you don’t pay too much for a system that underperforms or wears out early.
Poor Placement Of The AC Unit
Another issue that comes up during AC installation in Chandler is poor placement of the outdoor condensing unit. Where it’s installed can affect performance, noise levels, and overall system lifespan. In many cases, the unit gets placed based on convenience rather than strategic efficiency.
If the outdoor unit is installed too close to a wall, fence, or shrubs, it can block the airflow needed to release heat. This forces the system to run harder to cool your home. Exposure to direct sunlight throughout the day also increases the temperature of the unit, reducing its efficiency.
Common placement mistakes include:
1. Installing in full sunlight with no shade or cover
2. Placing the unit directly under a gutter where water can drip onto it
3. Installing the unit on uneven surfaces causing vibration or water pooling
4. Placing the system near bedrooms or living rooms where noise may cause disruption
5. Installing the unit near dusty or debris-filled areas that can clog the coils
A properly placed condenser unit should have at least a few feet of clearance on all sides, sit on level, secure ground, and be somewhat shaded to ease heat stress. Placement affects not just performance but also the unit’s longevity and repair frequency.
Inadequate Insulation And Sealing
One common issue that’s often missed during AC installation in Chandler is faulty insulation or sealing in the home. Even if your AC unit is perfectly installed, lack of insulation or air leaks can cause the system to work harder than necessary.
Gaps around doors, windows, and in the attic let cool air escape. This makes it tough for your AC to maintain the temperature, especially during the hottest days. The cooled air leaks out, and warm air sneaks in, forcing the unit to run longer and burn more energy.
Poor insulation and sealing can cause:
1. Uneven cooling in different rooms
2. Longer system run times
3. Higher monthly energy bills
4. Faster component wear
To maintain efficiency, check for:
– Drafts around windows and exterior doors
– Unsealed ductwork in hot areas like attics or crawlspaces
– Leaks near pipes, vents, or attic hatches
– Worn or deteriorated insulation
Fixing these issues before or during installation makes your AC system more effective and reduces the overall energy load. It also keeps indoor comfort levels consistent, which is one of the main goals of installing a new AC unit in the first place.
Incorrect Refrigerant Levels
Correct refrigerant charging is another critical step during AC installation. Getting this wrong can lead to poor efficiency, comfort issues, and even mechanical failure. Refrigerant levels must match the system requirements exactly.
If there’s too little refrigerant, the AC will need to run longer to cool the space, and cooling will be weaker. Low refrigerant may also lead to freezing on the coils, which blocks airflow. If there’s too much refrigerant, system pressure increases and may damage internal components like the compressor.
Symptoms of incorrect refrigerant levels include:
1. Air that feels warmer than expected
2. Ice buildup on coils
3. Strange hissing or bubbling sounds
4. Frequent system short cycling
5. Higher electric bills without increasing usage
To avoid these problems, the refrigerant should be added by weight during installation and checked to ensure pressure matches manufacturer guidelines. Incorrect levels reduce performance and often lead to costly service calls.
Ignoring Manufacturer Guidelines
Skipping steps outlined in the manufacturer’s manual may not always seem like a big deal at first, but it can create a ripple effect of problems. Manufacturers design their systems with detailed instructions for how to wire, secure, and balance every component. Ignoring those guidelines often leads to underperformance and even voided warranties.
Common issues from disregarding manufacturer directions include:
– Using the wrong wire size or thermostat type
– Improper slope on refrigerant lines or drain piping
– Not securing or leveling the outdoor unit
– Using incompatible components such as control boards
All systems are tested for efficiency and durability based on very specific installation standards. When shortcuts or substitutions are made, the system may not perform at full capacity, wear out faster, or even fail entirely. Following directions creates a reliable install that supports long-term system performance.
Keeping Your Chandler Home Cool And Efficient
A new AC system should make your home more comfortable and less costly to cool. But if mistakes are made during installation, the system may fall short of expectations. Problems often stem from avoidable errors with sizing, placement, refrigerant charging, or sealing.
Before installing a new system in your Chandler home, take a moment to confirm every part of the process is carefully managed. That includes proper load calculations, attention to home insulation, verified refrigerant levels, and strict adherence to manufacturer instructions.
Hiring trained professionals to handle the installation increases the chances of long-term comfort and reduced maintenance. A correctly installed AC system should run quietly, cool evenly, and help keep energy use controlled through the hottest months of the year.
At Perfect Climate Heating & Air, we know that proper AC installation in Chandler helps prevent problems like high energy bills, uneven cooling, and premature system wear, making professional installation a smart investment. For a quick estimate or to book a service visit, please contact us today.
