Now that you’ve pulled the trigger on a new HVAC system installation in your Dayton area home, your job isn’t finished. Now, it’s time to take some important steps to prepare your home for your new cooling or heating system, as well as to make sure it’s the right-sized system for your particular home.
Follow these steps with your new HVAC system installation so you can get the most out of the equipment:
- Schedule an energy audit of your home. During the audit, trained technicians will use high-tech diagnostic equipment to find where air is leaking from your home’s outer envelope. These tests also will determine where insulation is lacking in your home. With the test results in hand, you can take steps to seal air leaks and upgrade insulation. It doesn’t make sense to spend big money on a new HVAC system installation when your home isn’t as energy efficient as possible.
- Once your home has been effectively weatherized, the contractor can begin sizing your new cooling or heating system. This is an essential step since an over-sized or under-sized HVAC system will result in energy waste, stress on equipment, and uneven cooling or heating. The contractor should conduct a cooling or heating load calculation (for an A/C or furnace, respectively) before recommending the correct size system for your home. This process takes into account unique factors of your home, including its size and layout, level of energy efficiency, type, size and location of windows, and other characteristics.
- Either as part of the energy audit or a separate process, your ductwork should be cleaned, and any air leaks in the ducts should be sealed. The most efficient HVAC system in the world is not going to do a lot of good if it’s leaking conditioned air into a crawlspace, attic or wall void.
- Clear a path to the planned location of your new HVAC system, and remove any furniture, boxes or other items that might get in the way of an installer.
To discuss a new HVAC system for your Dayton-Springfield area home, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
