The HVAC system in your home is one of its most important elements and one that many people think about the least. But your HVAC system is what will keep you and your family warm in the frigid Wisconsin winters and cool in our sweltering summers. Whether you’re involved in a new build, or have come to the realization that your current system is not meeting your needs, you should know what to expect with HVAC installation. In this post, we’ll take you through the steps that responsible professionals like those at Quality Heating go through every time.

Analyze Your Needs

The first thing that one of the professionals from Quality Heating will do is talk to you. They’ll spend the time necessary to really get to know what your needs are. Do you or any of your family members have a respiratory condition? Or suffer from allergies? You may need a particular kind of filtration system. What about the topography and geography of your home? Wisconsin has varied landscapes and if you’re sitting in the kettle moraines your needs will be different from someone in open farmland, and different still from someone in Waukesha. And of course the size and construction of your house comes into play. If you live in a farmhouse from the 1830s, your HVAC system will need to work within that existing structure without damaging it. If you’re doing a new build with all the latest insulation, the HVAC system can really contribute to your house’s thermal envelope.

Size Your System

A crucial step when installing a new HVAC system is determining the right size unit for the property. Bigger isn’t always better. An oversized unit will lower the efficiency of the system, lead to premature wear and tear, and shorten its lifespan. An undersized unit will cause you and your family discomfort and lead to higher bills as it works overtime to try to heat or cool your home. Your HVAC technician should conduct a load calculation to determine the correct size unit for your home. At Quality Heating, our experts are trained to perform these load calculations with precision so that you end up with exactly the right HVAC system.

Optimize Efficiency

Your HVAC system should last between 15 to 20 years, so it’s really crucial that you have the most energy efficient system you can afford. Fitting energy-efficient equipment will help save you money in the long run. Your Quality Heating professional will talk to you about the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of an air conditioning unit. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient it is. We’ll explain the rating of your heat pump too. The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) should be a minimum HSPF of 8.2 to be considered energy efficient. At Quality Heating, we’ll make sure you get the most bang for your buck.

Deal with Ductwork

Another important step is checking the ductwork. If there is any damage to the ductwork, our technician will first repair damage and seal the ductwork. If debris or dust build-up is blocking airflow, we will clean the ducts. Those ducts are vitally important. Even if you purchase the most expensive HVAC system out there, you’re wasting money if air is leaking from the ducts, or can’t get through because of dirt. Clean, properly sealed ducts greatly improve the performance of your HVAC system and will cut your energy costs.

Check Refrigerant Lines

Refrigerant is a dangerous chemical and it needs to stay in the pipes, not leaking into your home environment where you and your family could be affected. The refrigerant lines of your HVAC system should be in top condition. Your HVAC expert from Quality Heating will carefully examine your refrigerant lines, and test them to determine if there are leaks. If they are in really poor condition, you may need to install new ones. If that’s the case, our professionals will make sure that we fit the correct length of piping, braze or solder the pipes, and perform a refrigerant leak test to make sure that no coolant is leaking from the soldered joints.

Test the System

At Quality Heating, we don’t just bolt as soon as the last bit of work is done. Our experts will make sure that everything is running smoothly. With the HVAC system running, we will listen for any unusual noises, make sure the thermostat is working properly, and check that airflow and temperature are consistent in every room. Finally, our experts will talk through the best way to maintain your HVAC system, and discuss seasonal maintenance. Remember that Quality Heating is a local business; we want your HVAC system to be absolutely right, so you can call us anytime you have a question or concern.