What to Expect During an HVAC Installation in Fullerton, CA

Installing a new HVAC system in your Fullerton, CA, home is unavoidable at times and can become stressful. Here’s what to expect during an HVAC installation to help reduce that stress and make the process easier:

Preparing for the HVAC Installation

Before a team shows up to install a new system, it’s important to prepare effectively. This starts with choosing the right system for your home and the team that will install it.

When we give you an estimate, we will provide specific details of what the HVAC installation includes. This will include any disposal fees, who will pull any required permits and any included warranties.

When selecting the system for your home, you need to consider both the type of system and the size. Size refers to heating and cooling capacity, usually described in BTU (British thermal units). Our comfort advisor will use an HVAC load calculation, like the Manual J, to determine the capacity your home needs.

Once you’ve selected the system and any added features, it’s helpful to have the area from your home’s entrance to where the indoor units will be located. This helps our comfort advisors easily move equipment.

Additionally, clear the area around the system, both inside and outside, if you’re installing an air conditioner or heat pump. The team needs as much room to work as possible, but teams usually request a minimum of around 5 feet.

Site Assessment and Set-Up

When the team first arrives, they’ll assess the worksite, including the path to and from the system location. They may need to assess parts of your HVAC system in the crawl space, attic or basement. Systems that haven’t received regular HVAC maintenance may need extra time and effort to remove.

Next, they’ll start setting up the job site so they can work efficiently without constantly running back to the truck. Before beginning work, they’ll lay out tarps and covers to protect flooring and anything near the system.

Old System Removal

Before installing the new system, our comfort advisors will need to remove the old system. When they remove an air conditioner or heat pump, they’ll start with evacuating the refrigerant. It’s important to capture this chemical to prevent it from venting into the air and contributing to environmental contamination.

If we remove an old gas furnace, our comfort advisors will need to disconnect the gas. If we’re replacing it with an electric system, we will cap and seal the gas connection. This process may include removing some of the existing gas pipe to get it out of the way.

Setting and Installation

Installation includes two steps: placing the equipment and connecting it. If installing a new AC system or heat pump, you may need a new pad for the outside unit. Our team will bring in the unit and secure it, then connect the ductwork, refrigerant lines and electrical.

For air conditioners and heat pumps, we’ll conduct a vacuum test once we connect refrigerant lines. If the system holds the vacuum, they’ll proceed to charge the system. If not, they’ll identify the leak and repeat the process.

Testing

After finishing the HVAC installation, your comfort advisors will test the system to ensure everything’s working properly. Checking how the system cycles is the most obvious part of testing, but there’s significantly more to it.

The installing comfort advisors will check the airflow volume from your supply vents. They’ll also check the temperature rise or fall of the air coming from the system. This is a key indicator of whether the system’s heating or cooling works properly.

Most systems have a laundry list of other checks required by the manufacturer to ensure proper installation. Adhering to these manufacturer standards is part of what separates a manufacturer-authorized dealer and installer like us from cut-rate companies.

Cleaning After the HVAC Installation

Lastly, your HVAC installation team should clean up the entire job site, leaving it in the condition they found it. The clean-up includes loading the old equipment and hauling it away for state-approved disposal.

It’s always best to plan ahead for an HVAC installation rather than trying to deal with it when an old system fails. Call to schedule a new air conditioning or heating installation consultation with one of the comfort advisors at Metz Air Control.

Image provided by iStock