In this article…
- 13 Problems With An Improper HVAC Installation
- Problems With Electrical Wiring
- Creating short-circuits and irreversible damage
- Causing electrical fires
- Causing water overflow and damage
- Condenser wiring causing the system to freeze
- Problems With Ductwork
- No ducts going to all return air grilles
- Improper duct sealant is used
- Other Problems With Poor Installation
- The system doesn’t run as efficiently as it should
- Higher energy bills
- Over or undercharging the system
- The unit doesn’t fit properly in the space
- The UV light isn’t installed properly
- Copper piping isn’t used for refrigerant piping
- Irreversible damage to your entire system
- Problems With Electrical Wiring
So, you’ve found yourself needing a new AC system and are searching to find the right company that fits your wants, needs, and budget.
Maybe your neighbor down the street says they know all about HVAC units and can replace it for you. Or maybe your father-in-law is a self-taught handyman and tells you he can fix it with no problem.
While these options can be tempting because you save a lot of money upfront and know who’s fixing your AC, it’s actually a dangerous and risky choice.
Repairing or replacing any part of your HVAC unit requires expert skill performed by a certified technician. If not, you risk much more than just a broken system in the long run.
As a trusted San Antonio AC installation company since 1979, Wright Home Services has helped thousands of homeowners and business owners repair and replace their AC units with ease.
We pride ourselves in the quality of our products and our workmanship, only offering the best AC repair, maintenance, and AC installations backed by our certified technicians.
We also strive to provide you with all the information you need before starting your project so you can make the best-educated decision on the right company, products, and more.
If you need a full AC and/or heater replacement, it’s crucial you find the right company to hire for the job to avoid wasting money and experiencing even more issues in the future.
We’ve helped many homeowners replace their faulty systems that were only installed a few years ago but, unfortunately, failed because of improper installation, and we want you to be aware of the problems and risks of choosing an inexperienced AC company.
This article will detail 13 problems of an improper HVAC installation, including higher energy bills, electrical fires, frequent repairs, and more.
13 Problems With An Improper HVAC Installation
An improper HVAC installation can come in many forms, from electrical wiring to duct installation to IAQ upgrades damaging your system.
The truth is that even one small inconsistency in an installation can cause immense damage to your system over time. This leads to higher energy bills and spending more money on repairs or even a full replacement again.
Let’s look at some specific problems that come with improper electrical wiring and ductwork installation as well as other problems that can occur from improper installation practices.
1. Problems With Electrical Wiring
Your HVAC system is composed of intricate wiring that must be connected properly during installation. If not, you risk your system short-circuiting, potentially leading to serious damage to your system.
a. Creating short-circuits and irreversible damage
If any wiring is not properly connected within your HVAC system, this can cause the system to short-circuit and shut off frequently or permanently.
Electrical wiring that is not connected properly can cause excess heat around the wiring that can damage not only that one wire but also the surrounding equipment, creating even more issues in your system.
b. Causing water overflow and damage
A float switch, also known as a wet switch, is installed on every HVAC unit to prevent water from overflowing out of the pan if the unit stops draining properly.
If this switch is not installed properly and your system does stop draining, the pan under the system can overflow, subsequently causing water damage to your home.
If this does occur and you aren’t aware of it immediately, the water could severely damage your ceiling if the unit is in the attic. Microbial growth can also occur with water overflow from your system. This is why a properly installed float switch is crucial to protecting your system and your home.
c. Improper condenser wiring causes the system to freeze
The condenser in an HVAC system helps take the heat from inside your home and move it through the cooling system in your outdoor unit. If the condenser is not properly connected to the unit, your home will not cool, and the unit will continue to run.
When the unit continuously runs without reaching the desired temperature, it becomes burnt out and can freeze the refrigerant lines. This will cause further damage to your system, the electrical components, and refrigerant lines.
d. Causing electrical fires
In a worst-case scenario of improper wiring, an electrical fire may outbreak due to short-circuiting wires within your HVAC unit is an electrical fire. Electrical fires can be caused by damaged wires, overheating, or a poor connection to the source.
If an HVAC technician is not careful when installing a new unit or repairing a part of your system, an electrical fire is one of the most dangerous and costly problems that can come with a faulty installation.
2. Problems With Ductwork
Ductwork is an integral part of your HVAC system. The ducts are what allow air from your home to be conditioned through the system and then returned to your home.
If your ducts are not installed properly, especially around the newly installed system, your home will not cool as well as it should and your system will work twice as hard for the same output.
a. One or more rooms feeling warmer than the others
The ductwork in your home is installed throughout the ceiling, from the return air grilles to the HVAC system and the supply vents. One problem when installing new ductwork (especially in larger homes) is not installing ductwork to all supply vents.
This is a silly mistake that will make one room or area of your home feel warmer than others because there is no conditioned air coming out of that supply vent.
This problem is a result of lazy installation and not paying attention to detail and is completely avoidable with a high-quality HVAC company.
b. Air leaking around the HVAC system
When reconnecting ductwork to the new HVAC unit, the proper duct sealant must be used to create a proper seal for the air to travel to and from the unit.
If the wrong or low-quality sealant is used, it will not last on the ductwork. This will cause air to leak around the system, reducing the efficiency of your system and raising your energy bills.
c. Other Problems With Poor Installation
Aside from improper installation of your system’s electrical components and ductwork, there are even more problems that come with a poor HVAC installation that just don’t fit into a category.
However, there are equally if not more important problems to be aware of when looking for the right company to install your new system.
3. The system doesn’t run as efficiently as it should
No matter if the electrical on your new system was not wired properly or if there are other shortcuts a company made to save money, if your AC system is not installed properly, it will not perform as efficiently as it should.
For example, if a 16 SEER system isn’t installed properly, it may only run at the efficiency of a 14 SEER system and won’t last as long.
When your system doesn’t function efficiently, it can cause the system to continuously run, burn out, and cost you more.
If your system isn’t running properly, you will pay more for frequent repairs or a potential full replacement if the system isn’t installed properly.
a. Higher energy bills
If your system is constantly running or running more frequently because of something that wasn’t properly installed, you’ll notice it in your energy bills.
The more your system runs and the harder it has to work, the more energy and electricity it consumes. This means if you’ve noticed a drastic rise in your energy bills over a few months and recently had an HVAC repair or replacement done, you might want to have it inspected by a different company.
b. Over or undercharging the system with refrigerant
HVAC systems are charged with refrigerants. Refrigerant is what cools and conditions your air and is a vital component of your HVAC system.
If your system is undercharged, then your HVAC will not cool your home as well as it should and cause your system to overwork.
On the other hand, if the system is overcharged, it could cause functional issues and create further, more expensive problems down the road.
c. The unit doesn’t fit properly in the space
If your new HVAC system doesn’t fit properly in the space, such as a closet, it should not be installed until proper space is made.
If the unfitted system is shoved into a space it does not fit in, it not only makes the system difficult to access but can also cause problems if the plenum is shortened to fit, restricting overall airflow.
d. The UV light isn’t installed properly
UV lights are installed within the supply plenum of your system to eliminate excess condensation that allows microbial growth to form. Most UV lights come with a shield to help direct the light to the right area.
If a UV light is not installed with a shield, the UV light can deteriorate copper wiring within the system, causing short circuits, shutoffs, and repairs that could have been avoided.
e. Copper piping isn’t used for refrigerant lines
Copper piping is standard when installing new HVAC systems because of its durability, resistance to heat, and efficiency for transferring refrigerant to and from the system. They are also corrosion-resistant, which is essential where moisture and condensation can be present.
If another type of metal piping is used, such as steel or aluminum, it decreases the effectiveness of transferring heat and cool air to and from the system and can also become corroded and damaged, causing more problems within your system.
f. Irreversible damage to your entire system
The biggest risk of an improperly installed HVAC system is any problem creating irreversible damage to the system, requiring numerous repairs or potentially another full replacement.
Even if only one small component is not installed correctly in your system, it can damage other parts of the unit, resulting in even worse and costly repairs.
This is why ensuring certified HVAC technicians install your equipment with the right materials and components is crucial.
Choosing The Right HVAC Company To Avoid Installation Problems
Now that you know 13 of the most common problems that come with a poor HVAC installation, from issues with the electrical wiring to ductwork to other, larger problems, you understand just how crucial a proper installation and replacement is to the success and health of your HVAC and your home’s comfort.
An HVAC system is an intricate mechanism that requires intense skill and attention to detail when replacing and repairing any part of the system. This is why choosing a trustworthy company with certified technicians is essential to the success of your new system.
If your new HVAC system is not installed properly, whether the electrical is wired incorrectly or the system doesn’t fit properly in the space, it can cause irreversible damage to the entire system, meaning you’ll be paying more for frequent and costly replacements.
We understand that finding the right HVAC company to work with can be tricky. Sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate high-quality companies from the lower quality ones.
Because Wright Home Services has been around for over 44 years, we have much experience dealing with and picking up after uncertified, low-quality HVAC companies.
While we are here to correct the mistakes other HVAC companies make and provide you with the highest quality products and services, we want to educate you on how to find the right company to work with to avoid a faulty installation and falling for an offer that’s too good to be true.
With this, you must know not only what qualities to look for in a trustworthy HVAC company but also red flags to watch out for when choosing a company for your HVAC needs.
To help with your search for the right HVAC company for your replacement, check out this article that outlines eight red flags to be aware of when choosing a company to work with, like not having certified and insured technicians, not respecting your time and acting professional, and much more.
Then, you’ll not only know what red flags to look out for when talking with an HVAC company but also what qualities you should be looking for to find a trustworthy company that will get the job done right.
Looking for a high-quality San Antonio HVAC company? Schedule your appointment with Wright Home Services today for all your HVAC needs. We treat people Wright!
