On this episode of Raising the Standard, one of the BOSS owners, Jeff Street, joins WSJM’s Spencer Rivers to walk through all the steps involved in installing an HVAC system in your home and why using a professional HVAC technician is the preferable choice (especially when handling refrigerant).  BOSS always sends a team of trained professionals out to a job that typically takes 1-2 days.  Here are the steps needed to complete an installation:

Step 1: The homeowner first needs to give HVAC installers access to the equipment that is going to be replaced. It’s a good idea to move anything that may be blocking the system and make sure the installers can easily get in and take out the old equipment and install the new system.

Step 2: BOSS HVAC installers typically arrive by 8:30am, and then right away, they turn the breakers off and turn the gas off, and take the old equipment apart and get it out of the house.  Then, the new equipment is brought in and set up, starting with the furnace.  The furnace is put in with the coil on top of it, and the duct work is then hooked back up.  

Step 3:  Then, they move outside to install the air conditioner condenser unit, putting in a new pad with some gravel to make sure the ground is level, and then putting the AC on top of it and running the copper lines from the outside to the inside and running all the wires.  

Step 4: Once the equipment is in place, then they zoom lock the copper lines, which is a crimped-on fitting that works just as well as braising. This is a quicker method than braising, and there are no open flames and less chance for a leak.  

Step 5: Next, they pressure test the lines and fill them with nitrogen and let it sit a little while to see if it holds pressure.  If it doesn’t hold pressure, they spray every fitting and connection with soapy water to look for bubbles to discover that leak so they can fix them.

Step 6: Once it holds pressure, they take all the nitrogen out and hook a vacuum pump to it and pump all the air out of the lines too, and then they can carefully release the actual refrigerant into the system. 

Step 7: Once everything is up and running, the installers go through and program the entire HVAC system, which can be a complex process.  Systems don’t simply just have an on and off switch like they used to several decades ago, but they require specific programming to ensure it all works as efficiently as possible.

Step 8: Our installers always clean up after themselves, and then will turn your equipment on so you can kick back, relax, and enjoy your new system!

Wrapping it Up…

If you have an air conditioner that is 10 to 15 years old (or older), you may be in need of a replacement if it’s not as efficient as it used to be or is having frequent repair problems.  We are happy to come out and take a look and provide several different options for you based on your unique situation! 

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