Are you planning to replace your current air conditioner in the near future? Whether it’s reached the end of its lifespan, or you’re simply upgrading to a more energy-efficient system, it’s best to hire professionals for this job. You need the right equipment and expertise to ensure an HVAC system is installed properly - the first time. If you try to handle this task on your own, you may make easy-to-overlook errors that can be very costly in the long run.
You’ll also likely want to be on your property when the AC installation takes place. First, you may need to facilitate access to certain areas of your home for the technicians. Additionally, being on-site during your AC installation gives you the opportunity to ask the technicians questions about proper maintenance and early warning signs of problems. This naturally helps you keep your HVAC system in ideal condition for as long as possible.
That said, if you do plan on sticking around during your AC installation, you might be wondering, “How long does it take to install an air conditioner?”
HVAC Installation Time Basics
It’s important to understand that HVAC installation times can vary on a case-by-case basis. Numerous factors simply contribute to how long it takes to perform a full AC installation. These include:
That means you should only consider this to be a general guide. When you begin planning your AC installation, you may still want to discuss this topic with an expert AC installation company performing the work. They’ll assess the various relevant factors to provide you with a more specific and accurate estimate.
However, it’s not uncommon for technicians to install new HVAC systems in under a day. Larger jobs that require removing and swapping out some old equipment can take closer to three days. To better understand how various key factors affect how long it takes to install an HVAC system, consider these points:
Every AC installation is unique because every home is unique. That said, there are essentially two basic types of AC installations: changeouts and full replacements.
Your HVAC system doesn’t merely consist of the air conditioner unit. There are many other components in the system, such as the ductwork. Changeout AC installations involve replacing the old air conditioner unit with a new one but keeping the other equipment as is. These jobs usually don’t take very long to complete.
On the other hand, there are instances when all components of a system are being replaced. These types of AC installations are longer.
Before explaining how the size of your home contributes to the length of your AC installation, it’s worth noting that this point highlights one of the best reasons to hire professionals when you’re planning to install a new HVAC system. Quite simply, your air conditioner needs to be the right size for your home. It won’t cool your house effectively if it’s too small. If it’s too large, you’ll spend more money on energy bills than you should be. Professional technicians will help you avoid these consequences by suggesting the best HVAC system for your needs.
In terms of how long it takes to install an air conditioner, your home’s size is a relevant factor for obvious reasons. If the job involves replacing all major components of your HVAC system, a larger home will require a larger installation. There are also instances when large homes require the installation of multiple AC units.
That’s not to say a bigger-than-average home always means a longer-than-average AC installation process. If you’re only swapping out the old unit with a new one, but leaving the other equipment untouched, installing the unit will take the same amount of time it would take in a house of any size.
Your home’s size will often contribute to the length of your AC installation. However, it may not always be the most important factor. Sometimes the layout of a home will be more significant.
This occurs when a home’s layout prevents the technicians from easily accessing key areas when installing a new air conditioner. Of course, the harder it is to access essential spots, the longer the installation will take.
It’s crucial that the technicians performing your AC installation be given sufficient time to do so. You don’t want anyone rushing through this job.
That said, there are steps you can take to help the AC installation process run more efficiently. They include the following:
Coordinate with the technicians ahead of your AC installation to determine when they will be at your home and what areas of the house they will need to access. Making sure they have immediate access to all relevant areas as soon as they arrive will help them work more quickly.
During your initial discussions, ask the technicians if there is anything you can do to prepare the areas where they will be working. You can often help by simply making sure all sections of your house where work will be performed are free of clutter and well-lit.
It’s entirely fine to ask questions of the technicians during certain stages of your AC installation. Again, doing so gives you the chance to learn more about proper upkeep.
However, you want to make sure distractions don’t prevent the technicians from doing their work. That means keeping the kids and pets away.
At Cool Today, proudly serving homeowners throughout Tampa Bay, Orlando, Sarasota and the Naples-Fort Myers areas, we get the question, “How long does it take to install an air conditioner?” a lot. We also understand why homeowners want to know how long the process will take. That’s why we work closely with you to ensure you know what to expect and to ensure we work as efficiently as possible, without sacrificing quality.