How to Install Central Air Conditioning in Your Home

Installing central air conditioning in your home requires care.

Central air conditioners are a convenient way to handle hot, muggy summers without having to worry about using loud or dripping window air conditioners. This is because central air conditioners are quiet and efficient for handling even unseasonably hot weather and severe humidity in your home. They essentially remove heat from one area, where it is undesirable, and move this heat to an area where it is less significant or makes no difference. Installing this type of unit takes strong attention to detail.

Things You'll Need

• Floor plan
• Ducts
• Air handler
• Condensation drain
• Air conditioning compressor
• Measuring tape
• Plastic base
• Drill
• Filler

Instructions

1. Purchase Manual J Residential Load Calculation software through the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) to determine the correct size of central air conditioning unit you need. The calculation will take into consideration factors such as types and placement of your home's doors and windows, the amount of your wall and attic insulation and your home's orientation to the sun. Share this heat-gain calculation, expressed in British Thermal Units (BTUs) with your air conditioner supplier to help you purchase the correct unit.

2. Check to see that you have enough space to take your central air conditioning to necessary rooms in your house. Review a floor plan of your house to plan out the ductwork, then install the ducts in easily accessible areas. Follow the manufacturer's directions.

3. Install the air handler in your basement according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use a condensation drain to fit the air handler, and do not place the air handler near a concrete wall. Also, allow the air handler tube to run outside, away from your house's foundation.

4. Turn off the main power to your house. Install your air conditioning compressor about 12 inches away from your home and nearby shrubs, following the manufacturer's guidelines. Place the compressor on top of a plastic base on level ground.

5. Drill two holes through your outer wall, making sure one is as wide as the refrigeration tube and the other one is a proper size for the electrical tube. Place the tubes through the holes, and apply filler to seal the holes as necessary to prevent air leakage.

6. Connect the compressor and air handler to your main power before turning the power back on. Contact an electrician to make sure your power can support the load your new central air conditioner will place on it.

References

• OnlineTips: Installing a Central Air Conditioner
• This Old House: Adding Central Air
• Central-Air-Conditioner-And-Refrigeration: How Does a Central Air Conditioner

Resources

• ACCA: Manual J Residential Load Calculation