When we consult with customers about installing a replacement air conditioner, we often get asked how long the whole process will take. AC units and systems are incredibly important parts of residential homes. As such, many homeowners are worried that installing a replacement can be a long and complicated process. Fortunately, it’s not usually that bad. How long AC replacement actually takes is based on home size, replacement scale, and the potential for complications.
How Long AC Replacement Takes
The average AC replacement process takes between four and eight hours. If the replacement project involves both an air conditioner and a furnace, then expect the process to range from eight to 14 hours. Factors that make this process go faster or slower include the size of the units involved, the size of your home, and the installation locations.
Unit Size
Smaller units are faster to replace than larger ones. This is assuming that you’re having a changeout done and not a full replacement. In a changeout, the existing ductwork is left in place, and the work only takes part of one day. If the ductwork needs replacement, then the whole project is likely to take multiple days.
Home Size
AC replacement jobs in larger homes wind up taking longer. For one, the unit involved is likely to be physically bigger because a larger home needs more cooling capacity. That’s not just a matter of square footage but also possibly extra vertical space due to higher ceilings. A bigger home might also need multiple units installed in order to effectively cool the entire home.
Location Matters
The location of your home’s air conditioner also matters. An indoor unit on the main floor or in a finished basement is going to be easier to access than something in a crawl space or unfinished basement. Outdoor units might also be hard to access if they’re up against a deck or surrounded by shrubs or other physical obstacles.
The Installation Process
When you decide on a professional service to handle your AC installation, they’ll send out a technician or possibly even two to handle the work. It is a good idea to get to know who they are in advance so you can identify them upon arrival. Building a rapport increases the likelihood that they’ll be entirely focused on your home and not sent away on other calls once they start the work.
Before your technicians do anything, they’ll do an initial walkthrough inside and around your home. The walkthrough might happen during a consultation before you are given an official quote, but another one will also happen again so the technicians can gauge the area they’re going to be working. Once the technicians have an idea about what your particular job will entail, they’ll talk you through the steps involved with their work.
As the technicians work, they will provide you with updates on their progress. The technicians will also cover a post-installation checklist to be sure that everything is finished properly. When the technicians are going over their checklist, this will be your chance to ask them any questions you have and test the system out to make sure it works.
Preparing Your Home
Before the technicians come, you need to take certain steps to make sure that your home is ready for them. Clear out your home of obstacles and clutter. Your technicians might need clear pathways to move their tools and the units in and out. They also need enough work area to spread out their parts and tools, and they also need enough room to work outside, too.
If you have pets or kids, make arrangements for them to be out of the way. Have them remain in a different part of your home or even offsite during the work. However, it is recommended that you remain available yourself. At the very least, be around for the initial walkthrough to let technicians in and ask them questions.
Find the Right Professionals
A replacement of a previous AC system can mean far more energy-efficient operation, which will decrease energy bills. You want it in place and operational as quickly as possible even if the only reason is to restore a comfortable climate inside your home. To make sure that happens with minimal disruption to your life, have us at Element Air LLC handle things for your Louisville, KY, home. Contact us for all your AC and furnace installation, repair, and maintenance needs.
