Working as a Heating Professional Can Lead to Success

Location! Location! Location! Why Air Conditioning Unit Placement Matters

17 May 2016

Abbie Wade

Air conditioning systems are effective when it comes to not only regulating the temperature of a home, but also improving its air quality by removing both air impurities and moisture from the air that they dumps into the home. However, in order to effectively do this, your air conditioning has to be properly installed. Here is what you should know about how the location of the different parts of an air conditioning system can affect its ability to make your home as comfortable as it should be.

The inside unit

The inside unit of your air conditioner houses the evaporator coil, which is the part of the air conditioning system that is responsible for absorbing heat from air. The cooling effect of the refrigerant, at the evaporator coil area, usually causes air moisture to condense.

In order to avoid air conditioner water leaks, this water is usually deposited in the condensate drain pan. From the condensate drain pan, it is then emptied to the drain system via the condensate drain line. To make sure that this draining process is effective, the inside unit has to be placed on a flat surface. This is because placing it on a sloping area will tilt the condensate drain pan, something that will then reduce its water-holding capacity. It will therefore cause premature condensate spills, something that will then cause your air conditioner to leak even when there is nothing wrong with your air conditioner.

The outside unit

While the inside unit specializes in cooling the air flowing in the system, the outside unit of your air conditioning system is concerned with getting rid of the absorbed heat. This process is central not only to converting the refrigerant gas back into a liquid, but also to ensuring that the refrigerant's heat-absorbing capacity is as high as it should be.

Good airflow is necessary for this process to take place. Anything that restricts the free flow of air around the unit is therefore bound to not only reduce the efficiency of the entire air conditioning system, but also lead to air conditioner overheating complications.

It is therefore advisable that you place your outside unit in an area that is free from tall grass and shrubbery. Keeping it away from trees is also advisable, mainly because it reduces the chances of leaves clogging the fins of the unit. Placing it in a depressed area, like a ditch or tunnel, will also restrict the effectiveness with which it dissipates heat.

If you have vegetation around the house, ensure that you clear it before installing the outside unit. Placing it on an elevated slab will increase airflow efficiency and is thus advisable. Contact HVAC contractors in your area for more info.

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