Thinking of Installing Ducted Air Conditioning? Four Areas To Check In Your Home First
Installing a ducted air conditioning system can help keep your home cool during hot Australian summers. But before calling in the HVAC professionals to install ducted air conditioning, there are four key areas in your home you should evaluate and check first.
1. Check Your Roof Space
The roof space is where the main components of the ducted air con system will be installed. Make sure there is adequate space for mounting the air handler unit and running ductwork through the area. It should be easily accessible with enough room for service technicians to manoeuvre and perform maintenance.
Also, check that the roof space has adequate ventilation to allow the hot air picked up by the system to escape outside. Proper insulation will also help keep that hot air from entering living spaces and reduce demands on the air conditioning.
2. Evaluate Your Ceilings
Ducted air conditioning works by distributing conditioned air through ducts concealed in ceilings. Older homes may have asbestos ceilings, which can complicate ducted air con installation due to the associated health risks.
If sections of the ceilings contain asbestos, specialised removal may be needed before a ducted system can be fitted. HVAC professionals can advise on options.
3. Check Ceiling Cavity Depth
There needs to be sufficient space within the ceiling cavities for fitting the ductwork that will supply each room's air outlets. Ducted air conditioning systems require meeting minimum ceiling cavity depth specifications. Significantly shallower spaces could limit options.
Any bulkheads, beams or other obstacles in the ceilings could also potentially disrupt duct runs. The HVAC installation team will thoroughly evaluate the ceiling dimensions and layout to design the optimal duct plan for your home's needs.
4. Locate Existing Electrical and Plumbing
The indoor and outdoor units of the ducted air conditioning system will need to be wired back to the home's electrical supply. It's helpful to identify where existing wiring and the circuit breaker are located.
Additionally, locate any pipes or plumbing in the ceiling space to avoid interference when installing ductwork. Properly mapping out the electrical and plumbing layout makes the air con installation process smoother.
Ready to Install Ducted Air Conditioning?
Evaluating these four areas ahead of time — the roof space, ceilings, ceiling cavity depth, and electrical/plumbing layout — allows the HVAC professionals to properly assess and plan the ducted air conditioning installation. Contact a local company to learn more about air conditioning installation.