San Diego’s legendary mild climate, indoor/outdoor living and soft afternoon breezes means many homes were built without air conditioning. Fast forward to today and we are experiencing radical changes in our weather patterns.
Needless to say, more and more people are asking Team Anderson about the possibility of adding AC to their existing heating system. The following FAQs walk us through the things to look for at each step of your decision-making process.
Can I add AC to my existing heating system?
- Yes, you can in most cases. There are a lot of great options and several important legalities you should be familiar with before you make your decision to move forward.
How can I get that information?
- Anderson’s HVAC Design Consultants are specially trained to walk you through the process, the product options, legal requirements, permits as well as projected timelines and costs. This is done at an in-person meeting at your home so they can take measurements and give you options based on the specific configuration of your home as well as your family and lifestyle needs.
What is the first thing to consider?
- It all starts with your electrical panel. Our Design Consultant will evaluate your electrical panel to make sure there is enough electricity to handle the new Air Conditioner.
What is next?
- Next is an inspection of your duct system. Generally, it is in your attic. We make sure that it is sized correctly for the new system and make sure there is no leakage which means higher utility bills if hot or cool air is escaping through the ducts. It also means your HVAC unit will be working extra hard which means a shorter lifespan.
What about the actual AC equipment?
- Part of our on-site inspection includes determining where we can put the AC equipment based on city and/or county building codes. Sometimes it’s outside, sometimes it can fit in an attic, the garage, or even a closet.
So, we’ve got the info we need on the electrical, ducts, and equipment. What’s next?
- The Design Consultants will also do a ‘Heat Load Calculation’ based on a variety of factors including the size of the house, the direction the house faces, size and use of each room, type roof, type of insulation, etc. This helps to determine the right size system for perfect airflow and comfort.
And what about pricing?
- The Anderson Design Consultant will provide you with multiple estimates giving you options to consider for your family, your home, and your budget. And if you’re interested, they will give you information on financing options.
Let’s go back to permits. How important are they?
- Building codes and permits were put in place to protect the consumer. Having that second set of eyes looking at our work gives you the confidence that your installation was completed properly, ensuring the safety of you and your family. At Anderson, we do pull code permits for everything. City permits or county permits and we do the Title 24.
Can you elaborate on Title 24?
- Title 24 is whenever you pull a permit with the city or the county you must have a third-party company come out and inspect your duct system. They inspect for leakage and they inspect for size and they make sure the client gets what they invested in.
So, whether or not you get new ducts you still have to have a test? Is that accurate?
- Absolutely, anytime you do anything with heating and air conditioning, whether it is the duct system or the equipment, you must pull a permit and get a Title 24 sign-off.
Pulling permits and handling all of these inspections sounds like a lot of work, right?
- At Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air, we handle all of that for you! And we schedule the inspection at a time that is convenient for you.
If you have more questions, call the expert HVAC Design Consultant Team at Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air, serving all of San Diego County, at 619.361.7507 [1] or visit AndersonPHA.com [2].
Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air because ‘Nobody wows clients like we do!’®