Air Conditioning Installation
The installation of a central heating and air conditioning system is just as important as the brand.
Installations can have issues and mishaps. Every HVAC company deals with this.
The question is: How do they handle the issue?
Polar Bear Heating and Air will always make it a priority to make everything right.
We do not ignore customers once they have paid for the installation.
We will not abandon you.
A person is only as good as their word and this is essential when hiring a HVAC company.
Some companies will charge an arm and a leg for every extra's and unforeseen item.
We are very fair with our prices and in fact, there are many extra items we do not even charge the customer for.
Selecting a company to install a new heating, air conditioning or ducting system can be a difficult task.
Who do you trust? How do you know if your system will be installed correctly?
- Obtain a reference list. The more references the better. Contact at least 3 out of the list.
- Only hire a licensed contractor. Go to the CSLB online website and check their license number.
- On the internet, look up complaints about the company.
- Is the company listed in the Better Business Bureau? Check for complaints 5. Insist on a city permit. You will receive a job card and an inspection by the city inspector.
Air Conditioning otherwise referred to as AC or Condenser and located outside.
Set Backs: Distance to property line: Noise level rules and regulations vary by city.
Most cities require a 3 to 5 ft distance from the AC unit to the property line.
Cities like Newport Beach have a setback distance and also a noise level limit.
Laguna Beach and San Clemente also have noise level restrictions.
Basically you start with the decibel rating of the AC unit. Measure the distance to the neighbor closest window or entertainment area such as a patio, pool, balcony etc.
The farther away the better as distance will lower the decibel level at the point of evaluation. There is more to it and we are very familiar with the codes in these cities.
Polar Bear will do the calculations and we will also pull the city mechanical permits as well.
Maytag is the most common brand that is installed in these cities because they have the lowest noise level of all brands.
The noise level is listed in decibels. The Maytag 2-ton AC unit is only 67Db and the 3-ton is only 69Db. That is extremely quiet.
When you couple the sound level with the 12-year warranties, it's no wonder more companies are leaning toward the Maytag brand.
The compressor is located inside the condenser.
SEER = Seasonal energy efficiency ratio.
The SEER rating is just like miles per gallon on a vehicle.
The higher the SEER, the more you will save on your electric bill when running your A/C
Example: You have an older condenser, say 8 SEER. You replace that unit with a 14 SEER The difference is 6. You save approximately 9% per SEER rating
So in this application you would be saving approximately 54% on your electric bill when operating your new 14 SEER A/C system. (Providing the system has been installed correctly)
What SEER should you purchase? Consider the following:
How often do you use the air conditioning?
If you rarely use the AC you may want to purchase the standard14 SEER
If you use it often, you may want to consider a 16 or 18 SEER system. You will pay more up front but the savings over time will almost pay for itself.
R22 Freon = Older model condensers use the R22 Freon.
R22 depletes the ozone and so it is being phased out.
They quit manufacturing R22 and this has caused the price to skyrocket.
R410A = A new refrigerant that does not deplete the ozone.
Condensers are now charged with R410A.
R410A costs about 1/4 of the price of R22 Freon.
Determining the size of your current air conditioning system Look at the model number located on your condenser.
There are 12,000 BTUs per ton of air. So, if the model number contains a 24 it is a 2 ton. A 30 is a 2.5 ton and a 36 is a 3 ton and so on.
Residential condensers are available for up to 5 tons.
Determining what size of air conditioning your home would need.
In Orange County, 500 square feet per ton. Based on 8 ft ceiling height and standard windows. So a home with 2000 square feet would require a 4-ton system. If you have ceilings over 8-ft high, and many south or west-facing windows, you may need to go with a larger system.
For more information please contact us at (949) 388-9484, or Online Form.
