When it’s time for a new HVAC system, or you’re building a new home and need help with the heating and cooling installation, call SM Mechanical Services at (860) 530-2792 for expert assistance.
Reliable HVAC systems are critical to maintaining comfort in every home. While the type of equipment you have and how well you take care of it factor into the system’s reliability, it’s also important that the installation adheres to the minimum electrical requirements for HVAC systems. Improper installation or inadequate electrical power affects how well your system works and can put your family in danger.
As the most trusted HVAC company in West Hartford, CT, SM Mechanical Services has experience working with a wide range of HVAC systems and understands how important the electrical system is to safe, reliable heating and cooling. Before upgrading the equipment in your home, you need to know the minimum electrical needs to support it.
The Basics of Residential Electrical Systems
It’s helpful to understand some basic terminology to determine whether your home needs an electrical wiring upgrade to support new HVAC equipment:
- Wattage: This is the amount of power that units require for operation. The higher the wattage, the more power it needs.
- Voltage: This is the amount of force necessary to send electricity through the system. Most AC systems require 240 volts, compared to the 120 volts that power most other appliances.
- Amperes: Also known as amps, this is the amount of electricity flowing through a circuit. If the outlet cannot handle the amps required to run an HVAC system, it will “trip” the circuit and cut the power.
Again, most central and mini-split AC systems require 240 volts to operate, so if your home doesn’t have the correct outlets or enough power to manage the load, you must invest in upgrades. If the system breaks down frequently or the circuit breaker trips every time the air conditioning comes on, it’s likely due to inadequate power.
What To Consider When Determining Electrical Wiring Needs
If your current system isn’t performing well or you’re investing in a new one, it’s a good idea to evaluate the electrical requirements for HVAC to prevent problems. If the existing electrical system is inadequate for the needs of the equipment, that’s a guarantee you’ll have problems keeping your home or business at a consistent and comfortable temperature — and you could wind up dealing with irreparable equipment damage or even a house fire.
With that in mind, you must think about the following when adding or upgrading HVAC systems:
- The number of amps of service to your home. Most older homes only have 100-amp service, meaning that you’ll need to upgrade the electrical power to at least 200 amps to accommodate the electrical requirements of HVAC.
- The heating and cooling load. This is a measurement of how much space HVAC systems can accommodate; the more space, the larger the system and the more power it needs.
- The type of outlets. Not all air conditioners have the same type of plug, and you need an outlet that can accommodate the unit’s plug for the system to work, which may require installing a new one.
If any aspect of the existing electrical wiring is inadequate to support the HVAC system, it will require an upgrade to ensure safe and reliable operation.
Do HVAC Systems Need Dedicated Breakers?
If you look inside the breaker box, you’ll notice that most of your major home appliances have their own breaker switches, indicating that they have dedicated electrical circuits. Because appliances like the refrigerator, dishwasher, and washing machine typically draw a lot of power, giving them dedicated breakers ensures they aren’t competing with other items for power. When the load on any individual circuit is excessive, the circuit breaker will trip and cut power to everything on that circuit.
HVAC units require a significant amount of power. Therefore, it’s best to give them a dedicated breaker so you don’t have to worry about it cutting off when you switch on a lamp or run the vacuum. If the breaker switch trips frequently, you need help from an electrician to upgrade the system to handle the demand from the HVAC so you don’t have to keep switching the power back on or risk damage to the expensive equipment.
Don’t Overlook Thermostat Placement
One of the more commonly overlooked electrical requirements for HVAC systems is the thermostat placement. Where you install the thermostat can influence how hard AC systems must work and, in turn, affect how much electricity it requires to run.
The thermostat has sensors that detect the ambient temperature in a room, which triggers the air conditioner or furnace to kick on until the temperature reaches your desired setting. Installing it directly in front of a sunny window or next to a door can cause inaccurate readings, forcing the HVAC to work harder. There’s a good chance your home will often feel excessively warm or cold, too, since the HVAC is running off the extreme temperature in one spot.
It’s critical for an electrician to install the thermostat in a spot away from windows, drafts, or other areas with extreme temperatures to ensure that it doesn’t force the HVAC equipment to overcompensate and use more electricity than necessary.
Trust SM Mechanical Services for Safe and Reliable HVAC Installations
If you’re having problems with your current HVAC systems, electrical or otherwise, and need an experienced professional to investigate, call the top heating and cooling contractors in West Hartford, CT: SM Mechanical Services. The fully licensed and insured technicians from this family-owned company understand the electrical requirements for HVAC systems and will recommend fixes and upgrades to ensure your system works perfectly year-round.
We’re also here to answer all your heating, cooling, and plumbing questions, like, “What does an HVAC installer do?” and offer expert insight into the best equipment for your home or business needs. To make an appointment, use the simple online form or call us directly at (860) 530-2792.