One of the first things many people ask when they need to install a new HVAC system in their home or business is how long the work will take. You may be surprised to learn that many residential installations can be completed in a single day or two at the most. However, it could potentially take up to a week, depending on the amount of additional work that needs to be done and if the technicians encounter unforeseen problems.
Commercial installations are usually more complex and can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Here, we’ll look at the different factors that can influence how long an HVAC installation takes and provide a full overview of the installation process.
Type and Size of the HVAC System
One factor that always needs to be taken into account when determining the timescale for a new HVAC installation is the type and size of the system. Some systems are easier and take less time to install than others. For instance, installing a packaged HVAC system typically goes quite quickly, as almost everything is already connected and ready to go. That means all the technicians need to do is mount the self-contained unit outside the building, connect it to the existing ductwork and then test that everything works properly.
Mini-split ACs and heat pump systems take a bit more time, as they have both indoor and outdoor units. After mounting the outdoor unit and installing the blower and evaporator coil in the air handler inside the building, the technicians then need to run the copper refrigerant lines. They then connect them to the condenser coil and evaporator coil. The lines are connected through a process known as brazing, which involves using extreme heat. When brazing the lines, the technician must take repeated breaks to allow everything to cool down and ensure that nothing gets burned or damaged.
Installing a ductless mini-split system also typically takes longer than just installing a new central AC or heat pump system. The exception is if you’re installing a single-zone ductless system with only one air handler. Multi-zone ductless systems can have anywhere from two to eight separate wall-mounted air handlers. The more indoor air handlers the system has, the longer it will take to install. That’s because the technicians need to cut a hole in the wall where each air handler is going, run refrigerant lines from the outdoor unit to each air handler and then mount each unit.
Ease of Access
The location of the HVAC system can sometimes impact how long an installation takes. The installation will go smoother and take less time if the system is in a more open area that the technicians can easily access. If the indoor part of the system is located in an area such as an attic or crawl space, the installation may take a bit more time due to the difficulty in removing the old system and installing the new equipment. It also takes a bit more time to install a roof-mounted AC or heat pump compared to just mounting the unit on the ground. This is especially the case if the roof has a steeper slope.
Size and Condition of the Existing Ductwork
You don’t always need to install new ductwork when replacing an existing HVAC system, but it’s usually recommended. It really depends on the size, age and condition of the return and supply ducts. Most HVAC companies will recommend replacing most or all of the ductwork if it’s more than 15 to 20 years old.
If you don’t, there’s a high chance that the new system won’t perform nearly as well or be as efficient as it should. You should also always replace your ductwork if you’re upgrading to a larger HVAC system than what you currently have. Otherwise, the ductwork will be undersized and create significant problems with performance and efficiency.
For a smaller house, it typically takes a team of technicians two to three days to remove the old ducts and install the new ones. For larger houses and commercial buildings, this process usually takes at least a full week. The time it takes to replace ductwork can vary quite a bit based on the location of all of the ducts and how much demolition work needs to be done to access them. You also need to factor in the time it takes to patch and refinish the holes that the technicians had to cut in the walls and ceilings to access the ducts.
An Overview of the HVAC Installation Process
The first step, when installing any type of residential or commercial HVAC system, is consulting with the property owner and evaluating the building to determine its specific cooling and/or heating requirements. During the consultation, we’ll explain the various options to the owner. Evaluating the building is crucial for properly sizing the new system, ensuring you don’t waste money installing a system that’s either too large or too small.
After the initial visit, we’ll begin the process of designing and sizing the system. This typically takes no more than a few days for a residential system. Larger commercial systems usually need to be designed by an engineer, which can potentially take several weeks depending on how complex the system is. During the design process, we’ll again consult with the home or business owner to help them select the equipment for the new system.
Some HVAC companies keep a small stock of basic, standard-efficiency ACs, heat pumps and furnaces on hand in case they need to perform an emergency replacement. However, in most cases, we’ll need to order the new equipment from a supplier. If there isn’t a nearby distributor to pick the equipment up from, it could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for the equipment to be delivered.
Once the planning is finalized, the company then needs to get the necessary permits. It is usually necessary to submit the design to the relevant authority for approval to ensure that everything meets local building code requirements.
The last part of the process is the actual installation. The technicians will first prep the area they’ll be working in to protect the property from being damaged. They’ll then start disconnecting and removing the old equipment. Once this is done, they’ll move on to bringing in and connecting the new equipment. It’s often necessary to partially or completely rebuild the supply and return plenums that connect to each side of the indoor part of the system, which is one of the last steps once everything is connected.
The final step is testing and calibrating the system to ensure that everything operates within the manufacturer’s specified parameters. For residential systems, this final step can sometimes take nearly as much time as it took to remove the old system and install the new equipment. Nonetheless, it’s crucial for ensuring that the new system functions properly and for avoiding issues from arising down the road.
Schedule an Installation With Us Today
Reliance Air Services is a leading provider of residential and commercial HVAC services in Sarasota, FL. We specialize in cooling and heating replacement as well as new construction installations and will work with you to ensure you get the right system for your home or business. We provide accurate estimates and upfront pricing and have flexible financing options available on approved credit. Contact us to schedule a consultation or service call.
