If you plan to replace your air conditioner for your house in St. Louis, it is of utmost importance that you know what to anticipate; otherwise, you will end up with a couple of years of discomfort with high utility bills. The energy requirements for an air conditioning unit in St. Louis are quite high, as even summer hits 90 degrees F at ease and more with humidity, so one can get a feel for the devastating costs. This comprehensive checklist guides you through the process to ensure your new cooling system delivers optimal performance for your home.
Table of Contents
Evaluating Your Current System
It might shock you, but if your AC unit is more than 10 years old, calls for a replacement would clearly outweigh any other realistic possibilities:
Age is a primary consideration—if your unit is over 10 years old, replacement often makes more sense than continued repairs. Systems installed a decade or more ago typically operate at much lower efficiency ratings than modern options. As Superior Service points out, many older systems in the St. Louis area operate at 8 SEER or below, while today’s minimum standard is 13 SEER, representing at least 18% greater energy efficiency.
Rising energy bills despite regular maintenance suggest declining efficiency that a new St. Louis AC install could remedy. Similarly, frequent breakdowns, especially those requiring expensive component replacements, indicate your system is approaching the end of its useful life.
Inconsistent cooling throughout your home might signal that your current system no longer matches your home’s needs, whether due to renovations that changed your square footage or ductwork issues that a comprehensive St. Louis AC install could address.
Professional Home Assessment
A quality St. Louis AC install begins with a thorough evaluation of your home’s specific cooling requirements. Reputable HVAC contractors will:
Perform a comprehensive load calculation based on your home’s square footage, layout, insulation, window placement, and local climate factors specific to the St. Louis region. This step prevents the common and costly mistake of installing an oversized or undersized system.
Inspect your existing ductwork for leaks, damage, or design issues that could compromise your new system’s performance. Up to 30% of cooling capacity can be lost through problematic ductwork, making this assessment critical to your St. Louis AC install success.
Evaluate your home’s insulation and air sealing, as these factors significantly impact how hard your new system will need to work. Addressing these issues before your St. Louis AC install can improve performance and potentially allow for a smaller, less expensive unit.
Selecting The Right System
With your home’s needs properly assessed, you’ll work with your contractor to select the appropriate system:
SEER ratings should be a priority consideration. While the minimum SEER rating in St. Louis County is 13, investing in a higher efficiency unit (16-20+ SEER) often pays for itself through energy savings, especially with St. Louis’s hot, humid summers.
System type options include traditional split systems, heat pumps for both heating and cooling, or ductless mini-split systems for homes without existing ductwork. Each has advantages depending on your specific situation and budget.
Smart features and zoning capabilities are worth considering during your St. Louis AC install. Modern systems can offer zone control to cool different areas of your home independently, potentially saving energy and improving comfort.
Brand selection matters for reliability and warranty coverage. Superior Service recommends Bryant air conditioning equipment for their reliability and efficiency options at various price points suitable for St. Louis homeowners.
Installation Day Preparations
To ensure your St. Louis AC install goes smoothly:
- Clear access paths to both indoor and outdoor installation locations. Remove furniture, decorations, and other obstacles that might impede technicians’ work.
- Secure pets away from work areas for both their safety and the technicians’ ability to work efficiently.
- Ensure decision-makers are available to address any unexpected issues that might arise during the installation process.
- Plan for some disruption—a complete St. Louis AC install typically takes one full day, though complex installations may require additional time.
The Installation Process
A professional St. Louis AC install typically follows these steps:
- The team will protect your home with drop cloths and shoe covers before beginning work.
- They’ll remove the existing system, including the outdoor condenser unit and indoor components such as the evaporator coil.
- New equipment will be precisely positioned according to the manufacturer’s specifications and local building codes specific to St. Louis.
- If needed, ductwork modifications or repairs will be completed to ensure proper airflow.
- Electrical connections will be made safely and in compliance with local codes.
- Refrigerant lines will be installed, evacuated, and charged according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
- The thermostat will be installed or replaced if you’ve opted for an upgrade to a programmable or smart model.
Post-Installation Quality Checks
After completing your St. Louis AC install, quality technicians will:
- Test the entire system through multiple cooling cycles to ensure proper operation.
- Verify refrigerant charge using specialized equipment rather than relying on pressure readings alone.
- Measure airflow at registers throughout the home to confirm balanced distribution.
- Check electrical components and safety controls to ensure everything is operating within specifications.
- Demonstrate the system’s operation, including thermostat programming and maintenance requirements.
Warranty & Documentation
Before the St. Louis AC install team leaves, ensure you receive:
- All warranty documentation properly filled out and registered with the manufacturer.
- The installer’s warranty on labor (separate from the manufacturer’s warranty on equipment).
- A detailed description of maintenance requirements to keep your warranty valid.
- Owner’s manuals for all installed equipment.
- A clear explanation of who to contact if issues arise after installation.
Maintenance Planning
To protect your investment after your St. Louis AC install:
- Schedule regular professional maintenance at least annually, ideally before the St. Louis cooling season begins.
- Change filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and your home’s specific conditions.
- Consider a maintenance agreement like Superior Service’s Maintenance Club, which provides priority service and regular check-ups to keep your system operating efficiently.
- Monitor your energy bills after installation to verify you’re receiving the efficiency benefits expected from your new system.
Conclusion
If you have decided on or are considering a professional St. Louis AC install, then you are making a rather significant investment as far as your home’s comfort, efficiency, and value are concerned. With the help of this checklist and an advanced, skilled engineer who is familiar with the sophistication required due to St. Louis’s difficult climate, you can optimize your system for better longevity, thereby extending cooling years with efficient energy savings during the progressively warmer summers.
