Here at CABS Heating and Air Conditioning, we pride ourselves on our installation practices. It’s how we get excellent reviews and have excellent word-of-mouth business from our customers. We don’t take that for granted.

Neither should you, because not all HVAC and air conditioner installations are equal.

In fact, installation quality is more important than the quality of the equipment.

Yes, that’s right. Look, there are better and worse air conditioners out there, but nearly all the major manufacturers make reasonably good equipment. The difference is in how they’re installed and optimized for your home comfort.

So that’s what we’re here to help you with. We do air conditioner installations for hundreds of homeowners each year, and it’s our attention to detail

What follows are some best practices and red flags we see or hear about from local Sacramento-area residents.

Red Flag: High-Pressure Sales

This shouldn’t need to be mentioned, but it still does. If you feel pressured at any point, you’re right to feel that way.

The solution is a conversation where you are free to make an immediate decision but can also review any quotes and information without fear of losing out on a price or deal.

Green Flag: Free Estimates

This only applies to installations of major equipment. Due to the cost of labor in the home services industry, things like repair estimates can sometimes come with a diagnostic fee, since it could be 1-2 hours of a technician's time, including gas money for a vehicle and use of specialized equipment to diagnose and fix a problem.

Otherwise, HVAC companies would go out of business driving around town for free.

However, if you’re just looking to replace an air conditioner, you shouldn’t have to pay for this visit.

Additionally, while an in-home estimate is the best way to get accurate pricing, broad price ranges for new installs should be possible before this step, to give you a sense of what to expect on cost.

Red Flag: Using Only Square Footage for A/C Size

Just below this section, we’ll talk about the right way to estimate air conditioner sizing (which equates to its cooling output). But many companies will take a shortcut and only use your home’s square footage to determine air conditioner power.

Why is this bad? Well, it might not be…if you’re lucky. See, there’s a lot that goes into calculating the proper air conditioner size, and square footage is only part of the equation. So it’s possible you’ll end up with an air conditioner that’s the correct size for your home.

But it’s not guaranteed. To get that peace of mind, you need the process outlined in our next green flag…

Green Flag: Manual J Load Calculation

A Manual J Load Calculation is a series of measurements that go into an equation that tells an air conditioning contractor what size (power) A/C unit you’ll need. Too large and you’ll have mechanical problems and pay too much. Too small and you’ll have different mechanical problems and struggle to keep your home cool.

What goes into the calculation? Things like number of windows, which direction they face (important because of their relation to the sun), window quality (single-pane, etc.), insulation quality, ceiling height, types of spaces being cooled (second story, etc.), square footage, number of entrances to and from the home, and a few other factors.

Notice how square footage was only one of those items? That’s why you use square footage alone at your own peril.

Find a contractor who does it right, so you won’t have to worry about getting sizing wrong.

Red Flag: Lack of Communication

Has your AC installation company contacted you to confirm the appointment? Does the technician review the upcoming job with you before performing it? Do you feel like your chosen company is taking care of you?

Lack of communication is something that you instinctively feel. When you’re about to pay thousands of dollars for a new system, this is the least a company should be doing.

Green Flag: Installation Overview

The installation technician or team should review the job with you and answer any questions you have, both in the initial sales appointment, afterward over the phone or email, and when the technician arrives to complete the air conditioner installation.

Red Flag: No Commissioning Process

Commissioning in HVAC is an industry term that basically means “testing.” Think of it as the process that optimizes your equipment’s performance.

The importance of this is enormous. Every air conditioner has manufacturer specifications for installation. Unless it meets those specifications, it will not be operating at maximum efficiency.

So your fancy new AC unit could be costing you money right out of the gate unless it’s fine-tuned through a commissioning process.

This will involve several factors, including monitoring refrigerant pressure at different phases of the cooling cycle, measuring air pressure, static pressure, and monitoring airflow throughout the home to ensure every room is being properly cooled, and gauging the total cooling output of the unit.

Fine-tuning is needed to adjust any of these things. The result can be hundreds of dollars in efficiency per year, thousands over the life of your air conditioner, better cooling for your home, and a longer lifespan for your AC.

Commissioning can take up to an hour for an air conditioner, so this is why some companies skip this step. They’re costing you comfort and money if they do, though.

Green Flag: Adjusting to Manufacturer Standards

The inverse of the red flag above is walking through a detailed commissioning process. An installer should be able to show you this checklist, and even a sales representative should be able to talk about a company’s commissioning process broadly.

If they can’t, something’s wrong.

Red Flag: No Follow-up

The company has your money and they did the job. Are you ever going to see them again?

If they didn’t do a great job and all they wanted was a big installation payday, probably not.

Green Flag: Education, Support and Ongoing Service

A good company should want to earn your business for life, which means following up with any questions

It also means walking you through your new system once it’s installed. Do you know how a new thermostat works with your air conditioner? Is there anything new or different that you should be aware of? You won’t know if the company doesn’t take the time to speak with you.

Ongoing service and support should be the norm. Make sure you have it when choosing a contractor to install your air conditioner.

Red Flag: Poor Online Reviews

Some review sources can be paid for, but others can’t. Google is probably the most popular, but you can check Yelp, Angi, Facebook, or others.

For the record, no company can avoid bad reviews entirely. If a company has 1,000 reviews, for example, there will be some 1-star reviews in there. That doesn’t mean they’re a bad company. But if you check to see how they respond to the bad reviews - are they trying to solve any issues? Are they listening to customer complaints? - you have a company that cares.

Green Flag: Good Local Reputation & Accreditations

On the flip side, good reviews are, well, good, to be incredibly obvious.

Do your due diligence in checking up on a company’s online presence, and you’ll be happy you did.

Additionally, is the contractor licensed? Is this information easy to find (it’s on the footer of the CABS website here, for example). Are they accredited with the Better Business Bureau? Do they have relevant local and national accreditations?

For example, here at CABS, we’re a PG&E preferred contractor and a SMUD preferred contractor. If you don’t know what those are, don’t worry about it. If you live in the area that PG&E and SMUD cover, you’ll know what they are and why they matter. It’s extremely important for Sacramento residents for a company to have these business relationships, because it means more rebates, deals, tax incentives and other credits and promotions for our customers.

Red & Green Flags in Air Conditioner Installation: Putting it All Together

How do you check for all of these things? Just ask. If someone comes to your home for an air conditioner estimate:

Ask about how they calculate AC sizing.
Ask about their commissioning process.
Ask about how they communicate and educate you on your investment.
Ask about their license and accreditations.

Also ask your neighbors. Check online reviews. The companies that have the best processes in place will eventually be obvious if you follow these steps.

And if that sounds like work, it is a little bit. But an air conditioner is a big purchase that will affect your cooling comfort for the next 10-20 years, or as long as you’re in the home. It’s worth making sure you get it right.

We want to help you in that process. Call CABS Heating and Air Conditioning for your free, no-obligation quote and get started with a company who is committed to nothing but green flags in your air conditioning experience!

Air Conditioner Installation: Red Flags & Green Flags