What goes into Installing a New System?

Installing a new HVAC system starts with sizing it correctly, then removing, installing, and testing

A proper installation begins with a load calculation to size the equipment for your home's actual heating and cooling needs, followed by removal of the old equipment, installing the new unit along with any ductwork or line sets it requires, making the electrical connections, and finishing with a full performance test before the crew leaves.

The steps in order

• Load calculation (Manual J) to determine the correct system size for your home
• Removal and disposal of the old equipment
• Any needed ductwork modifications, or line-set installation for a ductless system
• Setting and connecting the new equipment — furnace, air handler, condenser, or mini-split units
• Electrical connections and, where applicable, gas line connections
• Refrigerant charging and pressure testing
• A final performance test checking airflow, temperature differential, and system cycling

Why sizing comes first

Skipping the load calculation and just matching the old system's size is a common mistake — homes get additions, insulation improvements, or window replacements over the years that change their actual heating and cooling needs. Installing based on outdated assumptions can leave you with a system that short-cycles or never quite keeps up.

What a good installation includes

Beyond setting the equipment in place, a quality installation includes properly sealing duct connections, confirming correct refrigerant charge, and verifying the thermostat and controls are communicating correctly with the new system — steps that are easy to shortcut and hard to notice until the system underperforms months later.

LJ Refrigeration Co. has been installing heating and cooling systems in the Northeast Valley since 1981 — call (480) 948-5004 to schedule an assessment.