Electrical Requirements for Air Conditioning Units

During the heat of summer, any home equipped with air conditioning is certainly envied by those without. Air conditioning removes the hot air from a room or building and circulates cold refreshing air back into the same space. These units use refrigerant which is a cooling agent in a gas state. The air conditioner uses the process of condensation and evaporation to turn the refrigerant between a liquid and a gas. This system not only cools the hot air but also removes the humidity from a building or home. Two different types of cooling systems are central air conditioning and ductless mini split units. Depending on the capacity of the unit, a central air conditioner may cool a whole building whereas the mini split unit may only cool a limited space. A dedicated electrical circuit will be required to power either type of unit. Therefore, these installations require a licensed electrician as well as a qualified HVAC installer.

Central Air Conditioning

1. A thermostat located inside the home controls the temperature of the air conditioning. The entire home can be set and maintained at a specific temperature.

2. The installation of a concealed duct system allows cool air to travel throughout the home. Therefore, HVAC installers conceal the ducts in the ceiling and walls of the home.

3. The vent system removes the hot humid air from the home. Then the air conditioner pumps cold air back into all the sections of the home by way of the ducts.

4. An electrician is required to wire a dedicated electrical circuit from the breaker panel to the air conditioning unit.

5. Some homes may not already have a duct system in place. In this case, a qualified HVAC installer will also need to install duct work in all areas of the home.

Central Air Conditioning Requirements:

1. Qualified HVAC installer.

2. Certified electrical contractor.

3. Electrical permit.

4. Dedicated 240 Volt electrical circuit.

5. Air conditioning equipment correctly sized to the space with ducting/venting system.

Ductless Mini Split

1. Consists of a wall mounted inside unit and an external compressor unit.

2. Temperature controlled by a hand-held remote control.

3. Inside unit is typically mounted where the ceiling meets the wall.

4. Made for homes or apartments where there is no option to install ducting.

5. Refrigerant line sets and electrical wiring connections link the wall unit and the exterior condensing unit.

6. Mini split air conditioners are a dual system. Dual systems heat as well as cool a room.

7. There are heating limitations during freezing temperatures when supplementary heating may be required.

8. Limitation to the size of the area it can cool and heat.

Mini Split Air Conditioning Requirements:

1. Qualified HVAC installer.

2. Certified electrical contractor.

3. Electrical permit.

4. Dedicated 240 Volt electrical circuit. Blue Crest Electric is willing to help you with all your electrical installations and projects. Feel free to give us a call at any of the numbers on our contact page.