90% of HVAC Systems Are Installed Incorrectly!
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What Percentage of HVAC Systems Are Installed Incorrectly? More Than 65% Says Recent Data
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, more than 65% of HVAC systems are installed incorrectly.
Incorrect installation is more than an inconvenience for homeowners—it has real financial consequences for homeowners and their families. Take a breath. We’re not here to scare you. We’re here to provide context so you understand what the data actually says about HVAC installation and what percentage of HVAC systems are installed incorrectly.
Let’s take a look at why mistakes happen, what they cost, and how you can protect your home. If you’re worried about your home HVAC system, YES! is here to help.
Table of Contents
What the Latest HVAC Installation Statistics Actually Say
The Most Common HVAC Installation Mistakes
What Improper Installation Costs Homeowners
How to Tell Whether or Not Your HVAC System Was Installed Properly
5 Questions to Ask Before You Approve an Installation
Need HVAC Installation Help in Nevada or Utah?
What the Latest HVAC Installation Statistics Actually Say
How many HVAC systems are installed incorrectly? It’s a striking number: 65% (that’s more than half!) in the United States. This initial error leads to a variety of problems down the line:
“Equipment consuming 20% to 30% more energy than necessary”
“Wasting up to 1.6 quadrillion BTU annually”
Poor performance in more than 50% of HVAC systems in U.S. homes
That’s not where the problems end. Every loss of efficiency leads to higher costs for homeowners.
What Improper Installation Costs Homeowners
Improper installation leads to greater wear and tear and shortened lifespan for equipment. Homeowners pay higher utility bills, increased maintenance costs, and reduced home comfort.
Without proper installation, HVAC systems:
Cost U.S. homeowners $2.5 billion collectively each year
Quality installations, on the other hand, save homeowners money. Savings range from:
18–36% for air conditioners and heat pumps
11–18% for furnaces
Homeowners save even more with energy-efficient home upgrades.
4 Most Common HVAC Installation Mistakes
Looking to install a new air conditioner or furnace? Make sure the contractor knows what they are doing. If a contractor is inexperienced or trying to cut corners, they might make one of these mistakes.
1. Improperly Sized Unit
Bigger is not better in the HVAC world. In fact, it is often worse. When an HVAC unit is too big for the space, it will short cycle, starting and stopping too often. Too small causes problems, too. The equipment in those scenarios tends to run constantly, never quite able to keep up.
With either scenario, the life of your equipment is greatly compromised. Motors burn out, and electronics can fry. You’ll also be less comfortable, facing temperature swings and too much noise.
2. Insufficient Air Flow
Airflow is key to living in a comfortable indoor environment. Yet too often, airflow is insufficient for your heating and cooling needs. Builders sometimes put in too few return air vents to support the system they install, especially with new construction.
If there is not enough air being pulled into the unit, how can you expect enough conditioned air to come out? The bigger the system, the bigger the ducts need to be, and the more returns you need. If your unit is in a mechanical room, another source of air likely needs to be drawn into the unit as well.
3. Incorrectly Charged Refrigerant
Refrigerant is a chemical used inside coils in your HVAC system. It’s a key part of how air conditioners work. As air passes over the coils, refrigerant pulls heat, resulting in cool air.
To do this cooling job correctly, the chemical must be charged—or filled into the coils — to the correct pressure. Even a slight undercharge quickly diminishes results.
According to the Oak Ridge National Library (run by the U.S. Department of Energy), undercharging even slightly “can decrease cooling by nearly 13% and reduce energy efficiency by 7.6%.” And yet many homes don’t get correct refrigerant charge. In hot, dry climates like Utah and Nevada, only 85.5% homes have the correct charge.
4. Inefficient Ductwork
Most HVAC systems in Utah and Nevada use air ducts to move cooled air throughout the home. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration:
79% of Utah homes rely on central air conditioning.
78% of Nevada homes rely on central air conditioning.
The design of the duct system directly impacts the efficiency of the HVAC unit. If the ductwork is damaged or leaking, airflow will be insufficient. If ductwork does not have proper insulation, air will be insufficiently cooled by the time it reaches vents.
Sealing and insulating your ducts can improve HVAC efficiency by 20% or more.
How to Tell Whether or Not Your HVAC System Was Installed Properly
Homeowners usually rely on their home comfort levels to determine whether their HVAC system was installed properly. This is a great way to diagnose problems after the fact, but understanding the installation process in the first place also gives you confidence about the outcome.
Homeowner Experience
If your HVAC system has already been installed, pay attention to how it runs. You should experience:
Consistent Temperatures: No unwanted hot spots or cool patches. Your home should stay at the temperature you set on the thermostat.
Predictable Cycling: Short cycling, constantly running air, or loud noises are all causes for concern. Your unit should run quietly at predictable intervals.
Steady Energy Bills: It costs money to run your HVAC system, but your bills shouldn’t be climbing month after month with no explanation. Spikes indicate an issue.
Don’t experience these benefits of proper HVAC installation? Contact a YES! technician.
Technician Process
Before you have a new HVAC system installed, speak with your technician team. They should be able to tell you about:
Load Calculation: Load calculations are how you determine which size of HVAC system your home needs. They usually involve square footage, insulation quality, number of occupants, and number of windows/doors.
Home Inspections: What kind of inspections will your technician perform before installation? They should look at ductwork, vents, and mechanical rooms to determine the best approach.
Permits and Warranties: Make sure you understand all the paperwork before starting an HVAC installation. New builds need permits, and you likely qualify for manufacturer or service warranties.
Learn more about the installation services YES! provides to Utah and Nevada homeowners.
5 Questions to Ask Before You Approve an Installation
Open communication is the best way to avoid HVAC installation issues. Move forward with confidence by asking:
How do you determine the right system size for my home? Your technician should explain what size is necessary and recommend units that fit those specifications.
What is the average life of a new HVAC system? It usually depends on the type of system you have installed. With proper maintenance, 8 to 10 years is a standard lifespan.
How long does a full HVAC installation take? If existing ductwork is all ready to go, HVAC installation can usually be done in a single-day appointment.
Do you offer warranties on your HVAC installations? Check both manufacturer and service warranty details before you move ahead.
What steps are included in your HVAC installation process? You should confirm details like inspections, follow-up appointments, and post-installation cleanup.
Need HVAC Installation Help in Nevada or Utah?
For new installations, YES! always starts with an engineering analysis of your home to determine the optimal size of equipment. We check air supply and return vents and ductwork. And our work is always double-checked by the local city or county mechanical inspectors.
If your system doesn’t heat or cool correctly, it might be due to improper installation. Our experienced technicians can uncover the root issue and restore proper temperatures quickly.
Call us today at 844-216-9300—or schedule a service online for your Utah home or Nevada home.