Your heating and cooling system works hard all year round. But here is something most people do not realize, a poorly installed HVAC system can increase your energy bills by 30% or more. That is not a small number when you add it up over the years.
Many homeowners in New Jersey face this problem without even knowing it. They pay high bills every month and blame the weather or old equipment. But sometimes, the real issue started on day one with bad installation.
Let us walk through the most common mistakes that happen during HVAC installation in NJ and what you can do about them.
Wrong Size Equipment Creates Big Problems
This one happens more than you might think. Some contractors just guess the size of the unit based on the house square footage. But that is not how it should work at all.
An oversized unit will cycle on and off too quickly, which wears out the parts faster. It also does not remove humidity properly, so your house feels clammy even when the temperature seems right.
An undersized unit has the opposite problem. It runs all day trying to reach the temperature you want but never gets there. Your bills go up and the system breaks down sooner.
The fix is simple but important:
- Manual J calculation is the industry standard for sizing
- It considers insulation, windows, sun exposure, and local climate
- Proper sizing can save you hundreds of dollars every year
If your current system struggles to keep up or cycles too often, the sizing might be wrong from the start.
Poor Ductwork Installation Kills Efficiency
You can have the best HVAC unit money can buy, but bad ductwork will waste all that cooling and heating power. Studies show that duct leaks can waste 20% to 30% of the air moving through the system.
During HVAC installation in NJ, some contractors rush through the ductwork portion. They might use cheap materials or skip the sealing process. The result is air escaping into your walls, attic, or crawl spaces, places where you do not need it.
Common ductwork mistakes include:
- Improper sealing at joints and connections
- Ducts that are too small for the airflow needed
- Sharp bends that restrict air movement
- No insulation on ducts running through unconditioned spaces
If some rooms in your home are always too hot or too cold, ductwork problems might be the cause.
Also read: Best Time of Year to Schedule Air Duct Cleaning
Refrigerant Charge Errors Happen Often
The refrigerant in your air conditioner needs to be at the exact right level. Too much or too little creates problems that affect performance and equipment life.
According to the Department of Energy, incorrect refrigerant charge can reduce efficiency by up to 20%. That hits your wallet every single month during summer.
When proper HVAC installation in NJ is done, technicians measure and verify the charge carefully. They do not just add refrigerant and hope for the best.
Thermostat Location Matters More Than You Think
Where your thermostat sits on the wall affects how your whole system performs. If someone installs it near a window with direct sunlight, it reads the temperature wrong. The same goes for thermostats placed near kitchen appliances or in hallways with poor air circulation.
The thermostat should be on an interior wall, away from heat sources, at about five feet from the floor. This simple detail gets overlooked during many installations.
Skipping the Permit and Inspection Process
Some homeowners try to save money by using unlicensed contractors who skip permits. This seems like a good deal until something goes wrong.
Professional HVAC installation in NJ requires permits for a reason. Inspectors check that everything meets code and safety standards. Without this step, you risk:
- Fire hazards from improper electrical work
- Carbon monoxide leaks from bad connections
- Voided manufacturer warranties
- Problems when selling your home
What Alpha HVAC New Jersey Does Different?
At Alpha HVAC New Jersey, we treat every installation like it is going into our own home. We do the calculations, check the ductwork, verify refrigerant levels, and make sure everything meets code requirements.
Our team has seen what happens when corners get cut. Families end up paying more and dealing with breakdowns at the worst times, like the middle of a heat wave or during a cold snap in January.
If your system does not perform the way it should, something might have gone wrong during installation. We offer inspections to find those hidden problems and fix them before they cost you more money.