First of all when installing an airconditioner for your residential property, you will need to consider the following pointers besides just evaluating purely based on price. End of the day, it is neither the lowest price in the market that offers you the best value nor the most expensive price that gives you the most value.
1)How reliable are the people installing the aircon for you?
This can be found by looking at the number of years the company is in business and the track records which give them a higher credibility when they are involved in projects like installing airconditioner for school, government buildings or events before.
This can be found by looking at the number of years the company is in business and the track records which give them a higher credibility when they are involved in projects like installing airconditioner for school, government buildings or events before.
2) Are the installers Building and Construction Authority (BCA) trained?
Flat owner shall be responsible for the proper installation, safety and stability of the airconditioner. This is applicable to flats without an aircon ledge which requires the mounting of a stainless steel bracket to support the condensing unit. This is because the condensing unit posed as a safety hazard if it fall off as a result of improper installation by a non-qualified installer. BCA trained installer is also required to wear a safety belt when installing the condensing unit for flat requiring a stainless steel bracket to support the condensing unit. Therefore, you will need to engage a BCA trained installer to install for flat which requires a stainless steel bracket.
3) Is the company using its own installers or subcontractors?
Having a team of in-house installer means that the price you will be paying for does not inccur a third-party cost which translate to a better savings. Second and the most important reason is quality control when the company uses in-house installer and getting the same installer to go back to do any touch up or rectification work is easier. Don't have to go through too many channels and installer has a proper schedule to follow. It is much more difficult to get the subcontractors to go back for any post installation work as they are paid strictly based on assignments with less strings attached to the company who called for their service.
4) What are the installation materials used for the airconditioner?
Installation materials to look out for include insulation thickness, copper pipe tubing and drainage pipes.
For rubber insulation thickness, 3/8",1/2" and 3/4" are commonly available. Some companies will stick to one standard size of 3/8" insulation thickness only with no upgrade options.
For R22 refrigerant with exposed/surface trunking meaning you can see the white casing, 3/8" thick insulation is suffice if it is installed in HDB flats. If you are quite particular about sweating due to condensation issue and don't mind a thicker trunking size you can upgrade to 1/2" thickness rubber insulation.
For R410A refrigerant, 1/2" thickness rubber insulation is highly recommended due to a higher condensation as compared to R22 refrigerant. For concealed piping 3/4" rubber insulation will be recommended.
As for copper pipe tubing, a recommended thickness of gauge 23 (0.6mm thickness) is required. Having a thicker copper pipe wall of gauge 22 (0.7mm thickness) will be a plus due to a higher gas pressure for R410A ascompared to R22 refrigerant.
Drainage pipe size of 16mm diameter is recommended. Some companies might offer 13mm drainage pipe in order to cut cost which leads to a higher chance of water leaking from the fancoil.
5)How many years of installation warranty does the company covers?
As far as installation warranty is concern, installation warranty does not cover sweating due to condensation as there is no way to prevent condensation.
With the right sizing and thickness of insulation material used for the copper piping, condensation will be greatly reduced.
Installation warranty covers gas leaking from copper piping which is not joined or bend properly with proper bending tools causing a gas leak within the stipulated installation warranty period. Logically, with proper installation of the airconditioner by a qualified installer, you will not even be required to top up the refrigerant at all as the refrigerant is being recycled.
6) Does the company offers any value added services like extended warranty for the airconditoner?
Getting an extended warranty for your airconditioner is crucial as you can have a peace of mind when your airconditioner break down suddenly and also it can prevent others from overcharging you for any repair work rendered when you need to use the airconditioner. Nowsaday, electrical appliances are not make to last anymore. This is due to a lower production cost in mass production and place of manufacturing thereby reducing the pricing and quality of the product.
7) Does the company offers any aircon servicing package?
Last but not least, prevention is better than cure. You will not want your airconditioner to be out of order in the middle of the night just like human beings falling sick when they are overworked and cannot work for a few days.
With regular servicing:
Water leaking from the fancoil can be prevented when the drainage pipe is cleared.
Malfunction of the airconditioner can be greatly reduced when it is not overworked and properly maintained. Your electricity bill will not shoot up suddenly as a result of the compressor running at a higher speed for inverter airconditioner and running non-stop for non-inverter airconditioner when it requires a longer time to cool down the room.
Aircon is as cold as new and the air you inhale is fresh.
The life span of the airconditioner can be prolonged.
