How to Install a Goodman Air Conditioner [Detailed Guide]

Are you looking for how to install a Goodman air conditioner? This article provides guiding steps, no matter the size of the air conditioner.

How to Install a Goodman Air Conditioner

Before replacing a Goodman air conditioning unit, you must determine which of the three primary components is defective. So, check the condenser unit outside the house, the evaporator inside, and the line set that connects the two units.

Get a new condenser unit and disconnect the old one from the line set. You may need a soldering torch to connect the line set to the new condenser. But before, you must examine the old line set to see if you need a new one. If so, remove the old one and replace it. Then, you can solder it to the new condenser unit.

Ensure you set the new condenser on level ground. Your best bet is to use a flat cement slab as its foundation. You can construct one to ensure it has the correct measurements and is strong enough to carry the unit for a long period. Uneven ground will affect the air conditioner’s compressor, and cause it to fail too early.

Next is the evaporator coil. You will find it in the interior unit, next to the furnace. Break the line set connected to it, install a new condenser coil, and solder the line set to it. Pump the system down with HVAC gauges and a vacuum pump. 

The process will help you detect any leaks in the system and fix them. If you find no leak, add refrigerant or freon to the system. Next, check the wires of the thermostat and other wires to ensure they are in good working condition. Then, connect the air conditioner and run it for a test.

Note: You do not have to purchase a new line set if the old one is still in good condition. Inspect it and if it is reusable, use a flush kit to remove particles in it before installing it again. That way, the particles do not clog the line over time.

The following is a video guide to demonstrate how to install a Goodman air conditioner…

How to Put Freon in a Goodman Air Conditioner

Putting freon or refrigerant in a Goodman air conditioner is not a layman’s task. You must have HVAC training to do it correctly. The same applies to replacing or installing a Goodman air conditioner. But if you must charge the air conditioning unit yourself by adding freon, you have to check the condenser coil, evaporator coil, blower wheel, and air filter before adding it.

The next step is choosing the correct type of freon to add. Every air conditioner type has a specific refrigerant that suits it. Using the wrong type may cause injury due to combustion and damage to your property. Therefore, check the instruction guide for the freon type for your Goodman AC or contact the manufacturer for more information. More likely than not, it will need an R410A type or even R-22 if it is an older model.

When you secure the freon your Goodman AC needs, the next thing to do is wear protective gear. You must wear gear to cover your eyes, lungs, and skin whenever you have to work with freon. Work goggles and gloves work, along with masks. The masks prevent you from directly inhaling freon, while the gloves and goggles keep your hands and eyes safe. However, rinse your skin if freon gets on it.

In addition to the above, you must put freon only when the surrounding temperature is right. The temperature must be above 55 degrees Fahrenheit or 12 degrees Celsius. Typically, freon will flow to the coldest part of a closed AC system, between the outside condenser unit and furnace. But when the environmental temperature is lower than 55 degrees, the coldest point will be the condenser outside. Consequently, the freon will behave abnormally and will not work.

Putting Freon into the Unit

Typically, an HVAC professional should put the freon in the air conditioning unit because they have the training and it is safer. The process can be dangerous if handled wrongly, and though you have the permission to do it in the U.S, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends hiring a certified professional.

However, if you must do it on your own, turn the circuit breaker and thermostat off before commencing. It is a simple process; turn the thermostat off and check for fuses or a breaker. If fuses, unplug them but turn off the breaker if that is what controls the air conditioner.

Next, find the three-valve connections on the air conditioner, to the right and sides. Attach the freon gauges to the valves, with the blue-hosed gauge going to the left side valve with low pressure. The red-hosed gauge goes to the right side with high pressure. Attach nothing to the valve at the center for now.

Turn on the AC and give it about fifteen minutes run-time. That is the time it will take for the unit to stabilize so that you can take the correct gauge reading. Next, twist the spout attached to the freon canister’s bottom and connect the yellow-hosed gauge to the canister’s valve. Fix the other end of the gauge to the center valve.

Open the left-side valve for several seconds and close it. Open and close it again for the same number of seconds. Do this for a while until you reach the right temperature. Put the freon into the system in small amounts to get the results you need. Keep an eye on the temperature until you achieve the subcooling point you need, which is on the rating plate on the outside unit. Then, turn the valve off and unplug the gauge.

Finally, check for leaks. You may use an electronic detector to check as it is one of the most reliable ways to find a leak. Just pass the tool along the lines and it will detect any leaks. Remember that this is not a test you should run on your own if you do not have the certification. Hire a professional to do the job if it seems too difficult.

Check out these other articles…

How to Clean a Goodman Air Conditioner [Detailed Guide]

Goodman Air Conditioner Not Blowing Hard [How to Fix]

Goodman Air Conditioner Tripping Breaker [How to Fix]

Goodman Air Conditioner Noise [How to Fix]

How to Reset a Goodman Air Conditioner [Quick Guide]

Goodman Air Conditioner Coil [How to, Issues & Solutions]

Goodman Air Conditioner Compressor [Problems & Solutions]

Who Installs Goodman Air Conditioners?

Any HVAC certified professional can install a Goodman air conditioner. You can contact the manufacturer when you buy one of the units so that you can get a technician to install it. Do note that it may be a bit pricey to use a technician from the manufacturer.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Goodman Air Conditioner?

It may cost as much as $2,900 to install a Goodman air conditioner. But this cost may vary, depending on some factors. One is the difficulty of the job. The positioning of the unit will determine how much it will cost. Sometimes, a customer may want the indoor coil installed in a small space. Other times, it may be that they want the condenser unit on a roof.

Two is the living costs in an area. Three is the season you install it. Hot seasons attract higher costs because of the obvious need for air conditioners. On the other hand, colder months attract lower costs for obvious reasons. These are just a few of the factors that determine how much you will pay for a Goodman air conditioner installation. However, you must get a certified professional to do the job and ensure you run regular maintenance checks on the unit.

What Size of Goodman Air Conditioner Do I Need?

The size of the Goodman air conditioner you need will depend on the size of the house and the British Thermal Units (BTUs), among other things. For example, living in a 1,600 sq. ft. house will require a two-ton Goodman air conditioner. This article will explain the details of the factors that determine the size you will need and why.

how to install a Goodman air conditioner

Recap

Follow this guide if you are wondering how to install a Goodman air conditioner. The same applies if you want to put freon or learn how much it would cost to install the unit. Keep in mind that installing a Goodman air conditioner may require expertise, so it is best to use an HVAC professional for the installation. The same is applicable to most AC units. Remember that using a Goodman air conditioner that is bigger than your home may be counterproductive because it may not absorb all the humidity in the air.

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