Trusting Your Air Conditioning to a Professional: A Smart Choice to Avoid Unpleasant Surprises
In both summer and winter, a properly installed air conditioning system is essential to ensure thermal comfort in any building. However, in an age of endless online tutorials and the desire to save money, many property owners in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and the South Shore choose to go the DIY route to install their wall-mounted air conditioner or central system. At AirGreen, we are frequently called in to fix the consequences of these well-intentioned but costly home installations. In this article, we share real-world examples, common mistakes, and explain why relying on a HVAC expert is the best long-term decision.
A False Economy That Can End Up Costing You More
Buying an air conditioner or wall-mounted heat pump online and attempting to install it yourself might seem easy—especially with the sea of YouTube tutorials out there. But what these videos often fail to show are the many technical and regulatory parameters to consider, as well as the serious consequences of a mistake.
Hidden Costs of an Incorrect Installation:
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Poor insulation of refrigerant lines leading to expensive refrigerant leaks.
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Improper electrical connections, risking fire or short circuits.
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Poorly designed drainage causing water infiltration and mold.
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Incorrect indoor unit positioning, lowering efficiency and thermal comfort.
At AirGreen, we’ve been called multiple times in Longueuil and Laval to redo installations done by handymen, where the final cost of correcting the work far exceeded what a professional installation would’ve cost in the first place.
The Most Frequent DIY Installation Mistakes
1. Incorrect Sizing of the Unit
Many clients choose a heat pump or a wall-mounted air conditioner without performing a heat load calculation. The result? An oversized unit that over-consumes or an undersized unit that struggles to heat or cool effectively.
2. Installation Without Permits or Not Up to Code
In Montréal and many municipalities, HVAC installations must comply with strict standards, sometimes including permits. A DIY installer unaware of these requirements could find themselves in violation—or even void their home insurance coverage.
3. Incorrect Electrical Wiring
An air conditioner often needs a dedicated circuit with a GFCI breaker and proper cabling. A misstep here can lead to serious electrical hazards.
4. Skipping Commissioning Tests
Only certified professionals can carry out the startup process with specialized tools, checking pressure levels, refrigerant charge, and system performance.
A Real Example: An AirGreen Intervention in Laval
A client reached out to us after installing a 12,000 BTU Gree Lomo heat pump on his own. Within weeks, he noticed water dripping on the interior wall and an unusual noise coming from the compressor. When we arrived, we observed:
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Loose refrigerant line fittings, causing a gas leak.
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A drain pipe with a reverse slope, causing water backflow.
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A poorly drilled wall penetration, compromising the building envelope.
The result: we had to purge the system, reinstall everything according to industry standards, and provide a certificate of compliance. The intervention cost more than a full professional installation would have initially.
Why Trust AirGreen
At AirGreen, we handle installations daily in Montréal, the North Shore and the South Shore, offering complete services for sales, installation, and maintenance of HVAC systems. Our team is made up of certified technicians who are experts in:
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Accurate sizing based on your building’s layout.
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Understanding and applying local regulations.
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Flawless installation of wall-mounted, central, or multi-zone units.
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Managing grant programs, such as Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert program.
Exclusive Benefits of a Professional Installation
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Full warranty on labor and parts.
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Access to government grants, often tied to professional installation.
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Optimized energy efficiency, lowering heating/cooling costs.
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Peace of mind, knowing your system is properly installed.
Some Brands Frequently Misinstalled by DIYers
We’ve seen numerous DIY attempts involving brands like Fujitsu, Gree, Goodman, and Bosch done without proper knowledge. These high-performance systems require precise calibration to deliver expected efficiency.
Practical Advice to Avoid DIY Mistakes
Don’t Rely Solely on the User Manual
Technical documentation is no substitute for the experience of a HVAC professional. It doesn’t cover Québec’s electrical code or on-site realities.
Never Skip Insulating the Refrigerant Lines
Poor insulation leads to thermal loss and condensation, which can harm both the unit and the building structure.
Avoid Online Pre-Installation Kits
Many of these kits are incomplete or don’t meet Québec standards. Poor quality copper or improper fittings pose real safety risks.
Final Word: Expertise Can’t Be Improvised
Installing a wall-mounted air conditioner or central heat pump is far more than just plugging in a device. It’s a technical job requiring advanced skills, specialized tools, and a deep understanding of Québec HVAC regulations.
At AirGreen, we offer more than just an installation. We support our clients in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and the South Shore with personalized advice, proven expertise, and long-lasting, reliable installations.
Before grabbing your drill, give us a call. You’ll save time, money… and a whole lot of stress.