When homeowners decide to replace their heating and cooling system, the first question they usually ask is:
“Which brand is the best — Lennox, Carrier, Mitsubishi, American Standard, or Trane?”

That’s a fair question — but it’s the wrong one.

After installing and servicing thousands of systems across the Bay Area, Galaxy Heating & Air Conditioning has learned one simple truth:
The quality of the installation and commissioning determines 80% of your system’s performance, comfort, and lifespan.

A premium, high-efficiency unit installed incorrectly will waste energy and break down early. Meanwhile, a properly installed mid-range system will often outperform and outlast its competitors.

Let’s explore why commissioning — the final, often overlooked step of installation — is the most critical factor in how your HVAC system performs.

What Is HVAC Commissioning?

Commissioning is the verification process that ensures a new HVAC system operates exactly as designed.
Think of it as the “fine-tuning” and “quality control” stage after physical installation is complete.

A proper commissioning process includes:

1. System Design Verification
Checking that ductwork, refrigerant line length, and return sizing match the equipment capacity and manufacturer’s guidelines.

2. Electrical and Safety Testing
Confirming proper voltage, amp draw, polarity, ground continuity, and that all disconnects and safety switches are wired and functional.

3. Refrigerant Charge Verification
Using digital gauges and wireless sensors to verify superheat, subcooling, and pressures according to ambient temperature and system design.

4. Airflow Measurement
Using a manometer or flow hood to test total external static pressure and ensure ducts provide sufficient airflow for the system’s capacity.

5. Temperature Split Testing
Measuring the difference between supply and return air to confirm the system is transferring heat effectively (typically 18–22°F for cooling, 40–60°F for heating).

6. Control and Thermostat Calibration
Configuring staging, fan speeds, dehumidification modes, and communication between thermostat and control board.

7. Documentation & Owner Education
Recording all readings and explaining maintenance steps, filter changes, and thermostat functions to the homeowner.

At Galaxy, every commissioning includes a digital report with measured data — not just a quick “startup.”

Why Commissioning Is So Critical

A brand-new HVAC system is like a performance vehicle. It might look great on paper, but if it’s not tuned, balanced, and aligned, it won’t deliver what it’s capable of.

1. Comfort and Air Distribution

Static pressure and duct design play a major role in comfort. If ducts are undersized or restricted, rooms may get too little airflow. A proper commissioning identifies and corrects airflow imbalances, ensuring even temperature throughout your home.

2. Energy Efficiency

Even a small deviation from correct refrigerant charge or airflow can reduce efficiency drastically.

• A 10% low refrigerant charge can increase energy use by 20–25%.
• An airflow imbalance of just 15% can drop SEER performance by two entire points.

That means your high-efficiency 18-SEER system could effectively perform like a 14-SEER unit simply because it wasn’t tuned correctly.

3. System Longevity

Compressors, blower motors, and control boards all operate under specific electrical and refrigerant conditions.
If the static pressure is too high or charge is incorrect, components overheat and fail prematurely. Proper commissioning protects your investment and helps avoid costly repairs.

4. Manufacturer Warranty Protection

Most major brands — including Mitsubishi, American Standard, and Lennox — require documented commissioning to validate parts and labor warranties.
Improper charge or airflow readings can void your coverage. Galaxy provides commissioning documentation for every system we install, giving you full warranty confidence.

5. Indoor Air Quality and Safety

Commissioning isn’t just about comfort and energy. Verifying airflow, return sealing, and combustion safety prevents negative pressure and backdrafting, which can draw carbon monoxide or attic dust into the home.
A correctly balanced system protects your family’s air quality as much as it protects your equipment.

The Hidden Problems of “Quick” Installations

Unfortunately, many HVAC systems in California are never truly commissioned. Some installers “set it and forget it,” skipping the fine-tuning process to save time or cut costs.

Here’s what happens when shortcuts are taken:

Shortcut	Resulting Problem	Long-Term Impact
Skipping static pressure testing	Restricted ducts, low airflow	Uneven temperatures, blower damage
No refrigerant charge verification	Over/undercharged system	Reduced capacity, compressor failure
Incorrect wiring or staging	Furnace or heat pump cycles incorrectly	Short cycling, poor humidity control
No documentation	No proof of proper setup	Voided warranty, troubleshooting difficulty
Thermostat not configured	Incorrect staging and fan speeds	Inefficient operation, noise, discomfort

In short, even the best equipment can’t overcome a poor installation.

Commissioning a Variable-Speed or Communicating System

Modern HVAC systems — especially variable-speed heat pumps, inverter-driven compressors, and communicating furnaces — require far more precise setup than older single-stage models.

Each manufacturer has its own communication protocol, startup procedure, and airflow calibration routine.

For example:
• American Standard/Trane uses Comfort-R airflow profiles and specific static calibration steps.
• Lennox communicating systems must be paired with an S40 or iComfort thermostat to enable full modulation.
• Mitsubishi inverter systems need correct dip switch configuration and indoor unit addressing for each zone.

Skipping or misconfiguring these steps can cause staging errors, coil freezing, excessive cycling, or reduced SEER2 performance.
Galaxy’s commissioning technicians are factory-trained and brand-certified to ensure every system — regardless of model — performs exactly as designed.

How Galaxy Heating & Air Conditioning Commissions Every Installation

When you choose Galaxy, you’re not just getting an installation — you’re getting a system that’s scientifically tuned for performance.

Here’s our proven process:

1. Pre-Installation Evaluation
Before installation day, we inspect ductwork, electrical supply, breaker size, and refrigerant line condition. We identify restrictions, insulation gaps, or undersized returns that could affect airflow.

2. Post-Installation Verification
After mounting equipment and connecting line sets, our technicians verify:
• Proper torque on flare and electrical connections
• Drain slope and secondary SS2 safety switch
• Correct voltage, polarity, and breaker sizing
• Thermostat and control wiring integrity

3. Digital Commissioning Setup
Using Bluetooth diagnostic tools, we monitor:
• Suction and discharge pressures
• Superheat / subcooling
• Airflow CFM and static pressure
• Supply / return temperatures
• Amp draw and capacitor values

These readings are compared to the manufacturer’s ideal operating specs, ensuring full performance.

4. System Optimization
We then:
• Adjust blower speed tap or ECM profile
• Set staging delays (for two-stage systems)
• Configure dehumidification and fan-only modes
• Program thermostat to match system type and zones

5. Homeowner Orientation & Final Report
Once all readings are confirmed:
• We walk the homeowner through operation and maintenance tips.
• We provide a commissioning certificate listing refrigerant type, charge, static pressure, and airflow data — all stored in your customer record for warranty and service history.

This process ensures your system runs quietly, efficiently, and reliably for years to come.

Why Brand Still Matters — But Only After Proper Setup

At Galaxy, we work with top-tier manufacturers: Mitsubishi, Lennox, Carrier, Bryant, Bosch, American Standard, Daikin, Rheem, and Trane.

These brands invest heavily in technology — variable-speed compressors, communicating thermostats, inverter-driven motors, and ultra-quiet operation.
But here’s the catch:
All of these systems depend on proper commissioning to unlock their full potential.
Without setup and calibration, even a $15,000 variable-speed system may behave like a basic single-stage unit.
That’s why homeowners should focus on choosing the right installer, not just the right brand.

Signs Your System Was Never Properly Commissioned

If your HVAC system is less than five years old but showing any of these symptoms, it may have been installed without commissioning:

• Uneven temperatures between rooms
• High electric bills despite high efficiency ratings
• System short-cycles or runs too long
• Excessive noise from return vents
• Weak airflow or poor dehumidification
• Frequent lockouts or sensor errors
• Ice buildup on refrigerant lines

A commissioning check can often correct these issues without replacing equipment — by tuning airflow, charge, and settings properly.

The Galaxy Difference

Our reputation across the Bay Area is built on one thing: doing things the right way.
We don’t just “install and go.” We engineer, measure, document, and stand behind every system we commission.

Every Galaxy installation includes:
• Full static pressure and airflow testing
• Line set insulation and UV protection
• Leveling pads, vibration isolation, and drain upgrades
• SS2 float safety switch for condensate backup
• Electrical disconnects and new whip connections
• Permit and Title 24 compliance
• Free first-year maintenance check

That’s why Galaxy Heating & Air Conditioning continues to earn 5-star reviews and repeat customers across Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Concord, San Mateo, and surrounding cities.

Conclusion: Don’t Just Buy Equipment — Buy Expertise

When comparing quotes for a new HVAC system, it’s tempting to focus on brand names and SEER ratings. But comfort, efficiency, and reliability come down to one word: commissioning.

A well-commissioned system will:
• Maintain consistent comfort across every room
• Operate quietly and efficiently year-round
• Last 5–10 years longer than a poorly installed system
• Keep your warranty valid and your energy bills low

If you’re investing thousands into your home comfort system, make sure you partner with a company that takes commissioning seriously.

At Galaxy Heating & Air Conditioning, we combine top-tier brands with meticulous installation practices that exceed manufacturer and California Title 24 standards.

📞 Call (925) 578-3293 or visit galaxyservices.com to schedule your expert HVAC consultation today.
Experience the Galaxy difference — where precision commissioning means lasting comfort.