Air conditioner installation and replacement
Replacing a tired air conditioner, or adding cooling to a home that never had it? We look at your home, explain the options and give you the price before any work starts.
When to replace an air conditioner
Central air conditioners commonly last about 10 to 15 years. These are the usual reasons to replace one:
- It is past 10 years old and needs a costly repair.
- It uses R-22 refrigerant. Many systems installed before 2010 do, and R-22 is no longer made in the United States, so repairs that need it are expensive.
- It cannot keep the house cool on hot days, or it runs nonstop.
- Summer electric bills keep climbing.
Your options
Central air
If the house has ductwork, usually from a forced hot air furnace, a central air conditioner uses those ducts to cool every room. It is the natural choice when the ducts are in good shape.
A heat pump instead of an air conditioner
A heat pump cools exactly like an air conditioner, and it can also heat the house in winter. Installed in place of an air conditioner, it can share the heating with your furnace or take it over. See heat pump installation.
Ductless mini splits
Many older Massachusetts homes heat with radiators and have no ducts. Mini splits cool, and heat, without any: a slim indoor unit in each room or area, connected to an outdoor unit by a small line through the wall. See mini split installation, or compare in mini split or central air.
What makes a good installation
The right size matters more than the biggest size. An oversized air conditioner cools in short bursts and leaves the house damp. Efficiency matters too: the SEER2 rating shows how much cooling you get for the electricity, and a higher number means lower bills. The indoor coil and outdoor unit should be matched, and the refrigerant lines sealed and tested before the system starts.
How an AC replacement works
We look at your home
We see the current system, the ducts or radiators, and where the equipment can go.
You get the price first
You get the price of the option you choose before any work starts.
Install day
We remove the old equipment, install the new system and keep the mess to a minimum.
Test and walk-through
We run the system, check the cooling at the vents and show you how to use it.
AC installation questions
Can I add central air if my house has no ducts?
Adding ductwork to a finished house is possible but often disruptive. Ductless mini splits are usually the simpler way to cool a home without ducts. See mini split installation.
Should I replace my furnace at the same time?
If the furnace is old too, replacing both together saves a second visit and gives you equipment designed to work together. If the furnace is fairly new, it can usually stay.
When is the best time to replace an air conditioner?
Spring and fall, before you need it. Waiting until it fails in a heat wave means a hot house and less flexibility on timing.
Do new air conditioners need maintenance?
Yes, a tune-up once a year, ideally in the spring. See air conditioner maintenance.
Ready for a new air conditioner?
Tell us what is going on. You get the price up front, and we show up on time.