Heating, cooling & ducts
Air conditioning installation
AC added to homes built without it: heat pumps, central AC or ductless, with the ducts checked first.
Learn more →Air conditioner replacement · Seattle & Puget Sound
Replace the old AC before summer does.
When your AC or heat pump is aging, leaking refrigerant or failing every summer, we replace it with a matched system and check the parts most replacements ignore.
- Aging AC and heat pumps replaced
- Coil, line set and drain checked
- Option to switch from AC to a heat pump
Replacing an old air conditioner condenser · Seattle, WAThe problem
When an AC or heat pump reaches the end
Outdoor units in the Puget Sound sit through months of rain, then get asked to work hard for a few weeks in summer. Over the years, coil fins corrode, fan motors wear and refrigerant connections start to leak. A heat pump has it harder, since it runs in winter too. The signs pile up slowly: a system that takes longer to cool, a refrigerant top-up every year, a compressor that struggles to start on the first hot day.
Replacing the outdoor unit alone is rarely the full answer. The indoor coil on the furnace has to match the new outdoor unit, the line set may need to be replaced or flushed, and newer equipment uses newer refrigerants. We look at the whole cooling side, including the ducts that deliver the air, and tell you plainly what needs to change and what can stay.
Warning signs
Signs your AC is ready to replace
One of these is usually a repair. Several together usually mean replacement.
- SIGN 01
Refrigerant top-ups every year
Refrigerant doesn't get used up. If yours needs topping up, there's a leak, and old coils often have more than one.
- SIGN 02
R-22 on the data plate
Units that use R-22 are getting harder to repair, since that refrigerant is no longer produced.
- SIGN 03
Takes all afternoon to cool
A system that used to keep up and now runs nonstop on warm days has lost capacity, often from age or leaks.
- SIGN 04
Loud compressor or fan
Grinding, buzzing or hard starting from the outdoor unit usually means the compressor or fan motor is wearing out.
- SIGN 05
Corroded coil, rusted cabinet
Years of Puget Sound rain take a toll. Corroded fins and rusted panels on the outdoor unit signal it's near the end.
- SIGN 06
Ice on the lines or coil
Ice on the refrigerant lines or indoor coil points to low refrigerant or poor airflow. Turn the cooling off and have it checked.
Proof of work
See the difference
Drag the slider to compare. Illustrations of typical results on homes like yours.
BeforeAfterHow we do it
How we replace your AC or heat pump
We replace the system as a set, so the new equipment performs the way it was designed to.
- 01
Check the whole cooling side
We look at the outdoor unit, the indoor coil, the line set, the condensate drain and the furnace blower that moves the air. Then we check the ducts in the attic or crawl space for leaks and crushed runs. You get photos of each, with a note on what can be reused.
- 02
Choose the replacement
We size the new system to the house, then match the outdoor unit to the indoor coil. If you have straight AC now, we'll explain the option of switching to a heat pump that also heats. You choose the system, and we explain what each option changes.
- 03
Recover and remove
The old refrigerant is recovered with proper equipment before anything is cut. The old outdoor unit, and the indoor coil if it's being replaced, are disconnected, removed and hauled away. The pad is checked for level and replaced if it has sunk or cracked.
- 04
Install and connect
The new outdoor unit goes on the pad, the coil is set on the furnace, and the line set is connected, or replaced if the old one can't be reused. Connections are pressure tested and the system is evacuated before the refrigerant is released.
- 05
Charge, test and walk through
We start the system, set the charge, and check temperatures at the coil and at the registers. The condensate drain is tested so water goes where it should. We walk you through the thermostat and filter, and you get photos of the finished install.
What you get
What AC replacement includes
| Outdoor unit | New AC or heat pump, sized to the house |
|---|---|
| Indoor coil | Matched to the outdoor unit; replaced when needed |
| Line set | Reused if sound and compatible; replaced if not |
| Refrigerant | Old refrigerant recovered; new system charged and tested |
| Pad | Checked for level; replaced if sunk or cracked |
| Condensate | Drain line cleared and tested |
| Duct check | Attic and crawl space ducts inspected and photographed |
| Removal | Old equipment hauled away |
Diagram
- 1Yearly refrigerant top-ups
- 2R-22 refrigerant
- 3Slow to cool
- 4Loud compressor or fan
- 5Corroded coil
- 6Ice on the lines
Compare
Like-for-like AC vs. switching to a heat pump
Many homeowners replacing an AC look at a heat pump. This is how the two compare.
| Factor | New AC | New heat pump |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cools the house | Cools the house |
| Winter | Sits idle; the furnace heats | Heats most days; furnace or backup heat as needed |
| Equipment | Outdoor unit plus matched coil | Outdoor unit plus matched coil and controls |
| Gas use | Unchanged | Reduced, since the heat pump carries much of the heating |
| Good fit | You mainly want summer cooling | You want one system to heat and cool |
Puget Sound homes
Replacing AC in the Puget Sound
Air conditioning came late to a lot of homes here. Many systems were added years after the house was built, as summers got warmer, and plenty of them went in quickly: an outdoor unit set beside the house and a coil dropped onto the existing furnace. Those add-on systems are now reaching replacement age. When we look at them, we often find a coil that never quite matched the outdoor unit and a line set run in a way that's hard to reuse.
Our wet climate is hard on outdoor units. Months of rain, moss and needles dropping from nearby trees, and leaves packed against the coil all shorten their lives. Replacement is also the moment many homeowners switch from straight AC to a heat pump. The outdoor unit looks almost the same, but it heats as well as cools, which suits our mild winters. If your ducts run through a hot attic, we check them too, because a new system can only deliver what the ducts carry.
Pricing
What shapes the price
We quote after checking the coil, line set and ducts. These are the main factors.
- FACTOR 01
AC or heat pump
A heat pump costs more than a cooling-only unit, but it takes over much of your heating as well.
- FACTOR 02
System size
Larger homes and homes with lots of sun-facing glass need more capacity.
- FACTOR 03
Coil and line set
If the indoor coil or line set can't be reused with the new equipment, replacing them adds to the job.
- FACTOR 04
Placement and pad
Keeping the unit in the same spot is simplest. Moving it or replacing a sunken pad adds work.
- FACTOR 05
Duct repairs
Leaky or crushed ducts found during the inspection are quoted separately, so you can decide.
Great service. I highly recommend this company. Wish I would have found them years ago... Isaac, Kareem and Irving were professional, courteous, and friendly. Pricing was clear and there were no surprises. Very happy with our experience.
FAQ
Air conditioner replacement: questions we hear
Still unsure? Call (800) 674-4933 and talk it through with us.
How do I know if I should repair or replace my AC?
A single failed part on a younger system is usually worth repairing. Replacement makes more sense when the unit is old, leaks refrigerant, uses R-22 or needs a major part like a compressor. When several of those line up, putting money into the old unit rarely pays off. We'll tell you plainly which side of the line your system is on.
Can I replace just the outdoor unit?
Sometimes, but it's often a mistake. The outdoor unit and indoor coil are designed as a pair, and newer outdoor units use refrigerants that older coils weren't built for. A mismatched pair can underperform and wear out sooner. We check your existing coil and tell you whether it can stay or should be replaced along with the outdoor unit.
What does it mean that my AC uses R-22?
R-22 was the standard refrigerant in older AC systems. It's no longer produced in the US, so the remaining supply is limited and repairs that need a recharge are getting harder. A system on R-22 can keep running, but if it develops a leak or needs a major repair, replacement is usually the sensible move.
Should I switch from AC to a heat pump?
For many Puget Sound homes it's worth considering. A heat pump cools like an AC in summer and heats in winter, and our mild winters let it carry much of the heating. You can keep your gas furnace as backup. If your main goal is summer cooling and you're happy with your furnace, a straight AC replacement is fine too.
Can you reuse my existing line set?
If it's the right size, in good condition and compatible with the new refrigerant, it can often be flushed and reused. Line sets buried in walls are worth saving when they're sound. If the lines are damaged, undersized or have been leaking, replacing them is the safer choice. We check before we quote.
How long does AC replacement take?
Replacing an outdoor unit and coil in the same location is often done in a day. A new line set, a new pad, a different location, or a switch to a heat pump with new controls can add time. We give you a schedule with the quote, and your furnace stays available for heat if you need it.
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Ductless heating and cooling for homes without ducts, ADUs, additions and bonus rooms.
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Attic air duct replacement
Crushed, chewed and leaky attic flex duct replaced with insulated duct, sealed and supported properly.
Learn more →Let's see what's going on up there.
Book a free inspection. We'll photograph your attic and crawl space and walk you through what we find, before you decide anything.