Professional AC Installation Services
There are three core options for home AC installation: central, heat pump, and mini split. Central ACs deliver cool air equally throughout an entire home via ductwork. Heat pumps are similar but can provide your home’s heating as well.
Mini-split systems can be either ACs or heat pumps, but they don’t have ducts. Instead, they deliver air through individual indoor units. If you currently have a ducted system, you can usually reuse your ducts for the new system. If the older ducts have issues, there are solutions, including duct sealing and other repairs.
When choosing an AC for your home, you have the choice between a mid-efficiency or high-efficiency system. These are broad terms the industry uses. Mid-efficiency generally indicates a system is at or near the U.S. DOE’s minimums for efficiency.
High-efficiency systems offer even better performance and often meet the U.S. EPA’s higher standards. Mid-efficiency systems are usually less expensive in the near term. High-efficiency systems can provide better value over the life of the equipment. One reason for that is lower operating costs.
Another reason is energy incentives, which can lower your initial costs. Most incentives require you to purchase and install a system with the EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification. There are rebates available through manufacturers, utility companies, and even the government. Instead of a federal rebate, the government lets you claim a nonrefundable tax credit instead.
For ducted systems, another consideration is whether to opt for zoning. Ductless systems are inherently zoned. Traditional AC and heat pump setups have one zone, which is the entire home. With zone control, we organize the home into discrete cooling zones. It costs more initially, but the DOE estimates it can lower costs by 30% annually.
For all systems, another consideration is air filtration. The industry measures HVAC filters with the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). The higher the MERV, the better the filtration but also the greater the air pressure.
Modern systems generally support between MERV 8 and 13. The difference from 8 to 13 can be noticeable, especially for those with allergies. You can upgrade filtration further by installing an in-duct air purifier alongside your new AC.
Consider these many other options for your air conditioning installation.
- Quiet mode
- Predictive maintenance
- Variable-speed air handler
- Evaporator coil UV sanitization
- Programmable or smart thermostat