AC installation and replacement

Signs it is time to replace

Replacement is usually the right call when the repairs start stacking up or a major part fails on an older system. The signs we look for:

• The system is well into its second decade and needs a compressor, coil or other major part.
• It uses R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer produced, so every recharge gets more expensive.
• You have added refrigerant more than once and the leak keeps coming back.
• Energy bills keep climbing even though your usage has not changed.
• Some rooms never cool no matter how long the system runs.

When repair is still the better choice

A system under ten years old with a single failed part is almost always worth repairing. We will not push a new system on you if a repair will do the job.

Sizing: the step that matters most

An oversized air conditioner cools the house in short bursts, shuts off before it removes much moisture, and wears itself out cycling on and off. An undersized one runs nonstop on hot afternoons and still cannot keep up. Neither is comfortable, and both cost more to run.

Proper sizing looks at more than square footage: window area and direction, insulation, ceiling height, the condition of the ductwork and how many people live in the house. In Las Vegas, west-facing glass and attic insulation make a big difference. We size the system to the house, not to whatever the old unit happened to be.

Efficiency rules in the Southwest

Federal efficiency standards for new central air conditioners rose in 2023, and the Southwest region, which includes Nevada, has stricter minimums than northern states. New systems are also moving to newer refrigerants as older ones are phased down. We explain the efficiency options that make sense for your home and budget, without pushing the most expensive system on the showroom floor.

A higher-efficiency system costs more up front and less to run. In a climate where the AC runs for months, the savings add up faster than in most of the country. We give you the numbers so you can compare.

What installation includes

• A free estimate with system options and prices
• Removal and disposal of the old equipment
• New outdoor unit, indoor coil or air handler as needed, and a new line set when the old one is not reusable
• Electrical checks, a new disconnect if required, and a properly sized drain
• A thermostat matched to the new system
• Start-up, refrigerant charge verification and airflow testing before we leave

Other options

Not every space needs central air. Garages, casitas, additions and single hot rooms are often better served by a ductless mini-split. If your ducts are leaking or undersized, a new system will underperform until they are fixed, so we check them and recommend duct repair when needed. If you are replacing both heating and cooling, a heat pump can handle both; see heating.

We install in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, Paradise and Boulder City.

Choosing the equipment

Single-stage, two-stage or variable-speed

Single-stage systems run at full power or not at all. Two-stage and variable-speed systems can run at lower output for longer, which evens out temperatures, removes more moisture and is often quieter. They cost more up front.

Heat pump or AC plus furnace

In our mild winters a heat pump covers both heating and cooling with one outdoor unit. If you already have a gas furnace in good shape, replacing only the AC and indoor coil can make sense.

Planning ahead instead of replacing in a hurry

The worst time to buy an air conditioner is the day the old one dies in July. Choices are limited to whatever is in stock, installers are booked, and there is no time to compare. If your system is getting older, is using R-22, or needed a major repair last summer, it is worth getting a free estimate in spring or fall. You can then decide calmly, schedule the install on a mild day, and keep the old system as a backup until the new one is in.

Questions we hear a lot