Central Air Conditioning Installation and Replacement

In most cases it is not recommended. The indoor coil and outdoor condenser are designed and rated as a matched pair, and newer refrigerants operate at different pressures than older systems. A mismatched pairing may not reach its rated efficiency and can shorten equipment life. Replacing both together, with the line set evaluated and flushed or replaced as needed, gives the new system a proper foundation.

Usually not. Upstairs heat is often a matter of airflow distribution — undersized ducts, too few returns or long runs through hot attics — rather than total capacity. An oversized system cools the main floor quickly and shuts off, leaving the upper floor behind. Addressing ductwork, adding zoning or using a variable-speed system typically does more for an uneven home than adding tonnage.

It depends on its size, condition and route. Line sets concealed in finished walls are often reused when they are the correct diameter and in sound condition, after flushing and pressure testing. Where the size is wrong for the new equipment, the lines are damaged, or the original refrigerant raises compatibility concerns, replacement is the better choice. The options are reviewed during the assessment visit.

A straightforward replacement of an outdoor unit and matching indoor coil is commonly completed in a single day. Projects that include a new furnace, ductwork changes, a relocated condenser or a new line set routed through the home can take longer. The schedule for your project is set out during the assessment visit so you know what to expect before work begins.