A new air conditioner should last 15 years or more. Whether it does depends on the sizing, the ductwork, and the installation, more than the brand on the label. Summit Heating & Air installs central air conditioners and cooling-only replacements throughout Boise and Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Eagle, and Kuna. We start with a load calculation on your home, not a guess based on square footage. Then we look at the existing ducts, the electrical service, and the line set before recommending equipment. We offer standard efficiency systems and high-efficiency two-stage and variable-speed options. Every installation includes a new outdoor unit, a matched indoor coil, a new line set or a verified flush of the old one, a properly sized breaker, and a mechanical permit. We commission the system by measuring airflow and refrigerant charge, not by turning it on and leaving. New equipment ships with the current refrigerants, and we are certified to handle them.
Signs it is time to replace your AC
- Your system is 12 to 15 years old and needs a major repair
- It uses R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer produced
- Repair bills over the last two summers add up to a large number
- Some rooms stay hot no matter how long it runs
- The unit runs all afternoon and the house never reaches the setpoint
- Summer power bills keep rising with no change in use
What a new AC installation includes
- Manual J load calculation and duct assessment before equipment is chosen
- Removal and recycling of the old condenser and coil, with refrigerant recovered legally
- New outdoor unit, matched indoor coil, and new or flushed line set
- Electrical disconnect, breaker check, and a level pad for the outdoor unit
- Mechanical permit, inspection scheduling, and manufacturer warranty registration
- Commissioning with measured airflow, charge, and temperature split, plus a walkthrough
How our AC installation process works
- We visit, measure the house, inspect the ducts and electrical, and talk through how you use the space.
- You receive a written proposal with two or three equipment options and a fixed price for each.
- On installation day, a two-person crew removes the old system, sets the new equipment, and pressure tests the line set.
- We charge the system by weight and superheat or subcooling, then verify airflow at the registers.
- We pull the permit, meet the inspector, register the warranty, and show you how the thermostat works.
AC installation cost in Boise
A standard efficiency central air replacement in the Boise area starts from $6,500 installed, including the permit and a matched indoor coil. Two-stage and variable-speed systems cost more up front and run quieter with steadier temperatures. The price moves with tonnage, efficiency rating, line set length, whether the electrical panel needs work, and the condition of the ductwork. A home that needs a new coil cabinet or return air modifications will land higher. We give a fixed written price after the site visit, and it does not change unless you change the scope. Financing is available on approved credit.
Sizing an air conditioner for Boise
Boise sits at about 2,700 feet with a summer design temperature in the high 90s and very low humidity. That changes how we size equipment. A unit picked for a humid climate can be oversized here, which means short cycling and uneven rooms. Older homes in the North End and on the Bench were built without central air, so the ductwork was added later and often runs through crawl spaces or basements with limited return air. We check that before quoting. Homes in Meridian built after 2000 usually have decent ducts but builder-grade equipment that is now aging out. Kuna subdivisions from the same years are in the same position. Wildfire smoke in late summer also makes a sealed, filtered system worth having.
Questions we get about this
What size air conditioner does my house need?
We run a Manual J load calculation using your square footage, insulation, window area, orientation, and duct layout. Most Boise homes land between two and four tons. Bigger is not better. An oversized unit cycles too often, cools unevenly, and wears out faster.
How long does an AC installation take?
A straightforward replacement is usually completed in one working day. Jobs that include duct changes, a new electrical circuit, or an attic coil can run into a second day. We tell you the plan before we start so you can arrange your schedule.
Do I need a permit for a new air conditioner?
Yes. Boise requires a mechanical permit for equipment replacement, and so does the rest of Ada County. An inspector signs off on the work. We pull the permit and schedule the inspection as part of the job. Unpermitted work can cause problems when you sell the home.
Should I replace the furnace at the same time?
If your furnace is over 15 years old, replacing both at once usually saves labor and lets us match the blower to the new coil. If the furnace is newer and in good shape, we can install the AC alone and confirm the blower is compatible.
What refrigerant will the new system use?
New residential systems now ship with R-454B or R-32 instead of R-410A. These are lower global warming potential refrigerants and require specific handling and leak detection. Our technicians are certified for them, and we stock the correct tools, fittings, and recovery equipment.
Are there rebates for high-efficiency air conditioners?
Idaho Power and some manufacturers offer incentives on qualifying equipment, and federal tax credits may apply to certain high-efficiency systems. Programs change each year. We check what is current when we write your quote and handle the paperwork we are able to.