AC Installation & Replacement — Washington, DC
There's a reason ac installation & replacement in Washington is mostly handled by small shops, not the big franchises: nobody beats a guy who knows the housing stock and answers his phone. What we won't do: try to sell you a service plan, push the most expensive option, or send a sales rep before sending a tech.
What this service includes
When repair doesn't make sense, replacement does. Modern systems run 50-70% more efficient than 15-year-old units, and the sun-belt utility savings can pay back the system in 6-9 years.
We size systems with proper Manual J calculation — not by square footage rules of thumb. Right-sizing matters; oversized systems short-cycle and don't dehumidify properly, undersized systems run constantly and never reach setpoint.
Standard same-day install: 1.5 to 5 ton residential central AC, single-stage and 2-stage, 14-18 SEER, all major brands. Variable-speed inverter systems and full ductwork rebuilds typically take 2-3 days.
Permit pulled by us where required. We handle the manufacturer warranty registration too — most homeowners don't realize unregistered systems carry only the base 5-year warranty instead of the 10-year that registration unlocks.
How Washington jobs differ
Our techs know the Washington area: housing stock, soil, water main configurations, the parts that usually fail first.
What it costs
For ac installation & replacement jobs in the Washington area:
- 1.5-2 ton single-stage 14 SEER: $6,750 – $9,750
- 2.5-3 ton single-stage 14 SEER: $8,500 – $11,750
- 3-4 ton 16 SEER 2-stage: $11,000 – $16,500
- 4-5 ton 18+ SEER variable-speed: $16,000 – $23,125
- Heat pump install (3-4 ton): $12,250 – $19,250
Related work
- Ductwork Cleaning, Sealing & Repair in Washington
- Mini-Split & Ductless Systems in Washington
- AC Maintenance & Tune-Ups in Washington
- Furnace & Heating Repair in Washington
- AC Repair in Washington
Sample job
Got a call last month from a the historic core Washington home — replacement of 15-year-old build. Symptom: 3.5-ton system, 16 years old, repeatedly failing capacitors and refrigerant leaks. Cause: compressor on its last year. Replaced with new 4-ton 16 seer variable-speed system, $11,200 installed, all done in the same visit, billed flat-rate at $1025.