Duct capacity
We measure static pressure and look at trunk and branch sizes. Small fixes like an added return can make a big difference.
Central air conditioning
Central AC Installation Using Your Existing Ducts
If your home has a forced-air furnace, central air is often the most straightforward way to cool every room. The secret is matching it to the furnace and ducts you already have.
- Coil matched to furnace
- Duct capacity checked
- Whole-home cooling
No heat, no hot water or a gas smell? Call any time, day or night.
CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONER · Schematic
- 24/7 emergency service
- Tri-Cities, Burnaby, Surrey, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge
- Clear quote before work starts
- Tidy, respectful work
- Furnaces and boilers
- Air conditioning
- Heat pumps
- Water heaters
- Book online in about a minute
Overview
How central AC installation works
Central air uses two main pieces. An evaporator coil sits on top of, or under, your furnace and cools the air as the furnace blower pushes it through. An outdoor condenser rejects the heat outside. A pair of copper lines connects them. Central AC installation sounds simple, but the details decide whether it works well.
Ducts sized only for heating can be too small for cooling, which needs more airflow. A furnace blower that is weak or single-speed may not move enough air across the coil, causing freezing or noise. And the coil has to physically fit in the space above the furnace. We check all three before quoting, so the system you get actually cools the upstairs, not just the basement.
What makes a central air install succeed
These details separate a quiet, even system from one that frustrates you every July.
Blower compatibility
Variable-speed furnace blowers pair best with central air. Older single-speed blowers may need a different coil or a furnace upgrade.
Correct coil size
The coil must match the condenser's capacity and fit the furnace cabinet without blocking airflow.
Upstairs comfort
Heat rises. Balancing dampers, return air upstairs and fan settings help top floors stay comfortable.
Condensate drainage
Cooling produces water. We tie the coil drain to a floor drain or install a condensate pump with a safety switch.
Heat pump alternative
For a small step up in cost, a ducted heat pump installs the same way and also heats your home most of the year.
Included
Is your home ready for central AC?
- Forced-air furnace with ducts to every floor
- Space above or below the furnace for a coil
- Room on the electrical panel for a new circuit
- A level spot outside for the condenser
- A route for the copper lines from furnace to outdoors
- Floor drain or space for a condensate pump
- Return air on each level, or a plan to add one
How it works
From quote to cool air
- 1
Duct and furnace check
We measure static pressure, inspect the furnace and look at how air is getting to and from each floor.
- 2
Size and select
Using a heat gain calculation, we pick a condenser and coil that suit both the house and the furnace.
- 3
Install the system
Coil set on the furnace, line set run and sealed, condenser placed, circuit wired and drain connected.
- 4
Balance and test
We charge the system, measure the temperature drop and adjust fan settings for even cooling.
Why Able Pro for central air
We know furnaces too
Since we service furnaces every day, we can tell quickly whether yours is a good partner for a new coil.
Measured, not assumed
Static pressure and load calculations guide every choice.
Written scope
You know exactly what is included, from the pad to the thermostat, before we begin.
Tidy line sets
Lines are insulated, covered where practical and neatly routed so the outside of your home still looks good.
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Questions homeowners ask us
Still unsure? Call (236) 222-2222 and talk it through with us.
Can central AC be added to any furnace?
Most forced-air furnaces can take a cooling coil, but very old furnaces or ones with weak blowers may not be good candidates. We will tell you honestly if the furnace should be replaced first or alongside.
Will central air cool my upstairs bedrooms?
It can, if the ducts deliver enough air upstairs and there is a return path. Two-storey homes often need some balancing or a continuous low fan setting. We assess this before installing.
Is central AC or a heat pump better for my home?
If you only want cooling and your furnace is fairly new, central AC is simpler. If you want to reduce gas use or your furnace is getting older, a ducted heat pump adds efficient heating for most of the year.
How loud is a modern central air conditioner?
Newer condensers, especially inverter models, are far quieter than units from twenty years ago. We also choose placement with your bedrooms and your neighbours in mind.
What thermostat do I need?
Many existing thermostats can control cooling with a wiring change. If yours cannot, or you want scheduling and remote control, we can install a compatible smart thermostat.
Book your visit
Add central air to your home
Call Able Pro at (236) 222-2222 or book online to have your furnace and ducts assessed for central AC.
Call or text, 24/7 for emergencies(236) 222-2222Request a visitTakes about a minute
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