Hear from Our Customers
Your energy bills drop. Not by a little—by enough that you’ll notice it every month. When your AC unit installation in Los Altos is done right, the system runs efficiently from day one, and you’re not throwing money at PG&E’s already high rates.
You stop worrying about breakdowns during heat waves. A properly installed system doesn’t just cool your home—it does it quietly, consistently, and without the constant service calls that come with rushed or careless work.
Your home stays comfortable without hot spots, uneven cooling, or that annoying cycle where one room freezes while another stays stuffy. That’s what happens when the sizing, ductwork, and airflow are handled by someone who knows what they’re doing. You get a system that works the way it’s supposed to, and you can actually forget about it.
We work throughout Los Altos and Santa Clara County, handling everything from permits to final inspection. We know the local codes, the permit process, and what it takes to get an air conditioner installation approved without delays.
Los Altos homes aren’t all the same. Some have older ductwork that needs attention. Others are ready for high-efficiency heat pumps or ductless mini splits. We size systems based on your actual square footage, insulation, and layout—not guesswork.
You’re not getting a one-size-fits-all recommendation. You’re getting an honest assessment of what your home needs, what it’ll cost, and how long it’ll take. No upselling. No runaround.
We start with an in-home assessment. That means measuring your space, checking your existing ductwork, and looking at your electrical setup. If your ducts are leaking or your panel needs an upgrade, we’ll tell you upfront—not halfway through the job.
Once we’ve sized the right system for your home, we pull the permits. In Los Altos, that’s not optional, and it’s not something you want to skip. Permits protect your property value and make sure the work meets California’s Title 24 energy code.
Installation day is straightforward. We remove your old unit, install the new one, connect it to your ductwork and electrical, then test everything. Airflow, refrigerant levels, thermostat calibration—we check it all before we leave. Most installations wrap up in a day, and you’ll have cool air by the time we’re done.
After the install, we schedule the county inspection. Once it passes, you’re good to go. If there are rebates available through PG&E or Silicon Valley Clean Energy, we’ll point you toward those too.
Ready to get started?
Every air conditioner installation in Los Altos includes permit handling, code-compliant installation, and a final inspection. You’re not chasing down paperwork or wondering if something was missed.
If you’re replacing an AC unit in Los Altos, we’ll also dispose of the old system properly. No junk left in your yard. If your ductwork needs sealing or your insulation could use an upgrade, we’ll let you know—but we’re not going to push services you don’t need.
For homes without existing ducts, mini split air conditioner installation is an option. These systems are efficient, quiet, and perfect for room additions, older homes, or spaces where running ductwork isn’t practical. They’re also eligible for rebates, which helps offset the upfront cost.
Los Altos electricity rates are high—about 30 cents per kilowatt-hour. That’s 57% above the national average. Choosing a high-efficiency system now means lower bills for the next 15 years. We’ll walk you through SEER2 ratings, heat pump options, and what qualifies for federal tax credits up to $2,000.
AC installation in Los Altos typically runs between $5,000 and $12,000, depending on the system size, efficiency rating, and whether your ductwork or electrical panel needs upgrades. A straightforward replacement on an existing system with good ducts will cost less than a full install in a home that’s never had central air.
High-efficiency systems cost more upfront but qualify for rebates and tax credits. Right now, federal tax credits cover up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pumps, and local utility programs through PG&E or Silicon Valley Clean Energy offer additional rebates. Those incentives can bring your net cost down significantly.
If your ducts are leaking or undersized, fixing them during installation adds to the cost but also makes sure your new system actually performs the way it’s rated. Skipping that step means you’re paying for efficiency you’ll never see.
Yes. Any HVAC installation in Los Altos requires a permit, and the work has to pass inspection. Permits typically cost between $200 and $400, depending on the scope of the job. Skipping the permit might save a little money upfront, but it creates problems when you sell your home or file an insurance claim.
California’s Title 24 energy code sets strict requirements for new HVAC systems, including minimum efficiency ratings and proper load calculations. The permit process makes sure your installation meets those standards. If an inspector finds issues, they’ll need to be corrected before the system is approved.
We handle permits as part of the installation. If someone offers to skip the permit to save you money, that’s a red flag. You want the work documented, inspected, and done right.
Most AC unit installations in Los Altos are completed in one day. If it’s a straightforward replacement—swapping an old system for a new one with existing ductwork and electrical in good shape—you’re looking at six to eight hours of work.
More complex jobs take longer. If we’re installing ductwork, upgrading your electrical panel, or adding a mini split system to multiple rooms, it might take two days. We’ll give you a clear timeline before we start so there are no surprises.
The permit and inspection process adds a few days to the overall timeline, but that doesn’t affect your comfort. Once the system is installed and running, you’ll have cool air while we wait for the county inspector to sign off.
If your system is over 12 years old and needs a major repair—like a compressor or coil replacement—installing a new unit usually makes more sense. Older systems use R-22 refrigerant, which is expensive and being phased out. Repairing them means you’re putting money into equipment that’s already outdated.
Newer systems are also significantly more efficient. If your current AC has a SEER rating below 14, replacing it with a system rated at 16 or higher will cut your cooling costs by 20% or more. In Los Altos, where electricity rates are among the highest in the state, that adds up fast.
If your system is under 10 years old and the repair is minor, fixing it might be the better move. But if you’re calling for service every summer, it’s time to stop throwing money at an aging system and invest in something reliable.
Sizing an AC unit isn’t about square footage alone—it’s about insulation, ceiling height, window placement, and how much sun your home gets. A proper load calculation factors in all of that to determine the right system size. Oversized units cycle on and off too frequently, which wastes energy and wears out components. Undersized units run constantly and never quite keep up.
Most Los Altos homes need between 2 and 5 tons of cooling capacity, but that’s a rough estimate. A 2,000-square-foot home with good insulation and newer windows might need a 3-ton unit, while the same size home with poor insulation and west-facing windows could need 4 tons.
We run the calculations during the assessment so you’re not guessing. Getting the size right means better efficiency, lower bills, and a system that actually keeps your home comfortable without working itself to death.
Ductless mini splits work well in Los Altos, especially for homes without existing ductwork, room additions, or spaces where running ducts isn’t practical. They’re efficient, quiet, and give you zone control so you’re not cooling rooms nobody’s using.
Mini split air conditioner installation is less invasive than adding ductwork. We mount the indoor units on the wall, run a small line set through the exterior, and connect everything to an outdoor compressor. There’s no tearing into walls or ceilings, and most installations are done in a day.
They’re also eligible for rebates. High-efficiency mini splits qualify for federal tax credits and local utility incentives, which helps offset the upfront cost. If you’re adding cooling to a garage, guest house, or older home that’s never had central air, mini splits are worth considering.
Local Resources
Other Services we provide in Los Altos
Get Your Free HVAC Quote Today
Contact our friendly team today for a free estimate and experience the difference.
Company
Support
Useful Links
