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Your AC should keep every room comfortable without running constantly or spiking your electric bill. That starts with proper sizing—not guessing, but running a Manual J load calculation to determine exactly how much cooling capacity your home needs based on square footage, insulation, windows, and how your house actually sits on the lot.
An oversized unit cycles on and off too often, wearing out components faster and leaving humidity behind. An undersized system runs nonstop during heat waves, never quite catching up. Both cost you more in repairs and energy than a correctly sized system ever would.
Los Gatos summers get hot. Your system needs to handle peak days without struggling, and it needs to do that efficiently. That means matching equipment to your home’s specific load, not just swapping out whatever was there before.
We handle AC unit installation in Los Gatos with the same approach every time: calculate the load, size the equipment correctly, and install it to manufacturer specs. No shortcuts, no upselling oversized units, no hoping the old ductwork holds up without checking it first.
Los Gatos homes vary—older properties with minimal insulation, newer builds with better envelopes, hillside locations with sun exposure that changes cooling needs room to room. We account for that during the estimate, not after the install when it’s too late to fix.
You’re hiring us to get this right once. That’s what we do.
We start with a load calculation to determine the right system size for your home. That includes measuring your space, checking insulation levels, noting window placement and sun exposure, and factoring in ductwork condition. This isn’t a quick walkthrough—it’s the foundation of a system that actually works.
Once we know the load, we recommend equipment that fits your budget and efficiency goals. Most Los Gatos homeowners benefit from high SEER2-rated systems or ductless mini splits if they’re adding cooling to spaces without existing ductwork. We’ll explain the difference in upfront cost versus long-term savings so you can make the call.
Installation typically takes one day for straightforward replacements. We pull permits, handle inspections, and make sure refrigerant lines are sized and charged correctly. If ductwork needs modification or replacement, that adds time, but we’ll tell you that upfront during the estimate—not halfway through the job.
After installation, we walk you through the system, show you how to use the thermostat, and answer any questions about maintenance or settings. Then we clean up and leave you with a system that’s ready to run.
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Every air conditioner installation in Los Gatos includes a Manual J load calculation, proper equipment sizing, permit handling, and a final inspection to meet California Title 24 energy code requirements. We install to manufacturer specifications, which protects your warranty and ensures the system operates as efficiently as it’s designed to.
Ductless mini splits are common in Los Gatos for room additions, home offices, or older homes without existing ductwork. These systems cool specific zones without the energy loss that comes with running conditioned air through ducts in an attic. Installation is less invasive—no major demo, just a small line set connecting the indoor unit to the outdoor compressor.
For central AC replacements, we inspect existing ductwork for leaks, sizing issues, or damage before installing the new system. Leaky ducts waste up to 30% of your cooling capacity, so sealing them as part of the install makes sense. If your ducts are undersized or in rough shape, we’ll let you know what needs fixing and why it matters for system performance.
Los Gatos sits in a climate where heat pumps often make more sense than traditional AC-only systems. They cool in summer and heat in winter, meeting the new energy code standards while giving you year-round comfort from one system. We’ll walk through the pros and cons based on your home and how you use it.
Most central air conditioner installations in Los Gatos run between $5,000 and $12,000 depending on system size, efficiency rating, and whether ductwork needs modification. A straightforward replacement with existing ducts in good shape sits on the lower end. If you’re adding a high-efficiency heat pump, upgrading an undersized system, or replacing old ductwork, expect costs toward the higher end.
Mini split air conditioner installation typically costs less for single-zone setups—around $3,000 to $5,000—but multi-zone systems with several indoor units can run $8,000 or more. The advantage is you’re not paying to cool rooms you’re not using, and installation is faster with less disruption to your home.
We provide upfront estimates after calculating your load and inspecting your home. No surprises, no “we’ll figure it out once we start” pricing. Financing is available if you’d rather spread the cost out instead of paying upfront.
Most AC unit installations in Los Gatos take six to ten hours for a straightforward replacement where we’re swapping an old system for a new one using existing ductwork and electrical. We typically finish in one day, leaving you with a fully operational system by the end of the workday.
If ductwork needs sealing, resizing, or replacement, add another day or two depending on the scope. Same goes for electrical upgrades if your current panel can’t handle the new system’s load. We’ll tell you the timeline during the estimate so you know what to expect.
Mini splits install faster—usually four to six hours for a single-zone system since there’s no ductwork involved. Multi-zone setups take longer, but you’re still looking at one to two days max for most homes.
Permits and inspections are required in Los Gatos, and we handle that process. Inspection scheduling can add a few days to the overall timeline, but it doesn’t affect when your system is up and running.
The only way to know for sure is to run a Manual J load calculation, which factors in your home’s square footage, insulation, window placement, sun exposure, and ductwork condition. Rules of thumb like “one ton per 500 square feet” don’t account for how your specific home gains and loses heat, and they often lead to oversized or undersized systems.
Los Gatos homes vary widely. A 1,800-square-foot home with good insulation and limited west-facing windows needs less cooling capacity than the same square footage with single-pane windows and an attic that bakes all afternoon. Hillside properties with shade coverage cool differently than homes on flat lots with full sun exposure.
An oversized system costs more upfront, cycles on and off too frequently, and leaves your home feeling humid because it doesn’t run long enough to remove moisture from the air. An undersized system runs constantly during heat waves, never quite keeping up and wearing out faster from the strain.
We calculate the load for every installation. It’s not optional, and it’s the only way to size equipment correctly.
Not always, but it depends on the condition and sizing of your existing ducts. We inspect ductwork as part of every AC installation in Los Gatos to check for leaks, damage, undersizing, or poor layout that would limit your new system’s performance.
Leaky ducts are common in older homes. If conditioned air is escaping into your attic or crawl space before it reaches your rooms, you’re paying to cool spaces you don’t use while your living areas stay warm. Sealing ducts is often enough to fix this without full replacement, and it makes a noticeable difference in comfort and efficiency.
Undersized ducts restrict airflow, forcing your system to work harder and wear out faster. If your old system was smaller and your new one is properly sized, the ducts may need to be resized to handle the increased airflow. We’ll measure and let you know if that’s the case.
Ductwork in good shape with proper sizing doesn’t need replacement. If it does need work, we’ll explain what’s necessary and what’s optional so you can decide what makes sense for your budget.
Central AC cools your entire home using ductwork to distribute air from a single indoor unit. Mini splits cool specific zones using individual indoor units mounted on walls or ceilings, with no ducts required. Each has advantages depending on your home and how you use it.
Mini split air conditioner installation in Los Gatos makes sense if you’re adding cooling to a room without existing ductwork—like a converted garage, home office, or addition. It’s also a good fit for older homes where adding ducts would be invasive or impractical. You control each zone independently, so you’re not paying to cool rooms you’re not using.
Central AC works better if you want whole-home cooling and already have ductwork in place. It’s typically less expensive per ton of cooling capacity than installing multiple mini split zones, and it keeps the entire house at a consistent temperature without managing individual units.
Los Gatos homeowners often use a combination—central AC for the main house and a mini split for a detached office or guest suite. We’ll recommend what makes sense based on your layout, budget, and cooling priorities.
California requires all HVAC contractors to hold a C-20 license issued by the Contractors State License Board. You can verify any contractor’s license status, check for complaints, and see their bonding information at cslb.ca.gov. Don’t hire anyone who can’t provide a valid license number upfront.
Insurance matters just as much. Your contractor should carry general liability and workers’ compensation coverage. If someone gets hurt on your property or damages your home during installation, you want their insurance covering it—not yours.
Permits are required for AC installation in Los Gatos, and licensed contractors handle that process. Unpermitted work can void your system’s warranty, cause issues during home sales, and leave you liable if something goes wrong. It’s not worth the risk to save a few hundred dollars.
We’re licensed, insured, and pull permits for every installation. We’ll provide our license number, insurance certificates, and permit documentation before starting work. That’s standard practice, and any contractor who hesitates to provide it isn’t someone you want working on your home.
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