HomeAir Conditioning Installation

Air Conditioning Installation & Replacement
in Shenandoah Valley, VA

When Comfort Matters, Trust Your Home To Mountain Valley Home Comfort!

How To Decide If It's Time To Install A New Air Conditioning Unit?

Your Unit is More Than 10 Years Old
Most AC units last between 10-15 years of age. If your unit has reached this stage in its' life, you should start to consider Mountain Valley's AC replacement service.
Starting To See More and More Repairs Needed
As AC units age like any piece of technology, they begin to wear down. If you are starting to see more and more issues with your unit, it may be more cost-effective to replace your old AC with a new one.
Increase in Your Utility Bills
Air Conditioners lose some of their efficiency over time and need to work harder to keep your home cool, thus the higher energy bills.
HVAC Technician and Owner next to Lennox HVAC system

New AC units have Season Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER requirements much higher than in years past. Older units generally have a SEER rating somewhere in the neighborhood of 8-12, whereas the newest units can reach a SEER rating of 26. That’s some potentially serious savings on your monthly bills!

When the cost of continuous repairs and monthly bills start to add up, in most cases it can be more economical to replace the unit. Our installation team at Mountain Valley Home Comfort can go over your options so that you can have all the information you need to make the best decision possible for your home and budget.

For a FREE estimate on new air conditioning installation, call (540) 740-3844 today!
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    How Much Does A New A/C Unit Cost To Install?

    While replacing your HVAC system can be costly, the good news is that homeowners typically only have to purchase a new central air conditioning system once.  Our experts are well-equipped to help you make the best decision for your home and family.

    The cost of replacing your home’s HVAC system depends on a number of factors. We will consider things like the size of your home, quality of insulation, desired energy efficiency, and more to generate a quote that best suits your needs.

    Measuring the length of a wall

    What Factors Determine A/C Installation Cost?

    Square footage

    The size of your home is the one of the major factors in determining which unit will be right for you.  As you may expect, the larger the space that needs to be cooled, the more powerful and expensive the system that is needed.  If you have a smaller home, the size of the unit needed and also the amount of labor that is required will be different than those with larger homes.  This, in return, will determine the cost of installation.

    Your home’s layout will also play into the HVAC system choice.  For example, if you have a large, multi-level home, the option of installing two HVAC units may be the best choice—this will enable you to customize the temperature in different parts of your home while using less energy to keep it cool.  Our knowledgeable installation experts at Mountain Valley Home Comfort will perform the necessary load calculations to help determine the best A/C system needed to cool your home.

    SEER Ratings

    The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) relates to how much energy, and money, an AC unit will use in operation over the course of one year. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) requires all new air conditioning units to meet minimum efficiency ratings identified by these SEER numbers.  Many options go above and beyond those minimums.

    Air conditioners on the market today range from 13 to 25 SEER. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit and the more potential savings on utility bills.  The rating itself is determined through calculations of a unit’s average performance—the less energy used, the higher the SEER rating. How much you’ll actually save on your utility bills depends on the size and insulation of your home, how much you pay in kilowatt/hour for electricity, the SEER rating of the unit, and what it’s currently costing you to cool your home.

    Type of Cooling System

    Another factor that affects the energy efficiency and cost of a new system is whether it’s a single-stage, two-stage, or variable-stage system.  A single-stage cooling system has one operative mode: on or off. When your indoor temperature rises above the desired level on the thermostat, the system begins to cool at 100% capacity and shuts off completely when the temperature is lowered.  A two-stage cooling system functions more efficiently by rarely operating at full capacity—instead they typically run at approximately 80% capacity and for longer periods of time. This in turn uses less energy and helps keep your bills lower.

    A variable-stage cooling system is the most energy efficient but also has the largest initial cost. This type of HVAC has multiple cooling levels and will pull the least amount of energy possible to cool your home. Because the unit automatically selects the best cooling variable to keep your space comfortable, no work is required for you with this type of system.

    Current Ductwork

    The condition of your current ductwork will also determine the costs involved in setting up your new HVAC system. There are many types of ductwork, but the most common is round. The purpose of ductwork is to carry the cold air from the outside unit and deliver it to the interior rooms of your home. If there are any holes or weak areas in your ductwork, cold air will escape into your attic and not allow it to fully reach your rooms at full capacity, cutting down on the efficiency of the system and increasing your utility bills.

    Why Has My Air Conditioner Stopped Working?

    If your air conditioning unit is over 10 years old, it will start to become less reliable, and this is the case regardless of the system. A properly maintained system will far surpass a system that was neglected in terms of longevity. As your HVAC system approaches the end of its life, repairs will become more frequent and increasingly expensive while at the same time cost more to run yearly due to lower efficiency.  If your unit is showing these signs of wear, it may be time to consider replacing with a newer, more energy-efficient unit.  Our experts can help you decide what option is best for your home today to get your A/C back up and running again quickly.

    Does My Unit Have a Mechanical Issue?

    AC systems have basically five components—the fan, evaporator coil, compressor (electric pump), condenser coil, and expansion device.  Any of these components can experience mechanical failure.  If the motor on your fan is not working, the outdoor unit can’t get rid of the heat. If your compressor is damaged, the refrigerant can’t circulate between the inside and outside units.  Replacing some of these parts can be very expensive and may not save you more money in the long run than replacing the whole unit. Having a trained technician give your unit a yearly checkup should prevent premature mechanical failure.

    Is My System Clogged?

    A clogged air filter or obstructed outdoor condenser unit could be a cause of a failing AC system.  Failure to replace your air filter on a regular basis is a common reason that an AC unit will stop working. A clogged filter hinders the flow of air through the unit, reducing its efficiency and making it tougher to cool your house. We recommend that you change your home’s air filter monthly on central air conditioning units, especially if you have the air conditioning running constantly or have pets that shed a lot.

    Outdoor landscaping or neglected lawn care may be another reason that your house is so hot.  Shrubs can obstruct airflow to the outdoor condenser unit—if the condenser coil is covered with leaves or debris, the unit has to work a lot harder to do any cooling, leading to possible system failure.  Make sure the top of your outdoor unit is clean and clear, and periodically use a garden hose to remove dirt and debris that might be caught in the unit’s fans.

    Obstructed airflow can hinder your home from getting the AC that it needs, but not enough cold air could be the cause of an aging or failing system which may need replacement.  Contact Mountain Valley Home Comfort’s experts today to have your system thoroughly checked and assessed.

    Is My Refrigerant Low?

    If your refrigerant is low, this could be a cause of your air conditioning unit not cooling properly. It is possible that when the system was installed, not enough was added—but more likely, the level is low because your system has developed a leak.  Leaks are the cause of the overwhelming majority of low refrigerant, so simply adding more isn’t going to fix things. One of our trained technicians can search for and repair any leaks that are present.

    Nearly all current AC systems use R-22 or freon as a refrigerant, but these are being phased out for environmental reasons, so let us guide you on a new and energy-efficient unit today.

    Call us at (540) 740-3844 to have our expert install technicians assess your current system and provide a FREE estimate on new air conditioning installation today!

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    HARRISONBURG OFFICE
    260 Charles St
    Harrisonburg, VA 22802
    (540) 433-0106
    STAUNTON OFFICE
    17B2, N Augusta St
    Staunton, VA 24401
    (540) 740-3844
    NEW MARKET OFFICE
    2064 Old Valley Pike
    New Market, VA 22844
    (540) 740-3844
    WINCHESTER OFFICE
    302 N Cameron St
    Winchester, VA 22601
    (540) 740-3844

    24-Hour Emergency HVAC Service

    (540) 592-8612

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    Proudly meets the HVAC needs of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley in Shenandoah County, Page County, Warren County, Frederick County, Rockingham County, Augusta County, and in West Virginia’s Pendleton County, and Hardy County. Serving the cities of New Market, Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Fishersville, Staunton, Winchester, Luray and Strasburg, VA.

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