AC Installation from a Licensed Silicon Valley HVAC Contractor
California Title 24 Part 6 (2022 update) governs every new AC and heat pump installation in our service area. Among the requirements: minimum 15.2 SEER2 single-stage in the south coast climate zone, HERS verification of duct leakage and refrigerant charge, fan watt draw measurement, and proper sizing per Manual J. Some installations also trigger HERS verification of airflow at the air handler. We handle all of this in-house — including the documentation submitted to your local building department.
Equipment selection drives long-term cost more than installation labor. Single-stage 15-16 SEER2 systems are the entry tier (Goodman GSXC, Carrier Comfort 14, Lennox ML17XC1) and run $5,500-$8,500 installed for a typical 3-ton home. Two-stage and variable-speed systems (Carrier Infinity 24VNA6, Trane XV20i, Lennox SLP99V) offer 18-22 SEER2 with much better humidity control and quieter operation, running $9,500-$14,500 installed. The variable systems pay back in PG&E bill savings over 7-10 years and qualify for both PG&E and federal IRA 25C tax credits.
The installation itself typically takes 1-2 days for a standard equipment swap. Day one: tear-out of old equipment with EPA-compliant refrigerant recovery, electrical disconnect verification, line set inspection (we replace if pre-2010 R-22 system), platform repairs, and rough-in of new outdoor unit. Day two: indoor coil installation, refrigerant line brazing with nitrogen flow, deep vacuum to 500 microns held for 30 minutes, weighed-in factory charge, electrical hookup, condensate pump or drain installation, thermostat configuration, and full system commissioning. HERS verification often happens day three or schedules separately.
Common install upgrades worth considering: line-set replacement (if old or undersized), return air upgrade (60% of older Bay Area homes have undersized returns that bottleneck airflow), zone control add-on (for two-story homes with hot/cold zones), 5-inch media filter cabinet upgrade, smart thermostat with C-wire, and surge protection at the disconnect. We provide a written proposal that itemizes each option so you can choose what fits your budget.
Rebates we coordinate as part of every qualifying install: federal IRA 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (up to $2,000 for heat pumps, $600 for AC), TECH Clean California heat pump rebate ($1,000-$3,000), PG&E rebate (variable by program), BayREN home upgrade rebate, BAAQMD wood stove change-out grants where applicable, and Silicon Valley Clean Energy / Peninsula Clean Energy program rebates depending on which CCA serves your address. Total combined incentives can reach $5,000-$8,000 on a heat pump installation.
What's Included in Every AC Installation Job
- ACCA Manual J load calculation (not square-footage guesswork)
- Equipment matched to your home, not just whatever's on the truck
- Title 24 Part 6 compliance documentation
- HERS verification coordination (duct, refrigerant, fan watt draw)
- Building permit pulling and inspection scheduling
- PG&E, BayREN, IRA 25C, and TECH Clean California rebate paperwork
- Refrigerant recovery from old system per EPA Section 608
- Line set inspection and replacement when needed
- Floor protection and dust containment during install
- 10-year manufacturer parts warranty on premium tier equipment
- 2-year labor warranty on the entire installation
- Post-install commissioning report with pressures and airflow readings
Common AC Installation Issues We Resolve
Existing AC is over 12 years old
Cause: Compressor wear, refrigerant leaks, dropping efficiency vs new equipment
Fix: Replacement consult — IRA 25C + TECH Clean rebates can offset $2,000-$5,000
System is short-cycling and oversized
Cause: Previous installer used "rule of thumb" sizing — too big means short cycles, no humidity control
Fix: Manual J load calc reveals actual need; right-sizing improves comfort and reduces wear
House feels humid even when AC is running
Cause: Single-stage system can't modulate runtime for humidity
Fix: Two-stage or variable-speed system maintains longer cycles at lower output, dehumidifying properly
Hot upstairs, cold downstairs
Cause: Single-zone system can't address two-story load differences
Fix: Two-zone control with motorized dampers — typically $1,800-$3,500 add-on at install
Energy bills are high
Cause: Old SEER 10-13 equipment vs current 16-22 SEER2 standard
Fix: New variable-speed system can reduce cooling cost by 30-50%
Our AC Installation Process
In-Home Estimate
Free estimator visit (typically 60-90 min): Manual J load calc, equipment options walk-through, ductwork inspection, electrical service review.
Written Proposal
Itemized written proposal with 2-3 equipment tiers, rebates documented, Title 24 / HERS scope spelled out, financing options if needed.
Permitting
We pull the mechanical permit from your jurisdiction (Palo Alto, San Mateo County, etc.) and schedule the inspection — typically 5-10 business days lead.
Installation Day(s)
Floor protection laid, old equipment removed with refrigerant recovery, new equipment set, line set / electrical / condensate completed, deep vacuum and charge.
Commissioning & HERS
Full startup with pressure / airflow measurements, smart thermostat configuration, walkthrough with homeowner. HERS rater scheduled separately for required verifications.
Final Inspection & Rebates
Inspector signs off, we file your PG&E and federal credit paperwork, you receive the rebate funds typically within 6-12 weeks.
AC Installation Pricing in the Bay Area
Typical ac installation pricing in our Silicon Valley service area runs $5 500 – $14 500 installed. Most jobs complete in 1-2 days for installation; HERS verification 1-2 weeks separately; permit close-out 4-8 weeks.
Every quote is flat-rate and provided in writing before work begins. Diagnostic fees are waived when repair is approved. We never use time-and-materials billing surprise pricing.
Local Context: AC Installation in Silicon Valley
California Title 24 Part 6 (2022) is the strictest residential energy code in the country and applies to every AC and heat pump installation in Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, San Jose, and surrounding cities. New construction since 2020 has required HERS verification on duct sealing, refrigerant charge, and fan watt draw. The 2022 update added mandatory ESD (Energy Savings Distribution) for new ducted systems and pushed minimum SEER2 to 15.2. Local jurisdictions have begun adopting all-electric reach codes — the City of Berkeley led, San Francisco followed, and Palo Alto has CEEC voluntary tiers. Heat pump conversions are increasingly the default rather than the exception, especially with TECH Clean California rebates of $1,000-$3,000 stacking on top of federal IRA 25C credits up to $2,000.
HVAC Brands We Service for AC Installation
AC Installation FAQ
What size AC do I need for my Bay Area home?
Manual J load calculation is the only correct answer. As a rough reference: 1,500-1,800 sq ft typically needs 2-2.5 tons; 2,000-2,400 sq ft needs 3 tons; 2,500-3,200 sq ft needs 3.5-4 tons. Bay Area homes with good attic insulation and dual-pane windows often size SMALLER than the "rule of thumb" — we frequently right-size existing 4-ton systems down to 3-ton during replacement, improving comfort and reducing cost.
How much does AC installation cost in Silicon Valley?
Single-stage 15-16 SEER2 (3-ton): $5,500-$8,500. Two-stage 17-18 SEER2: $7,500-$10,500. Variable-speed 18-22 SEER2: $9,500-$14,500. Heat pumps run $11,000-$22,000 before incentives. Adders: ductwork upgrades $1,500-$5,000, return air work $400-$1,200, zone control $1,800-$3,500, line set replacement $400-$900, thermostat $250-$650. Always priced flat-rate, written, in advance.
What rebates and tax credits are available?
Federal IRA 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit: up to $600 for AC, $2,000 for heat pumps. TECH Clean California heat pump rebate: $1,000-$3,000. PG&E rebates vary by program. BayREN rebate $1,000-$5,000 for whole-home upgrades. SVCE/PCE rebates vary. We file all paperwork for you — the credits usually arrive within 6-12 weeks of install.
Do I need a permit for AC installation?
Yes. Every Bay Area jurisdiction requires a mechanical permit for AC replacement (the equipment + line sets count). We pull the permit, schedule the inspection, and handle Title 24 / HERS coordination. Skipping the permit creates problems on resale (unpermitted work disclosure) and voids manufacturer warranties.
How long does AC installation take?
Equipment swap on existing ductwork: 1-2 days. New ductwork or major reconfigurations: 3-5 days. HERS verification scheduled separately, typically 1-2 weeks after install. Permit close-out runs 4-8 weeks depending on inspector availability.
What's the difference between SEER and SEER2?
SEER2 is the new (2023+) testing standard with more realistic external static pressure, generally yielding numbers about 5-10% lower than the old SEER. A 16 SEER unit roughly equals 15.2 SEER2. California minimum is 15.2 SEER2 in our climate zone. Federal minimum is 14.3 SEER2. Variable-speed equipment ranges 18-22 SEER2.
What brands do you recommend?
We service all major brands and the right answer depends on your priorities. Carrier Infinity, Trane XV, and Lennox SL series are top-tier variable-speed leaders. Daikin Fit and Daikin One+ excel at quiet operation and small footprint. Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat dominates cold-climate heat pump performance. Goodman and Rheem offer strong value at the entry tier. We carry no manufacturer quotas — we recommend the right equipment for your situation.
Can you remove my old gas furnace and go all-electric?
Yes — heat pump conversion (electrification) is one of our specialty installations. The federal IRA + California TECH Clean + PG&E + your local CCA can stack to substantial rebates ($5,000-$10,000+ in many cases). All-electric homes also qualify for lower-cost rate plans. We coordinate panel upgrades with our licensed electrical partner if your current panel can't support the additional load.