Central Air Conditioning
Central air and ductless systems for Windsor summers. We install the outdoor unit, the indoor coil and, when the ducts need it, the sheet metal that makes the cool air reach every room. One contractor for the whole job: HVAC installs for homes, and custom galvanized steel fabrication for other contractors.
Cool Air, Every Room
Summers in Windsor and Essex County are some of the hottest and most humid in Canada. An air conditioner here has two jobs: lower the temperature and pull moisture out of the air. A system that is too big cools fast and shuts off before it dries the air, which leaves the house cold and clammy. A system that is too small runs all afternoon and never catches up.
Getting the size right, and making sure the ducts can carry the air, is what separates a good install from a box set on a pad.
- An outdoor condenser on a pad or bracket
- An indoor evaporator coil, usually on top of the furnace
- A refrigerant line set connecting the two
- A drain for the water the coil pulls out of the air
- An electrical disconnect and a thermostat that controls cooling
Because MDMC builds sheet metal in its own shop, the plenum and transitions around a new coil can be made to fit instead of being forced together.
Central or Ductless
| System | Best for | Upside | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central AC | Homes with a forced air furnace and ducts to every room. | Cools the whole house from one thermostat. Nothing on the walls. | Needs ducts that are sized and sealed well. |
| Ductless system | Homes without ducts, additions and single rooms. | Each room set on its own. No duct losses. | Indoor heads are visible on the wall. |
| Heat pump in place of an AC | Owners who want heating from the same unit. | Cools in summer and heats in spring, fall and most of winter. | Costs more than an AC only system. |
Thinking about heating too? See Heat Pumps / Mini Splits.
Signs Your AC Is Done
It runs and runs
If the system runs all afternoon on a hot day and the house still is not cool, the unit may be worn, low on refrigerant or too small for the house.
Rooms that never cool
An upstairs that stays hot while the basement is cold often points to ductwork, not just the air conditioner. We look at both.
Repairs every summer
A compressor, coil or fan motor that keeps failing on an older system adds up. Sometimes the repair is worth it, and sometimes the money is better spent on a new unit. We tell you which.
Replacing the furnace
The AC coil sits on the furnace. When the furnace is being replaced, it can make sense to replace an older AC at the same time so the two are matched. See Furnace Replacement.
How a New AC Goes In
Call
Tell us how old the system is, what it is doing and which rooms are the problem.
Visit
We look at the house, the furnace, the ducts, the electrical and where the outdoor unit can sit.
Quote
A written quote lists the condenser, coil, line set, sheet metal and electrical work.
Install
Old equipment out, new condenser and coil in, line set run, system charged, started and checked.
Cleanup
Old unit hauled away, work area cleaned, thermostat explained.
What Affects the Price
Cooling capacity
Measured in tons. The size of the house, the windows and the insulation decide what is needed.
Efficiency rating
Higher efficiency units cost more up front and use less power to run.
Coil and sheet metal
A new coil often needs a new plenum or transition to fit the furnace.
Line set
Reusing an existing line set, or running a new one, changes the job.
Ductwork
Undersized returns or missing runs to hot rooms may need fixing for the AC to work well.
Electrical
A new disconnect, breaker or circuit may be needed for the outdoor unit.
Every central AC is quoted in writing after a home visit.
Recent AC Installs
Air Conditioning Questions
What size air conditioner do I need?
It depends on the square footage, the windows, the insulation and how much sun the house gets. We size it at the home visit instead of matching the old unit by default.
Can I keep my old line set?
Sometimes. If the line set is the right size, in good shape and suits the new refrigerant, it can be reused. If not, we run a new one.
Why is my house cool but still humid?
An oversized AC often cools the air fast and shuts off before it removes enough moisture. Proper sizing and good airflow help the system dry the air.
How long does a central AC install take?
A straight replacement is often done in a day. New line sets, duct changes or a furnace swap at the same time can take longer.
Do I need a furnace for central air?
A central AC uses the furnace blower and ducts to move air. Homes without a furnace or ducts are usually better suited to a ductless system.
How often should my AC be serviced?
Once a year before the cooling season. Change the furnace filter regularly, since the AC uses the same air path.
Ready Before the Heat Hits?
Call for a home visit and a written quote on a new central AC or ductless system.