Air Conditioner Installation in Chatham & Chatham-Kent, ON
Replacing an air conditioner is a big purchase, and getting the size and setup right matters more than the brand on the box. Postma has been installing air conditioners in Chatham and across Chatham-Kent since 1989. As a Lennox Premier Dealer, we size every system to your home, match it to your furnace, and install it with our own licensed technicians.
Old AC still running but struggling? See our AC repair service first.
Signs It’s Time for a New Air Conditioner
- Your AC is 12 to 15 years old or older.
- It uses R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer made and is expensive to recharge.
- The repair quote is more than half the price of a new unit.
- It needs repairs every summer.
- It can’t keep up on hot days, or some rooms never cool down.
- Your hydro bills keep climbing.
More detail in top signs you need AC replacement.
How Much Does a New Air Conditioner Cost in Chatham?
Most central air conditioner installs we do in Chatham-Kent fall between $4,500 and $8,500. What moves the price:
- Type of system. Single-stage, two-stage or modulating. Two-stage and modulating units run quieter, control humidity better and cost more up front.
- Brand of equipment. We’re a Lennox Premier Dealer and also install other major brands at different price points.
- Size. Set by a load calculation on your home. If the right size is different from your old unit, the coil, line set or electrical may need changes too.
- Ductwork. Some homes need duct changes so the new system moves enough air.
We give you a flat-rate quote before any work starts, and that’s the price you pay. Ask about financing and current rebates.
Single-Stage vs Two-Stage vs Modulating
The biggest choice after size is how the air conditioner runs. Here’s how the three types compare:
| Single-stage | Two-stage | Modulating (variable-speed) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it runs | Full power or off | Low speed most of the time, high on the hottest days | Adjusts output in small steps to match the heat |
| Comfort | Good | Better, fewer temperature swings | Best, very even temperatures |
| Humidity control | Basic | Better | Best |
| Noise | Loudest | Quieter | Quietest |
| Running cost | Highest | Lower | Lowest |
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Middle | Highest |
For most Chatham-Kent homes, a single-stage or two-stage unit is the best value. Modulating systems make the most sense for larger homes, homes with hot upstairs rooms, or anyone who wants the quietest system with the best humidity control.
Central AC, Heat Pump or Ductless?
- Central air conditioner: the standard choice if you have a gas furnace and ductwork.
- Heat pump: cools like an AC in summer and heats in spring and fall, which cuts gas use. See heat pumps and heat pumps vs traditional AC.
- Ductless mini-split: for additions, garages, cottages and homes without ducts. See ductless mini-splits.
How We Size Your Air Conditioner
An AC that’s too big cools the house fast but shuts off before it removes the humidity, so the house feels cold and clammy and the unit wears out sooner. One that’s too small runs constantly and can’t keep up on hot days. Instead of copying the size of your old unit, we look at:
- The square footage and layout of your home.
- Insulation, windows and which way the house faces.
- How well your current ductwork moves air.
- Rooms that run hot or cold today.
- Your furnace, so the new AC and indoor coil are properly matched.
Our AC Installation Process
- In-home assessment. We look at your home, ductwork, electrical and current equipment, and talk about what you want: lower bills, quieter operation, better humidity control or the lowest upfront price.
- Flat-rate quote. You get options in writing, with the total installed price for each. That’s the price you pay.
- Installation day. Most replacements take one day. We disconnect and remove the old unit, set the new outdoor unit on a level pad, connect or replace the line set and indoor coil, and wire the disconnect.
- Start-up and testing. We check the refrigerant charge, airflow and temperatures to make sure the system is running the way it should.
- Walkthrough. Before we leave, we show you how to use the thermostat and what maintenance the system needs.
SEER2 Ratings and the New Refrigerants
Air conditioner efficiency is now rated in SEER2, a newer, stricter test standard introduced in 2023. The higher the SEER2, the less electricity the unit uses to cool your home. A higher-efficiency unit costs more up front, so we’ll show you how the price difference compares with what you’d save on hydro.
New air conditioners are also moving from R-410A to lower-impact refrigerants like R-454B. New systems aren’t compatible with the old refrigerant, which is one reason an aging R-410A system often gets replaced rather than repaired. More in R-410A phase-out in Ontario.
Should You Replace Your Furnace at the Same Time?
Your air conditioner shares the furnace’s blower and sits on top of it with the indoor coil, so the two work as one system. If your furnace is over 15 years old, replacing both together often makes sense: the equipment is properly matched, you pay for one installation instead of two, and you won’t have a new AC paired with an old blower. If your furnace is newer, we’ll match the new AC to it. See furnace installation.
Questions To Ask Before Buying a New AC
Whoever you get quotes from, ask:
- What size unit do I need, and did you do a load calculation?
- What SEER2 rating makes sense for my home?
- Will it be matched to my furnace and indoor coil?
- Who does the installation, your own team or a subcontractor?
- What warranty comes with the equipment and the labour?
- Do I need a new thermostat?
- What’s the total, installed price?
Warranties and Registration
Most new air conditioners come with a manufacturer’s parts warranty, and many brands extend it when the unit is registered within a set time after installation. Ask us which warranty applies to the unit you’re considering. Keeping up with yearly maintenance also helps meet most manufacturer warranty requirements. See our maintenance plans.
When Is the Best Time to Replace an AC?
Spring and fall. When your AC fails in July, you’re replacing it on the busiest weeks of the year with the fewest options. If your unit is near the end of its life, replacing it before summer gives you time to compare options and book a date that works for you.
AC Installation Across Chatham-Kent
Our technicians are based on Charing Cross Road in Chatham and cover all of Chatham-Kent, including Wallaceburg, Blenheim, Tilbury, Ridgetown, Dresden, Thamesville and Wheatley. We’re a Lennox Premier Dealer and install other major brands as well. For businesses, we also install rooftop units and split systems through our commercial team.
AC Installation FAQs
How much does a new air conditioner cost in Chatham?
Most central air conditioner installs we do in Chatham-Kent fall between $4,500 and $8,500, depending on the type of system (single-stage, two-stage or modulating), the brand, the size and any ductwork changes needed. You get a flat-rate quote before any work starts, and that’s the price you pay.
How long does AC installation take?
Most replacements are done in one day.
What size air conditioner do I need?
It depends on your home’s size, insulation, windows and layout. We do a load calculation rather than copying the size of the old unit.
Is a two-stage or modulating AC worth it?
If comfort, humidity control and quiet operation matter to you, often yes. They cost more up front but run more evenly and use less electricity. For a smaller home on a tight budget, a single-stage unit is usually the best value.
How long does a new air conditioner last?
Most central air conditioners last 12 to 15 years, and often longer with yearly maintenance.
Should I replace my furnace at the same time?
If your furnace is over 15 years old, replacing both together often saves on labour and makes sure the two are properly matched. We’ll quote it both ways.
Should I get a heat pump instead of an AC?
If you want lower gas bills, a heat pump is worth comparing. It costs more than a basic air conditioner but also heats your home for much of the year.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. Ask about our financing options when you book your quote.
Ready for a new air conditioner? Call Postma at 519-354-9491 for a flat-rate quote. Lennox Premier Dealer, licensed technicians, serving Chatham-Kent since 1989. Our technicians are all drug tested and background checked.