Air conditioner installation: quick answers
Cost
$4,000 – $8,000 for a central AC; $8,000 – $15,000 with a new furnace.
Time
Usually one day; same-week installation is available.
Size
1.5 to 4 tons for most Ottawa homes, set by a load calculation.
Efficiency
15 to 18 SEER2 is the sweet spot for our short cooling season.
Refrigerant
New units use R-454B or R-32 and need a matched indoor coil.
Who
A licensed refrigeration technician; ask about permits and warranty registration in writing.
Prices are typical Ottawa installed ranges before rebates, not quotes. The final price depends on the home, the equipment and the ductwork and electrical, and Oria gives free quotes on any equipment purchase.
Sizing
What size air conditioner do I need?
Most Ottawa homes need 1.5 to 4 tons of cooling (one ton is 12,000 BTU per hour). The right size comes from a load calculation that looks at floor area, windows, sun exposure, insulation and air leakage. A 2,000 sq ft two-storey in Barrhaven and a 2,000 sq ft bungalow in Manotick can need different sizes.
Is a bigger AC better?
No. An oversized AC cools the air quickly and shuts off before it removes much moisture, so the house feels cold and clammy on humid days. It also cycles on and off more, which wears the compressor. A correctly sized unit runs longer, quieter cycles and controls humidity better.
Can I just match the size of my old unit?
It’s a starting point, not an answer. Many older Ottawa systems were sized by rule of thumb, and homes change: new windows, added insulation, a finished basement or an addition all shift the load. Ask your installer how they chose the size.
Cost and financing
How much does AC installation cost in Ottawa?
A central air conditioner replacement typically costs $4,000 to $8,000 installed, before rebates. Furnace and AC together run $8,000 to $15,000, a ducted cold-climate heat pump $9,000 to $18,000, and a single-zone ductless mini-split $3,500 to $6,500. Our AC installation cost guide breaks down what moves the price.
What should an installation quote include?
The outdoor unit, a matched indoor coil, the pad or bracket, line set (new or flushed), electrical disconnect and wiring, refrigerant charge, removal of the old unit, thermostat compatibility and any permits required. Compare quotes on the same size, SEER2 rating and compressor type.
Are there rebates or financing?
Rebates may be available, especially for heat pumps; Oria will check current programs for your home, and our HVAC rebates page explains how. Financing is available from $49/month on approved credit.
Timing
How long does AC installation take?
A straightforward central AC replacement is usually done in one day. Installs that need a new line set run, electrical upgrades, ductwork changes or a furnace replacement at the same time can take longer. Oria offers same-week installation, and many AC installs are completed in a day.
When is the best time to install a new AC?
Spring and early fall. In April and May you get calmer scheduling and time to compare quotes before the first 30 °C week. Once a June heat wave hits, every installer in Ottawa gets busy. If your AC fails mid-summer, same-week installation is still possible.
Can an AC be installed in winter?
The equipment can be set and wired in cold weather, but the refrigerant charge is normally verified with the system running in cooling conditions. Many installers finish the charge check in spring. Ask your installer how they handle it.
Choosing equipment
Should I get a central AC, a heat pump or a ductless system?
If you have a furnace and ducts, a central AC is the lowest-cost option. A ducted cold-climate heat pump installs in the same place, cools the same way and also heats most of the winter, with the furnace as backup. Homes without ducts usually suit a ductless mini-split.
Do I need to replace my furnace at the same time?
Not always. Your AC uses the furnace blower to move air, so a furnace that is 15 to 20 years old or has an old blower motor can limit a new AC. If the furnace is healthy and under about 12 years old, a new AC alone is fine.
Can I keep my old indoor coil and line set?
The indoor coil must be replaced with one matched to the new outdoor unit, especially with new refrigerants. The copper line set can often be reused if it is the right size and in good condition, after a proper flush and pressure test. A damaged or undersized line set should be replaced.
What refrigerant do new air conditioners use?
R-22 is phased out, and R-410A is being replaced in new equipment by lower-impact refrigerants. Current Lennox air conditioners use R-454B, and Goodman’s current lineup uses R-32. Technicians need training on these refrigerants, and the indoor and outdoor units must match.
Which brand should I choose?
Installation quality and correct sizing matter more than the logo. Oria is a Lennox authorized dealer and also installs Goodman and all major brands. Our Goodman vs Lennox comparison covers the differences.
Efficiency and SEER2
What SEER2 rating should I choose?
New systems are rated in SEER2, a tougher test than the old SEER. Entry models start around 13.4 to 15 SEER2, mid-range units run about 15 to 18, and top variable-capacity units reach 22 to 26. For most Ottawa homes, 15 to 18 SEER2 is the sweet spot because our cooling season is short.
Single-stage, two-stage or variable-speed?
Single-stage units run at full power or off and cost least. Two-stage and variable-speed (inverter) units run longer at low output, which means quieter operation, more even temperatures and better dehumidification on humid days. They cost more up front. Our SEER2 guide explains the ratings.
Permits, licences and warranty
Do I need a permit for a new AC?
It depends on the scope of the work. A like-for-like replacement is different from adding central air for the first time or changing ducts and electrical. Your contractor should tell you whether a permit applies and handle it. Condo and townhouse owners should also check association rules on outdoor unit placement.
Does the installer need a licence?
Yes. Refrigerant work in Ontario must be done by a licensed technician. Oria is TSSA and HRAI approved, and every technician holds AC (refrigeration) and gas licences, so the furnace side of the job is covered too.
What warranty comes with a new AC?
Manufacturer parts warranties vary by brand and model, and many require the equipment to be registered within a set time after installation. Ask who registers it and get the parts and labour terms in writing. Keep your yearly maintenance records, since manufacturers may ask how the system was cared for.
Installation day and after
What happens on installation day?
The crew recovers refrigerant from the old unit and removes it, sets a level pad, installs the matched coil on the furnace, connects and brazes the line set, pressure-tests with nitrogen, pulls a deep vacuum, charges the system, wires the disconnect and thermostat, then tests cooling and walks you through it.
How should I prepare?
Clear a path to the furnace and the outdoor unit location, move items stored near the furnace, make sure the electrical panel is reachable and keep pets in a closed room. Someone should be home at the start and end to confirm placement and see the system run.
Where should the outdoor unit go?
On a level pad with about 45 to 60 cm of clearance on all sides and open air above, away from dryer vents, and ideally not right under a bedroom window. Keep it clear of roof drip lines and downspouts, which cause ice damage and frost heave in winter.
What maintenance does a new AC need?
Change the furnace filter every one to three months, keep the outdoor unit clear and book a yearly tune-up, which costs $120 to $200. Regular service keeps efficiency up and gives you records for warranty claims. See our AC maintenance service.
Ready for a quote? Book a free in-home quote through our air conditioning installation page or call (613) 866-1869. Oria is family-owned and has served Ottawa since 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install a new air conditioner in Ottawa?
A new central air conditioner typically costs $4,000 to $8,000 installed in Ottawa, before rebates. Replacing the furnace at the same time usually brings the total to $8,000 to $15,000, and a ducted cold-climate heat pump runs $9,000 to $18,000. Size, SEER2 rating, line set, electrical and ductwork drive the final price.
How long does it take to install central air?
A straightforward central AC replacement in a home with a furnace and ducts usually takes one day. Jobs that add a new line set, upgrade electrical, change ductwork or replace the furnace at the same time can take longer. Oria offers same-week installation, and many AC installs are completed in a single day.
What size AC do I need for my house?
Most Ottawa homes need between 1.5 and 4 tons of cooling. The correct size depends on floor area, windows, sun exposure, insulation and air leakage, so it should come from a load calculation rather than the old unit’s label. Oversizing is a common mistake that leaves the house cold but clammy.
Is a heat pump better than an air conditioner?
A ducted cold-climate heat pump cools exactly like an AC and also heats your home efficiently for much of the Ottawa winter, with the gas furnace as backup on the coldest nights. It costs more up front, $9,000 to $18,000 versus $4,000 to $8,000, but lowers gas use and may qualify for rebates.
What SEER2 rating is good for Ottawa?
For most Ottawa homes, 15 to 18 SEER2 is the best balance of price and efficiency. Our cooling season is short, so the highest-rated units take a long time to pay back on hydro savings alone. Choose a top-tier variable-speed model mainly for quieter operation, steadier temperatures and better humidity control.
Do I need a new furnace when I replace my AC?
Not necessarily. Your AC relies on the furnace blower, so if the furnace is 15 to 20 years old or has a weak, older blower motor, replacing both together often makes sense and is usually cheaper than two separate jobs. If your furnace is healthy and under about 12 years old, a new AC alone is fine.
Do I need to register my new AC for the warranty?
Often, yes. Many manufacturers require the equipment to be registered within a set period after installation to get full parts coverage, and terms vary by brand and model. Ask your installer who handles registration, get the parts and labour terms in writing, and keep records of yearly maintenance.
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