AC Installation in Ottawa
Properly sized central air, installed the same week and often in a single day
- 5.0 · 578 Google reviews
- TSSA & HRAI approved
- 24/7 emergency service
- Family-owned since 2014
Properly sized central air, installed the same week and often in a single day
- Free quotes on any equipment purchase
- Financing from $49/month (OAC)
- All makes and models serviced
Central air conditioner installation, done properly
A good AC installation in Ottawa comes down to three things: the right size, a clean refrigerant system and a coil that matches your furnace. Get those right and a new air conditioner should run quietly for 15 years or more. Get them wrong and even a premium unit will short-cycle, leave the house clammy and fail early.
Oria Heating and Cooling has been installing air conditioners in Ottawa since 2014. We are a Lennox authorized dealer, we also install Goodman and every major brand, and all of our technicians hold refrigeration and gas licences.
Speed matters when the humidex is near 40. When Cory M.’s 20-year-old AC died during a heat wave, Mansoor quoted the job and the crew installed the new unit the next day; the house was cool again by dinner. That is typical: we offer same-week air conditioner installation, and many installs are finished in a single day.
Marilyn N. put it simply after her central AC install: the quote had no surprises in the actual price, the job ran on schedule, and Mansoor walked her through the warranty and the small bits of upkeep a homeowner can do.
How much does AC installation cost in Ottawa?
Most Ottawa homeowners pay $4,000–$8,000 to replace a central air conditioner. Where you land in that range depends on the size of the unit, its efficiency and how much of the existing setup can be reused.
| Project | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| Central air conditioner replacement | $4,000–$8,000 |
| Furnace + AC combo replacement | $8,000–$15,000 |
| Ducted cold-climate heat pump (existing ducts) | $9,000–$18,000 |
| Ductless mini-split, single zone | $3,500–$6,500 |
Final price depends on your home, the equipment you choose and the ductwork, venting and electrical work involved. Oria gives free quotes on any equipment purchase.
What moves the price
- Capacity and efficiency. A 3-ton variable-speed unit costs more than a 2-ton single-stage model.
- Indoor coil. New equipment uses newer refrigerants such as R-454B, so the indoor coil on your furnace is normally replaced along with the outdoor unit.
- Line set. Existing copper lines can sometimes be flushed and reused; damaged or undersized lines are replaced.
- Electrical and placement. A new disconnect, a longer run or a new pad or wall bracket all add cost.
Financing is available from $49/month on approved credit. See financing options, or read our full AC installation cost guide.
Sizing: tons, BTUs and square footage
Air conditioners are sized in tons, where one ton equals 12,000 BTU per hour of cooling. Square footage is only a starting point. Window area, which way the house faces, attic insulation and whether the basement is finished all change the answer.
| Above-grade living area | Typical AC size in Ottawa | Cooling capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 800–1,200 sq ft | 1.5 ton | 18,000 BTU/h |
| 1,200–1,600 sq ft | 2 ton | 24,000 BTU/h |
| 1,600–2,100 sq ft | 2.5 ton | 30,000 BTU/h |
| 2,100–2,600 sq ft | 3 ton | 36,000 BTU/h |
| 2,600–3,200 sq ft | 3.5–4 ton | 42,000–48,000 BTU/h |
These are rough starting points, not a recommendation for your house. A newer, well-insulated Barrhaven or Riverside South home often needs less than the table suggests, while an older home with big west-facing windows may need more.
Why bigger is not better
An oversized unit cools the house in short bursts and shuts off before it removes humidity, which is the main complaint in Ottawa summers. Your ductwork also limits size: each ton needs roughly 400 cubic feet per minute of airflow, and many existing duct systems cannot carry much more than the original unit. We check both before recommending a size.
SEER2 ratings and equipment options
New air conditioners are rated in SEER2, a tougher test than the old SEER number, so a SEER2 figure looks slightly lower for the same unit. Higher SEER2 means less electricity per unit of cooling. Our guide to SEER2, AFUE and HSPF2 explains the ratings in detail.
Single-stage
Runs at full output or not at all. The lowest-cost option, typically in the mid-teens SEER2. Fine for smaller homes with simple layouts.
Two-stage
Runs on a lower stage most of the time and switches to high on hot afternoons. Longer, quieter cycles and better humidity removal.
Variable-speed (inverter)
Adjusts output in small steps to match the load. The highest SEER2 ratings, the quietest operation and the steadiest humidity control.
Matched furnace blower
Your furnace moves the air for your AC. A variable-speed (ECM) blower gets the most out of a two-stage or variable-speed outdoor unit.
Learn more →Brand choice
We are a Lennox authorized dealer and also install Goodman and all major brands. We will explain the trade-offs honestly, not push one label.
Adding central air to a home that never had it
If your home has a forced-air furnace but no air conditioner, adding central air is usually straightforward. The furnace’s ducts and blower already move air through every room; we add a coil on top of the furnace, run refrigerant lines outside and set the condenser.
A few things need checking first:
Room above the furnace.
The coil sits in the supply plenum, so there must be enough height between the furnace and the main duct.
Electrical capacity.
A central AC needs its own 240-volt circuit and an outdoor disconnect. Most Ottawa panels have room; some older ones do not.
A drain for condensate.
On a humid day the coil removes several litres of water, which must reach a floor drain or a condensate pump.
Return air upstairs.
Many older two-storey homes have weak upstairs returns, which is why the bedrooms stay hot. Small duct changes during installation can fix this.
If your home is heated by a boiler or electric baseboards and has no ducts at all, a ductless mini-split is usually a better way to add cooling than building a new duct system.
AC or heat pump: how to decide
A heat pump cools exactly like an air conditioner, then runs in reverse to heat your home in spring, fall and much of the winter. In Ottawa, most heat pumps are installed as a hybrid with the gas furnace kept as backup for the coldest nights.
- Choose a central AC if you want the lowest upfront cost, your gas furnace is doing the heating well, and cooling is your only goal.
- Choose a heat pump if you heat with oil, propane or electric baseboards, want to cut gas use and emissions, or your furnace is new enough to pair with one.
A ducted cold-climate heat pump costs $9,000–$18,000 compared with $4,000–$8,000 for an AC, but rebates may be available for qualifying heat pumps; Oria will check current programs for your home. Learn more about heat pump installation in Ottawa and current HVAC rebates.
What happens on installation day
- 1
Free in-home quote
We look at the house, the furnace, the ductwork and where the outdoor unit can go, then size the system and give you a written quote with no surprises.
- 2
Scheduling
Most installs are booked within the same week. A straightforward replacement is usually done in one day; adding central air for the first time can take longer.
- 3
Safe removal
The old refrigerant is recovered by licensed technicians, as Ontario requires, before the old condenser and coil are removed and hauled away.
- 4
Outdoor and indoor units
The condenser goes on a level pad or bracket with proper clearance. The matched coil is fitted to the furnace, with a new condensate drain.
- 5
Line set, vacuum and wiring
Refrigerant lines are brazed and pressure-tested with nitrogen, then evacuated with a deep vacuum. The electrical disconnect and thermostat wiring are completed.
- 6
Start-up and walk-through
We verify the refrigerant charge and airflow, set up the thermostat, show you the simple maintenance you can do, and register the equipment with the manufacturer.
Same-week AC installation across Ottawa
- Many installs completed in a single day
- Free quotes on any equipment purchase
- Financing from $49/month on approved credit
- 5.0 stars from 578 Google reviews · TSSA and HRAI approved
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers from licensed Ottawa technicians. Still have a question? Call us any time.
How long does AC installation take?
A straightforward central air conditioner replacement usually takes one day, often just a few hours of work on site. Adding central air to a home that never had it, relocating the outdoor unit or replacing the furnace at the same time can stretch the job to two days. Oria offers same-week installation in Ottawa and confirms the timeline when you book.
What size air conditioner do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house in Ottawa?
Many 2,000 sq ft Ottawa homes end up with a 2.5-ton (30,000 BTU/h) air conditioner, but some need 2 tons and some need 3. Insulation, window area, sun exposure and whether the basement is finished all matter. Oversizing leaves the house cold and clammy, so Oria checks your home and ductwork before recommending a size.
Can I replace just the outdoor AC unit?
Usually not. New air conditioners use newer refrigerants such as R-454B and are designed to work with a matched indoor coil. Pairing a new condenser with an old coil can reduce efficiency, cause early failures and void the manufacturer’s warranty. In most Ottawa replacements, the outdoor unit and the coil on top of the furnace are replaced together.
Should I replace my furnace and air conditioner at the same time?
If your furnace is more than 15 years old, replacing both together often makes sense. A furnace and AC combo replacement typically costs $8,000–$15,000 in Ottawa, and you get matched equipment and one installation day. If the furnace is newer and working well, replacing only the AC is perfectly reasonable.
When is the best time to install a new air conditioner in Ottawa?
Spring and early fall are the easiest times to schedule, before or after the summer rush. That said, Oria offers same-week AC installation through the summer, and many installs are done in a single day, so you do not need to wait out a heat wave if your old unit fails in July.
Do you offer financing for a new AC?
Yes. Financing is available from $49/month on approved credit, so you can spread the cost of a new air conditioner or heat pump over time. We also give free quotes on any equipment purchase and will check whether any rebates apply to the equipment you choose.
How long will a new air conditioner last in Ottawa?
A properly sized and installed central air conditioner typically lasts 15 to 20 years in Ottawa, helped by our relatively short cooling season. Yearly maintenance, a clean outdoor coil and correct refrigerant charge make the biggest difference. Units that are oversized or installed with a poor vacuum tend to fail years earlier.
Book Service or Get a Free Quote
Tell us what is going on and we will call you back with honest advice and a written estimate. Financing from $49/month on approved credit.
- Licensed gas & refrigeration technicians
- 5.0 stars from 578 Google reviews
- 24/7 emergency service
5.0 Stars from Ottawa Homeowners
Every review below is from a real Oria customer on Google.
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Serving Ottawa, Gatineau and the Surrounding Area
Based at 925 Longfields Dr in Nepean, our technicians cover the whole capital region.