AC Replacement
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Port Huron AC Replacement
Installing New AC Units in Fort Gratiot and Port Huron
There are a lot of considerations that need to be made when buying a new air conditioner. Have there been any changes in the home that affect the size of air conditioner needed to cool the home? Are you planning to use the AC every day or only some of the time? Should you upgrade your furnace as well? Would a high efficiency heat pump or ductless system make sense in my situation? VHP aims to answer all of these questions and more. Our goal is to make the purchase of your new Air Conditioner as smooth and painless as possible.
$0 Air Conditioner Quotes
Part of making the purchase process as stress-free as possible is giving a free evaluation of your system. And not only that, but the person we send to your home will be an HVAC technician who works in the field, not a professional salesperson.
What Does An Installation with Vincent’s Include:
Lifetime Installed Right Guarantee
We pride ourselves on our craftsmanship. And we stand behind our work. That is why if there are any problems with your air conditioner caused by poor workmanship on the installation, we will cover it no matter if your system is 1 year old or 12 years old.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
We are so sure that you will be satisfied with your new system that we have this guarantee to back it up. “If at any time during the first year of installation, you are not 100% satisfied with the performance of the equipment, our service or even our people, we will, within 30 days of your request, remove the system and cheerfully refund the entire amount of the contract.”
Triple Evacuation
This ensures that there is absolutely no moisture in the lines that can cause acid to form in your refrigerant lines and damage the system over time.
Follow Up Visit
We perform a checkup, usually within a week of the installation, to make sure that you are happy and to make sure that we delivered everything we said we would. If the AC is installed in colder months, we will do a complimentary visit in the Spring to start the unit up.
Permits and Licensing
We take care of pulling all required permits for us to complete the job within your municipality. That way you can be assured that there will be no problems down the line. We hold a mechanical license so that you can rest.
Replacing Now vs Waiting
If you are looking at this page, chances are you are thinking about replacing your air conditioner soon. With advances in equipment efficiency, there has never been a better time than now to install a new system. However, no matter how you slice it, installing a new system is a big chunk of change. To help you decide whether installing now or waiting is the right decision for you, we have put together a few reasons why we see that customers choose to replace now instead of postponing till next year.
Your Air Conditioner is 21+ Years Old
How long should and air conditioner last? We get this question a lot. There is no exact answer to the question. However, what we can say is that over the past year, the average air conditioner that we replaced was 21.6 years old. Once an air conditioner gets past 20 years old it is much more likely to have big issues like compressor failures or sizeable refrigerant leaks. And since the refrigerant in units over this age is obsolete, repairing these issues tends to cost more. Many people at this point opt to replace their systems.
Your Outside Unit is Loud
A loud unit is a sign of an aging, inefficient compressor. Compressors need oil to run and as air conditioners age, this oil begins to dry out and coat the walls of the lines. While there are some things that we can do to help improve the situation if it is caught early, if a compressor runs under duress for too long, trying to correct the issue may be too little too late. A new unit will operate much quieter than an existing unit. Some of our customers have even commented that they could not tell when their new unit was operating after it was first installed because it was so quiet.
You Want to Take Advantage of Tax Credits and Utility Rebates
It is no secret that there has been push nationally towards reducing energy consumption. Since air conditioners use a significant amount of energy, Uncle Sam has made changing to more efficient AC systems a priority. That is why certain systems are currently eligible for large tax credits and utility rebates. These AC systems are ultra energy efficient, so besides savings up front, there can also be a massive reduction in spending on electricity. We can verify this as well. Our employees who have installed these systems have reported paying significantly less on their energy bills.
The VHP AC Replacement Process
Air conditioners seem simple. But to have an air conditioner that is running at peak performance, many steps must be taken starting when the system is quoted.
How is an AC installation with VHP different?
Correct Sizing
We begin our process by assessing the cooling demands and ductwork capacity of your home. The industry accepted method of sizing and air conditioner is by performing a heat load test on the home. This test analyzes the construction of the home to determine how large an air conditioner is needed.
Out the Door Pricing
Next, our technician will give you multiple options. These options are flat rate. There are no hidden fees or extras from us beyond what the technician shows you.
Fixed Installation Date
Our technician will explain everything to you and give you a date for the installation. We work hard to make sure that if you have to go without cooling, that it is as short a time as possible.
Respect For Your Home
When our installers arrive at your home, the first thing that they do is to put down protective covers on your floor. This is to ensure that there is no damage done to your flooring. We are also careful not to damage any of your walls or belongings.
Refrigerant Disposal
VHP will not release the refrigerant from your old system into the environment. VHP follows EPA protocols. We recover the refrigerant from old air conditioners and send it in for disposal.
High Standards
VHP has high standards for our installations. And we go above and beyond to make sure that no issues are present that can cause problems down the line. One such issue is moisture in refrigerant lines that mixes with refrigerant and can cause corrosive substances. We make sure to perform a “triple evacuation” on all of our installs so that there is no moisture present.
Follow Up Visit
Every one of our installations includes a follow up visit. During this visit, the original technician will return to double check the installation including refrigerant pressures, thermostat settings, and blower speed.
Common Misconceptions About Air Conditioners:
Bigger AC units will cool better.
A larger unit may indeed cool your home quickly, but quickly cooling your home will often lead to discomfort. An air conditioner has two jobs: 1) remove excess heat from a living space, 2) remove humidity from your home. If an air conditioner is oversized, it will not be able to properly dehumidify your home. Removing humidity is more important for feeling comfortable than making a space cooler. This is why a dry 85-degree day will feel more comfortable than a humid 75-degree day.
Furthermore, your furnace blower and ductwork are only able to handle a certain amount of capacity. If the size of your air conditioner exceeds this capacity, you will be losing any gains in efficiency that you gain from updating your system.
A bigger AC will cool my upstairs:
An upstairs being too hot is never due to an air conditioner being undersized. It is caused by poor insulation, poor ductwork, and the thermostat being located on the main floor of the home.
Over time, the insulation in your ceiling will begin to settle. The volume of the insulation is what allows it to do its job, so as it settles, it stops being able to shield your upstairs from the sun’s heat. This is then accentuated by poorly designed ductwork. Ductwork supplying bedrooms often has to fit in tight wall cavities, so it is often sized too small. And since most thermostats are on the main floor in a home, the air conditioner stops running once it has satisfied the main floor the upstairs still needs to be cooled.
Increasing the size of your air conditioner is more likely to cause your home to be less comfortable and increase your energy bills needlessly. A better solution would be to have more insulation added to your attic and get a zoning system installed so that you can run your air conditioner upstairs even when the downstairs is not running.
I should buy the Most Efficient Air Conditioner:
In Michigan, the cooling season is shorter than in most other States. While it might make sense to buy the most efficient AC equipment money can buy further south, in Michigan, it is unlikely that you will get enough runtime from your unit to justify the added cost of installing the highest rated SEER2 units. On top of that, the highest efficiency units are also much larger than the units they are replacing and may be unsightly.
If you are interested in a unit that balances cost with extreme savings, we recommend looking into an S-Series system. These systems utilize new technologies that allow them to save you money while also being much smaller and unobtrusive. They are also available in heat pump models that extend their usage months and have very competitive tax credits and rebates currently available.
The Brand of my Air Conditioner is the most important consideration.
No matter what the brand of your air conditioner is, if it is not installed properly and is not sized properly for your home, it will not operate correctly. That is why the most critical consideration when purchasing a new AC system is to have a professional you can trust install your new system. Buying an air conditioner can be a bit like buying a car. If you buy a car and the dealership is not nearby, it might be very difficult to get service when you need it. It can be the same for air conditioning too if you select a brand that does not have a dealer nearby.
Why VHP is the Right Choice for AC Installation in Port Huron
When you’re investing thousands into installing a new air conditioner, it’s important that you get it right. The first step in doing so is finding a great local HVAC company. And, if you call Port Huron or Fort Gratiot home, you can’t go wrong with Vincent's Heating & Plumbing.
We’ve been promoting comfortable living in Port Huron for over 66 years. In that time, we’ve installed thousands of new air conditioners in homes just like yours. When you work with our HVAC company, you get an AC unit designed to reach the end of its lifespan. Our timely responses, dedication to customer support, and simplified installation process make new air conditioner installation in Port Huron stress-free.
AC Replacement FAQs
Will Adding an AC Unit Increase the Value of My Home?
It usually does! Installing a new air conditioner in Port Huron or replacing an old one can increase your home’s value by up to 10 percent. Where you fall on this profit line depends on the features and efficiency rating of the new AC unit. In some markets, homes aren’t eligible for resale without a functioning air conditioner. So, even if you’re looking to sell soon, it can be worth it to foot the bill for AC replacement in Port Huron.
Shouldn't I Buy the Biggest Air Conditioner Possible?
A lot of homeowners in Port Huron believe that a bigger air conditioner is a better one. But that’s not quite true. Though an oversized AC unit will cool your home more quickly, it’ll waste electricity doing so. It also won’t have enough running time to remove excess humidity from your air. Though the noise of an air conditioner running for hours isn’t pleasant, long cooling cycles are actually better for your home and wallet. To ensure proper sizing, always leave AC system calculations to a licensed HVAC professional.
What SEER Rating Should My New HVAC System Be?
Though the typical AC unit in Port Huron is rated at SEER 14, it’s worth considering one with a higher rating. Anything higher than 16 SEER is considered environmentally friendly and offers potential savings on long-term cooling costs. Numerous rebates are available to help reduce the cost differential between lower SEER units and newer, more efficient ones. For additional information on discounts for which you may be eligible, give our Fort Gratiot AC company a call at 810.985.7103.
Can I Save Money by Just Replacing My Outdoor Unit?
Air conditioners are comprised of both exterior and interior components. Some Port Huron homeowners believe replacing only one of these will halve the cost of new AC installation in Port Huron. It won’t. Mismatched components actually result in higher energy bills, more frequent repairs, and lowered system efficiency. Though the price tag for a new AC installation in Port Huron might seem scary, doing everything at once will save you money in the long-run.
How Do I Know Your AC Installation Quote Is Fair?
We always recommend getting multiple quotes on AC replacement in Marysville or Port Huron. This is the best way to ensure a reasonable price. Do be aware, however, that not all companies provide the same benefits as VHP. Is the other business’s warranty as good as ours? How long have they been operating in Michigan? You’ll want to keep these items in mind as you make a decision. We invite you to check out our financing and Special Offers page for potential saving opportunities.
Can I Install the New Air Conditioner Myself?
Though you might be tempted to install your own AC unit in Fort Gratiot, we don’t advise it. Testing, sizing, and replacing an air conditioner is a complicated process. Beneath that metal shell, there are many chemical and electronic components. Improper handling of these can result in injuries, system failure, and even death. So, unless you’re certified to do HVAC work in Port Huron, we suggest leaving air conditioning work to the professionals.
I Know I Need a New AC in Port Huron. What's the Best Time to Get a Replacement?
The typical air conditioner in Michigan lasts between 10 and 15 years. After that time, you’ll want to start budgeting for a new AC unit. Like with many other items, HVAC equipment costs are cyclical. For the best deals on air conditioning systems, we suggest shopping prior to summer. When winter temperatures fade, a lot of Port Huron HVAC companies slow down and are eager for sales opportunities. It’s also a time when many financing deals are offered.
What AC Unit is Best for My Home?
Picking up a new blender on Amazon is one thing. Trying to buy a new AC unit online is another. When it comes time for air conditioning installation in Port Huron, you’ll want to get a quote from a licensed HVAC contractor. Only they have the knowledge necessary to properly determine what equipment is right for your home. We do have a few recommendations for shopping, however:
- Make sure the contractor installs equipment from a well-regarded brand
- If you're not selling your home, invest in something more energy-efficient
- Ask about included warranties
What's the Best Place to Install My New AC?
There’s no universal answer to this question. Every home is different. Things like homeowner association rules, square footage, and building materials can impact the installation area. But there are a few universal recommendations. In Port Huron, these guidelines include:
What's the Best Place to Install My New AC?
Picking up a new blender on Amazon is one thing. Trying to buy a new AC unit online is another. When it comes time for air conditioning installation in Port Huron, you’ll want to get a quote from a licensed HVAC contractor. Only they have the knowledge necessary to properly determine what equipment is right for your home. We do have a few recommendations for shopping, however:
There’s no universal answer to this question. Every home is different. Things like homeowner association rules, square footage, and building materials can impact the installation area. But there are a few universal recommendations. In Port Huron, these guidelines include:
- Looking for Shady Areas: Air conditioners in Port Huron have to keep themselves cool as well. For that reason, we typically place it on the north or east side of your home. If that isn't an option, it can also be placed under a deciduous tree.
- Keeping the Unit Away from Pets: Some animals like to chew and pee on HVAC equipment. This isn’t just annoying but potentially deadly as well. This is because refrigerants and electrical components can be harmful to your pets. As urine can eat away at your fan blades, we recommend hosing it off regularly.
- Installing It Somewhere with Mulch or Grass: A lot of air conditioners in Marysville are installed on a concrete or PVC slab. These bounce heat back up toward the air conditioner. This added heat can make the unit work harder to cool your home. We recommend placing the unit in an area with mulch or grass instead. These do not hold temperature as well, making it easier for your new air conditioner to maintain temperature.
In reality, however, the best way to find the ideal spot for your new air conditioner is to reach out to Marysville's AC service experts—Vincent's Heating & Plumbing.
How Long Does It Take to Install a New AC Unit?
Your standard AC installation or replacement in Port Huron will take between four and six hours. The time required may be longer if the team needs to install brackets, run electrical lines, or flush the unit. If you want a more accurate estimate, just ask our HVAC technicians. They’ll be happy to walk you through the AC installation process.
Can My Home Have Central Air?
If you’re willing to invest in design adjustments and ductwork, any Port Huron home can enjoy the advantages of central air. But, don’t call a general contractor yet! Give 810.985.7103 a jingle first! We’ll help you explore alternative options like evaporative (swamp) coolers, heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, and whole-house fans. In some cases, one of these might be a better, more economical fit.