Air Conditioning Installation and Repair
Purchasing an air conditioner is a big investment and choosing the contractor to do it right is a big decision. Choosing the right unit for your AC installation will impact your comfort and home energy expenses for years to come. Hiring a knowledgeable HVAC contractor is also key; doing a little research could save you money, time, and headaches down the road. Mode’s excellent reviews are readily available, and we are happy to provide references upon request.
Air conditioners vary in style and type. Some are simply just air conditioners, with an indoor and outdoor unit. Others are air conditioners that are mounted to a fossil fuel burning appliance such as a furnace. Air conditioners also come in what is referred to as a package unit, which is the indoor and outdoor units combined together and installed outside. Ductless units can also come with AC-only capability, but Mode does not typically suggest those, as adding heat functionality does not add much to the cost.
The best air conditioners will provide:
Choosing Mode for your AC installation will also provide:
A two-year labor warranty
A 10-year factory warranty on the equipment
A 60-day money-back guarantee
What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?
It is not ideal for your air conditioner to be too small or too big for the space you are trying to cool. An undersized system won’t keep your home sufficiently cool and an oversized system will cycle on and off more frequently, wasting energy and likely putting extra strain on the compressor.
Your Mode technician will determine the optimum size for your home by taking into account:
- Your cooling requirements
- Window dimensions and exposure
- Floor space
- Insulation
- Local climate
- Heat-generating appliances
- The direction your home faces
- The amount of your home’s exterior that is shaded
What Do I Need to Know about SEER when Considering an AC Installation?
Seasonally, air conditioner manufacturers are required by law to evaluate and rate their equipment according to its energy efficiency. This rating is called the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (“SEER”), and the higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment.
If you purchased your home brand new, it was very likely equipped with a standard builder’s model air conditioner. When it is time to replace your original unit, you can make some serious upgrades in regards to energy efficiency. Keep in mind that upgrading the SEER may come with other requirements, such as redoing the duct work.
High SEER models are generally more expensive, of course, but can easily make up the difference by reducing your home energy bills over the long run.
How Do I Know if I am Getting a “Good” AC Unit?
At Mode Comfort & Air Quality, we can install and service any brand of air conditioner. For AC installations, our suggestion will typically be a Ruud unit. We get AC service calls for every make and model available, and we find Ruud units have less AC repair requests and premature catastrophic failures than many other popular brands.
The compressor is the heart of a condensing unit and on a hot day, it can put in some serious work. Ruud installs the highly advanced scroll compressor in every condensing unit. Scroll Compressors are recognized by the industry as the leader in reliability, efficiency, and quiet operation.
We Recommend Ruud Air Conditioners
Ruud units have proven to be more dependable with hardier condensor units than many other brands.
Locations We Serve
We repair, replace and install air conditioners in homes and businesses across Chesterfield, Chester, Richmond, Henrico, Midlothian, Powhatan and Moseley. We work frequently in the following areas—if you need help, we may already be close by to your house or business!
- Moseley, VA 23120
- Woodlake, VA 23112
- Midlothian, VA 23113 and 23114
- Powhatan, VA 23139
- Chesterfield, VA 23832
- Richmond, Bon Air, Manchester and Tuckahoe, VA 23225 /23235 / 23229
- Innsbrook, Laurel VA, Glen Allen and Short Pump 23060
Next Steps if You are Considering an AC Installation
Please contact Mode at 804-481-6633 to schedule a time for us to come to your home. We will send a qualified technician to evaluate your cooling needs and give you an estimate for an AC replacement.
If another HVAC company has told you your current unit is dead, please call us for an AC service call to determine if it can be fixed. We find AC units are often declared dead when they can be repaired. If we determine there is a fix, we will give you a quote for the AC repair. Keep in mind that sometimes even if it can be fixed, replacing the entire system may be a more prudent decision. Mode will always present all of your options.
In addition to the warranties and satisfaction guarantee stated above, every AC installation performed by Mode will include the following:
- New equipment pad (under the AC unit)
- At least one float switch to cut the system off if the drain line blocks up. This prevents water from backing up into the unit and causing severe damage to the unit or your home.
- A new thermostat (unless you are attached to your current one and want to retain it)
- Removal of the old equipment from the premises
We suggest that you get two or three estimates from reputable contractors, but be sure that you are comparing like to like. Contractor suggestions will vary wildly, so make sure you go with one you can trust. You can read Mode’s Google reviews here.
