AC Installation
AC installation in Denver sized for 5,280 feet: load calculations, swamp cooler conversions and new central air from our Wheat Ridge and Aurora crews.
A new air conditioner should run reliably for 15 years or more, and how long it actually lasts depends heavily on the work done on install day. Correct sizing, a clean refrigerant circuit and good airflow decide whether a system cools evenly or fights your house every summer. Every AC installation starts with measuring the house, not with picking a unit out of a catalog.
Signs It Is Time for a New System
The unit is 15 years old or older and repair calls are getting more frequent.
It still uses R-22, a refrigerant that is no longer produced, so every recharge gets harder to justify.
Cooling bills keep rising even with regular maintenance.
Rooms stay uneven, with the upstairs or a finished basement never matching the thermostat.
A swamp cooler falls behind once summer humidity climbs.
A major part has failed, such as the compressor or the outdoor coil, on a system that is already past mid-life.
Sizing a System for 5,280 Feet
Every quote starts with a load calculation. We look at square footage, insulation, window size and orientation, shading, and how the ductwork is laid out. Denver's thin air carries less heat than the sea-level conditions used to rate equipment, so the numbers have to account for elevation, not just the tonnage of the old unit. Picking a size by rule of thumb is how homes end up with a system that short cycles, wears out early and leaves bedrooms warm.
Bigger is not better. An oversized air conditioner cools the air near the thermostat quickly, shuts off, and starts again a few minutes later, which is hard on the compressor and leaves the rest of the house behind. A correctly sized unit runs longer, steadier cycles and spreads cool air through every room.
Choosing the Right Equipment
Most homes here choose between a conventional central air conditioner and a heat pump, which cools in summer and handles a large share of winter heating. Efficiency is rated in SEER2. Higher numbers cut operating cost but raise the upfront price, so we lay out a few options side by side and explain where the extra efficiency pays off and where it does not. The outdoor unit also has to pair with the indoor coil and the furnace blower. If your furnace is near the end of its life too, replacing both together with a matching furnace often gives the cleanest result and a single installation day.
Moving From a Swamp Cooler to Central Air
Many older homes in Wheat Ridge, Lakewood and Arvada were built with evaporative coolers. They do well in Colorado's dry air but fall behind on muggy storm-season afternoons, add moisture to the house, and need seasonal startup and shutdown. Converting a swamp cooler to central air means checking whether the existing ductwork can carry cooled air, adding an indoor coil above the furnace, setting a condenser outside, and sealing the old cooler opening in the roof or wall. Homes without ducts can look at ductless systems instead.
What Happens on Installation Day
After you approve a written quote, most installs take one day. Jobs that need duct modifications or an electrical panel upgrade can run into a second day. The crew recovers the old refrigerant as EPA rules require, removes the old equipment, sets the new condenser on a level pad, installs or flushes the line set, and wires a new disconnect where needed. Before leaving, they pressure test and evacuate the system, start it up, check the refrigerant charge and airflow, and walk you through the thermostat and filter. Most cities in the metro also require a permit and an inspection for a new system.
Rebates, Financing and Long-Term Care
High-efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps can qualify for Xcel Energy rebates. Program rules change, so we check what is current for your equipment when we prepare the quote. If you would rather spread the cost out, financing is available. Once the system is running, a yearly AC maintenance visit keeps the coils clean and the charge correct, which protects the investment for years.
What Your Written Quote Covers
The quote spells out the equipment by model and SEER2 rating, the scope of work including any duct or electrical changes, and the permit the job needs, so you can compare it line by line with anything else you are considering. Nothing goes on the installation calendar until you have read it and approved it.
Want a ballpark first? A new central AC starts at $5,100 installed. Our 2026 HVAC price guide lists prices by home size and SEER, and the free HVAC price calculator shows the range for your home in about 60 seconds.
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Help Center
Frequently Asked Questions: AC Installation in Denver, CO
How long does an air conditioner replacement take?
Most homes are done in a single day. If the ductwork needs changes or the electrical panel needs an upgrade, the job can stretch into a second day. The in-home assessment and written quote come first, so you know the schedule before the crew arrives.
Can I switch from a swamp cooler to central air?
In most homes, yes. The main questions are whether the existing ducts can carry cooled air and where the indoor coil and outdoor condenser will go. Homes with no ducts at all can use a ductless system instead.
What size air conditioner does my house need?
Square footage alone will not tell you. A proper load calculation looks at insulation, windows, sun exposure, ductwork and Denver's elevation. Matching the old unit's size is a common mistake, especially if the home has had new windows or insulation since it was installed.
Should I replace my furnace at the same time?
It is not required, but it is worth considering if the furnace is 15 years old or more. The indoor coil sits on the furnace and the blower moves the cooled air, so replacing both together lets the parts be matched for efficiency and saves a second installation later.
Are there rebates for a new air conditioner in Colorado?
Often, yes. Xcel Energy runs rebates on qualifying high-efficiency equipment. The rules change, so we confirm what your system qualifies for when we prepare the quote.
How much does a new air conditioner cost in Denver?
At MoJo, a new central air conditioner starts at $5,100 installed. At regular price, a 13 SEER system runs $8,875 to $12,105 and a 20 SEER system runs $19,515 to $23,585, depending on your home's size. Our HVAC price calculator shows the range for your home in about a minute.
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