Estimating the Time It Takes To Replace an AC Unit: Factors That May Affect Your Installation Timeline

Published August 14, 2024 by Tony Spezza

 

We’ve all been there — it’s the dog days of summer, you turn on your air conditioning and nothing happens. You’re stuck in a sweltering building with an AC unit that needs to be replaced. 

What a nightmare.

Finding out that your AC unit does not keep up with your cooling needs is frustrating, and replacing your AC unit is expensive and cumbersome. But with the right HVAC company, it doesn’t have to be.

We will explain how long it takes to replace an AC unit, and what factors might go into adjusting installation time. Learn more about the AC unit installation process, and feel more confident in making the best HVAC decision for your home or business. 

Table of Contents

• How Long Does It Take To Replace an AC Unit?
• 6 Factors That Affect AC Unit Installation Time
• How Long Does It Take To Remove and Install a New AC Unit? 
• AC Unit Installation Step-By-Step Process and Timeline
• Obstacles That May Increase Installation Time
• Trust Your AC Replacement and Installation With the Expert Team at AAA Heating and Cooling

How Long Does It Take To Replace an AC Unit?

There is no definitive answer to how long it takes to replace an AC unit because variable factors are involved in HVAC work. No two homes or businesses are the same, and the time required to replace their AC units will depend on what the building is like and what kind of work is needed. 

By looking into what goes into HVAC maintenance and repair, and considering the following factors, you can estimate how long an AC replacement will take. The best way to know for sure how long your AC repair will take is to reach out to a trusted HVAC professional, like AAA Heating and Cooling. Our on-call technicians work fast to identify and resolve AC problems. 

6 Factors That Affect AC Unit Installation Time

#1: Size and Number of Units

A large industrial warehouse with multiple AC units that need replacing is going to take a lot longer than a small home with a single AC unit. 

This is not only true of commercial HVAC replacement. If you own a large home with several areas that need cooling units, the process of updating them is also going to take a bit longer than a home with a single HVAC system. 

Hiring a professional HVAC company to assess your home’s HVAC needs may seem expensive, but it can save you a lot of money in the long run. If your AC system is too large for your home, you may be spending way more money than you need on electricity costs. 

Conversely, if your AC unit is too small, you are likely overspending on ineffective cooling. 

The professionals at AAA Heating and Cooling have the tools needed to determine the exact size of HVAC system that would be most efficient for your home. To get the best in Portland home air conditioning, contact AAA Heating and Cooling.

#2: Type of Unit

Another factor in how long it takes to replace an AC unit is the type of unit to be replaced. There are two different types of AC units:

• Split air AC units: Split air conditioners are extremely efficient. They consist of two separate units: the evaporative coil and the condensing unit. These two units are generally separated by a wall, the condenser being outside and the evaporator coil inside. The two units are connected by copper tubing, which is the conduit for the refrigerant. 
• Pros of split air AC units include: 
• • They have a great SEER rating, saving you money
  • They are easy to install and maintain
  • They are quiet to run
  • They can be installed almost anywhere 
• Packaged AC systems: Packaged AC systems contain both the condensing unit and the evaporator coil in one unit. Due to the lack of separation, packaged AC systems are smaller than split units, but they are also less effective. 
• Pros of packaged AC systems include:
• • Smaller than split AC systems 
  • Installed on the roof to save space
  • Good for areas too small for a split system

#3: Type of Installation

Replacing an old AC unit is one thing, but installing a completely new HVAC unit is another. If you are planning on adding AC to a building that has not had it before, this will lengthen the amount of time the installation will take. 

Establishing a new system will require your HVAC professional to wire thermostats and possibly install ductwork. This process is time-consuming, depending on the ductwork required. Some older homes have poor or unmaintained ductwork that will require cleaning to proceed. 

#4: Location and Accessibility

Is your home or building’s AC unit easily accessible? Or does it require working in crawl spaces, garages, rooftops, etc? An easily accessible AC unit is always going to take less time to replace than one that is difficult to get to. 

If your home or business’s AC unit is on the roof, you might expect the replacement to take more time. 

#5: Weather

Even the most seasoned HVAC professional is not going to want to install an AC unit during a hurricane. This is also true for places that experience extreme heat waves that make working outside impossible. 

#6: Availability

Speaking of extreme heat, the summer tends to be a busy time for HVAC pros. If you are looking to replace an AC unit, it may take longer to get an HVAC technician out when they are busy responding to other calls. If possible, try to plan your AC replacement in spring or fall when the heat (and demand) won’t be as dire. 

When choosing your HVAC company, you want pros who will get you the best service possible no matter what time of year. Consider AAA Heating and Cooling, who have been a favorite of the Portland area for over 60 years! 

How Long Does It Take To Remove and Install a New AC Unit?

As a general rule, an AC unit replacement can be done in a day with approximately 2-8 hours of labor. However, the time it takes to remove and install a new AC unit is different from one place to another. 

To get a better idea of how long it will take to remove and install a new AC unit, you need to have a good idea of the AC installation process. 

AC Unit Installation Step-By-Step Process and Timeline

The first step of AC unit installation or replacement is a careful inspection by a professional. 

HVAC is a complicated field and it is always changing. If you want to keep your home as cool as possible without spending a fortune on utilities, you need an HVAC assessment from professionals like AAA Heating and Cooling. Our expert technicians will be able to measure the space and get you the precise AC unit your home or business needs. 

After the inspection, our HVAC techs can give you a more exact estimate of how long the AC installation process will take. 

#1: Capture Refrigerant

The first step of AC repair is to cut power to the AC and begin to drain and capture refrigerant. 

The refrigerant in an AC unit is dangerous to the environment and must be handled and disposed of according to the EPA’s guidelines. This process can take several hours to complete, and most HVAC technicians move on to the next step while waiting for the refrigerant to collect. 

#2: Dismantle and Remove the Disconnect and Wiring

Once your HVAC tech has begun draining and capturing the refrigerant, they can move on to dismantling your current AC unit. This process involves disconnecting the evaporator coil and condenser if your AC is a split system and decoupling the wiring. 

Once the refrigerant is fully removed, all parts of the AC unit can be removed to make way for the new AC. Depending on where the AC unit is located and what kind it is, this can take anywhere from 1-3 hours. 

#3: Prep Location of AC Unit

As previously stated, the location of your AC unit impacts your set up time. If you already have an area prepped from the old AC unit, the tech can go ahead and install the new one. 

However, if the area the AC unit will be placed in needs to be leveled or new gravel needs to be put down, that can impact the overall time needed to replace the AC unit. Getting new AC units prepped and in position can take 1-2 hours, depending on location and the work required. 

#4: Run and Braze New Line Set 

Now that the old AC unit is removed and the area for the new one is prepped, your HVAC tech will begin to run a new line from the outdoor part of the AC unit to the indoor part. 

This is called a new line set and takes about 1-2 hours. The HVAC technician will also braze the new line with nitrogen to clean and seal it, which can take additional time. 

#5: Connect Wiring

Now that the indoor and outdoor AC segments are installed and the line is set, the wiring can be connected. 

First, the power needs to be disconnected for safety reasons. Then the HVAC technician will wire the new AC unit into your building’s existing HVAC system. 

This allows the AC to communicate with thermostats and other controls in the house, so it is important that the wiring is done correctly. This step can take 1-2 hours to complete, depending on wiring complexity. 

#6: Release Refrigerant and Pressurize System

Once the AC unit is wired and the lines are inspected, the refrigerant can be released to pressurize the AC system. How long this process takes is dependent on the size of the AC unit, but it can last between 1-2 hours. 

#7: Turn On and Commission the System

This is an underrated part of the AC setup and one of the many reasons why it is important to hire a professional HVAC company to do the job. 

Once the AC unit is pressurized and has refrigerant, it is ready to be turned on and commissioned, or inspected, by your HVAC technician. This is the final check to ensure that your AC unit is properly installed with no possible leaks, faulty wiring, or other issues. 

Obstacles That May Increase Installation Time

Remember, how long it takes to replace an AC unit is heavily dependent on unique building obstacles. Things that can increase installation time include: 

• Accessibility issues to the AC unit 
• Problems with electrical wiring 
• Having to move the old AC unit around gates, fences, etc. 
• Ductwork issues 

Trust Your AC Replacement and Installation With the Expert Team at AAA Heating and Cooling

With AAA Heating and Cooling, replacing your AC unit is no sweat! 

AAA Heating and Cooling has been proudly servicing the Portland area for over 60 years. Whether you need help with ductwork, AC installation and repair, or wiring — AAA Heating and Cooling can be trusted to give you the best service at a reasonable price. 

Check out our website today and cool off with a new AC unit in no time!