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Air Conditioning Installation

Pasadena sits in California's Title 24 Climate Zone 9, where a new central air conditioner must pass third-party HERS verification of its refrigerant charge before the permit can close. Performance Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. provides air conditioning installation in Pasadena, CA and throughout the San Gabriel Valley, sizing each system from a load calculation, matching the condenser and coil, and setting charge and airflow to specification. Backed by 40+ years in the trade, we explain every equipment option clearly and price the installation upfront. Every installation includes a walkthrough of the thermostat, filter, and maintenance schedule before our team leaves your home.

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THE RIGHT SIZE MATTERS MORE THAN THE BIGGEST SIZE.

An oversized air conditioner cools quickly but shuts off before removing humidity, leaving rooms clammy and wearing out parts through constant starts. An undersized unit runs nonstop on hot afternoons. We calculate your home's cooling load room by room so the new system fits the house, not a guess. Those short cycles also waste electricity and wear out the compressor early.


Correct sizing is the foundation for comfort, efficiency, and long equipment life, and it is the step rushed installers skip most often when they simply match the old unit.

  • Room-by-room load calculation
  • Matched condenser and indoor coil
  • Refrigerant charge set to specification
  • Clear equipment options and pricing
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AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION

NEW COOLING BUILT FOR PASADENA'S LONG, HOT AFTERNOONS.

Summer in Pasadena brings weeks of afternoons near 90°F and occasional heat waves well above that, so a new air conditioner has to carry a real load. We select equipment based on your home's insulation, windows, orientation, and ductwork rather than square footage alone. Then we install it with clean refrigerant connections, a level condenser pad, proper electrical service, and a thermostat that fits how your household actually lives.

OLDER PANELS AND TIGHT SIDE YARDS SHAPE EVERY INSTALL WE PLAN.

Many homes in the San Gabriel Valley have ductwork in hot attics or crawlspaces, older electrical panels, and tight side yards for outdoor equipment. Each of those details affects which system fits and where it should go. We look at duct condition, electrical capacity, and condenser placement during the estimate, so installation day brings no surprises and the finished system performs the way it was rated.

OUR INSTALLS ARE JUDGED IN AUGUST, NOT ON INSTALL DAY.

Any new system cools well on a mild morning. The true test comes during the hottest week of summer, when every shortcut in sizing, charge, or airflow shows up as warm rooms and high bills. After 40+ years of installations, we build for that week. We commission every system with measured readings and walk you through its operation before we leave. Want a system that holds up when it counts?

WHAT A PROPERLY INSTALLED AC DELIVERS.

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Even Cooling Everywhere

A system sized and balanced for your home cools each room evenly, so the bedroom at the end of the hall stays as comfortable as the living room.

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Real Efficiency Gains

Modern high-efficiency equipment, installed with correct charge and airflow, delivers the energy savings printed on its label instead of losing them to installation shortcuts. Bills reflect it quickly.

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Comfortable Humidity Levels

Right-sized equipment runs long enough to pull moisture from the air, leaving rooms crisp and comfortable rather than cold and slightly damp during muggy evenings.

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Quieter Home

New condensers and variable-speed blowers run far more quietly than aging equipment, so summer evenings on the patio and in the bedroom feel calmer. Neighbors notice too.

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Fewer Repairs Ahead

Careful installation prevents the refrigerant leaks, electrical faults, and drainage problems that plague rushed jobs, which means fewer service calls during the system's early years.

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Code-Compliant Results

Your installation meets California requirements, including Title 24 verification, which protects your investment and simplifies things later if you sell or refinance the home. Records stay on file.

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our services

OUR AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION WORK.

From straightforward condenser replacements to complete new central air systems, we install cooling equipment designed to handle Pasadena summers efficiently, reliably, and quietly for many years. Every job starts with a load calculation, never a guess.

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SPLIT SYSTEMS

Central Air Conditioner Installation


We install new outdoor condensers paired with matched indoor coils, connecting them with properly brazed, pressure-tested refrigerant lines and a clean condensate drain so the system cools efficiently from its first run.

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UNIT REPLACEMENT

AC Replacement


When an older unit fails or becomes too costly to repair, we remove it, recover the refrigerant properly, and install a correctly sized replacement that fits your existing space and ductwork.

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LOAD MATH

Load Calculation and Sizing


We measure the home and evaluate insulation, windows, and orientation to calculate the actual cooling load, which prevents the oversizing and undersizing mistakes behind so many comfort complaints. Sizing drives everything else.

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INDOOR SIDE

Evaporator Coil Matching


The indoor coil must match the outdoor unit for rated efficiency. We install a compatible coil on your furnace or air handler and seal it properly to prevent air bypass.

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SMART CONTROLS

Thermostat Installation


A new programmable or smart thermostat gives you better control of cooling schedules. We wire it correctly, configure it for your system, and show you how to set comfortable, efficient routines.

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AIR PATH

Duct Connection and Sealing


New equipment performs only as well as the air path around it. We connect supply and return plenums securely and seal accessible joints so conditioned air reaches rooms instead of the attic.

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WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY.

THE WORD ON OUR WORK

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THE WORD ON OUR WORK

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY.

Customers who replace their air conditioners with us often mention how clearly the options were explained. They remember a tidy installation day, a technician who showed them how the new thermostat works, and cooler summer bills that followed. Several mention quieter evenings too.

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FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

Planning a new air conditioner raises practical questions about sizing, efficiency ratings, timing, and refrigerants. These answers explain what matters most before you choose equipment for your home.

    How Do I Know What Size Air Conditioner My Home Needs?

    Proper sizing comes from a load calculation that accounts for square footage, insulation, windows, orientation, and ductwork. Rules of thumb based on floor area alone often oversize systems, which causes humidity problems and unnecessary wear on the equipment.

    What Does SEER2 Mean On A New Air Conditioner?

    SEER2 measures cooling efficiency under updated federal testing conditions that better reflect real ductwork. A higher SEER2 rating means less electricity for the same cooling. The right choice balances upfront cost with how many hours your system runs.

    How Long Does An Air Conditioning Installation Take?

    A straightforward replacement usually takes 1 day. Projects that add new ductwork, electrical upgrades, or a new condenser location may take 2 or 3 days. We give you a realistic timeline during the estimate so you can plan around it.

    Should I Replace My Furnace When I Replace My AC?

    Not always. If your furnace is relatively young and compatible with the new coil, keeping it can make sense. When both are aging, replacing them together often improves efficiency, matching, and warranty coverage while saving a second installation visit.

    What Refrigerant Do New Air Conditioners Use?

    Since January 1, 2025, new residential air conditioners have been manufactured for lower-impact refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32, replacing R-410A. These newer refrigerants require compatible equipment, updated tools, and trained installers familiar with their safe handling procedures.

    Is A Variable-Speed Air Conditioner Worth It?

    Variable-speed systems adjust output to match demand, running longer at lower speeds. That improves humidity control, evens out temperatures, and reduces noise. They cost more upfront, so they make the most sense for homes with long cooling seasons.

    Do You Pull Permits For AC Installations?

    Yes. Performance Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. follows California permit and Title 24 requirements on air conditioning installations in Pasadena, CA, including the required verification of refrigerant charge. We explain each step during the estimate so nothing catches you off guard.

    Why Choose Us For Air Conditioning Installation In Pasadena?

    Performance Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. sizes every system from a load calculation, installs it carefully, and commissions it with measured readings. Homeowners in Pasadena, CA also value our upfront pricing and free second opinions on quotes received elsewhere.

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    HOW WE WORK

    FROM FIRST MEASUREMENT TO FIRST COOL NIGHT, HERE IS HOW.

    STEP 01

    WE ASSESS YOUR HOME

    We visit to measure rooms, check insulation, windows, and ductwork, and look at your electrical panel and outdoor space. Those details shape the equipment recommendation and prevent installation-day surprises. Nothing gets sized from a label.

    STEP 02

    WE CALCULATE THE LOAD

    Using your home's measurements and construction details, we determine the true cooling load. That number, not guesswork or the old unit's label, guides the size of the new air conditioner. It drives every recommendation we make.

    STEP 03

    WE PRESENT OPTIONS

    You receive clear choices across efficiency levels and features, each with an upfront price. We explain the tradeoffs honestly so you can choose the system that fits your comfort goals and budget. No pressure, ever.

    STEP 04

    WE INSTALL WITH CARE

    Our team protects floors, removes old equipment, sets the new condenser and coil, brazes and pressure tests the refrigerant lines, and completes the electrical and drain connections to code. Every connection gets checked twice.

    STEP 05

    WE COMMISSION THE SYSTEM

    We evacuate the lines, set the refrigerant charge to specification, adjust airflow, and measure performance. Commissioning is where a good installation becomes a great one, and we never skip it. It takes time, and it matters.

    STEP 06

    WE WALK YOU THROUGH IT

    Before leaving, we show you the thermostat, filter location, and maintenance needs, then answer every question. You finish the day confident in how your new system works and how to care for it.