No central cooling in a home that gets uncomfortably warm during July and August heat waves
Air Conditioning · Seattle, WA
AC Installation in Seattle, WA
Most AC installations in Seattle land between $5,500 and $12,500 installed, depending on system type, home size, and existing ductwork. SPS Pro Services installs and sizes cooling systems for homeowners across Seattle and King County, with most jobs scheduled within a week and completed in one to two days on site.
Typical cost$5,500–$12,500
WarrantyWorkmanship warranty
AvailabilitySame-week visits
HoursMon–Fri 8am–6pm
Seattle's marine climate kept air conditioning optional for decades, so a lot of homes here were built with forced-air or radiant heat only and no ducts sized for cooling. That's changing: summer heat waves now push temperatures into the 90s for stretches at a time, and single-pane windows plus thin attic insulation common in older Seattle houses let that heat build up fast indoors. We size every system for Seattle's real pattern of mild averages punctuated by sharp heat spikes, not a generic spec sheet.
Local knowledge
What's different about ac installation in Seattle
We run service calls in Seattle every week — the same patterns come up again and again.
Many Seattle homes, especially craftsman and bungalow-style houses in neighborhoods like Ballard, Wallingford, and Wedgwood, were built before central air was standard and need ductwork evaluated or added before an AC install can happen.
Seattle City Light provides electric service within city limits, and homes still running a 100-amp panel sometimes need a panel upgrade before a new AC or heat pump condenser can be added safely.
Summer heat waves overlapping with wildfire smoke season mean a tightly sealed, properly filtered system matters as much as raw tonnage for Seattle homeowners trying to keep both heat and smoke out.
Symptoms we see daily
Signs you need ac installation in Seattle
Window units or portable ACs that can't keep up with upper floors
Planning a home addition, attic conversion, or ADU that needs its own cooling source
Existing ductwork designed only for a gas furnace, with no AC coil ever installed
Frequent hot spots on the second floor of a two-story home
No surprises
How a Seattle ac installation visit works
1
Home assessment
We walk the house, check existing ductwork or confirm there isn't any, look at the electrical panel, and note insulation and window conditions that affect cooling load.
2
Load calculation
We run a room-by-room Manual J calculation instead of guessing off square footage, since Seattle's mix of older and newer construction changes heat gain a lot house to house.
3
Equipment selection
We compare central AC against ductless or ducted heat pump options, since a lot of Seattle homes end up better served by a heat pump that cools in summer and heats in winter.
4
Installation
Most installs take one to two days, including setting the outdoor condenser, running line sets, connecting to existing or new ductwork, and any needed electrical work.
5
Startup and walkthrough
We test refrigerant charge, airflow, and thermostat settings, then walk you through operation and maintenance before we leave.
Flat-rate pricing
AC Installation in Seattle — what it costs
Conservative ranges for the Seattle metro. Your written quote is exact before work begins.
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| In-home estimateExact flat quote for your home | Free |
| Standard ac installationTypical single-system job | $5,500–$7,830 |
| Mid-range ac installationHigher-capacity or multi-zone equipment | $7,830–$10,170 |
| Complex ac installationPremium equipment or difficult access | $10,170–$12,500 |
Prices reviewed by Sergei Petrov · July 2026. Parts availability can shift ranges — the quote you sign is final.
24/7 Emergency Line
Emergency dispatchNo cooling at 11pm? We pick up.
Office hours are Mon–Fri, but the emergency line never closes. Call any hour and we dispatch a licensed tech across Greater Seattle.
Straight answers
AC Installation in Seattle — FAQ
Do I really need central air in Seattle?
Seattle's summers were historically mild, but recent heat waves have pushed temperatures well into the 90s and higher for multiple days at a stretch. Homes without cooling can get dangerously hot indoors during those events. Central air or a heat pump gives you a reliable way to manage those spikes instead of relying on fans and open windows.
Will a new AC system affect my Seattle City Light electric service?
Most single-family homes handle a new AC or heat pump condenser fine on their existing service, but older homes with a 100-amp panel sometimes need an upgrade. We check your panel during the home assessment and tell you upfront if that's needed before scheduling installation.
My house has no ductwork, can I still get AC installed?
Yes. A lot of older Seattle homes, especially craftsman and bungalow-style houses, were built without ducts. A ductless mini-split or ducted heat pump system can cool the home without tearing into walls or ceilings, and it's a common solution in this housing stock.
How long does an AC installation take in Seattle, including permits?
The physical installation typically takes one to two days. Permitting through the City of Seattle usually adds a few days to a couple weeks depending on scope, and we handle that paperwork as part of the job so you don't have to track it down yourself.
Founder & Lead HVAC Technician, SPS Pro Services
EPA Section 608 UniversalNATE Core Certified14+ years in the trade
Reviews the pricing and service guidance on this page against SPS Pro Services's actual job records in Seattle and across the Seattle metro.
Prices reviewed July 2026
Also in Seattle
Other services our crew handles on the same routes.
Need ac installation in Seattle?
Call (206) 427-8907 to schedule an AC installation estimate for your Seattle home, Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm.