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Air Conditioner Installation
in Columbus, OH

Choosing and installing a new air conditioner is not a decision to take lightly. It's a significant investment financially and your home's indoor comfort for the next 20 years or more. Our team is confident that we can provide you with the information and the equipment options for your budget to make the right decision for your home.

How Much Does a New Air Conditioner Cost?

The cost of installing a new air conditioner varies.

There are many variables that can affect the price of an installation of a new air conditioner.

  • Air Conditioner Unit
  • Additional Accessories
  • Permits Required
  • Applicable Rebates

The Air Conditioner You Choose

Air conditioners are available in a variety of capacities, efficiency ratings, and feature sets to suit different home comfort needs.

Standard Efficiency Systems

These systems focus on reliable performance and essential cooling. They typically meet baseline energy efficiency requirements and provide a practical solution for those seeking a straightforward, budget-conscious installation without extra specialized features.

Enhanced Comfort Systems

Mid-range units offer a balance of increased efficiency and additional features. These systems are designed to provide improved climate control and more consistent cooling performance while remaining accessible for many homeowners.

High-Performance Systems

Top-tier air conditioners feature the industry’s most advanced technology, reaching the highest energy efficiency ratings available. These systems often include premium benefits such as variable-speed compressors for precise temperature management, significantly quieter operation, and smart-system compatibility for ultimate control and comfort.

Additional Accessories

The best time to pick accessories is when installing new equipment as the cost is minimized. Many customers choose a dehumidifier when installing a new air conditioner to keep their home comfortable in the humid and warm temperatures. Other homeowners may also opt-in for a whole home media filter to keep dust and allergies under control.

We offer a variety of accessory options that can be installed with your new air conditioner system.

The Permits Required

Ensuring that the proper permits are obtained is very important to ensure that the work being done is safe, up to code, and lawful. The permits required to install and replace your air conditioner typically cost $95. Always make sure you work with a reputable company that obtains the appropriate permits. Otherwise, the safety and potential cost to re-do the work can cost you several thousand dollars more.

Applicable Rebates

Many times there are rebates available that can reduce the cost of installation. This sometimes depends on the equipment purchased and the current available rebates at the time. Many times your utility company, such as AEP or Columbia Gas, have rebates available when purchasing a new energy-efficient system.

In many cases, a rebate through your utility provider can reduce the cost by up to $300.

What to Expect At Your Estimate

Watch a quick 2 minute video on what you can expect at your estimate for a new HVAC system.

We know how significant this investment is to you, and choosing the right unit is critical. Our process is the most comprehensive in town when it comes to selecting the right air conditioner for your home and desired comfort level.

A Fire & Ice comfort consultant will come out to survey your house and perform a load calculation to determine your home's BTU requirements allowing us to provide you with a quote on four different options based on budget and comfort needs.

The Step-by-Step Process

The process explained from beginning to end.

  1. 1. Determine If a New Air Conditioner Is Right for You

    When your Air Conditioner starts costing you more money on repairs and inefficiency, it's time to have it replaced. The average lifespan of an Air Conditioner is around fifteen to twenty years. Not only is replacing your Air Conditioner a financial investment, but an investment into your home and lifestyle for more than the next decade.

  2. 2. Schedule an Estimate

    Reach out to us and schedule an in-home estimate with a residential sales professional to visit your home and discuss your comfort needs and available options for your home. We typically provide four system options suited to your comfort needs and budget.

    Don't worry; we don't use any high-pressure sales tactics.

  3. 3. Consult and Choose an Option

    If you believe we are a great fit for you, let us know. A residential sales professional will answer any additional questions you may have. This is a significant investment for your home, and we want you to be satisfied with your purchase.

    Financing is available. Financing Details

  4. 4. Planning and Preparation

    We are a fully licensed HVAC contractor and obtain all the necessary permits for the work we perform in your home. Before starting the work, our team will create a custom-fit design for your home.

    We will work with you to collect the necessary information and apply any rebates that are applicable with your purchase.

  5. 5. Installation Day

    An exciting day for homeowners. The installation team typically arrives around between 7:30 am and 8 am in a branded/marked truck with professional uniforms and identification badges. You will receive a courtesy call when the installation team is on their way.

    The installers will begin by placing drop cloths and any necessary protective equipment to ensure no damage to your home or property occurs.

    After removing the old equipment from your home, the new equipment is prepared and installed. Once ready, the installation team tests the new system to ensure everything is in the expected working order.

    Most installations wrap-up around 4 pm that day. Your installation team will then show you how the system works and will go over any questions you have about your new system thoroughly.

  6. 6. Post-Installation Inspection

    Our residential sales professional will return to your home after you’ve had your new equipment for 7 plus days. They will look over the installation, look you in the eye, shake your hand, make sure you are happy. Any issues that do not meet our high installation standards, if identified, will be promptly remedied.

    Learn more about our post-installation inspection.

What to Expect Post-Installation

Rest Assured, We are Here For You.

Built into our installation process is a post-installation inspection. This is where we reach out to you after you’ve had your new equipment for 7 plus days to schedule an appointment where our residential sales professional will return to your home. They will look over the installation, look you in the eye, shake your hand, make sure you are happy. Any issues that do not meet our high installation standards, if identified, will be promptly remedied.

Additionally, during this time, many homeowners have equipment and product education questions that may arise with their new system. This is an excellent opportunity to address those questions, concerns, or share feedback about your experience.

However, if you believe something is not right, or have any issues with your new system either before or after our post-installation inspection, as rare as it is, let us know. The equipment purchased through us and our labor is covered under warranty. If an issue does occur, we will make our best effort to minimize the inconvenience and correct the situation as quickly as possible.

Signs It's Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner

Your System Is 15+ Years Old

Most air conditioners last 15-20 years. If yours is in that range and starting to have issues, a replacement is often more cost-effective than ongoing repairs.

Frequent Repairs

If you've called for AC repair multiple times in the past few years, those costs add up. A new system eliminates recurring repair bills.

Rising Energy Bills

Older systems lose efficiency over time. If your energy bills keep climbing despite regular tune-ups, a new high-efficiency unit can significantly reduce your costs.

R-22 Refrigerant Phase-Out

R-22 (Freon) has been phased out and is increasingly expensive. If your system still uses R-22, upgrading to a new unit with R-410A saves money long-term.

Not sure if it's time? Our technicians can assess your current system and help you weigh repair vs. replacement.

Schedule a Free Estimate

Why Choose Us for Your Air Conditioner Installation

We are constantly evolving and improving the way we do business.

  • 24 Hour Service

    24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, you have Columbus's leading Air Conditioner repair specialists awaiting your call!

  • We Service Your Area

    We service all of the Columbus metro, Columbus, Powell, Westerville, Grove City, Galloway, Pickerington, and more.

  • Affordable Repairs

    After diagnosing the system, your technician will verify the repairs and cost before they perform the work. There are never any surprises at the end of the service!

  • One-Year Warranty

    We stand by our work by offering a one-year warranty on all our repairs and extended repair warranties for our Maintenance Agreement holders.

  • Training

    Fire & Ice's technicians go through on-going training year-round in the largest training facility in Central Ohio, also owned by Fire & Ice.

  • All Makes and Models

    Fire & Ice can repair any Air Conditioner regardless of make and model!

  • Superior Service

    With our accreditation and A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, you can trust that your Air Conditioner is in good hands with Fire & Ice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most central air conditioning installations are completed in one day. If your home needs new ductwork, electrical upgrades, or other modifications, the project may extend to two days. We will provide a detailed timeline during your in-home estimate.
Yes, a mechanical permit is required for AC installations in Columbus and most Central Ohio municipalities. Fire & Ice takes care of all permitting and scheduling the required inspections as part of every installation.
Correct sizing is critical for comfort and efficiency. We perform a Manual J load calculation that accounts for your home's square footage, insulation, sun exposure, window types, and more. This ensures you get a system that cools effectively without wasting energy from being oversized or undersized.
A standard air conditioner installation typically takes one day. More complex installations, such as those requiring ductwork modifications or additional accessories, may take a second day.
The size of the air conditioner you need depends on your home's square footage, insulation, number of windows, and other factors. Our technicians perform a load calculation during the estimate to determine the correct size for your home. An oversized or undersized unit will lead to comfort and efficiency problems.
Not always, but it is often recommended if your furnace is also aging. The indoor coil that sits on your furnace must be compatible with your new outdoor unit. In many cases, replacing both at the same time saves on labor costs and ensures the best system performance.
Rebates vary depending on the equipment you choose and current utility company offers. AEP and Columbia Gas frequently offer rebates for high-efficiency equipment. Our team will help you identify all available rebates during the estimate process.

Become an HVAC Expert!

Prepare for your next HVAC project with educational resources from the Fire & Ice Learning Center, the most comprehensive library of residential HVAC information anywhere on the web.

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Over 3500 Reviews!
4.9 average on Google

Chris Husmann

Fire and Ice has been wonderful to work with! Our new Furnace and AC are working like a dream. We had a number of places come out for estimates and Fire and Ice was the only one who actually went around and measured our windows and home and determined we should get a smaller furnace than what was installed before, saving us money both up front and on efficiency down the road. We were also impressed at the quality of the installation itself, as our old setup was clearly done without much care or thought. Fire and Ice took the time to move pipes and such that were just hanging from my ceiling before, move the humidifier to the proper side of the furnace, move over the ductwork that was not put in a good location, raise our electrical box outside away from the ground, and all kinds of little things to make sure our system runs right for a long time. It's been a few months and our setup runs perfectly. You get what you pay for, and I'm glad we paid for Fire and Ice!

Emily

When the 30 year old HVAC system in our house went out Fire and Ice was recommended to me. Brad, my sales representative, showed me a comprehensive list of my options, set me up with financing make a brand new system affordable, and professionally communicated throughout the entire process. The installers, Demetrius, Willard, and Tyler, were fantastic! They were very helpful and professional throughout the entire installation process and walked us through the ins and outs of the final product. The AC works like a dream just in time for the hot summer weather and we could not be happier! Fire and Ice is our go-to recommendation for anyone seeking HVAC work.

Mary Avalos-Miller

Our complete HVAC system was replaced a month ago. We experienced a flawless, informative process from sales to installation. Bryan, our sales pro, performed a detailed anaysis of our home's size, construction & features to develop an evaluation of our HVAC needs to offer the optimum sized equipment and has returned several times since the installation to insure it's proper functioning and our understanding of the entire system. The installation was performed within 3 days of our agreement - with the crew (Jon, Daniqua & Colby) getting the old system removed (furnace & A/C) and the new system installed in a matter of hours - they even modified ductwork and rerouted some lines originally installed by our builder to increase efficiency and give the system a cleaner appearance. Another great surprise was their tenacity with the cleanup - all their work areas were left totally spotless!!! Overall the best contractor performance we have experienced in 35 years of home ownership including having 2 homes built by the area's most reputable developers. The system runs great, is quiet and can now be operated through my phone from anywhere - even if just to insure it's running while at my winter haven. Thank You Fire & Ice!

Cathy Mace

Fire & Ice was great. Our sales rep, Bryan, was excellent. He was knowledgeable, professional, and didn’t pressure us to make a purchase. Due to our experience with him, we were already planning on using Fire & Ice to replace our old AC, but during the heat wave and storms, my once limping-along-AC decided 20 years was enough cooling and decided it’s job was done. My husband had initially set the meeting with Bryan, but was out of town, leaving me to pick up the sale. Bryan didn’t miss a beat when I emailed him asking to get a new AC installed ASAP. Within two days, my install techs, Demetrius P. and Willard J. were here to install. The excellent service continued. Both were amazing and incredibly professional, even dealing with my very vocal dog with grace every time they entered my house. They completed the job in a timely manner and everything was top notch. They were mindful of the fact that I work from home, and kept noise to an absolute minimum. By the time they left, I could feel the cool air flowing once again. They even took the time to swap out my furnace filter! Loved working with them and will recommend Fire & Ice to my friends & neighbors.

Jared Petersen

The entire process of having a new furnace and air conditioner installed was awesome. Scheduling the estimate was quick and easy and I didn't have to wait on availability. The estimate was very thorough, and Bryan was extremely helpful in explaining everything. Install was just a few days later based on my schedule (they could have installed sooner) and the install technicians (Bryan, Alontae, Von) were awesome. Very professional and courteous, adhering to local health guidelines the entire time. They also had somebody come out and take photos and videos of the install so they could use it in their training. They took the time to ensure everything was installed properly (my old install wasn't). They were also very helpful to show me everything about the system and new thermostat before they left. Bryan followed up with me a week later and stopped in to check on the install. He's awesome and having a tech come out and tweak a couple things (humidifier and thermostat) to ensure everything runs properly!

Jayson Nayuki

One of my good friend’s had a great experience with Fire and Ice, so I went ahead and tried them out. Amazing customers service. Brad was awesome with walking me through the process of getting a new furnace and answered all of my questions. I will be a returning customer and recommend Fire and Ice to all. Update on furnace installed: I can not praise this company enough. The technicians Floyd and Jacob were very professional and the craftsmanship was amazing. You can tell when someone takes pride in their work. Thank you for your hard work. It’s greatly appreciated.

Bryan Wade

Bryan and Nick were true professionals. They gave me a good heads up when they were going to arrive and did a great job installing the new furnace. They made sure to keep my house clean and walked me through what they did and gave me tips on how to get the best use/life out of my furnace. Will definitely recommend to a friend.

I Daniels

The two technicians arrived exactly when they said they would, immediately began to take care of business. They had more trouble than they anticipated getting the old furnace out but still pretty much finished at the time they told me. The system and heating space were left clean and tidy. they took a few extra minutes to troubleshoot my water tank to get it to ignite which was greatly appreciated. Very nice gentleman throughout the experience and gave me a thorough explanation of the paperwork and how to use the thermostat as well. Was a great experience