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Old house, calm answers for your cooling
AC Installation and Replacement for Your Home
Request an estimate for a new AC
An air conditioner does not last forever. If yours is old, loud, or breaking down again, it is natural to worry about the cost and the mess. This page walks you through the choice in plain words, so you can decide at your own pace.
Simonmarked Heating & Air is a referral service. We connect homeowners in the Schaumburg area with independent providers who handle heating and cooling work. The provider measures your home, explains the options, and puts the price in writing before any work starts. Older houses get extra care, because ducts, wiring, and past repairs can change the plan. Families with busy weeks can ask for a schedule that fits.
Start here: repair or replace?
A hot house and a dead AC is a stressful mix. Take a breath. You do not have to decide everything today. One clear step is enough.
If the system still runs but is weak, ask a provider to look first. If it has stopped in a heat wave, ask about emergency AC repair to get you through. Replacement planning can wait until the house is comfortable again.
Signs your AC may need replacing
One sign alone is not a verdict. A pattern of signs is worth a closer look:
- The system is 12 to 15 years old, or older
- Repair bills show up every summer
- Rooms feel sticky even while the AC runs
- Energy bills climb and your habits have not changed
- Loud banging, grinding, or rattling from the unit
- It uses an older refrigerant that is getting harder to find
A provider can inspect the system and tell you which side of the line you are on.
Older homes hide a few surprises
Many frame houses, bungalows, and ranch homes have stood for decades. Over the years, ducts get crushed, leaky, or too small for today's equipment. Past repairs may have left patched lines or mismatched parts.
This is normal, and it is not a reason to panic. It just means a good plan looks at the whole path of the air, not only the box outside. Ask the provider to check the ducts, the wiring, and the drain line.
Hot humid summers, hail, and strong storms are also hard on outdoor units. Bent fins and dents add up. Damp basements can affect where the indoor parts are placed.
Types of cooling systems
There are a few common choices:
- Central split system: an outdoor unit and an indoor coil that use your ducts. This is the most common setup.
- Heat pump: cools in summer and heats in cooler months. With deep-frost winters, ask about cold-climate models.
- Ductless mini-split: no ducts needed. It can suit an addition or a house that never had ducts.
- Packaged unit: all parts in one outdoor cabinet. It is less common with basements.
Why proper sizing matters
Bigger is not better. A unit that is too big switches on and off too often. It leaves the air damp and wears out parts sooner. A unit that is too small runs all day and still falls behind.
Ask the provider to measure your rooms, windows, and insulation. Your old unit's size is only a starting point. Older homes change over time, with new windows, added insulation, or a finished basement.
What an AC installation includes
A full job usually covers these steps:
- Removing the old unit and handling the refrigerant properly
- Setting the new outdoor unit on a level pad
- Connecting the indoor coil and refrigerant lines
- Electrical work, including the shutoff box
- Hooking up the drain line
- Installing or updating the thermostat
- Testing airflow and cooling, then cleaning up
Permits may be needed where you live. Ask who pulls them.
Matching the system
The outdoor unit and indoor coil should be a matched pair. The blower in your furnace or air handler matters too. Your heating and cooling often share the same ducts.
If your furnace is also old, you may search for furnace replacement near me. Ask whether doing both together makes sense. It can mean fewer visits and a better fit.
Efficiency in plain terms
Look for the SEER2 number. A higher number means the unit uses less power to make the same cool air. In long, humid summers, that can add up. In short seasons, the savings are smaller.
Ask for a simple estimate of yearly running cost. Ask your utility about rebates, too. Offers vary, so check before you count on one.
Plan around your day
Busy weeks are real. Tell the provider about school runs, work hours, and pets. Ask for a start time that fits.
Most replacements take a day or two, but it varies. Old ducts or wiring can add time. Ask what the noise will be like and which rooms need to be clear.
Questions to ask the provider
- Is the quote written and broken into parts?
- Did you measure my home, or copy the old unit size?
- Are permits, disposal, and the thermostat included?
- What are the warranty terms on parts and labor, in writing?
- How will you handle my old ducts and wiring?
- What happens if you find a surprise during the job?
- Will your own crew do the work?
Take one clear step
You do not need to have every answer. Request a callback to check provider availability, or send the request form and compare a written quote when it arrives.
What's Included
Old Unit Removal
The provider takes out your worn system and handles the old refrigerant and parts the proper way.
New Equipment
A matched outdoor unit and indoor coil are set in place and connected to your ducts.
Controls Setup
Thermostat, wiring, and drain line are connected, then checked so the system runs correctly.
Testing and Cleanup
Airflow and cooling are tested, then the work area is cleaned before the provider leaves.
Typical AC Replacement Costs
Prices change with home size, system type, and the shape of your ducts. These are typical U.S. ranges only. Ask each provider for a written quote before any work begins.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central AC replacement | $5,000 – $12,000 | Depends on size and efficiency |
| Heat pump system | $6,000 – $15,000 | Cold-climate models cost more |
| Ductless mini-split (one zone) | $3,000 – $7,000 | Extra zones add to the price |
| Matching indoor coil | $1,000 – $3,000 | Often needed with a new outdoor unit |
| Duct repair or sealing | $500 – $3,000 | Common in older homes |
| Thermostat upgrade | $150 – $600 | Smart models cost more |
How It Works
Share Your Situation
Tell us about your home, your current AC, and what has been going wrong lately.
Get Matched Locally
Simonmarked Heating & Air connects you with an independent provider in the Schaumburg area.
Review the Written Quote
The provider looks at your home and gives you a clear price in writing.
Choose Your Timing
Pick a date that works for your household, then the provider does the work.
Why Call Simonmarked Heating & Air
Care for Older Homes
Providers can check ducts, wiring, and past repairs before suggesting a new system.
Plain Answers
Get options in simple words, with no pressure to decide.
Written Quotes
Ask for the price in writing before any work starts.
Fits Your Schedule
Ask providers to plan the work around your busy week.
Other Services
Questions
AC Installation and Replacement FAQ
How do I know if I should replace my AC or repair it?
Age, repair history, and cost matter most. A unit past 12 to 15 years with repeated repairs often points to replacement. A provider can inspect it and explain.
How long does an AC installation take?
Many replacements take one to two days. Older homes with worn ducts or wiring may take longer. Ask the provider for a schedule that fits your household before work starts.
Will a new air conditioner work with my old ducts?
Often yes, but old ducts can be leaky or too small. A provider can check airflow and suggest repairs. Ask for any duct work to be listed clearly in your written quote.
Contact
Tell us what happened
Tell us what your system is doing. Use the request form or Request a callback to check provider availability in Schaumburg.
No obligation