Furnace Repair Service Joliet IL | Gene May Heating & Cooling
(815) 828-5817

AC Replacement

AC Replacement Services

Replacing AC Units Since 2007

When summer temperatures rise, a dependable and efficient air conditioner makes all the difference. If your cooling system is old, difficult to maintain, or struggling to keep your home comfortable, Gene May Heating & Cooling can help. Since 2007, our Minooka-based HVAC company has been serving homeowners throughout the surrounding suburbs with honest guidance, expert installation, and top-quality AC replacement services.

Our customer-focused HVAC company is deeply dedicated to providing comfort for our customers, a fact easily correlated by our 18 years of service. In that time, we’ve replaced hundreds of old air conditioners with new, more-efficient ones. We’ve helped your friends and neighbors shave hundreds off their utility bills. If you’re in the market for an AC replacement, we’re the local HVAC company you can trust.

We get the job done right the first time, and it’s not considered complete until you’re five-star satisfied. If you receive anything less than perfect service, we invite you to call us at (815) 828-5817. We’ll set things right.

Ready to replace your air conditioner? Call (815) 828-5817 for an estimate. Financing is available!

Signs That It’s Time for a New AC Unit

We understand the urge to put off AC replacement. It’s expensive and inconvenient. It's also not something everyone budgets for. The idea of helping your air conditioner hobble along a little longer is tempting. But, eventually, it’ll have to be replaced. Below are a few signs that your current AC unit is nearing the end of its service life:

  • Skyrocketing Utility Bills: Older air conditioning systems are inefficient and often struggle to reach peak efficiency. As time goes on, it’ll take more and more money to cool your home. If you notice a sudden uptick in cost, a major system breakdown is on the horizon.
  • Old Refrigerants: Older refrigerants (like 401A and R-22) damage the climate and have been replaced with newer, more eco-friendly ones. Due to this, though that old AC unit may still be working, replacing the refrigerant in case of a leak may no longer be a cost-effective option. In some cases, you might not be able to find a refill at all.
  • The Unit Never Shuts Off: Though it’s normal for your AC unit to run more during hot weather, failing air conditioners often struggle to reach target temperatures. This often leads to them constantly running, even during mild weather. If you notice your air conditioner staying on longer than usual, it's a good sign that AC maintenance or replacement is necessary.
  • We're on a First-Name Basis: Even though we love our customers, those who make more than one AC repair call a season may be better off replacing their central air system. Like dominoes, components tend to fail in sequence. This often ends with a catastrophic failure or a recommendation for a replacement air conditioner. Call for a quote on a new AC unit.
  • Age: With proper maintenance, the average air conditioner can last over 15 years. But if yours is nearing that age, it’s often more economical to replace it. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates utility savings of between 20 and 40 percent after replacing an old unit.

If you notice any of these symptoms, place a call to (815) 828-5817 right away! Tackling the issue head on may mean you can put off getting a new unit a little longer. Waiting, meanwhile, is likely to lead to snowballing and worse issues down the road.

How We Determine and Install the Proper AC Unit

One of the biggest causes of wasteful air conditioners is improper sizing and installation. A lot of AC repair calls could have been prevented with a little bit of forethought. That's why Gene May takes time to properly determine your home's specific needs. This includes determining the correct size of your new air conditioner. We also will recommend things like air handlers, air filtration systems, ductwork repairs, and zoning up front to save you money on overall installation and operating costs.

After we're done, we'll present you with a quote on AC replacement. We list the prices of everything from new condensers to updated drain lines and new thermostats. We will also take time to discuss your budget and explore rebate, financing, and promotional options.

You’ll have a proposal that ensures the installed air conditioning system meets you and your family’s needs. After all the paperwork is signed, our HVAC expert will take down your appointment preferences and get you scheduled. We look forward to adding you to our list of satisfied customers in the area.

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Breaking Down the AC Replacement Process

The time has arrived to replace or install your new air conditioning system. It's a big day. Many homeowners aren’t sure what to expect on AC replacement day. How long will it take? Is there anything you need to do to prepare for upgraded cooling? To help ease your concerns, here is how Gene May gets the job done:

  1. We provide an initial quote on AC replacement
  2. You pick an appointment time that works for you
  3. We’ll call to remind you of the appointment and request that your pets be contained
  4. Our HVAC experts take steps to ensure your home's cleanliness
  5. Any items in the way will be moved to prevent potential damage
  6. The AC installer will measure everything a second time
  7. We break down your old equipment and load it up for recycling
  8. Our technician will bring in your replacement air conditioner
  9. Refrigerant lines are attached and the system connectedto your main power source
  10. The power switch is flipped and the unit tested

After the initial test, our HVAC technician will do a few temperature checks to make sure everything is performing as expected. When diagnostics are complete, they’ll pick up their tools and remove the floor coverings. Then you, in renewed comfort, can flop back in the armchair.

Protect your new AC unit! Sign-up for AC maintenance.

What if I Need AC Installed in a Newly Built Home?

First, let’s start with a congratulations! We hope your new home is everything you dreamed of. Our local HVAC company is proud to work with a number of home builders and remodelers in the area. So, we're often called upon to design and install new-build systems.

The process for installing a new AC system is similar to replacing one. The same calculations are made and the same steps taken to prevent safety issues. The main difference comes during the set-up process. Because it’s a new build, there’s open access and no old air conditioner requiring disposal.

Why Gene May is the Right Choice for AC Replacement

If you want your new AC unit put in right, you can’t go wrong with Gene May Heating & Cooling. We’ve been helping people cool their homes for over 18 years. This experience means we have the expertise necessary to properly install and configure a variety of HVAC systems. When you work with us, you get an air conditioner prepared to reach the end of its lifespan. Our simplified cooling system replacement process helps make your experience stress-free.

Give us a call at (815) 828-5817 for a free quote on AC replacement in Minooka, Joliet, and surrounding areas.

AC Replacement and Installation FAQs

It typically does! Replacing an old air conditioner can raise your home's value by as much as 10 percent. This value depends on the efficiency and features of the new unit. In some markets, you can't even sell a home that doesn't have a cooling system installed. So, even if you plan to sell in the near future, you might want to consider footing the bill for an updated air conditioner.

A lot of homeowners think that bigger is better when it comes to air conditioning units. But that's not true. While an oversized air conditioner will cool your house more quickly, it will use more electricity to do so. It'll also struggle to remove the humidity from the air. Though you might not like your AC running for hours on end, long cycles are better for your wallet and home than short ones.

Air conditioners have both interior and exterior components. Some homeowners think replacing just one of those is a great way to reduce AC repair and installation costs. It's not. Having mismatched components can lead to frequent repairs, higher energy bills, and reduced efficiency. Though the price tag might look scary, doing both sides of your cooling system will ultimately save you money.

We suggest you get multiple quotes for your air conditioning replacement. This is the best way to ensure you get a fair deal. Do note, however, that you need to be comparing apples to apples. Does the other HVAC company offer a warranty as good as ours? Is the unit from the same brand or as good? How long have they been in business? You will need to keep these things in mind as you make your decision. We invite you to check out our financing and special offers pages to see what deals we're currently offering.

While you might be tempted to repair or replace your own air conditioner, you shouldn't. There's a lot that goes into sizing, installing, and testing an air conditioner. Beneath that shell, there are a number of electronic and chemical components. Tinkering with these can lead to injuries and even death. So, unless you have the proper certifications, we suggest leaving AC replacement in Joliet to the HVAC experts at Gene May Heating & Cooling.

Once your air conditioner gets past 10 or 15 years old, it's time to start budgeting for a new one. Like with a lot of other products, HVAC equipment pricing is cyclical. For better AC deals, start shopping early before summer hits its stride. When winter temperatures start breaking toward spring, a lot of local HVAC contractors may be slower, and scheduling is a lot easier. It's also a period where many financing deals are offered. For Illinois, this means anywhere from February to April.

Shopping for a pair of shoes online is one thing. Trying to purchase a new AC unit is another. You should always get a quote from a licensed HVAC contractor. They have the skills needed to properly measure your home to calculate the equipment that is optimal for your needs. There are a few things, however, we recommend to everyone:

  • Make sure the contractor installs AC equipment from a well-regarded brand
  • If you're not selling your home, invest in something more energy efficient
  • Ask about warranties and guarantees

There's no universal answer to this question. Every home is different. Things like local codes, square footage, building materials, drafts, wall direction, and even homeowner association rules can affect selection of your new AC's site. For that reason, there's no secret formula to picking the right spot. We recommend looking for:

  • Shady Areas: It’s helpful to try and keep air conditioners cool as well. So, if possible, we typically place it on the north or east side of your home. If that isn't an option, it can also be placed under a leafy tree.
  • Somewhere Away from Pets: Dogs and other animals like to pee on air conditioners and chew on connections. The refrigerants and metals can be harmful to your pets. Over time, urine can eat through the fan blades. If you don't have a sheltered area, we recommend surrounding it with a fence or shrubs to limit animal access.
  • Places with Grass or Mulch: Many air conditioners are placed on concrete or PVC slabs. These radiate heat back up toward the unit. The added heat can make the unit work harder to cool your home. If there's no grass or mulch around the best location, we might recommend adding some.

At the end of the day, however, the best way to find the perfect spot is to reach out to your local AC service experts— Gene May.

A simple AC replacement typically takes between four and six hours. This estimate may increase if the installation team has to flush the line or add brackets. If you want a more accurate estimate of how long it'll take to put in your new AC unit, just ask our technician. They will be happy to walk you through the process.

If you're willing to invest in and design adjustments, any home can enjoy the benefits of central air. But, before you call your local building contractor, give (815) 828-5817 a call first. We'll walk you through the installation process, and we'll help you explore alternative cooling options. Things like ductless mini-splits, whole house fans, and evaporative coolers may be able to give you many of the same benefits at a lower upfront cost.