AC Installation & Replacement in San Jose, CA
Central air, ductless mini-split, heat pump, and water-cooled systems sized, installed, and replaced for homes across Santa Clara County and the greater Bay Area.
- Most Installs Completed in 1-2 Days
- Financing Available
- Up to 10-Year Manufacturer Warranty + 1 Year Labor
- Licensed & Insured in CA: #1060833
Fully Certified HVAC Company
Years of experience
Replacing an AC System in a Bay Area Home Is Not a One-Size Job
Homes here were built across seventy years of different codes, different duct standards, and different electrical panels. A 1960s ranch in Willow Glen, a two-story in Almaden, a Peninsula home with an addition that never got proper returns, each one needs a different answer, and the equipment is only part of it.
San Jose Heating and Cooling has spent 20+ years installing and replacing cooling systems across Santa Clara County and the surrounding Bay Area. Before we quote a system, we look at what the house actually needs: square footage and layout, the condition of your existing ductwork, whether your panel can carry the new load, and how much cooling you are losing through an under-insulated attic. That is how a new system ends up running quietly and efficiently instead of short cycling through its first summer.
An HVAC Company Trusted by the Locals
We measure our success by the relationships we keep, and our customers agree: 4.8/5 stars across 85+ Google reviews.
“We recently had San Jose Heating and Cooling install a new heat pump in our house, and the experience was top-notch from start to finish. A special shout-out to Armando, who …”
Ohad M.
OH
“I recently had a brand-new AC unit and furnace installed, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From start to finish, the entire team was professional, respectful, and extremely knowledgeable…”
Moshe M.
MM
“I recently hired San Jose Heating and Cooling to clean out my attic and replace the insulation, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. The team did a phenomenal job transforming …”
California R.
CR
Systems We Install and Replace
Central Air Conditioning
For homes with existing ductwork, central air is still the most direct way to cool the whole house evenly. We size the system to your home rather than matching whatever was there before, since older units were frequently oversized and the ductwork may have changed since installation. Correct sizing means steadier temperatures, quieter operation, and a compressor that is not cycling itself into an early failure.
Ductless Mini-Split Systems
Mini-splits solve the problems central air cannot: additions with no duct runs, converted garages, upstairs bedrooms that stay ten degrees warmer than the rest of the house, and older homes where adding ductwork would mean tearing into finished ceilings. Each zone gets its own control, so you are not cooling the whole house to fix one room. We install and replace ductless systems as a Mitsubishi authorized dealer.Heat Pump Systems
A heat pump is an air conditioner that can run in reverse. In cooling mode it works the same way a standard AC does, pulling heat out of the house and moving it outside, and in winter it flips direction to heat instead. For homeowners replacing an aging AC and an aging furnace at the same time, that means one system covering both seasons, and the Bay Area’s mild winters are close to ideal conditions for it. Read More
Water-Cooled AC Systems
Water-cooled systems reject heat through water rather than outdoor air, which makes them a practical solution where a conventional condenser is impractical or where equipment has to run hard for long stretches. Most of the water-cooled work we do is for restaurants, where kitchen heat loads, rooftop constraints, and long daily operating hours make the standard setup a poor fit. If you are running a kitchen or a similar space and your cooling cannot keep up, we will assess the site and install a system built for that load, to manufacturer specification and local code.
Whole House Fans
Not every home needs more tonnage. In neighborhoods that cool off well in the evening, a whole house fan can flush hot air out and cut how many hours your AC runs at all. When it fits, we will tell you, sometimes it is the lower-cost path to a comfortable house.
Our AC InstallationProcess
Every install follows the same sequence, whether it is a straight swap or a first-time cooling system.
In-home assessment
We measure the home, inspect the existing ductwork and equipment, and check your electrical panel capacity before recommending anything. You get a clear scope and a price, not a range.
Equipment selection
We are certified across Bryant, Carrier, Mitsubishi, Goodman, and Amana, so the recommendation is driven by what fits your home and budget rather than by the one brand we happen to carry.
Removal and prep
The old equipment is disconnected and hauled out. If duct sealing, insulation, or a panel upgrade is part of the job, that work happens now, before the new system goes in.
Installation to spec and code
Refrigerant lines, condensate, electrical, and airflow are all installed to manufacturer specification and California code, then commissioned properly.
Testing and walkthrough
We verify the system across its full operating range, set up your thermostat, and show you how it runs before we leave.
If you are not sure which side of the line you are on, we will tell you honestly. Plenty of the systems we look at have years left in them, and we would rather say so than sell you a unit you do not need. If the system can be repaired, see our air conditioning repair and maintenance services.
Repair or Replace? How to Tell
An air conditioner rarely dies without warning. These are the signals that repair money has stopped making sense.
- The system is 12 to 15 years oldBeyond that range, efficiency has usually dropped enough that a replacement pays part of its own way back through lower bills.
- Repairs are becoming a pattern One repair is maintenance. Two or three in a couple of seasons is a system telling you where it is headed, and those repair costs add up against the price of a new unit.
- Bills climb while usage stays flatA struggling system pulls more power to deliver less cooling. If nothing about your habits changed but the bill did, the equipment is the variable.
- Rooms never get comfortableHot spots and uneven cooling usually trace back to sizing, airflow, or duct problems, issues that survive a repair and follow you until they are actually addressed.
- It still runs on R-22 Refrigerant for older systems is scarce and expensive. A significant leak on an R-22 unit is often the point where replacement becomes the cheaper option.
- Noises or smells that were not there beforeGrinding, banging, or a burnt smell at startup needs a technician looking at it, and sometimes the diagnosis is end of life.
What Sets Our Installations Apart
Ductwork and Insulation Handled by the Same Team
A new high-efficiency system connected to leaking ducts and a bare attic will never deliver what it promised. We do ductwork and attic insulation in house, so the whole system gets addressed in one project instead of being spread across three contractors and three schedules.Electrical Work Covered Under Our License
Larger systems sometimes need a main panel upgrade to carry the load. Our California license covers that electrical work, so a panel that is not ready does not stall your install while you wait on an outside electrician.
Certified Across Five Major Brands
We are Diamond Certified, a Bryant dealer, and certified with Carrier, Mitsubishi, Goodman, and Amana. Our technicians are trained by the manufacturers on the equipment they install, and they stay current as the equipment changes.Licensed and Insured in California
Fully licensed in California (#1060833) with standard liability and workers’ compensation coverage, so qualified, accountable people are working in your home.
Warranty Coverage on Every Install
Most equipment we install carries manufacturer warranties of up to 10 years, and our own workmanship is covered by a 1-year labor warranty. If something comes up after we leave, you call us and we make it right.
Financing Your New System
A new AC system is a real investment, and it usually is not one you planned for. When you receive your invoice, you will have the option to apply for financing right then and there, so an upgrade you need can be spread out instead of paid all at once.
Ready to See Your Options?
Tell us what your home needs and we will send you a clear price along with your payment options. No obligation, and checking will not affect your credit.
Serving San Jose & the Greater Bay Area
Your home comfort starts close to home. San Jose Heating and Cooling installs and replaces cooling systems for homeowners across Santa Clara County, with coverage extending into San Mateo, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties.
Santa Clara County, CA
- San Jose
- Mountain View
- Palo Alto
- Santa Clara
- Sunnyvale
- Cupertino
- Milpitas
- Campbell
- Los Gatos
- Morgan Hill
San Mateo County, CA
- Redwood City
- Menlo Park
- San Mateo
- Foster City
- Belmont
Alameda County, CA
- Oakland
- Berkeley
- Fremont
- Livermore
- Pleasanton
Contra Costa County, CA
- Concord
- Martinez
- San Ramon
- Hercules
- San Pablo
- Also serving Vallejo
How long does an AC installation or replacement take?
Most systems are up and running within one to two days. Larger homes that also need ductwork or insulation work can take three to four days.
How do you decide what size system my home needs?
We measure the home and account for square footage, layout, ductwork condition, and insulation rather than matching the tonnage of your old unit. Oversized systems short cycle, cool unevenly, and wear out faster, which is why the assessment comes before the recommendation.
Do you offer financing for a new system?
Yes. When you receive your invoice, you can apply for financing right then and there, so a needed upgrade fits your budget.
What warranty comes with a new installation?
Most equipment carries manufacturer warranties of up to 10 years, and our own work comes with a 1-year labor warranty.
Do you install all AC brands?
We are certified with Bryant, Carrier, Mitsubishi, Goodman, and Amana, and we service all major brands. When it is time to replace, we help you choose the right fit for your home.
Can you install AC in a home with no ductwork?
Yes. A ductless mini-split system delivers cooling room by room without adding ducts, which makes it a strong fit for older homes, additions, and converted spaces.
Should I replace my AC with a heat pump?
It depends on the age of your furnace. A heat pump cools exactly like an air conditioner and also handles heating, so if both systems are near end of life, replacing them with one heat pump is often the better long-term move. If your furnace still has years left, a straight AC replacement usually makes more sense. We will walk you through both during the assessment.
Will my electrical panel need to be upgraded?
Sometimes, particularly in older homes. We check panel capacity during the assessment, and because our license covers electrical work, we can handle the upgrade as part of the same project.
Do you offer emergency service?
Yes. We offer 24/7 emergency service along with same-day appointments across the Bay Area.
Do you serve my area?
Most likely. We serve all of Santa Clara County, reach into the San Mateo Peninsula, and cover parts of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, including up to Vallejo. Just reach out and we will confirm.