How long does a typical HVAC installation take?

Single equipment replacement (AC only or furnace only): 1-2 days. Combined AC + furnace replacement: 1-2 days. Heat pump conversion: 2-3 days. Boiler installation: 2-3 days. Full system installation including new distribution: 3-5 days. Larger commercial projects: 4-10 days depending on scope.

Do you handle the permits?

Yes. We file permits with the appropriate AHJ for every installation. Permit fees are included in the quote. AHJ inspection scheduled after work completion; typically inspector arrives within 5-10 business days.

What's the difference between cost-conscious and premium installation?

Equipment tier primarily. Cost-conscious (13 SEER2 single-stage AC, 80% AFUE single-stage furnace): adequate performance, lower upfront cost, basic warranty. Premium tier (20+ SEER2 variable-speed AC, 96% AFUE modulating furnace, cold-climate heat pump): higher efficiency, quieter operation, longer warranty, better humidity control. Mid-tier is the most common selection for typical residential applications.

Will my insurance cover HVAC installation?

Generally no for routine replacement (equipment age or wear). Sometimes yes for installation following covered loss (lightning damage, freeze damage, vandalism, fire). For covered claims, we coordinate with insurance adjuster and provide documentation suitable for claim submission.

What if I need to replace equipment in an emergency?

We handle emergency equipment replacement scenarios when the existing equipment has catastrophically failed (cracked heat exchanger requiring red-tag, refrigerant system contamination, etc.). Emergency installations carry a premium rate but are completed as quickly as scheduling and equipment availability permit. We may also provide temporary heating or cooling solutions while installation is scheduled.

HVAC Installation Services in Salt Lake County

The single most damaging mistake in residential HVAC isn’t equipment failure or component breakdown — it’s improper installation. A perfectly good furnace installed without altitude derate produces 30% more CO than spec and shortens heat exchanger life by 5-8 years. A high-efficiency AC installed on ductwork that’s 25% too restrictive operates at 70% of rated capacity and fails compressor 3-5 years early. A heat pump sized to the cooling load only delivers inadequate heating capacity at Salt Lake’s 9°F design temperature. A boiler installed without proper expansion tank sizing develops circulator and pressure-relief problems within 18 months. The equipment isn’t usually what causes problems — the installation is. Across approximately 340 new HVAC installations we’ve performed since 2014, we’ve followed the same installation process every time: Manual J load calculation, Manual S equipment selection, Manual D duct analysis, IFGC altitude-derate verification, AHRI commissioning per equipment-specific protocol, AHJ permit and inspection coordination. Every install gets the same documented process. Every customer gets equipment that performs to manufacturer specification for the full expected service life.

HVAC installation work is highly specialized within HVAC service generally. Installation requires: load calculation expertise (correct sizing for each home’s specific characteristics), code compliance knowledge (IFGC, IMC, UMC, local AHJ amendments, current ASHRAE standards), equipment selection capability (matching customer goals to manufacturer offerings across multiple brands), commissioning procedure mastery (manufacturer-specific protocols for testing and final verification), and warranty registration handling (manufacturer paperwork that must be completed correctly for warranty validity). We do all of these on every installation. Below is our installation services catalog. Click through to specific service pages for technical detail.

Installation Service Categories

Full HVAC System Replacement

Complete system replacement scenarios: furnace + AC matched system replacement, boiler replacement preserving distribution, heat pump conversion from gas heating. Includes Manual J sizing, equipment selection, removal of old equipment, installation of new, commissioning, rebate/credit handling. Typical residential project: $7,800-$22,800 depending on scope and equipment tier. See dedicated page for full breakdown.

AC Installation

New air conditioner installation. Single-stage, two-stage, or variable-capacity. R-454B refrigerant for 2025+ installs. SEER 13-22 range. Cost-conscious to premium tier options.

Furnace Installation

New furnace installation. 80% AFUE to 99% AFUE modulating-condensing. Single-stage to modulating gas valve configurations. Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Bryant, Rheem, Goodman, and other brands.

Heat Pump Installation

Cold-climate heat pump installation for heating-dominant Salt Lake climate. Whole-house ducted, dual-fuel hybrid, multi-zone ductless, single-zone supplemental configurations. Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat, Daikin Aurora, Bosch IDS Premium 2.0, Carrier Greenspeed, Trane XV20 platforms.

Boiler Installation

Hot water and steam boiler installation. Modulating-condensing, cast iron sectional, combi units. Historic radiator preservation when possible. Viessmann, Weil-McLain, U.S. Boiler, Buderus, Navien platforms.

Ductwork Installation

New ductwork installation, duct modifications, duct upgrades. Manual D analysis for proper sizing. Standard or zoned configurations. Common scenarios: addition to existing home, basement finishing requiring new ducts, undersized return air retrofit.

Zoned HVAC Systems

Zone control system installation. Multiple thermostats controlling separate zones via motorized dampers. Best for homes with significant size differential (2-story homes with stairway separation, basement vs. main level, addition with different occupancy patterns). Honeywell Truezone, Carrier Infinity Zoning, Trane ComfortLink II.

Thermostat Installation

Smart thermostat installation and configuration. Honeywell T10 Pro, ecobee SmartThermostat Premium, Carrier Infinity, Trane ComfortLink II, Lennox iComfort S30, Mitsubishi kumo cloud (for ductless equipment). Integration with HVAC control systems, smart home platforms, and energy monitoring.

Gas Line Installation

Natural gas line installation, modification, and capacity upgrades. IFGC Section 503 sizing per Salt Lake’s altitude. Permitted with AHJ. Black iron, CSST, polyethylene mainline materials.

Commercial Installation

Light commercial HVAC installation. Small office buildings, multi-unit residential, light retail, restaurant equipment. Custom-engineered projects with ASHRAE 90.1 compliance, code-mandated ventilation requirements, energy audit integration.

Our Standard Installation Process

In-home assessment (60-120 minutes). Equipment inspection. Existing distribution evaluation. Load calculation preliminary (preliminary Manual J based on visible characteristics; full Manual J performed post-visit with measurement data). Customer goal discussion (efficiency, comfort, equipment longevity, IAQ integration, smart home integration, budget constraints).
Load calculation (Manual J). Detailed heat loss and heat gain calculation based on home characteristics: square footage, ceiling heights, window area and U-values, insulation levels, infiltration estimates from blower-door testing where available, internal load assessment. Output: required heating BTU/hr and cooling BTU/hr at design conditions (Salt Lake 9°F winter design, 96°F summer design).
Equipment selection (Manual S). Match equipment to calculated load. Consider efficiency tier preferences, budget, existing distribution constraints, rebate optimization, manufacturer warranty considerations. Output: specific make, model, and capacity recommendation.
Duct analysis (Manual D) for ducted systems. Verify ductwork capacity for new equipment airflow requirements. Identify any modifications needed (undersized returns, undersized supplies, restrictive fittings, leak points). Often the limiting factor in older homes where equipment upgrades exceed duct capacity.
Quote and proposal. Written quote within 48 business hours. Itemized: equipment cost, labor, ductwork modifications if needed, electrical work if needed, permit fees, removal of old equipment, refrigerant fees, rebate and tax credit projections. Multiple equipment tier options when relevant (cost-conscious, mid-tier, premium).
Permit and ordering. AHJ permit filed (Salt Lake City Building Services, Murray Building Department, West Valley City, Sandy, Holladay, or applicable jurisdiction). Equipment ordered. Materials staged. Installation scheduled (typical lead time 1-3 weeks during off-peak periods; longer during peak seasons).
Installation execution. Typical residential project 1-3 days depending on scope. Day 1: removal of old equipment, ductwork modifications if needed, electrical disconnection. Day 2: new equipment placement, refrigerant line connections (for split AC and heat pumps), gas line connection (for gas equipment), electrical work. Day 3: commissioning and customer walkthrough.
Commissioning per AHRI protocol. Each equipment type has manufacturer-specified commissioning procedure. AC: refrigerant charge verification, subcooling/superheat measurement, electrical operation. Furnace: combustion analysis with altitude-derate verification, gas pressure verification, draft pressure measurement, manifold pressure setting, safety device verification. Heat pump: refrigerant verification plus heating-mode commissioning. Boiler: hydronic system fill and bleed, combustion analysis, system pressure verification, outdoor reset programming.
Documentation delivery. AHRI certificate matched to installed equipment serial numbers. Warranty registration filed within 72 hours. Combustion analysis report (gas equipment) or refrigerant charge report (cooling equipment). Operating manual delivery. Smart thermostat or controller setup.
AHJ inspection coordination. Building inspector scheduled. Most jurisdictions complete inspection within 5-10 business days of work completion. Inspector verifies code compliance and signs off on permit closure.
Customer walkthrough. Equipment operation explained to homeowner. Recommended setpoints discussed. Filter location and replacement schedule reviewed. Any settings or controls demonstrated. Question opportunity provided.
Rebate and tax credit filing. Rocky Mountain Power Wattsmart rebate filed (typically 4-6 week processing). Dominion Energy ThermWise rebate filed. Federal IRA 25C (or 25D for geothermal) documentation provided to customer for tax filing. Total rebate stacking can reduce net equipment cost significantly.

What Makes Installation Quality Different

Most HVAC installation contractors claim quality work. The actual indicators of quality installation:

Manual J load calculation performed (not just equipment matching by square footage):: Square-footage rules-of-thumb consistently oversize equipment. Manual J load calculation based on actual home characteristics produces 15-40% smaller equipment recommendations than the “550-650 sq ft per ton” rule of thumb commonly used. Oversized equipment short-cycles, removes humidity poorly, costs more upfront, and wears out faster.
Altitude derate verified during installation:: IFGC Section 304.1 requires 4% capacity derate per 1,000 ft above sea level. Salt Lake’s 4,226 ft = 16.9% reduction from sea-level spec. Manifold pressure must be adjusted accordingly during installation; combustion analysis verifies the derate. Without this, gas equipment runs rich at altitude, producing excess CO and shortening heat exchanger life.
Combustion analysis documented at commissioning:: Every gas equipment installation should produce a written combustion analysis report (Testo 320 measurements) confirming proper CO levels, O₂, CO₂, flue gas temperature, and efficiency. Without this documentation, you don’t know if your equipment is operating safely or efficiently. Many low-cost installers skip this step.
Refrigerant charge verified, not assumed:: AC and heat pump equipment ships with a “holding charge” sufficient for transport but not for operation. Field charging to manufacturer spec is required during installation. Methods: weight-in (measuring exact refrigerant added) or subcool/superheat method (measuring system response to verify proper charge). Without verification, system operates at degraded performance or stresses compressor.
AHJ permit pulled and inspection completed:: Permits aren’t optional — they’re code requirement in all our service area jurisdictions. Unpermitted work voids insurance, fails real estate transactions, and may require remediation if discovered. Permits cost $80-$640 depending on jurisdiction and scope; that’s small compared to the consequences of unpermitted work.
Warranty registration filed correctly:: Most HVAC equipment has 10-year parts warranty when registered within 60-90 days of installation. Without registration, warranty drops to base 5-year coverage. We file warranty registration within 72 hours of every commissioning.
Customer documentation provided:: Installation paperwork includes: AHRI certificate, warranty registration confirmation, combustion analysis (gas equipment) or refrigerant charge report, operating manuals, control programming guide, recommended maintenance schedule. Customer should receive all of this within 48 hours of commissioning.

Installation Cost Ranges (Q2 2026)

AC installation (3-5 ton residential):: $5,400-$12,800 depending on tier. Cost-conscious 13 SEER2: $5,400-$6,800. Mid-tier 16 SEER2: $7,800-$9,400. Premium variable-speed 20+ SEER2: $9,800-$12,800.
Furnace installation (60-100 MBH residential):: $4,800-$9,800 depending on tier. 80% AFUE single-stage: $4,800-$5,800. 90-95% AFUE: $5,800-$7,200. 96-99% AFUE modulating-condensing: $7,800-$9,800.
AC + furnace matched system (most common upgrade):: $9,800-$22,800 depending on tier combination and complexity. Most popular tier: 16 SEER2 AC + 96% AFUE modulating furnace at $14,800-$18,400 installed.
Heat pump installation:: $11,400-$24,800 depending on configuration. Whole-house ducted: $11,400-$18,800. Dual-fuel hybrid: $13,800-$22,400. Multi-zone ductless: $12,800-$24,800. Single-zone supplemental: $4,800-$8,400.
Boiler installation:: $7,400-$22,800 depending on type and configuration. Combi unit: $7,400-$11,800. Mod-con boiler swap (existing distribution): $8,400-$14,800. Premium tier Viessmann or full hydronic with new distribution: $18,400-$38,000.
Ductwork installation or modification:: New ductwork for addition or basement finishing: $1,400-$4,800 depending on linear footage and configuration. Return air retrofit: $385-$1,400. Supply duct upsizing: $640-$2,400.
Zoned system installation:: 2-zone retrofit: $1,800-$3,800 (includes 2 thermostats, motorized dampers, control panel, integration). 3-zone: $2,800-$5,400. 4+ zone: $3,800-$7,800.
Smart thermostat installation:: $245-$485 installed (thermostat cost varies by model; installation labor and integration $145-$245).
Gas line installation:: $485-$5,400 depending on scope. See the gas line installation page for detailed breakdown.

Rebates and Tax Credits Available

Rocky Mountain Power Wattsmart:

Cold-climate heat pump (NEEP CCASHP certified): $1,200
Standard heat pump: $400-$800
ECM blower furnace upgrade: $50-$100
Smart thermostat: $50
Ductless mini-split: $200-$600 per outdoor unit

Dominion Energy ThermWise:

95% AFUE furnace: $400 rebate
97% AFUE furnace: $600 rebate
95% AFUE boiler: $300 rebate
97% AFUE boiler: $400 rebate
Combi boiler: $400 rebate
Gas-to-electric heat pump conversion: $600 transition credit (one year)
Indirect-fired water heater: $200

Federal IRA 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit:

Heat pump installation: 30% of equipment cost up to $2,000/year
Heat pump water heater: 30% up to $2,000/year (combined with heat pump cap)
High-efficiency furnace (95+ AFUE): 30% up to $1,200/year
High-efficiency boiler (95+ AFUE): 30% up to $1,200/year (combined with furnace cap)
Insulation, air sealing improvements: 30% up to $1,200/year (combined cap)

Federal IRA 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit (geothermal):

30% of equipment plus installation cost with no upper limit, for geothermal heat pump systems only. Air-source heat pumps don’t qualify for 25D.

Typical stacking example:

$14,800 cold-climate heat pump installation: $1,200 Wattsmart + $600 ThermWise + $2,000 IRA 25C = $3,800 in incentives. Net cost: $11,000.

We handle the paperwork.

Rebate forms filed with utilities within 72 hours of commissioning (Wattsmart and ThermWise). Federal tax credit documentation (manufacturer certification statement, invoice breakout for tax purposes) provided to customer for IRS Form 5695 filing.

Common Installation Considerations

When to schedule installation:: Best timing: shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October). Equipment availability strongest, scheduling flexibility highest, weather generally cooperative for work. Avoid: peak summer when emergency calls dominate scheduling, peak winter when heating emergencies create urgency.
How long installation takes:: Simple AC or furnace swap: 1-2 days. Combined AC + furnace replacement: 1-2 days. Heat pump conversion: 2-3 days (often requires electrical upgrade). Boiler retrofit preserving radiators: 2-3 days. Full hydronic system installation: 3-5 days. Commercial light installation: 4-10 days depending on scope.
Disruption to your home:: Modern HVAC installation is professional and clean. Drop cloths protect floors. Equipment removed cleanly. Plumbing/electrical work contained to specific areas. Day-of-installation disruption is meaningful but manageable; most customers continue normal household routines around the work.
Temporary heating or cooling during installation:: HVAC service is interrupted during equipment swap. Mild-weather installations: temporary discomfort acceptable for 1-2 days. Extreme-weather installations: emergency replacement scenarios may require temporary heating (electric space heaters provided as needed) or temporary cooling (window AC units provided as needed). Plan for installation during favorable weather when possible.
Financing options:: HVAC installation financing available through partner lenders (Mountain America Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance). Common options: 0% interest 12-24 months promotional financing, 0% interest 36-60 months for premium tier projects, longer-term loan options. See the financing page for details.

Service Area

We perform HVAC installation throughout Salt Lake County and into Davis and Weber Counties. Specific location detail on the dedicated city pages: Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake, Murray, West Valley City, Sandy, and Ogden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a typical HVAC installation take?: Single equipment replacement (AC only or furnace only): 1-2 days. Combined AC + furnace replacement: 1-2 days. Heat pump conversion: 2-3 days. Boiler installation: 2-3 days. Full system installation including new distribution: 3-5 days. Larger commercial projects: 4-10 days depending on scope.
Do you handle the permits?: Yes. We file permits with the appropriate AHJ for every installation. Permit fees are included in the quote. AHJ inspection scheduled after work completion; typically inspector arrives within 5-10 business days.
What’s the difference between cost-conscious and premium installation?: Equipment tier primarily. Cost-conscious (13 SEER2 single-stage AC, 80% AFUE single-stage furnace): adequate performance, lower upfront cost, basic warranty. Premium tier (20+ SEER2 variable-speed AC, 96% AFUE modulating furnace, cold-climate heat pump): higher efficiency, quieter operation, longer warranty, better humidity control. Mid-tier is the most common selection for typical residential applications.
Will my insurance cover HVAC installation?: Generally no for routine replacement (equipment age or wear). Sometimes yes for installation following covered loss (lightning damage, freeze damage, vandalism, fire). For covered claims, we coordinate with insurance adjuster and provide documentation suitable for claim submission. Home warranty (separate from homeowner insurance) may cover equipment replacement after specific failure modes; check your specific policy.
What if I need to replace equipment in an emergency?: We handle emergency equipment replacement scenarios when the existing equipment has catastrophically failed (cracked heat exchanger requiring red-tag, refrigerant system contamination, etc.). Emergency installations carry a premium rate but are completed as quickly as scheduling and equipment availability permit. We may also provide temporary heating or cooling solutions while installation is scheduled.

Schedule Installation Assessment

Free in-home assessment with Manual J load calculation, equipment options discussion, and written quote within 48 business hours. Most installations scheduled within 1-3 weeks during off-peak periods.

Phone: (385) 300-1867
Address: 756 E Winchester St #322, Salt Lake City, UT 84107
Email: info@saltlakecityheatingairconditioning.xyz
Utah DOPL HVAC Contractor License: #11567823-5501
EPA Section 608 Universal (Lead Tech): #608U-2009-447129

Schedule Your Assessment →

Office Hours

Emergency Service: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Office Staff: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed: Weekends and State/Federal Holidays (emergency line always active)

HVAC Installation Salt Lake City | Manual J + Permits