How long does AC installation take in Spokane? (timeline by home type)

Type 1: Like-for-like central AC replacement (1 day)

Your home already has central AC and you’re swapping the old unit for a new one. No ductwork changes. Same outdoor unit location. Same indoor coil location. Same electrical.

Timeline: 6-8 hours of actual install work. Usually 8am-4pm.

What happens during those hours: techs shut off and recover refrigerant from the old unit (per EPA 608), remove the old condenser and coil, set the new equipment, vacuum-test the lines, weigh in the new refrigerant charge, run the system, verify charge via superheat/subcool, register the warranty.

Spokane-specific note: most Spokane homes have enough yard space and electrical service for this to be a clean one-day job. Expect 1-2 technicians on-site.

Cost: $6,800-10,400 for typical 3-4 ton system.

Type 2: Central AC add-on to home without AC (2-3 days)

Your home has a furnace and ductwork but no AC. We’re adding the indoor coil at the furnace, the outdoor condenser, refrigerant lines, and a new thermostat (or AC wiring to existing).

Timeline: 1-2 days. Day 1 = indoor coil install + electrical prep. Day 2 = outdoor unit set + line set + refrigerant + commissioning.

Most Spokane homes land at 1.5 days. Older homes with cramped attic access or unusual furnace configurations can take 2 full days.

Cost: $7,400-11,800 for typical 3-4 ton system.

Type 3: Full AC + ductwork install on home with no AC at all (3-5 days)

Your home has a furnace (or no heating system at all) but no AC and no ductwork. We’re designing the ductwork layout, installing it, and putting in the AC.

Timeline: 3-5 days depending on home size and access.

Day 1: walk-through, ductwork design verification, material delivery.

Day 2-3: ductwork installation (in attic, basement, or crawlspace depending on home).

Day 4: AC equipment set, lines run, electrical completed.

Day 5 (if needed): touch-up, system commissioning, thermostat setup.

Cost: $11,400-22,400 depending on home size and ductwork complexity. Spokane permit + inspection adds $280-540.

Type 4: Ductless mini-split single-zone (1 day)

Installing a single ductless unit (one indoor head, one outdoor condenser). Common for additions, ADUs, single-room solutions, or homes where ductwork is impractical.

Timeline: 4-6 hours. Usually morning to early afternoon.

What happens: outdoor pad set, line set routed through exterior wall, indoor head mounted, refrigerant lines connected, vacuum test, charge, commissioning.

Spokane-specific note: line set routing matters. Going through an exterior wall with brick or stone siding adds 1-2 hours. Going through a basement ceiling to a second-floor head adds 2-3 hours.

Cost: $3,400-5,800 for typical 12-18k BTU cold-climate unit.

Type 5: Ductless multi-zone (2-3 days)

Installing 2-4 indoor heads, all served by one outdoor condenser. Common for homes without ductwork, or for zoned comfort in homes where central AC struggles with hot/cold spots.

Timeline: 2-3 days depending on number of zones and access.

Each zone adds ~4-6 hours of install time. Multi-zone installs require careful refrigerant line sizing and charging — not the same as just stacking single-zone units.

Cost: $9,800-19,200 for typical 2-4 zone system.

Type 6: High-velocity AC system (3-4 days)

Small-diameter flexible ducts (2.5”) routed through existing chases and walls. For older Spokane homes (1920s-1940s) where conventional ductwork isn’t feasible.

Timeline: 3-4 days. Day 1-2 for ductwork routing through walls, attic, basement. Day 3 for equipment set and line set. Day 4 for commissioning.

Cost: $13,800-22,800 installed.

What can extend the timeline

Permit delays: Spokane County usually processes permits in 2-5 business days, but complex jobs (historic district, structural modifications) can take 2-3 weeks. We pull permits early in the quote process to avoid this.

Equipment backorder: R-454B and cold-climate heat pumps have been backordered in some sizes during peak season (May-August). We order at quote acceptance to lock in availability.

Electrical service upgrade: if your panel needs upgrading from 100A to 200A for the new equipment, add 1-2 days for the electrician.

Asbestos or knob-and-tube: older Spokane homes sometimes need abatement before any ductwork or line set installation. Adds 1-3 days depending on scope.

Crawlspace encapsulation: if you’re installing ductwork in a crawlspace and want to encapsulate it first, coordinate with the encapsulation contractor.

Weather: we can’t set outdoor units in sub-zero temps (refrigerant charging requires specific conditions) or in pouring rain (electrical work). Plan AC installs May-September for best results.

How to minimize disruption during install

Clear access to the work area — attic access, basement, garage, outdoor unit location. Move cars out of the driveway if the techs need it.

Plan for 4-8 hours without AC if it’s summer. Schedule installs for days you can be home but don’t need to work in the install area.

Keep pets secured — install days are loud (drilling, sawing for ductwork), and techs are moving in/out frequently.

Ask us about “same-day commissioning” — we run the system end-to-end at the end of the install day, not the next morning. Same outcome, less waiting.