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Black Lotus HVAC + Electrical (206) 200-9134
Service · Air conditioning installation in Seattle

Air conditioning installation in Seattle.

Central AC installation in Seattle typically costs $5,500 to $11,000 for a complete equipment + install on existing ductwork. We model both straight AC and a heat pump alternative on every quote so you can see which option pencils for your specific home. For most homes with a furnace under 10 years old, straight AC wins. For 10+ year furnaces, heat pump usually wins.

Call (206) 200-9134 → Get a free quote
// CENTRAL AC + DUAL-FUEL AC OR HEAT PUMP · YOUR CALL
Typical install $5,500 – $11,000
SEER2 minimum 14.3 (2026 code)
Parts warranty 10 yrs
Install time 1 – 2 days
Lifespan 12 – 18 yrs
What drives the price

SEER2 tier, tonnage, line set, and electrical capacity.

  1. 01

    SEER2 rating

    Minimum 14.3 SEER2 (2026 code). 16+ for the smoke-season-prepared install.

  2. 02

    Tonnage

    Manual J calc. Most Seattle homes need 2.5 to 4 tons, not the 5-ton oversized quote you got elsewhere.

  3. 03

    Refrigerant line set

    Reuse or new R-454B copper line set. Most retrofits reuse if undamaged.

  4. 04

    Electrical capacity

    AC adds a dedicated 240V circuit. Most 200A panels accept it.

Heat pump alternative modeled on every AC quote so you see both 10-year operating costs side by side.

AC vs heat pump in Seattle

Straight AC still wins for some Seattle homesbut most homeowners are better off with a dual-purpose heat pump.

A central AC condenser bolts onto your existing gas furnace and adds cooling. Install takes 1 to 2 days. The math wins for newer gas furnaces (under 10 years old) where replacing the furnace doesn't make sense yet.

For most Seattle homes, a heat pump beats straight AC because a single unit replaces your aging furnace AND adds cooling, the PSE rebate ($1,200) plus federal IRA credit ($2,000) close the cost gap, and there's no second outdoor unit to maintain.

We model both options on every quote. If your furnace is under 10 years old, straight AC usually pencils better. If your furnace is 10+ years old, the heat pump usually wins.

Get your air conditioning install quote in 24 to 48 hours.

Free on-site evaluation. Master electrician on every consult. No high-pressure sales. We answer Mon-Sun, 7 AM to 8 PM.

Request a quote → Call (206) 200-9134
AC vs heat pump

Straight AC vs heat pump for your home.

FactorCentral AC + existing furnaceCold-climate heat pump
Up-front cost$5,500 – $11,000$12,800 – $24,500 net
Cooling includedYesYes
Replaces furnace?NoYes
Rebates availableSmaller PSE incentive$1,200 PSE + $2,000 IRA
Best fitFurnace under 10 yrs oldFurnace 10+ yrs old
Total project complexity1-2 day install2-3 day install

If your gas furnace is over 10 years old, the heat pump pencils better long-term. See heat pump option.

Cost breakdown

AC installation cost by home size.

Tonnage is calculated from a Manual J load calc, not square footage. Oversized AC short-cycles, fails to dehumidify, and dies early.

✓Free Manual J✓Heat pump alt modeled✓No 5-ton oversize quotes
Get a real quote → Call (206) 200-9134
System size
Typical home
2.0 ton (24,000 BTU) 1,000–1,500 sq ft
$5,500–$7,000
2.5 ton (30,000 BTU) 1,500–2,000 sq ft
$6,200–$8,000
3.0 ton (36,000 BTU) 2,000–2,400 sq ft
$7,000–$9,000
4.0 ton (48,000 BTU) 2,400–3,000 sq ft
$8,500–$11,000
Add-on · MERV 13 cabinet Smoke-season ready
+$500–$900

Heat pump alternative modeled on every quote. Most Seattle homes with a 10+ yr furnace come out ahead with the heat pump after rebates.

From first call to final walkthrough

How a air conditioning install with us goes.

Our process is built around making decisions easy, not pressuring you to make them today. Here's what every Black Lotus install looks like.

See the full process →
  1. 01

    Day 0Schedule.

    You call. We answer. A technician is introduced by name and a two-hour window is confirmed.

  2. 02

    Day 1Consult.

    On-site evaluation, Manual J load calc where applicable, panel + ductwork check, install photos. Written estimate in 24 to 48 hours.

  3. 03

    Day 2-4Approve.

    You pick your option. We pull permits, register warranties, lock in your install date and PSE rebate paperwork.

  4. 04

    Day 5-7Install.

    Full walkthrough before we touch a wire. Combustion analysis if any gas equipment remains, startup, full system test.

  5. 05

    AfterSatisfied.

    Walkthrough at the end. Anything you flag, we fix. Final payment only after sign-off. Warranty starts now.

Equipment lines we install

AC equipment we install.

Carrier Performance
Premium
Efficiency 17 SEER2

Two-stage compressor for quiet operation and humidity control. Best AC pairing for a high-efficiency variable-speed gas furnace.

SEER2 17
Stages 2-stage
Warranty 10 yrs
Trane XR16
Workhorse
Efficiency 16 SEER2

Single-stage, heavy-duty cabinet. The most-installed AC in our service area for retrofits and rental properties.

SEER2 16
Stages 1-stage
Warranty 10 yrs
Goodman GSXC18
Value
Efficiency 18 SEER2

Variable-speed AC at value pricing. Good fit for new construction or homeowners staying in the house under 10 years.

SEER2 18
Stages Variable
Warranty 10 yrs
Why homeowners pick us

Three operational choices that change how the install lands.

Real Manual J load calculations.

We don't quote from square footage. Every system is sized from a measured load calculation accounting for insulation, windows, orientation, and air sealing. Oversized equipment is the most common failure mode we see on competitor installs.

In-house electrical.

HVAC and electrical under one roof. No subcontractor coordination, no second permit, no surprise add-ons after the gas guy leaves. If your panel needs work, we do it with the same crew on the same week.

Final payment after walkthrough.

You sign off after we walk the install with you. Anything you flag, we fix. Your money clears only after you say it's right. That clause is in writing on every install.

"

Black Lotus might not currently have the marketing chops of the bigger outfits, it's worth giving them a meeting. We're glad we did. They charged us 1/2 of other bids I had gotten.

Anna Chen · Local Guide · 132 reviews · Verified Google review

Common scenarios

A few common AC scenarios we see in Seattle.

Newer gas furnace, no AC.

Furnace under 10 years old. Adding straight AC pencils better than replacing the furnace with a heat pump. ~$5,500 to $8,500 install.

Older furnace + need cooling.

Furnace 10+ years old AND you want cooling. Heat pump replaces both, qualifies for $3,200+ in rebates and credits.

See heat pump option →

Smoke season filter upgrade.

Existing AC + heat pump? Pair with a MERV 13 media filter cabinet and the system handles cooling AND wildfire smoke season air quality.

See IAQ upgrades →
Common questions before you call

Quick answers before you call.

01 /

How long does AC installation take?

+
Most AC installs are 1 to 2 days. Day 1 is the outdoor condenser, line set, and electrical. Day 2 is indoor coil, charge, and commissioning.
02 /

What SEER2 rating should I get?

+
Minimum 14.3 SEER2 (2026 code). 16+ for the smoke-season-prepared install. The premium 17-18 SEER2 units save another $80-$120/yr on operating cost.
03 /

Does AC work with my existing furnace?

+
Almost always yes. The AC condenser bolts onto your existing furnace blower. If your furnace is 8+ years old we model both options (AC vs heat pump replacement).
04 /

How loud is central AC?

+
Outdoor condenser runs 65 to 72 dB at full load (similar to a window AC). Modern variable-speed units (Goodman GSXC18, Carrier Performance) are quieter at 60 to 65 dB.
05 /

Do you do smoke-season IAQ upgrades with AC?

+
Yes. MERV 13 media filter cabinet is the right pairing for any AC install in Seattle. Adds $500 to $900 to the install.
06 /

Do you finance AC installs?

+
0% APR for 12 to 24 months for qualified buyers. AC installs typically fall in the easy-finance bracket.
Helpful next steps

Pages homeowners read after this one.

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HVAC Commercial HVAC in Seattle

Light commercial HVAC in Seattle. Tenant improvements, small office, restaurants, retail. Heat pump retrofits, IAQ for occupied spaces, EV c

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HVAC Furnace Installation in Seattle

High-efficiency gas furnace installation in Seattle from $8,500. Combustion analysis on every install.

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Electrical Panel upgrade

Often bundles with HVAC installs when the existing panel is 100A or maxed out.

→
Schedule your consult

Free on-site evaluation. Written quote in 24 to 48 hours.

Same-day diagnostic for furnace, AC, or electrical service calls within our primary area. King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

Call (206) 200-9134 → Schedule online
Hours Mon-Sun · 7 AM – 8 PM
Service area King · Pierce · Snohomish
Email blacklotushvac@icloud.com

Three Seattle-born partners. 30+ years combined HVAC experience. Master electrician on every consult. PSE Trade Ally with the $1,200 rebate priced into your quote.

Call (206) 200-9134 · Free quote