Installing a new central air conditioner is one of the most significant home improvement investments you'll make, and in Utah's climate — where summer highs regularly hit 100°F along the Wasatch Front — getting it right matters. Salmon HVAC has been installing cooling systems in Davis, Weber, and Salt Lake County since 1979. As a Daikin Comfort Pro Authorized Dealer, we install equipment that carries some of the best warranties in the industry, and every installation starts with a proper load calculation to ensure your new system is the right size for your specific home.
An oversized AC cools your home quickly but shuts off before it can dehumidify properly, leaving you with a cold but clammy house. An undersized system runs constantly and still can't keep up on a hot afternoon. Proper sizing is everything, and it's where a lot of contractors cut corners. We don't.
Signs You Need AC Replacement
- Your system is 12–15 years old or older — Modern AC systems have SEER2 ratings of 16 and above. A 15-year-old unit might be running at 10 SEER. Replacing it can cut your cooling electricity costs by 30–40%.
- You're facing a major repair on an aging unit — A compressor or coil replacement on a 13-year-old system rarely makes financial sense when a new, more efficient system costs only a little more and comes with a warranty.
- Your home has never had central AC — Many older Utah homes, especially in Bountiful, Centerville, and North Salt Lake, were built with only evaporative cooling. As summers have gotten hotter and more humid, a refrigerant-based central AC system makes a real quality-of-life difference.
- Uneven cooling throughout the house — This can be a duct issue or an improperly sized system. A new installation designed correctly for your home's layout solves both problems.
- Your system uses R-22 refrigerant — R-22 (Freon) has been phased out. Supplies are extremely limited and expensive. If your AC uses R-22 and develops a leak, replacement is almost always the more cost-effective path.
- Energy bills are climbing despite normal usage — Older systems lose efficiency every year as components wear. If your Rocky Mountain Power summer bills have been creeping up, a new high-efficiency system pays for itself over time.
Our AC Installation Process
- Free in-home estimate — A comfort consultant visits your home, measures it, evaluates insulation, ductwork, and sun exposure, and uses Manual J calculations to determine the correct system size. We won't quote you over the phone without seeing your home.
- System selection — We walk you through your options: efficiency levels (16 SEER2 up to 20+ SEER2), single-stage vs. two-stage vs. variable-speed compressors, and brand options. We explain the payback period for each so you can make an informed decision.
- Ductwork assessment — Leaky or undersized ducts can reduce a new system's efficiency by 20–30%. We assess your existing ductwork and recommend any needed repairs or modifications.
- Professional installation — Our certified technicians handle everything: equipment placement, refrigerant line sets, electrical connections, thermostat wiring, and a complete startup and commissioning procedure.
- System startup and testing — We run the system, verify refrigerant charge, check all electrical components, test airflow at every register, and make sure everything is operating per manufacturer specification before we leave.
- Walkthrough and warranty registration — We walk you through thermostat operation, filter change intervals, and what to watch for. We register your warranty with the manufacturer so you're protected from day one.
Why Choose Salmon HVAC for AC Installation
- Daikin Comfort Pro Authorized Dealer — Daikin's most elite dealer tier. We receive ongoing factory training and have access to Daikin's extended warranty programs, which can cover parts for up to 12 years on qualifying equipment.
- Manual J load calculations on every job — We use industry-standard software to size your system correctly, not a rule-of-thumb guess based on square footage alone.
- 1-year labor warranty on all installations — If something isn't right with the installation itself, we come back and fix it at no charge.
- 46 years of Utah-specific knowledge — We understand how altitude affects refrigerant charge, how Utah's hard water impacts equipment, and how the dry desert heat here differs from the humid conditions most HVAC training is designed around.
- Rebate assistance — We'll help you identify and apply for Rocky Mountain Power Wattsmart rebates and available federal IRA tax credits for high-efficiency equipment.
AC Installation Cost in Utah
Here's what homeowners in Davis and Weber County typically spend on central AC installation:
- Standard 2-ton system (up to ~1,200 sq ft): $3,500–$5,000
- 3-ton system (1,200–1,800 sq ft): $4,500–$6,500
- 4-ton system (1,800–2,400 sq ft): $5,500–$7,500
- 5-ton system (2,400–3,000 sq ft): $6,500–$9,000+
- Ductwork repairs or modifications: $500–$2,500 additional depending on scope
High-efficiency systems (18+ SEER2) and variable-speed units will be at the higher end of these ranges, but they often qualify for Rocky Mountain Power rebates of $300–$600 that reduce the net cost, and the monthly savings on your electricity bill start immediately. All estimates are free and come with no pressure to proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does AC installation cost in Utah?
A complete central AC installation in Northern Utah typically runs $3,500–$8,000, depending on the size of your home, the efficiency rating of the system you choose, and whether any ductwork modifications are needed. A standard 3-ton, 16-SEER2 system for a 1,800 sq ft home will land in the middle of that range. We provide free in-home estimates with no obligation.
How long does AC installation take?
Most central AC installations are completed in one day — typically 6 to 8 hours for a straightforward replacement. First-time installations that require ductwork modifications may take 1.5 to 2 days. We'll give you a specific timeline when we scope the job.
What size AC do I need for my Utah home?
Proper sizing depends on your home's square footage, insulation levels, window area, ceiling height, and how much direct sun exposure your roof gets. In Utah, we also account for altitude, which affects equipment capacity. We perform a Manual J load calculation on every installation — not a rough estimate — to ensure we right-size your system.
Should I replace my furnace and AC at the same time?
Often yes. The AC evaporator coil sits inside your furnace air handler, and different equipment generations don't always work together at peak efficiency. If your furnace is within a few years of your AC in age, replacing both at once saves a second installation fee, ensures matched system efficiency, and typically qualifies for better rebate packages.
We Serve These Utah Areas
Salmon HVAC installs central air conditioning throughout Davis, Weber, Salt Lake, and Morgan counties: