How long does a new AC installation take?

A standard central air conditioning installation (new condenser, new evaporator coil, new line set, new disconnect and electrical) in a single-family home typically takes 6–8 hours for a two-person crew. Installations that include a new air handler or significant duct modification run 8–12 hours and may require a second day. Multi-zone ductless installations (3 or more indoor heads) typically run 2 full days for refrigerant line routing, mounting, and electrical.

Do I need a permit for a new AC installation in Draper?

Yes. Installing a new cooling system in Draper, Sandy, Bluffdale, Riverton, South Jordan, or Herriman requires a mechanical permit from the applicable municipal building department. The permit triggers a final inspection after installation, which verifies the work meets the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code with Utah amendments. Contractors who skip the permit are violating state law and creating a liability for the homeowner — unpermitted HVAC work can void manufacturer warranties, create homeowner's insurance gaps, and require disclosure and remediation at home sale. Our quotes include permit fees as an itemized line item.

How does elevation affect which AC unit I should install?

At SunCrest and Traverse Ridge elevations (6,000–6,400 feet), air density is approximately 15–17% lower than at sea level. Condenser coils reject heat less efficiently at lower air density, which means a condenser's published AHRI capacity (measured at sea level) overstates what the unit will actually deliver at elevation. Manual S equipment selection accounts for this by applying the manufacturer's altitude correction factor to the published capacity before matching equipment to the Manual J load. A unit selected without the altitude correction will be undersized for the actual load and will run long hours at full capacity during peak summer, accelerating compressor and capacitor wear.

What size AC unit do I need for a 2,000 square foot home in Draper?

There is no answer to that question without a Manual J load calculation. A 2,000 square foot 1978 Draper ranch home with original single-pane aluminum windows, an uninsulated crawlspace, and a west-facing living room wall can have a cooling load of 42,000–48,000 BTU/hr. A 2,000 square foot 2022 Daybreak home with triple-pane windows, R-49 attic insulation, and spray foam rim joists can have a cooling load of 18,000–22,000 BTU/hr. Those are different equipment selections by nearly a full ton. We do the Manual J because the answer matters — and because an oversized system costs you money in short-cycling efficiency loss for its entire lifespan.

What is the difference between a 14 SEER2 and a 20 SEER2 system in terms of annual cost?

For a typical 3-ton system in a Draper home running approximately 800 cooling hours per year at an average Rocky Mountain Power rate of $0.10/kWh, upgrading from 14 SEER2 to 20 SEER2 saves approximately $180–$240 per year in electricity costs. At a $2,000 installed cost premium for the higher-efficiency unit, the simple payback is roughly 9–11 years. For SunCrest homes where cooling hours and load are higher due to elevation-related insolation and the altitude efficiency penalty, the payback period shortens. We run the payback calculation for each customer during the estimate so the efficiency upgrade decision is based on actual numbers, not marketing claims.

AC Installation in Draper, Utah

A central air conditioning installation is a 15–20 year commitment to a piece of mechanical equipment that will run thousands of hours in conditions your home’s envelope, elevation, and sun exposure create — not the conditions described in a manufacturer’s marketing brochure. Getting that installation right requires three things most HVAC contractors in the south Salt Lake Valley skip: a documented load calculation, an elevation-corrected equipment selection, and a vacuum-verified, charge-measured startup that confirms the system is operating to specification before the crew leaves your driveway.

Draper Heating & Air Conditioning installs central air conditioning systems for residential and light-commercial properties across Draper, Sandy, Bluffdale, Riverton, South Jordan, and Herriman. Every installation is performed by our W-2 employee crews under Utah DOPL HVAC contractor license #11487612-5501, with a building permit pulled through the applicable municipal building department before work begins.

How We Size a New AC System

ACCA Manual J Load Calculation

We do not size air conditioning systems by square footage. The rule of thumb — 400 to 600 square feet per ton of cooling capacity — was developed as a quick field estimate in the 1960s and has no engineering basis for accurately predicting the cooling load of a specific home in a specific climate. A 2,400 square foot home in old-town Draper with original 1978 single-pane aluminum windows and no attic insulation has a cooling load two to three times higher than a 2,400 square foot home in Daybreak with triple-pane fiberglass windows, R-49 blown-in attic insulation, and a north-facing roof slope. Sizing both homes at “4 tons because that’s what fits the square footage” gets one of those homes dramatically wrong.

Every AC installation we quote begins with an ACCA Manual J residential load calculation. The inputs we collect and measure on-site:

Square footage by floor with ceiling height and conditioned versus unconditioned space breakdown
Insulation levels: attic R-value (we ask to see the attic if the homeowner doesn’t know), wall construction type (frame, brick veneer, stucco), floor type over unconditioned space
Window inventory: area by orientation (N/S/E/W), glazing type (single, double, triple), frame material (aluminum, vinyl, fiberglass, wood), and interior shading (blinds, drapes, solar film)
Infiltration: blower door test result if available; otherwise estimated from construction type, age, and observed sealing condition
Internal gains: occupancy count, appliance loads, lighting type
Duct system: location (conditioned or unconditioned attic/crawlspace), estimated leakage, and insulation level
Elevation: GPS-confirmed elevation at the equipment location. This is entered into the load calculation software and affects both the outdoor design conditions and the density correction applied to airflow calculations
Design temperatures: 96°F dry bulb / 62°F coincident wet bulb for the Draper valley floor per ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals; adjusted for SunCrest and Traverse Ridge based on documented temperature differentials relative to the SLC airport station

The Manual J output gives us the calculated cooling load in BTU/hr for the entire home and by zone if the home has multiple air handling systems. That number drives every equipment decision downstream.

ACCA Manual S Equipment Selection

Manual S governs how we match equipment to the load. The rules are specific: the selected equipment’s sensible cooling capacity must not exceed 115% of the calculated sensible load, and the total capacity must not exceed 125% of the total load at the design outdoor conditions. Those limits exist because oversized equipment short-cycles — it reaches setpoint too quickly, shuts off before the coil has time to remove latent heat (humidity), and restarts again minutes later. The result is a home that is cold but clammy in the summer, with elevated humidity driving mold risk in finished basements and uncomfortable conditions despite low thermostat setpoints.

For SunCrest and Traverse Ridge installations, Manual S selection also applies the manufacturer’s altitude correction factor to the equipment’s published capacity at the actual installation elevation. A condenser with a published 36,000 BTU total capacity at sea level is delivering approximately 30,600 BTU at 6,200 feet after applying the standard 3–4% per 1,000 foot correction. We use the altitude-corrected capacity in our Manual S selection, not the sea-level nameplate.

Manual D Duct Verification

If the existing duct system is staying, we run a Manual D verification to confirm it can deliver the new system’s required airflow to each zone. A duct system designed for a 3-ton unit may not adequately deliver the airflow a 3.5-ton replacement requires — or it may be oversized, meaning a 2.5-ton unit that more accurately matches the load can be used, reducing first cost and improving part-load efficiency. We identify duct modifications required before the equipment is ordered, so they are included in the installation quote rather than discovered as extras after the equipment arrives.

Equipment We Install

For new AC installations in the south Salt Lake Valley, our primary equipment lines are:

Carrier

Carrier’s Infinity series (24VNA6 variable-capacity, 24ACC0 two-stage) with the Infinity communicating system provides the most precise capacity modulation for south Salt Lake Valley cooling loads, which swing between early morning mild conditions and peak afternoon heat. The 24VNA6’s variable-speed compressor turns down to 25% capacity on mild days, providing better humidity control and lower runtime energy consumption than single-stage equipment that runs at 100% or nothing. AHRI-certified system efficiencies reach 26 SEER2 when paired with a matched Carrier air handler. R-454B refrigerant on all 2025 and later production.

Trane

Trane’s XV series (XV21i variable-capacity, XR15 and XR17 standard efficiency) with the ComfortLink II communicating thermostat. Trane equipment is built to tight manufacturing tolerances and performs well in the south valley’s high-dust return air conditions, which accelerate coil fouling on units with less robust coil fin construction. The XV21i’s variable-speed scroll compressor is well-suited to Draper’s diurnal temperature swing — 40°F to 96°F in the same day during peak summer is not unusual, and a variable-capacity unit handles that range better than a single-stage unit cycling on and off.

Lennox

Lennox XC21 variable-capacity and XC16 two-stage condensers for applications where the iComfort S30 communicating thermostat’s advanced scheduling and remote monitoring capabilities are a homeowner priority. The XC21 is a premium product with premium installation sensitivity — charge must be set within ±2°F subcooling of target and the system must be commissioned on the iComfort S30 platform to realize the rated efficiency. We complete the full Lennox commissioning protocol on every XC21 installation.

Mitsubishi Electric (Ductless & Multi-Zone)

For homes without existing ductwork, additions, finished basements, or multi-zone applications where the existing ducted system cannot adequately serve a new space, Mitsubishi M-Series and MXZ multi-zone ductless systems provide precise zone-by-zone cooling without the duct losses of extended flex run systems. Mitsubishi Diamond Contractor installation activates the 12-year parts and compressor warranty. R-454B compliant on 2025 and later production.

Daikin & Bosch

For homeowners evaluating total cost of ownership over a 15–20 year horizon, Daikin’s DX17VSS variable-capacity inverter condenser and Bosch’s IDS Premium 2.0 with BVA air handler offer competitive efficiency ratings with manufacturer warranty terms (Daikin 12-year registered, Bosch 10-year registered) and strong factory support through Utah-based distributors.

The Installation Process

Before Installation Day

Building permit pulled through the applicable municipal building department (Draper City Building Services, Sandy City, Bluffdale, Riverton, South Jordan, or Herriman)
Equipment ordered through our Utah distributor network (Watsco, Carrier Enterprise, or Lennox ProPartsPlus) with confirmed delivery date
Installation crew scheduled with confirmed arrival window communicated to you by phone or text the evening before

Installation Day

Protective floor covering from entry to mechanical space
Existing refrigerant recovered per EPA Section 608 — not vented
Before photos of existing installation for warranty documentation
Condenser placed on a level pad with manufacturer-required clearances verified (typically 12″ lateral, 60″ overhead clearance above the discharge); placement accounts for prevailing afternoon sun on south- and west-facing wall locations
Refrigerant line set installed: copper lines brazed with nitrogen purge, insulated, supported every 4–6 feet
Electrical connections at the equipment disconnect and at the panel, wire gauge matched to the MCA (minimum circuit ampacity) on the equipment nameplate
Sheet metal modifications to the air handler or plenum as required by the Manual D duct verification

Startup and Commissioning

Vacuum: System pulled to 500 microns minimum using a Yellow Jacket BluVac+ Pro micron gauge, held for 15 minutes minimum with no pressure rise before refrigerant release
Refrigerant charge: System charged and verified by superheat (target 8–12°F for fixed-orifice metering) and subcooling (target 10–15°F for TXV systems) at actual outdoor ambient temperature on the day of installation — not estimated from a pressure chart
Static pressure: Total external static measured at four points; target under 0.5″ WC for residential blowers
Operational test: Full cooling cycle verification including thermostat staging, variable-speed operation confirmation on communicating systems, and airflow spot-check at registers

After Installation

Commissioning report with refrigerant charge measurements, static pressure readings, and vacuum gauge documentation provided to homeowner
Permit card posted at job site; final inspection scheduled with the applicable building department
Manufacturer warranty registered within the required window (60 days for Carrier, Trane, Rheem; 60 days for Lennox through Premier Dealer; 30 days for Mitsubishi Diamond program; 60 days for Bosch and Daikin)
Warranty registration confirmation emailed to homeowner within 24 hours of filing

Rebates and Tax Credits Available

Qualifying AC and heat pump installations in 2026 may be eligible for:

Inflation Reduction Act 25C Tax Credit: Up to $600 for qualifying central air conditioning units meeting ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria (currently 16 SEER2 / 12 EER2 minimum for split systems in Climate Zone 5B). Up to $2,000 for qualifying cold-climate heat pumps.
Rocky Mountain Power Wattsmart Rebate: Rebates for qualifying variable-capacity and ENERGY STAR central AC units and ductless mini-splits. Current rebate amounts are published at rockymountainpower.net; rebate programs change annually.
Dominion Energy Thermwise: Smart thermostat rebates of $50–$100 when a qualifying smart thermostat is installed with the new cooling system.

We document rebate eligibility during your estimate and provide the AHRI certification number, manufacturer specification sheet, and installer license documentation required for filing. We do not inflate installation prices to offset rebate amounts — the rebate is yours, not a discount mechanism for our pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a new AC installation take?: A standard central air conditioning installation (new condenser, new evaporator coil, new line set, new disconnect and electrical) in a single-family home typically takes 6–8 hours for a two-person crew. Installations that include a new air handler or significant duct modification run 8–12 hours and may require a second day. Multi-zone ductless installations (3 or more indoor heads) typically run 2 full days for refrigerant line routing, mounting, and electrical. We give you a realistic timeframe during the estimate — we do not underquote time to win the job and then run over.
Do I need a permit for a new AC installation in Draper?: Yes. Installing a new cooling system in Draper, Sandy, Bluffdale, Riverton, South Jordan, or Herriman requires a mechanical permit from the applicable municipal building department. The permit triggers a final inspection after installation, which verifies the work meets the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code with Utah amendments. Contractors who skip the permit are violating state law and creating a liability for the homeowner — unpermitted HVAC work can void manufacturer warranties, create homeowner’s insurance gaps, and require disclosure and remediation at home sale. Our quotes include permit fees as an itemized line item.
How does elevation affect which AC unit I should install?: At SunCrest and Traverse Ridge elevations (6,000–6,400 feet), air density is approximately 15–17% lower than at sea level. Condenser coils reject heat less efficiently at lower air density, which means a condenser’s published AHRI capacity (measured at sea level) overstates what the unit will actually deliver at elevation. Manual S equipment selection accounts for this by applying the manufacturer’s altitude correction factor to the published capacity before matching equipment to the Manual J load. A unit selected without the altitude correction will be undersized for the actual load and will run long hours at full capacity during peak summer, accelerating compressor and capacitor wear.
What size AC unit do I need for a 2,000 square foot home in Draper?: There is no answer to that question without a Manual J load calculation, which is why we do not answer it. A 2,000 square foot 1978 Draper ranch home with original single-pane aluminum windows, an uninsulated crawlspace, and a west-facing living room wall can have a cooling load of 42,000–48,000 BTU/hr. A 2,000 square foot 2022 Daybreak home with triple-pane windows, R-49 attic insulation, and spray foam rim joists can have a cooling load of 18,000–22,000 BTU/hr. Those are different equipment selections by nearly a full ton. We do the Manual J because the answer matters — and because an oversized system costs you money in short-cycling efficiency loss for its entire lifespan.
What is the difference between a 14 SEER2 and a 20 SEER2 system in terms of annual cost?: The math depends on your cooling load, your local electricity rate, and your annual cooling hours. For a typical 3-ton system in a Draper home running approximately 800 cooling hours per year at an average Rocky Mountain Power rate of $0.10/kWh, upgrading from 14 SEER2 to 20 SEER2 saves approximately $180–$240 per year in electricity costs. At a $2,000 installed cost premium for the higher-efficiency unit, the simple payback is roughly 9–11 years. For SunCrest homes where cooling hours and load are higher due to elevation-related insolation and the altitude efficiency penalty, the payback period shortens. We run the payback calculation for each customer during the estimate so the efficiency upgrade decision is based on actual numbers, not marketing claims.

Contact Draper Heating & Air Conditioning

Free in-home estimates for new AC installations across Draper, Sandy, Bluffdale, Riverton, South Jordan, and Herriman. We bring a load calculation, not a price sheet.

Phone (24/7): (385) 336-1837
Address: 12244 Business Park Dr #155, Draper, UT 84020
Email: info@draperheatingairconditioning.xyz
Utah DOPL HVAC Contractor License: #11487612-5501
EPA Section 608 Universal: #608U-2011-318472

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AC Installation Draper UT | Draper Heating & Air