New AC Installation in Los Angeles & San Fernando Valley

New central AC installation in Los Angeles costs $5,000 to $12,000 in 2026 for a typical 2-to-5-ton split system, fully permitted and Title 24 compliant. This page is for first-time central air — new builds, ADUs, room additions, or homes that previously relied on window units. EA Mechanical handles Manual J load calculations, ductwork design, electrical panel checks, and city permits as a single project. Call (818) 988-9060 for a free in-home assessment.

First-time installs differ from replacements in three big ways: there is rarely an existing duct system to reuse, the electrical panel often needs a 240V circuit added, and the city building department wants a full HERS test on the new envelope. We sequence the work so the structural, electrical, and mechanical inspections all line up — most projects close in 5 to 10 working days from contract signing.

We install across Tujunga, Sunland, La Crescenta, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Sylmar, and the wider San Fernando Valley. For ADU installs and homes built before 1970 we lean toward ductless mini-splits to avoid invasive duct routing — see the Ductless Mini-Split Installation page if that fits your situation.

What a New AC Install Includes

• Manual J load calculation — sizes the system to the actual heat load of your home, not a square-footage rule of thumb. Oversizing is the #1 cause of short-cycling in LA installs.
• Ductwork design and install — supply trunk, return chase, and grille placement so every room hits within 2°F of setpoint.
• Electrical work — disconnect, 240V circuit, and panel-capacity verification. We pull a separate electrical permit if a panel upgrade is needed.
• Refrigerant lineset — copper run from outdoor condenser to indoor coil, brazed and pressure-tested before commissioning.
• City permits and HERS test — Title 24 requires both. We handle the paperwork end-to-end and the HERS rater visit.

Sizing: Why Bigger Is Not Better

An oversized AC cools the air quickly but does not run long enough to pull humidity out, which leaves rooms feeling clammy and forces the system into a short-cycle pattern that wears the compressor years before its rated life. We use Manual J load calculations from ACCA's published methodology — usually a 1,800-square-foot LA home lands at 2.5 to 3 tons, not the 4 or 5 tons many homeowners assume. Right-sizing is the single biggest determinant of how comfortable the install will feel for the next 15 years.

Permits, Title 24, and the HERS Test

California Title 24 requires a permit for any new HVAC install over a small threshold, and the local jurisdiction (City of LA, Burbank, Glendale, county unincorporated) confirms compliance with a HERS test for duct leakage and refrigerant charge. We pull the permit, schedule the HERS rater, and stay on site through the inspection. Skipping the permit can later block a property sale and is one of the more common surprises a home inspector flags.

Brand-Agnostic Equipment Selection

EA Mechanical is an independent installer — we are not contractually locked to a single brand. For most LA homes we install Carrier, Lennox, Trane, Goodman, or American Standard depending on budget and the rebate that fits. We will tell you honestly which brand carries the warranty terms that matter most for your specific equipment tier. Call (818) 988-9060 to discuss options.

We Install AC Throughout LA

Looking for AC installation in your specific neighborhood? We install from our Tujunga shop daily across these cities — each page has city-specific pricing, permit pathway, utility-rebate notes, and the local install considerations that matter most.