Most homeowners never see what goes into an AC installation. A crew arrives in the morning, works through the day, and eventually tells you the new system is ready. What happens in between those two moments is a multi-step process, and every step affects how well your system performs and how long it lasts.
Understanding what a proper AC installation looks like gives you the ability to ask the right questions, recognize quality work, and identify shortcuts when they are being taken. In Shreveport, where your AC carries your home through long, hot, humid summers and the system also needs to work alongside your heating equipment through genuine winters, a proper installation is the foundation everything else depends on.
Here is exactly what should happen, from the first estimate to the final walkthrough.
Step 1: The In-Home Estimate and Load Calculation
A proper installation starts before any equipment is ordered. During the estimate visit, a technician evaluates your home and collects the information needed to recommend the right system for your specific situation.
The most important part of this visit is the Manual J Load Calculation. This calculation accounts for your home’s square footage, ceiling height, insulation levels, window size and orientation, and how much direct sun exposure the home receives. The result is the precise cooling capacity your home requires to maintain comfort at peak summer conditions in Shreveport’s climate.
Sizing matters in northwest Louisiana for two reasons. An oversized system cools the space too quickly and shuts off before it completes a full humidity removal cycle, leaving your home cool in temperature but damp and uncomfortable. Humidity is a real summer problem in Shreveport, and an oversized system makes it worse. An undersized system runs continuously and still cannot keep up during the hottest stretches of July and August.
A contractor who recommends a system size without first performing a load calculation is guessing. That guess affects your comfort and utility bills for the entire life of the system.
Step 2: Arrival, Review, and Setup
On installation day, the crew will contact you before arriving. When they get to your home, the lead technician walks you through the scope of work before anything begins. This is your opportunity to ask questions and make sure the plan is clear on both sides.
While that review happens, the rest of the crew begins protecting floor surfaces throughout the home’s work area and staging tools and equipment outside. The existing system is powered down safely, with electrical circuits at the panel shut off and any gas supply lines closed before anyone touches the old equipment.
Step 3: Refrigerant Recovery and Old Equipment Removal
Your existing outdoor condenser contains refrigerant that must be captured before the unit can be disconnected. Federal law requires this refrigerant to be recovered using a certified recovery machine and stored in an approved sealed tank. Venting refrigerant into the air is illegal, and every technician who handles it must hold an individual EPA Section 608 certification.
Once the refrigerant is recovered, the outdoor unit is disconnected from its wiring and refrigerant lines and removed. The indoor evaporator coil, located above or near the air handler, is also removed.
Step 4: Preparing the Installation Area
New condensers are generally larger than older models. The pad the old unit sat on may need to be replaced or re-leveled before the new unit can be set. A composite pad is the appropriate material. It holds up in outdoor conditions for the life of the system, absorbs vibration more effectively than concrete, and does not crack or shift over time the way concrete pads can.
Clearance around the new unit is also confirmed at this stage. The manufacturer’s minimum clearance requirements and any local code requirements must both be met for the unit to operate efficiently and for technicians to safely access it for future service visits.
Step 5: Installing the New Indoor Evaporator Coil
The indoor evaporator coil must be replaced at the same time as the outdoor condenser. Installing a new outdoor unit with the old indoor coil reduces efficiency, creates refrigerant compatibility issues, and in virtually every case voids the warranty on the new equipment.
The coil is connected to the sheet metal plenum above the air handler and sealed thoroughly to prevent conditioned air from leaking into unconditioned spaces before it reaches your rooms. A condensate drain line is attached to carry the moisture the coil removes from the air to a drain or condensate pump. This line must be correctly pitched, glued at all joints, and fitted with a safety overflow switch that shuts the system down if the drain becomes blocked.
Before the new coil goes in, this is a good time to consider duct cleaning. Starting fresh with clean ducts means the new system moves air through a clean distribution network from its first day of operation.
Step 6: Running New Refrigerant Lines
The copper refrigerant lines connect the indoor coil to the outdoor condenser. These should be replaced when installing a new system. Older lines can contain residual oil that is incompatible with modern refrigerant types and can cause internal damage if lines are reused without thorough flushing.
New lines are run as straight as practical, supported every four to six feet, and protected at any points where they contact other materials. A filter drier is installed in the line set to absorb any moisture before it can reach the refrigerant circuit.
The connections at both the indoor coil and the outdoor unit are brazed rather than flared or clamped. Brazing is a high-temperature welding process that creates a permanent, leak-free joint. Dry nitrogen is purged through the lines during brazing to prevent oxidation inside the copper tubing. After brazing is complete, the system is pressure-tested with dry nitrogen to verify there are no leaks before any refrigerant is introduced.
Step 7: Evacuation and Refrigerant Charging
Evacuation is one of the most critical steps in the entire process, and one of the most commonly abbreviated by installers who are cutting corners. A vacuum pump removes all air, moisture, and contaminants from the refrigerant lines and indoor coil. The system must reach 500 microns or below and hold that vacuum before refrigerant can be charged.
Moisture left in the system reacts with refrigerant oil to form acids that degrade components from the inside. A system that was not properly evacuated may run normally for a season or two before the damage presents as a premature compressor failure or a developing refrigerant leak.
Once the vacuum is confirmed and holds, refrigerant is released into the system. The charge is measured and adjusted based on the manufacturer’s specifications and real-time pressure and temperature readings.
Step 8: Electrical Connections
The outdoor condenser requires a dedicated circuit and a service disconnect box mounted nearby. A proper installation replaces the disconnect box and the electrical whip connecting it to the unit. These components protect the system and provide a safe way to isolate power during future service calls.
The low-voltage control wiring connecting the thermostat to the system is also connected at this stage. If your home’s electrical panel is older or already at full capacity, updates may be needed to support the new system’s circuit. This is common in older Shreveport homes and typically adds $100 to $600 to the total project.
If a new thermostat is needed for compatibility with the new equipment, installation happens at this point as well. Connecting a smart thermostat at the time of a new AC installation is one of the most practical ways to maximize the efficiency and programmability the new system can offer.
Step 9: Startup and Commissioning
Once everything is connected, the system is turned on and allowed to run for 15 to 20 minutes. During this time, the technician takes a complete set of measurements to verify the system is operating correctly within the manufacturer’s specifications.
Those measurements include:
- Suction and liquid line pressures and temperatures
- Superheat and subcooling values
- Supply and return air temperature readings
- Indoor and outdoor ambient temperatures
- Static pressure throughout the duct system
- Amperage draw on the compressor, outdoor fan motor, and blower motor
- Refrigerant charge verification
This commissioning process is the only objective way to confirm the system is performing as designed. A technician who powers the unit on, observes that cold air is coming out of the registers, and calls it done has skipped this step. The measurements taken during commissioning establish a documented baseline that future service technicians can compare against, which is valuable for diagnosing any performance changes that develop over time.
Step 10: Cleanup and Final Walkthrough
When all work is complete, old equipment, scrap materials, and any debris are removed from your property. Floor protection is the last thing rolled up, keeping any mess contained. Your home should look exactly as it did before the crew arrived.
The lead technician walks you through the completed work, demonstrates the new system and thermostat operation, and reviews the warranty details. If you have questions about maintenance schedules or our Shield of Protection plan, this is the right time to ask. Members receive priority scheduling, 20% off any service calls, and seasonal tune-ups that keep the new system performing at its best year after year.
How Long Does an AC Installation Take in Shreveport?
A standard residential replacement takes four to eight hours for most homes. Jobs that involve ductwork modifications, electrical panel work, or difficult indoor equipment access take longer. Your technician will give you a specific time estimate after evaluating your home.
Does an AC Installation Require a Permit in Louisiana?
Yes, every AC installation in Louisiana requires a permit. Permits ensure the work meets safety codes and create a documented record of the installation for the property. Any contractor who offers to skip the permit to save time or cut the price is not operating correctly. That shortcut can create complications during a future home sale or insurance claim.
What to Look for in a Shreveport AC Installer
- A load calculation performed before any equipment is recommended
- A written proposal that specifies the equipment model, refrigerant type, and what is included in the price
- Licensed, EPA-certified technicians
- Permits pulled on every installation
- Full commissioning with documented measurements after startup
Each of these points protects your investment and your comfort. Skipping any of them introduces risk that plays out over the life of the system.
Ready to Schedule Your AC Installation in Shreveport?
Southern Air has been serving the Shreveport area since 1984. We perform a complete load calculation before recommending equipment, provide upfront pricing with no hidden costs, and pull permits on every installation. We offer flexible financing options and check our specials page for any current installation promotions.
Call us at (318) 310-1312 or schedule online to get started.
