Maine HVAC Service
An outdoor central air conditioning unit mounted on a concrete pad beside a blue-sided house at sunset.

AC Installation in Calais, ME

Tell us about the house, and a licensed contractor who covers Washington County will get in touch.

Tell us about the job

It takes about a minute.

Step 1 of 3: Equipment
Aerial view of a square outdoor air conditioning condenser unit on a concrete pad beside a house wall with a sliding glass door.

Calais doesn't ask much of an air conditioner

Summer afternoons here average 76°F. That is mild, and it means a new air conditioner in Calais spends most of its time barely working, if it runs at all.

Any new central air conditioner installed here still has to meet the federal minimum of 13.4 SEER2. Beyond that, the choice comes down to sizing the system to the house rather than fighting a long, hot season.

76°F
the average summer afternoon it cools against
7 hail events
in ten years, and hail bends the fins on outdoor coils
13.4 SEER2
the federal minimum any new unit must meet
Isometric line illustration of a cutaway single-story house showing interior rooms, ducted air handler, ceiling ductwork, and an outdoor condenser unit connected by refrigerant lines.
Your air conditioner works hardest from July through August.

NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals

Aerial view of a gray outdoor air conditioning condenser unit mounted on a concrete pad next to a house with vinyl siding.

Going above the federal minimum saves little here, about $10 a year.

  • A higher-efficiency unit$110 a year
  • A new unit at the federal minimum, 13.4 SEER2$120 a year

Estimates for a typical Washington County home, from EIA household energy data, Maine fuel prices and NOAA climate normals. Your home will differ.

What size air conditioner does my house need?
The right size depends on your square footage, insulation, window placement, and how much shade your house gets, not a rule of thumb. A unit that is too big cools the air fast but shuts off before it pulls the moisture out, leaving rooms feeling damp. Too small, and it runs constantly without keeping up on the warmer afternoons. A contractor will run a load calculation on your actual house before recommending a size.
Should I replace the whole system or just the outdoor unit?
If your indoor coil and outdoor unit are matched and both in decent shape, replacing just the outdoor unit can work. But an old indoor coil paired with a new outdoor unit often will not perform the way the new unit is rated for, and some older coils are not built to pair with newer refrigerants. A contractor can check whether your coil, refrigerant type, and ductwork are compatible with a new outdoor unit before you decide. If the coil is near the end of its life too, replacing both at the same time is often the more sensible route.
Do HVAC contractors in Calais need a state license to work on my home?
Yes, HVAC contractors need a state license to do this work legally. Ask to see the license number before any work starts, and you can look it up with the state licensing board to confirm it is current. A licensed contractor also carries insurance, which protects you if something goes wrong during installation.
Find a contractor