Pacific Northwest summers aren’t what they used to be, we’re seeing 100+ degree heat waves that would’ve been unthinkable here 20 years ago. Alpine Mechanical Services has watched Vancouver, WA homeowners go from “we don’t need AC” to “how fast can you install something” in just the past few summers. After helping Clark County families stay comfortable for over 20 years, we’ve learned that choosing the right cooling system isn’t just about surviving heat waves; it’s about doing it efficiently without shocking your wallet every month.

Don’t wait until the thermometer hits triple digits to start thinking about air conditioning; that’s when every air conditioning contractor in Vancouver gets slammed and you’ll be waiting weeks for an appointment. Call (360) 661-8888 now while we can still schedule installations without the summer rush pricing. We’ll help you figure out what actually makes sense for your home, not just try to sell you the most expensive unit we’ve got.

AC Installation

Getting your AC installation done right the first time saves you headaches and money for years down the road. We start every project by actually measuring and calculating your home’s cooling needs; not just replacing whatever used to be there or guessing based on square footage. Too many Vancouver air conditioning contractors take shortcuts on sizing, which is why you see systems that run constantly but never really cool the house properly.

Vancouver’s climate is perfect for heat pumps that handle both heating and cooling, often making more sense than traditional AC units that sit idle eight months of the year. The newer models we install have SEER2 ratings between 16 and 22, which can significantly reduce your cooling bills compared to older systems. Most installations qualify for Clark Public Utilities rebates, plus you can get federal tax credits that help offset the upfront cost.

Installation usually takes a full day, and we clean up completely when we’re done; no leaving your yard looking like a tornado hit it. We handle all the permit stuff and coordinate inspections, so you don’t have to deal with city bureaucracy. The typical AC installation takes 6-8 hours, and we test everything thoroughly throughout Vancouver neighborhoods like Salmon Creek, Cascade Park, Fisher’s Landing, and Minnehaha.

Central Air Installation

Adjusting Central Air Conditioning Thermostat

If you’ve been limping along with window units or just opening windows and hoping for the best, central air might be exactly what your Vancouver home needs. We specialize in retrofitting central air into houses that weren’t built for it, which takes some creativity but definitely beats sweating through another summer. The trick is designing ductwork that actually moves air efficiently; you can’t just slap cooling onto existing heating ducts and expect miracles.

Everything we do for central air installation includes proper ductwork design, electrical upgrades if needed, and making sure your new system works with what you’ve already got. We use correctly sized ducts with sealed connections and strategic return air placement to eliminate those rooms that never seem to cool down properly. Lots of Vancouver homeowners are surprised when their heating works better too, once we’ve fixed their ductwork issues.

Central air works best when it’s matched to your specific home’s cooling requirements, which depend on things like window placement, insulation quality, and how much sun hits your roof. We do actual load calculations instead of just matching tonnage to square footage, because cooling needs are different from heating needs. This approach means your system runs efficiently from day one instead of fighting to keep up.

Ductless Mini Split Installation

If you’re considering ductless mini split installation, these systems are perfect when traditional ducted air conditioning doesn’t make sense – maybe you’ve got baseboard heat, or you just want to cool specific rooms without the expense of whole-house ductwork. These units are incredibly efficient, with many models hitting SEER2 ratings above 20, and they let you control temperatures differently in each room. Some people love cooling the bedrooms at night while leaving the living areas warmer.

We’ve installed hundreds of mini split systems around Clark County and Vancouver, WA, so we know which brands hold up and which ones are more trouble than they’re worth. The outdoor units are much quieter than traditional AC condensers, and the indoor units can go on walls, ceilings, or even be recessed if you don’t want them visible. Installation typically takes half a day for single-zone systems with minimal mess.

The best part about ductless installation is we only need to drill one small hole through your wall for the refrigerant lines – no major ductwork modifications or construction mess. Many Vancouver homeowners love the flexibility, you can cool just the areas you’re using instead of the whole house, which saves energy and money during those long summer days. It’s like having individual climate control for each room you actually spend time in.

AC System Replacement

When your old AC system is costing more to fix than it’s worth, or when it just can’t handle Vancouver’s hotter summers anymore, AC system replacement starts making financial sense. Today’s air conditioning systems are way more efficient and reliable than units from even 10 years ago, with features like variable-speed operation and smart home integration that actually work. We help Clark County homeowners decide when to repair versus replace based on age, repair history, and energy costs.

Modern high-efficiency AC systems can reduce cooling costs by 30-50% compared to older units, which means the energy savings often pay for replacement over 7-10 years. We install systems with two-stage cooling, variable-speed fans, and smart thermostats that learn your schedule and adjust automatically. These features don’t just save energy, they make your home more comfortable by maintaining steady temperatures instead of the constant on-off cycling of older systems.

Replacement includes removing your old system properly, upgrading electrical if needed, and making sure existing ductwork can handle the new equipment efficiently. We also look at insulation and air sealing opportunities, because even the best AC system struggles in a house that leaks air like a sieve. Most replacements qualify for rebates and tax credits that reduce your total investment significantly.

Commercial Air Conditioning

Vancouver businesses need commercial air conditioning systems that keep employees and customers comfortable while controlling operating costs – nobody wants to work in a sweatbox or pay outrageous utility bills. We handle everything from small office spaces to retail stores and light industrial facilities throughout Clark County, focusing on systems that work reliably during business hours when downtime costs money. Commercial systems face different challenges than residential units, longer operating hours, varying occupancy, and more demanding service requirements than typical Vancouver air conditioning contractor projects.

We install and service packaged rooftop units, split systems, and variable refrigerant flow systems depending on your building’s needs and budget. Commercial installations include proper ventilation design, energy management controls, and maintenance access that makes future service easier and less expensive. Nobody wants technicians tearing apart your ceiling tiles every time something needs attention in Vancouver office buildings.

Alpine Mechanical Services works with business owners to find financing and utility rebate programs that make commercial AC upgrades affordable. We can also do energy audits and system optimization that reduce operating costs while improving comfort for your staff and customers. Our commercial maintenance programs include priority scheduling and detailed reporting that helps you budget for future equipment needs.

Air Conditioning Maintenance

Regular air conditioning maintenance is the smartest money you can spend on your cooling system; it prevents most emergency breakdowns and keeps everything running efficiently when you need it most. We recommend annual maintenance for residential systems and quarterly service for commercial applications, because it’s way cheaper than emergency repairs during heat waves. During maintenance visits, we replace filters, clean coils, check refrigerant levels, and test electrical connections that prevent most of the problems we see.

We also test system performance and spot components that are starting to wear out before they fail completely. This approach saves money by preventing major repairs and extends equipment life by several years. We clean condenser coils, calibrate thermostats, and check for ductwork leaks that waste energy and make rooms uncomfortable. Most Vancouver homeowners notice better cooling performance and lower energy bills after professional maintenance from an experienced air conditioning contractor.

Alpine Mechanical Services keeps detailed records for every customer, tracking how your system performs over time and recommending upgrades when maintenance becomes uneconomical. Maintenance program members get priority scheduling for emergency repairs, discounted service rates, and confidence that their AC system is ready for whatever summer weather brings. It’s smart insurance against uncomfortable surprises during heat waves.

Vancouver’s Most Reliable Air Conditioning Contractor

After more than two decades in Vancouver, WA, we’ve learned that homeowners want straight answers about what they actually need, not sales pitches about the most expensive system in the catalog. Alpine Mechanical Services has built our reputation by showing up when scheduled, installing systems correctly the first time, and being honest about what makes sense for each home and budget. We’re not the biggest air conditioning contractor in Clark County, but we’re probably the most straightforward when it comes to matching systems to homes and explaining options clearly.Don’t spend another summer cranking window units that barely cool one room or running up huge utility bills with an old system that can’t handle Vancouver’s increasingly hot weather. Call (360) 661-8888 today and let our experienced Vancouver air conditioning technicians help you create a comfortable, energy-efficient cooling solution that actually works for your specific situation. We’ll assess what you’re dealing with, explain your options honestly, and provide the reliable air conditioning contractor service you can count on for years.