Furnace & heating
AC repair
Heat pumps
Ductless mini splits
Carrier
Trane
GoodmanSeasonal tune-up and full diagnostic on your Carrier, Trane, or Goodman system - readings shown to you before any repair is proposed
Diagnosis first, numbers second - you approve the repair price before a single part goes in.
Get your free estimateFast, Reliable AC Installation Across Decatur
Installing a new air conditioner in Decatur typically costs between $3,500 and $7,500, and the job takes one to two days for most homes. That range covers everything from a straightforward 1.5-ton central system on a 1950s brick ranch to a high-efficiency heat pump in a historic Craftsman bungalow with tricky ductwork constraints. Decatur’s housing stock is old, dense, and full of surprises, which means the installer you choose matters as much as the equipment. Our crews work in Decatur neighborhoods every week, from Oakhurst to Winnona Park, and we quote the job with a written price before any equipment shows up. Call (229) 514-0545 for a free estimate and a same-week install date.
Why Halden Heating and Air Marietta Is Decatur’s Preferred AC Installation Company
Decatur homeowners deal with a specific set of problems: narrow alley access, tightly packed lots, original plaster walls, and a city permitting office that wants everything documented. We have pulled enough permits in DeKalb County to know exactly what the inspector looks for on a condenser pad, a lineset run, and a disconnect box. Andre Fuller leads our install teams, and he trains every technician to treat older Decatur homes like they are fixing a neighbor’s house: measure twice, clean up completely, and explain what you are paying for in plain English.
Every job follows The Relay Standard from start to finish. You book online and get a live arrival time you can track to your door, not a four-hour window. The technician arrives background-checked and in uniform, does a full load calculation, and hands you a written price before any work starts. That price is locked. If the install is not done right, the 365-Day Done Right Promise covers a full year of accountability, in writing. Our dispatchers answer the phone at 2 a.m. the same way they do at noon, because a dead compressor in a Decatur heat wave is not a next-business-day problem.
Styles & brands we work with
HVAC Installation in Decatur
HVAC Installation in Decatur means replacing or installing the full heating and cooling system, and in this city it usually means working around 1920s floor plans, 1950s ductwork, or newer infill builds shoehorned between two existing houses. A complete installation runs $3,500 to $7,500 depending on system size, efficiency rating, and whether we can reuse existing ductwork or need to add return air. We handle AC Installation from the initial load calculation through the final inspection, and we pull the permits so you do not have to stand in line at the Decatur permit office.
Central Air Installation for Older Decatur Homes
Many Decatur homes built before 1960 were designed for window units or radiant heat, so the ductwork either does not exist or was added as an afterthought. We commonly run new flexible ducts through attic spaces in Craftsman bungalows and cap off unused register holes in brick ranches. The finished system should deliver even temperatures across every room, and we test static pressure before we leave.
Replacement Systems for Failing Units
If your current system is over 12 years old, leaking refrigerant, or tripping the breaker during every thunderstorm, a replacement is usually cheaper than repeated repairs. We remove the old condenser, air handler, and lineset, then install a matched system sized to your actual heat load, not your square footage. Most Decatur replacements take a full day, and we haul away everything.
Heat Pump Installation in Decatur
Heat Pump Installation in Decatur is the right call for homes that need both cooling in the humid summer and heat during the sudden winter cold snaps that hit the Piedmont region. A properly sized heat pump costs the same $3,500 to $7,500 as a conventional AC, and it replaces both your air conditioner and your furnace in one unit. Decatur’s weather swings, from 95°F afternoons in July to below-freezing nights in January, push these systems hard, so we spec units with higher SEER2 ratings and better moisture control than what a generic installer might suggest.
Dual-Fuel Systems for Decatur’s Temperature Swings
A dual-fuel setup pairs an electric heat pump with a small gas furnace as backup. When temperatures drop into the low 30s, the gas furnace takes over, which protects the compressor and keeps your electricity bill from spiking. For Decatur homeowners who want year-round comfort without ripping out a working gas line, this is often the smartest configuration.
Mini Split Installation Where Ductwork Won’t Fit
Ductless mini splits solve the biggest problem in Decatur’s historic districts: there is nowhere to put ducts. A wall-mounted or ceiling-cassette unit connects to a small outdoor condenser with a lineset that runs through a 3-inch chase, which means we do not need to tear into plaster or frame out soffits. Mini splits also run nearly silent, which matters when your neighbor’s bedroom window is 15 feet from your condenser.
Trusted Brands We Service in Decatur
We install and service Trane, Lennox, Goodman, and Rheem systems, and we stock common parts for these brands in our metro Atlanta warehouse, which means faster turnarounds for Decatur customers than waiting on a distributor shipment. Trane and Lennox tend to be popular with Decatur homeowners who want a premium system with a long warranty, while Goodman and Rheem offer strong value for budget-conscious replacements. Whatever brand we recommend for your home, the written price and the 365-Day Done Right Promise stay exactly the same. For more detail on how we approach system selection across Decatur, our city page breaks down the options by housing type.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterCommon AC Installation Problems We See in Decatur Homes
- Converted coal chutes used as closet spaces. In the historic districts near downtown, many homes still have original coal chutes that are only 22 to 26 inches deep. A standard air handler with a 21-inch cabinet barely fits, and often the drain line gets crushed or the return airflow gets choked. We carry low-profile air handlers and ductless mini splits specifically for these floor plans.
- Oversized units short-cycling in small bungalows. A 1,200-square-foot Craftsman with original single-pane windows does not need a 3-ton condenser, even if an old rule-of-thumb chart says it does. Oversized units cool the space too fast, never remove enough humidity, and kill the compressor early. We run a full Manual J load calculation on every Decatur install.
- Static pressure problems on 1950s and 60s ranches. The original metal ducts in these homes were sized for a gravity furnace, not a high-efficiency heat pump. Sharp 90-degree elbows and undersized returns choke airflow, which trips the high-limit switch and burns out compressors. We measure static pressure before quoting, and we tell you honestly if the ductwork needs work.
- Thunderstorm surge damage on exposed streets. Decatur gets frequent lightning and power flickers during summer storms, and a single surge can take out the capacitor and control board on a brand-new condenser. We hardwire an HVAC-rated surge protector at the disconnect on every install, and it is not an upsell; it is standard practice here.
Pricing for AC Installation in Decatur, GA
A new AC installation in Decatur runs $3,500 to $7,500 for most single-family homes. A basic 1.5-ton Goodman central system on a small ranch might come in around $3,800, while a high-efficiency Trane heat pump with new ductwork in a larger two-story home can reach $7,200. What drives the cost is system size, SEER2 rating, whether ducts need replacing, and whether you are adding a mini split or zoning. We give you the exact price in writing before the first day of work, and that number does not change. Call (229) 514-0545 for a free in-home estimate, and we will have a number to you the same day.
We Also Serve Cities Near Decatur
Our install crews work throughout the metro area, including Smyrna, Mableton, Marietta, and Roswell. If you live just outside Decatur or are helping a family member in a nearby community, the same written pricing, live arrival tracking, and 365-Day Done Right Promise apply on every job. Give us a call and we will get a technician scheduled wherever you need us.
Serving Decatur, GA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Decatur area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About AC Installation in Decatur
Sometimes, but only if the closet is deep enough to fit a low-profile air handler with proper clearance for the coil, drain line, and return airflow. We have measured coal chutes all over the historic districts, and many run 22 to 26 inches deep, while a standard air handler cabinet needs 21 inches plus room for the lineset and drain pan. When it will not fit safely, we recommend a ductless mini split instead, which avoids chopping into load-bearing walls entirely.
Yes, Decatur requires a mechanical permit for any AC installation or replacement, and Halden pulls every permit before we start work. We schedule the inspection, meet the inspector on site, and make sure the final sign-off is on file. The permit fee is included in your written quote, not added as a surprise line item later.
Decatur’s historic district guidelines and DeKalb County code typically require a minimum setback of 3 to 5 feet from the property line and a specific distance from operable windows on adjacent homes. Because lots in Oakhurst and Winnona Park are tight, we often position condensers on the side yard or a back corner to stay compliant and keep noise away from bedrooms. We check the specific setback for your lot during the free estimate.
For a 1950s brick ranch with the original metal ducts, a 15 to 16 SEER2 unit is usually the sweet spot. Going higher rarely pays off if the ductwork is leaky or undersized, because the efficiency gains get lost in the duct losses. We recommend sealing and, where needed, replacing the worst duct runs before putting in anything above 16 SEER2, and we will show you the math on energy savings either way.
Yes, a ductless mini split is designed exactly for Decatur homes without usable ductwork, and modern units run between 19 and 32 decibels indoors, which is quieter than a whisper. The outdoor condenser is also far quieter than a traditional central AC, around 49 to 55 decibels, so your neighbors will not hear it from their porch. We install mini splits in historic bungalows, converted attics, and add-on rooms all over Decatur, typically in a single day.
Written by Andre Fuller, Owner at Halden Heating and Air Marietta, serving Decatur and the surrounding metro Atlanta area since 2004.