AC Installation & Replacement in Bakersfield, CA
A new air conditioner should be sized for your house and Bakersfield summers, not for whatever is on the truck. We measure, explain your options, and install it clean.
Signs
When it’s time for a new AC
Replacement usually makes sense when:
- The system is 12 to 15+ years old and needs a major repair
- It still uses R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer produced
- Repairs keep coming back every summer
- Some rooms never cool down, or the bills keep climbing
- You’re adding space or replacing ductwork anyway
What we do
How we install a new system
Sized for your home
We look at square footage, insulation, windows and your existing ducts before recommending a size. Bigger isn’t better.
Clear written quote
You get options and a written price before anything is ordered, with no pressure to decide on the spot.
Clean install, old unit gone
New pad or stand if needed, line set and electrical checked, old equipment hauled away, and the system tested before we leave.
A replacement isn’t finished until it passes inspection
California’s energy code treats a new AC or furnace as an alteration. That means a building permit and a check by an independent HERS rater. We pull the permit with the right building department (City of Bakersfield or Kern County, depending on your address) and schedule the testing.
- Duct leakage test. Required in most cases when new heating or cooling equipment connects to existing ducts. Leaks get sealed before we sign off.
- Refrigerant charge check. Required for new AC equipment in the Central Valley, so the system is charged right for our heat.
- Airflow check. On AC replacements, confirms enough air moves across the coil to do its job.
- Paperwork you keep. Permit card and test results, which matter when you sell the house.
How it works
What to expect when you call
Call, text or book
Reach a real person at (661) 889-0990, or pick a time online.
We find the cause
A Palmer tech diagnoses the problem and shows you what’s wrong.
You approve the price
You get the price before any work starts. No surprises on the invoice.
Comfortable again
We fix it, clean up, and make sure everything is running right.
From a customer
“Mark Palmer of Palmer Heating and Air is truly the best! I have called upon Mark many times over the years on issues ranging from master coil repairs and installs, mini split installations and of course those emergency service calls that nobody ever wants to encounter … He showed up on time, equipped and ready to make all necessary repairs. I always recommend Mark Palmer to anybody needing honest heating and cooling repairs.”
FAQ
Questions we get a lot
How long does an AC replacement take?
Most straightforward change-outs are done in a day. Jobs that add ductwork, a new location or a crane lift take longer, and we’ll tell you up front.
What refrigerant do new systems use?
Since 2025, new home AC and heat pump systems are built for newer refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32. Older R-410A systems can still be repaired, but that refrigerant is getting more expensive. R-22 hasn’t been produced since 2020, so an R-22 system needing a recharge is usually a replacement conversation.
Do I need a permit to replace my AC?
Yes. In California a new AC is an alteration under the energy code, so it needs a permit and testing by an independent HERS rater. We handle both.
Do you install heat pumps too?
Yes. A heat pump cools like an AC and also heats, which works well in Bakersfield’s mild winters. We’ll go over whether it fits your home.
Can you replace just the outdoor unit?
Sometimes, but matching the indoor coil to the new outdoor unit is usually required for it to work properly and keep its rating. We’ll tell you what your system needs.
More from Palmer
Related services
AC Repair & Service
Warm air, strange noises, or a unit that won’t kick on. We find the real cause and fix it, with the price up front.
AC repairDuctwork Repair & Replacement
Leaky, crushed or worn-out ducts and vents replaced so the air you pay for reaches your rooms.
DuctworkMini-Split Installation & Repair
Ductless heating and cooling for additions, garages, shops and rooms the central system never reaches.
Ductless mini-splits
Need it fixed today? Call Palmer!
Talk to a local tech, not a call center. Mon–Sat 8 AM–6 PM, with emergency calls answered after hours.