Get an estimate
Two quick steps. A Redmond-based comfort advisor will call you to set up your visit.
- Serving Puget Sound homeowners since 1977
- 4.8 stars from 5,000+ reviews
- Licensed, bonded and insured in Washington
- PSE Trade Ally contractor
- WA Contractor Reg. #HOMECCA785BD
Air conditioning in Kenmore, WA
Home Comfort Alliance repairs and installs central air conditioning, heat pumps and ductless mini-splits for Kenmore homes. Our Redmond branch covers the city; call (425) 645-0404 or send the form, and a comfort advisor will set up the visit. Estimates for new systems are free.
Kenmore’s summers are usually mild and dry, but not always. In the late-June 2021 heat dome, many homes around the north end of Lake Washington had no way to cool down.
Cooling price ranges
Published estimates, not our prices:
| Work | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC or AC repair | About $350 on average; $100 to $3,000 | Angi, HVAC repair costs, 2026 data |
| New central air, Seattle area | $5,098 to $9,785, averaging $7,377 | Angi, Seattle AC replacement costs, updated August 2026 |
| Ducted heat pump, Seattle area | $3,160 to $20,000 depending on efficiency | Angi, Seattle heat pump installation costs, updated July 2026 |
| Single-zone ductless | $2,222 to $5,555 | Angi, Seattle mini-split costs, 2026 data |
The main variables are existing ductwork, the wiring for the outdoor unit, how many rooms or zones need cooling, and the efficiency you choose.
South-facing views and summer sun
Kenmore wraps around the north end of Lake Washington, so many homes face south toward the water, with big windows catching the afternoon sun. Those rooms can be several degrees warmer than the rest of the house. Good design accounts for it: a room-by-room load calculation that counts glass and orientation, more airflow or a dedicated ductless head for the sunniest rooms, and practical steps such as exterior shades or solar-control window film that cut the load before the equipment has to handle it.
Heat pump or AC?
In Kenmore, the choice often comes down to how you heat:
| You heat with | Cooling option | PSE rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Electric baseboards or wall heaters | Ductless heat pump in main rooms | $1,500, plus up to $2,400 with Efficiency Boost |
| Electric furnace | Ducted heat pump with air handler | $1,500, plus up to $2,400 with Efficiency Boost |
| PSE gas furnace | Heat pump for dual fuel, or central AC | Dual fuel: $1,500, plus up to $2,400 |
| Anything, one hot room | Single-zone ductless | Depends on the heat it replaces |
Sources: PSE electric resistance to heat pump rebate; PSE hybrid heat pump rebate. A cooling-only AC does not qualify for these rebates; a heat pump does, and it heats efficiently all winter too. More on our Kenmore heat pump page.
What goes wrong with cooling
Most summer calls fall into a handful of patterns:
- The outdoor unit hums without the fan turning, usually a failed capacitor or contactor.
- Air from the vents is only slightly cool, pointing to a leak, a dirty outdoor coil or a clogged filter.
- Ice forms on the refrigerant lines, from weak airflow or low charge.
- Water appears at the furnace or air handler, from a blocked condensate drain.
- A ductless head drips, smells or stops cooling, from dirty filters or a drain problem.
- The breaker trips when cooling starts, from a failing compressor or wiring fault.
Before calling, confirm the thermostat is set to cool below room temperature, change a dirty filter, and check both breakers. If the lines are iced, turn cooling off and run the fan to thaw them.
Townhomes and tight spaces
Kenmore’s newer townhomes along Bothell Way and near downtown often have little room for an outdoor unit, close neighbors and association rules. Compact and variable-speed units are quieter and easier to place; wall brackets can lift a unit off a narrow side yard; and line sets can run in covers painted to match. Bring your association’s guidelines to the estimate and we will design around them.
Keeping cooling costs down
A few habits make a noticeable difference on the PSE bill in summer. Close blinds on south- and west-facing windows during the afternoon, especially in lake-view rooms. Set the thermostat a few degrees higher when nobody is home instead of switching the system off, so it is not fighting a hot house at dinnertime. Use ceiling fans in occupied rooms to feel cooler at a higher setting. Keep the outdoor unit clear of plants and debris, and change filters on schedule so the system is not working against a clogged filter.
Smoke and indoor air
During late-summer wildfire smoke, the house stays closed and the cooling system does double duty. A MERV 13 filter, where the blower allows, cleans the air in ducted systems; in homes with ductless heads, a portable HEPA purifier in the main room adds filtration.
Spring check
A spring tune-up before the first warm stretch covers cleaning the outdoor coil and clearing debris, testing the capacitor, contactor and fan motor, checking refrigerant pressures and the temperature drop across the coil, flushing the condensate drain, and on heat pumps, checking the reversing valve and defrost controls. Pollen, leaves and seed fluff can mat the outdoor coil in late spring, so a mid-season rinse with a garden hose (power off, gentle pressure, from the inside out where possible) keeps the unit breathing freely through the hottest weeks.
Choosing equipment that fits
Three decisions shape how a new system will feel and what it will cost to run:
- Capacity: sized from the load calculation. Bigger is not better; an oversized unit cools in short bursts, leaves the air clammy and wears out sooner.
- Compressor type: single-stage units run full speed or off. Two-stage and variable-speed units run slower for longer, which is quieter, removes more humidity and holds temperature more evenly, especially valuable in the damp air near the lake.
- Efficiency: rated as SEER2 for cooling and HSPF2 for heat pump heating. Moving from a basic unit to a mid-range variable-speed model usually gives the best return; the top tier adds smaller savings at a higher price.
We quote more than one option on request, with the running cost difference explained.
On installation day
The crew protects floors and walkways, sets the outdoor unit on a level pad or bracket, runs the refrigerant lines and pressure-tests them, then pulls a deep vacuum to clear moisture before releasing refrigerant. The electrician wires the disconnect and controls, and the condensate line is routed to a drain. Before leaving, the installer confirms charge and airflow, sets up the thermostat or remotes with you, shows you the filters, and leaves the equipment and permit paperwork. The city and L&I inspections follow.
Permits
New cooling equipment in Kenmore needs a City of Kenmore mechanical permit (City of Kenmore, Do I Need a Permit?), and the circuit for the outdoor unit needs an L&I electrical permit (L&I, cities that do their own electrical permits). We file both and schedule inspections.
Warranty and Home Comfort Club
We support the manufacturer’s warranty on covered equipment parts, and we stand behind our air conditioning and heat pump installations with a 1-year labor warranty from installation.
Join our Home Comfort Club, a monthly membership starting at $15 a month, and the labor warranty on repairs is extended for as long as your prepaid membership runs, up to 5 years from installation. Ask your technician or comfort advisor for the current plan details.
Kenmore air conditioning FAQ
What does AC repair cost in Kenmore?
National data puts HVAC repairs around $350 on average, with a range of about $100 to $3,000 (Angi, 2026). We give a written price after diagnosis.
Is there a rebate for adding cooling in Kenmore?
Not for cooling-only AC. A heat pump that replaces electric heat, or pairs with a PSE gas furnace, can qualify for PSE rebates of $1,500 plus up to $2,400.
Can I cool a home without ducts?
Yes, with a ductless mini-split. Each room or zone gets its own head and control.
Does new cooling need a permit in Kenmore?
Yes: a City of Kenmore mechanical permit and an L&I electrical permit. We handle both.
Why does my lake-view room get so hot?
Large south-facing windows admit a lot of afternoon sun. Extra airflow, a ductless head or window treatments address it.
How long does installation take?
Usually one to two days for a single system.
Is a variable-speed system worth it?
For most homes, yes. It runs quieter and longer at low speed, removes more humidity and keeps temperatures steadier than a single-stage unit.
What warranty comes with your work?
We support the manufacturer’s warranty on covered equipment parts, and our labor warranty covers installations for 1 year from installation. Home Comfort Club members (monthly membership starting at $15 a month) get the labor warranty on repairs extended for as long as their prepaid membership runs, up to 5 years from installation.
Get a cooling estimate in Kenmore
A Redmond-based comfort advisor will measure your home and give you written options, PSE rebate help and financing choices.
Get an estimateCall (425) 645-0404Why Choose Home Comfort Alliance in Kenmore?
Your Comfort is Our Promise
We promise...
Reliable heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical service, all from one trusted company.
To educate and guide you through your options so you’ll find the right solution at the right price.
Knowledgeable and respectful workers who ensure both your own comfort during the installation process, and lasting comfort from your home systems.
Outstanding service, communication, and follow-up, so your home is comfortable now and for years to come.
