Air conditioning installation & replacement in St. Paul, MN

Sized for your home, not guessed

An oversized air conditioner short-cycles. It cools the air quickly, then shuts off before it pulls enough moisture out, and the house feels clammy. An undersized unit runs nonstop on the hottest days and still falls behind.

We do not simply copy the size printed on your old unit, because your home may have changed since it went in. Before we recommend a system, we look at your home, your insulation and windows, your ductwork and how you use each room. Then we match the equipment to the cooling load your house actually has.

Your ductwork matters as much as the equipment. Leaky or undersized ducts can leave rooms warm even with a new unit. ENERGY STAR recommends sealing ducts and improving insulation to help any new system perform well, and we check for both.

Efficiency standards and your furnace

Minnesota is in the federal North region for air conditioner efficiency standards. According to AHRI's summary of the federal central air conditioner standards, new split-system air conditioners there must meet at least 13.4 SEER2. Many models are available above that minimum.

Higher-efficiency equipment costs more up front and uses less electricity each summer. The ENERGY STAR guide to central air conditioners notes that the price difference is paid back over time through lower energy bills. We will show you more than one efficiency level so you can compare.

A central air conditioner also depends on your furnace blower to move air through the ducts. ENERGY STAR says replacing the heating system is the only way to make sure a new air conditioner performs at its rated efficiency. It especially recommends this if your furnace is over 15 years old. We can quote both together, and you can read more about furnace replacement and installation.

Daikin equipment, installed by certified technicians

Krinkie's is a Daikin ComfortPro certified dealer. We install Daikin central air conditioners, heat pumps and furnaces, and we service other brands too. Our technicians are certified, background-checked and drug-tested. Krinkie's has been locally owned since 1981.

A central air replacement usually involves the outdoor unit, the matching indoor coil on your furnace and the refrigerant lines between them. We check whether the existing lines, electrical circuit and condensate drain can be reused or need to be replaced. Your written quote lists each of these items.

Older R-22 systems and safety

Many older air conditioners use R-22 refrigerant. The EPA's R-22 phaseout guidance for homeowners says no new R-22 has been made or imported in the U.S. since January 1, 2020. The EPA does not require you to replace a working R-22 system.

Repairs on those systems that need refrigerant depend on reclaimed supply. That is one factor to weigh when you decide between a repair and a replacement. When we remove an old unit, we recover its refrigerant, because federal rules prohibit releasing it into the air.

Do not disconnect, move or recharge an air conditioner yourself. Handling refrigerant requires EPA certification, and the outdoor unit runs on its own high-voltage circuit. If something seems wrong, turn the system off at the thermostat and call us.

What to expect

We visit, assess your current system and ductwork, and give you a written quote. Installation is scheduled at a time that works for you. Before we leave, we walk you through the new system and the thermostat settings.

After installation, we start the system, check that it cools properly and confirm the condensate drains where it should. We also show you how to change the air filter and how often to check it.

Ask us about financing options for new equipment. The ENERGY STAR federal tax credit page lists the home improvement credit as available only through December 31, 2025. Ask your electric utility about any current rebates before you buy.

Signs it’s time to replace your air conditioner

• It’s more than 10 years old
• You’re calling for repairs more often
• Energy bills keep climbing
• Some rooms stay warmer than others
• The unit is louder than it used to be
• It uses R-22 refrigerant and needs a refrigerant repair

Common questions

Sources

• AHRI — Residential central air conditioners (federal efficiency standards, 13.4 SEER2 North region)
• ENERGY STAR — Central air conditioners
• Daikin Comfort — Heating and cooling products
• U.S. EPA — Homeowners and consumers FAQ on the R-22 (HCFC-22) phaseout
• ENERGY STAR — Federal tax credits for energy efficiency