Furnace & AC Installation Case Study
A New Furnace and Complete Central Air, Installed in Two and a Half Days
A homeowner needed a new furnace, and he wanted central air as well. Instead of splitting it into two projects, JP Heating & Cooling handled both at once. Jim and Joe replaced the furnace and completed a full central AC install, including the indoor coil, new sheet-metal work and the outdoor condenser, in two and a half days. Before leaving, they spent time teaching the homeowner how his new system works. His verdict: “Everything looks beautiful and is working great.
Project Overview
- Service Type: Furnace Installation + Central AC Installation
- Location: Erie County, NY service area
- Timeline: 2½ days, start to finish
- Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars · Price assessment: “Reasonable price”
The Challenge: Replacing the Heat and Adding Central Air in One Project
Two Systems, One Home, One Schedule
A furnace replacement on its own is a big job. Adding a complete air conditioning system at the same time means more equipment, more sheet metal, refrigerant lines, electrical work and an outdoor unit, all while the household is living in the home. The homeowner needed it done properly without the project dragging on for weeks.
Making the Furnace and AC Work as One System
In a ducted home, central air shares the furnace’s blower and ductwork. The AC’s indoor coil sits on top of the furnace, so the two have to be matched and installed together to move air correctly in both summer and winter. Getting that connection right is what separates a system that works well from two pieces of equipment that happen to share a basement.
What the Homeowner Needed
He needed a crew that could take on both installs at once, finish them cleanly and quickly, and leave him understanding his new equipment, not just a thermostat he didn’t know how to use.
Our Solution: One Crew, One Plan, a Complete Heating & Cooling System
Owner-Led Crew: Jim and Joe
The job was handled by Jim and Joe of JP Heating & Cooling, a family-owned, owner-operated company. The customer’s main takeaway was “how much they care about what they do.”
Furnace Replacement
The old furnace came out and a new one went in, with new venting and a new sheet-metal supply plenum fitted to the home’s existing ductwork in the basement mechanical room. See how we approach furnace installation →
Complete Central AC Install
On top of the new furnace, the crew installed the air conditioner’s indoor coil and connected it to the supply plenum. Outside, they set a new condenser on a level pad with a gravel and timber base. Together with the furnace, that gave the home a complete heating and cooling system. Learn more about AC installation →
How Jim and Joe Completed the Job in 2½ Days
Step 1: Remove the Old Furnace and Set the New One
The crew removed the existing furnace and set the new one in place, then connected venting, gas and the supply plenum to the home’s ductwork.
Step 2: Install the Indoor Coil and Connect It to the Furnace
The AC’s indoor coil was installed in its own cabinet directly above the furnace, so the furnace blower moves air across it for cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.
Step 3: Set the Outdoor Condenser on a Level Pad
Outside, a new condenser was placed on a level pad with a gravel and timber base, then connected to the indoor coil and wired in. A level, well-drained base helps the outdoor unit run properly and keeps it off wet ground.
Step 4: Start Up, Test, and Walk the Homeowner Through It
With everything connected, the system was started and checked. Then Jim and Joe did something the customer specifically called out: they “spent some time teaching me at the end,” so he knew how to run and care for his new system and controls.
Results: "Everything Looks Beautiful and Is Working Great"
A Full System in 2½ Days
A furnace replacement plus a complete central AC install was finished in two and a half days. As the customer put it: “I can’t believe the amount of work that they did in two and a half days.”
A Clean, Finished Installation
The photos show the finished work: a new furnace and coil with clean sheet metal in the basement, and a new condenser outside on a tidy, level base. In the customer’s words, “Everything looks beautiful.”
A Homeowner Who Knows His New System
Thanks to the walkthrough at the end, the homeowner wasn’t left guessing. He left the job “very pleased,” rated the price “reasonable,” and said he’ll be “hiring them again for any HVAC need” and “referring them to everyone I know.”
What the Customer Says
“Joe and Jim came to do a furnace replacement with a complete AC install. They were professionals from start to finish and my main takeaway was how much they care about what they do. I can’t believe the amount of work that they did in two and a half days. Everything looks beautiful and is working great. They spent some time teaching me at the end as well and i can definitely say that i will be hiring them again for any HVAC need as well referring them to everyone i know. Very pleased.”
— Nick Vallone ★★★★★ · Google Review
Why Replacing Your Furnace and AC Together Makes Sense
Separate Projects vs. One Combined Install
Factor | Two Separate Projects | One Combined Install (JP Heating & Cooling) |
|---|---|---|
Scheduling | Two disruptions, often months apart | One project: this one took 2½ days |
System match | New AC coil on an old furnace (or vice versa) | Furnace and coil installed together to work as one system |
Sheet metal & plenum | Reworked twice | Built once, for both |
Crew | Possibly different contractors | One owner-led crew, start to finish |
Handoff | Separate instructions | One walkthrough of the whole system |
Why the Walkthrough at the End Matters
A new system is only as good as the homeowner’s understanding of it. Knowing how to run your thermostat, when to change filters and what normal operation sounds like helps you get the comfort and efficiency you paid for. That’s why the team took time at the end to show this customer his new system. For long-term care, schedule yearly heating maintenance and an AC tune-up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Furnace & AC Installation
Can you replace a furnace and install central air at the same time?
Yes. In this project, JP Heating & Cooling replaced the furnace and completed a full central AC install in the same job. Doing both together lets the furnace and the AC’s indoor coil be installed and matched as one system. See furnace installation and AC installation.
How long does a furnace and AC installation take?
It depends on the home and the scope. This furnace replacement with a complete AC install took two and a half days from start to finish. We’ll give you a timeline for your home during the estimate.
Can central air be added to a home that doesn't have it?
In many homes with a forced-air furnace and ductwork, yes. The AC’s indoor coil is installed with the furnace and uses the same blower and ducts. An in-home assessment confirms what your home needs. For homes without ducts, ductless split systems are another option.
Will you show me how to use my new system?
Yes. As this customer noted, Jim and Joe “spent some time teaching me at the end.” We want you to know how to run your thermostat and controls and care for your new equipment.
What maintenance does a new furnace and AC need?
Plan on regular filter changes plus a yearly furnace check before winter and an AC check before summer. JP Heating & Cooling offers heating maintenance and AC tune-ups.
What areas does JP Heating & Cooling serve?
JP Heating & Cooling serves Buffalo and communities across Erie County, NY, including Amherst, Cheektowaga, Clarence, East Amherst, West Seneca, and Williamsville.
Ready for a New Furnace, Central Air, or Both? Call JP Heating & Cooling
Whether you’re replacing a tired furnace, adding central air or doing both at once, JP Heating & Cooling’s owner-led crew will plan it, install it cleanly and show you how it works before we leave. We serve Buffalo and all of Erie County. Check current specials.