Air ConditioningNatick, MAResidential

Central AC System Installation

Project Overview

Installing central air conditioning in a home that was never designed for it is one of the most rewarding HVAC projects we handle. This Natick ranch had relied on window units for decades, and the homeowner was ready for a modern, whole-home cooling solution.

The biggest challenge was routing new ductwork without disrupting the home's finished spaces. Our team identified the attic as the ideal pathway, using a combination of rigid sheet metal trunk lines and insulated flex runs to reach every room. The result is even, quiet cooling throughout the entire home from a single system.

The Lennox XC16 was selected for its balance of efficiency, reliability, and quiet operation — important for a home where the outdoor living area is close to where the condenser sits. With proper sizing confirmed by a Manual J calculation, the system runs longer at lower capacity rather than short-cycling, which improves dehumidification and reduces energy waste.

The Challenge

This 1960s ranch-style home in Natick had no central cooling system — only window units scattered throughout the house. The window AC units were noisy, inefficient, and could not maintain consistent temperatures across all rooms. The master bedroom unit was 15 years old and leaked condensate onto the sill, causing wood rot. During peak summer, the homeowner's electricity bill spiked to over $350/month just from running five separate window units simultaneously, and the living room still reached 82°F on the hottest afternoons.

Our Solution

We designed a complete central air conditioning system around a 3-ton Lennox XC16 unit with a 16 SEER2 efficiency rating. Since the home had no existing ductwork, we custom-fabricated and installed a full supply-and-return duct system routed through the attic space, carefully insulated with R-8 flex wrap to prevent condensation and heat gain. We installed a matching Lennox indoor evaporator coil and a programmable thermostat for scheduling and remote access. The outdoor condenser was placed on a vibration-dampening pad behind the garage, positioned to minimize noise impact on outdoor living areas. All five window units were removed during the install, restoring the home's curb appeal.