Every spring, we hear the same story from homeowners across the Denver area.
The weather starts to warm up, and someone in the house remembers it’s time to wrestle the window air conditioners out of the basement or garage. They haul heavy units up the stairs, remove window screens, lift the air conditioner into place, hope it doesn’t slip, and spend the afternoon getting everything ready for another Colorado summer. Then, when fall arrives, they do it all over again in reverse.
For many families, it’s simply become part of the routine. They’ve been doing it for years.
Recently, one homeowner told us they had finally reached the point where they were tired of the seasonal ritual. When summer arrived, every bedroom and living space depended on separate window air conditioners. Some rooms cooled well, others stayed warm, and the constant noise made conversations and sleep more difficult than they needed to be.
What frustrated them most wasn’t just the work of installing and removing the units every year. It was the inconvenience that came with them. Windows couldn’t be opened on cool evenings. Natural light was blocked. Some rooms were too cold while others never seemed comfortable. Their electric bills climbed every summer, and every season began and ended with heavy lifting.
After talking with one of our comfort specialists, they decided it was time to look at a central air conditioning system that could work with their existing furnace.
The good news surprised them.
In many homes, the furnace is already designed to move air through ductwork throughout the house. By installing an evaporator coil above the furnace, adding an outdoor condenser, updating the refrigerant lines, and making a few system adjustments, the same ductwork that delivers warm air in the winter can also distribute cool, conditioned air during the summer.
Instead of cooling one room at a time, every room can enjoy more consistent temperatures. The thermostat controls both heating and cooling, and there are no more window units to install, remove, clean, or store.
For many homeowners, this upgrade isn’t just about staying cooler. It’s about making life a little easier.
We’ve seen families reclaim garage space that was once dedicated to storing bulky air conditioners. We’ve seen older homeowners relieved they no longer have to lift heavy equipment every spring. We’ve seen parents appreciate quieter bedrooms where children can sleep without the constant hum of a window unit. Even simple things, like opening windows on a cool evening without working around an air conditioner, become small improvements people notice every day.
Another benefit many homeowners don’t realize is how much cleaner and quieter a central system can feel. Modern air conditioning systems are designed to circulate and filter air throughout the home while keeping the loudest equipment outside. Instead of several noisy window units competing with televisions and conversations, the home simply stays comfortable in the background.
Of course, every home is different. Some older homes may need ductwork modifications, electrical upgrades, or equipment sized specifically for the home’s layout. That’s why we always recommend having a professional evaluate the existing heating system before making any decisions. A properly designed system will cool more efficiently, last longer, and provide better comfort than equipment that is simply installed without careful planning.
At Apple Aire, we’ve helped Colorado homeowners improve the comfort of their homes since 1988. One of the most rewarding conversations we have is with families who tell us they wish they had made the switch years ago. What started as a way to avoid carrying heavy window air conditioners twice a year often becomes one of the home improvements they appreciate every single summer.
Is It Time to Retire Your Window Air Conditioners?
If you’re already using a forced-air furnace and you’re tired of installing and removing window air conditioners every year, your home may already have the foundation for central air conditioning. A professional evaluation can help determine what’s possible, what equipment would work best for your home, and whether upgrading makes sense for your family’s comfort and budget.
If that yearly routine of lifting heavy window units has started to feel like one chore too many, we’d be happy to help you explore your options.
