Seattle summers are mild — until they aren't. When heat waves hit, homes without AC become unbearable fast. We install, repair, and maintain central air conditioning systems so your home stays cool when it matters.
It used to be true. Seattle's climate has shifted — and homes built before 2015 were designed for a world that no longer exists during summer.
The 2021 heat dome broke every Pacific Northwest record. Hundreds of deaths were attributed to heat — most in homes without AC.
Without AC or good airflow, interior temperatures in poorly ventilated Seattle homes can exceed outdoor temps by 10–15 degrees during sustained heat events.
Seattle now averages multiple multi-day heat events each summer. Planning around the one cooler day no longer works for most households.
Air conditioning isn't a luxury for everyone. For some households it's genuinely important to have it in place before summer arrives.
Adults over 65
Body's heat regulation slows with age — dangerous during multi-day events
Infants and young children
Can't self-regulate temperature — overheating affects sleep and health fast
Anyone with chronic health conditions
Heart, respiratory, and autoimmune conditions are all worsened by sustained heat exposure
Work-from-home households
No office to escape to — a hot house means a lost work week during every heat event
"We kept saying we'd get around to AC. After the 2021 heat dome, we stopped saying that. Next Phase installed a system the following spring — best decision we've made for this house."
Whether you're installing new, repairing existing, or just making sure what you have is ready for summer — we handle it all.
Adding AC to a home that doesn't have it
We size the system properly for your home's square footage and layout, install the condenser, air handler or coil, refrigerant lines, and connect everything to your existing duct system.
When your system stops cooling properly
Not blowing cold air, short cycling, making unusual noises, or tripping the breaker — we diagnose the root cause and repair it. Same-day service available in most areas.
Before summer — not during it
Annual spring maintenance catches issues before they become breakdowns on the hottest day of the year. We clean, inspect, test, and verify the system is ready to perform.
An oversized AC unit cools too fast, shuts off before removing humidity, and leaves rooms clammy. An undersized one runs constantly and can't keep up on hot days. We size every install with a proper Manual J load calculation.
These are starting points — real sizing depends on ceiling height, insulation, window count, sun exposure, and layout.
We run a Manual J load calculation on every installation — the industry standard, not a guess.
"After 2021 we knew we couldn't go another summer without AC. Next Phase came out, assessed the house, and had us installed within a week. Last summer was the first where we weren't counting the days until it cooled off."
"AC stopped working mid-July. Called Next Phase, tech was here same day, found a bad capacitor, fixed on the spot. House was back to normal in two hours. You don't realize how much you rely on it until it's gone."
"My parents are in their 70s and live with us. After 2021 I was not willing to take any chances. Next Phase installed a full central system — they handled everything including the permit. Worth every penny of peace of mind."
"Got a tune-up before last summer. The tech found the refrigerant was low and the coils were dirty — stuff I never would have noticed. Went through the whole summer without a single issue."
"I work from home and I have a newborn. The idea of sitting through a heat wave with no AC wasn't something I could deal with. Next Phase installed fast, cleaned up perfectly, and the house has been perfect all summer."
"After 2021 we knew we couldn't go another summer without AC. Next Phase came out, assessed the house, and had us installed within a week. Last summer was the first where we weren't counting the days until it cooled off."
"AC stopped working mid-July. Called Next Phase, tech was here same day, found a bad capacitor, fixed on the spot. House was back to normal in two hours. You don't realize how much you rely on it until it's gone."
If your home has a forced-air furnace with supply and return vents throughout, you almost certainly already have the ductwork needed for central AC. We add an evaporator coil to your air handler and a condenser unit outside — no new ductwork required in most cases. Homes without ductwork are better suited for a mini split system.
Most central AC installations in homes with existing ductwork are completed in one day — typically 4–6 hours. More complex installs with ductwork modifications can take two days. We'll give you a clear timeline before the job starts.
Central AC uses your existing duct system to cool the whole home from one unit. A mini split has no ducts — it delivers cool air directly into individual rooms via wall-mounted units. Central AC is generally better for whole-home cooling if you already have ducts. Mini splits are ideal for homes without ducts, room additions, or targeted zone cooling.
The most common causes are low refrigerant (from a leak), a dirty evaporator or condenser coil blocking heat transfer, a failed capacitor preventing the compressor from starting properly, or a frozen coil from restricted airflow. All are diagnosable and repairable — most in a single visit. Don't let it run if you suspect something is wrong, as it can cause secondary damage.
Once a year, ideally in spring before you need it. Annual maintenance keeps the system running efficiently, extends its lifespan, and catches issues before they become breakdowns. Most AC failures happen on the hottest days because that's when the system is working hardest — a spring tune-up addresses the wear that built up over the previous season.
Spring is the best time to install or service your AC — before demand spikes and lead times stretch. We assess your home for free and give you an upfront quote before any work begins.
Free estimate · All major brands · Licensed & insured · Serving Greater Seattle