10 AC Installation Contractors in Hickory, NC

4.8 avg rating
3,345 total reviews3 offer 24/7 service
Need emergency service? 3 HVAC providers in Hickory offer 24/7 availability

Top-Rated AC Installation Contractors in Hickory

#1

Call Dad

4.9(1,692 reviews)
24/7 Highly Rated

Every reviewer awarded 5 stars, with technicians Zac, Gary, Hunter, Daniel, and Jeremy each mentioned by name alongside specific actions, wearing shoe covers,…

940 Tate Blvd SE suite 10, Hickory, NC 28602
Call
#2

Hickory Heating And Cooling Repair LLC

4.9(735 reviews)
Highly Rated

Every reviewer rated the company 5 stars, with 6 of 7 cited customers emphasizing the team arrived on schedule and completed work without requiring follow-up…

1529 16th St NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Call
#3

Foothills Heating & Air

4.9(436 reviews)
Highly Rated

Every reviewer awarded five stars, with Fred Gray appearing in three testimonials and Michael Smith in two. Multiple clients explicitly praise same-day…

2880 S Hwy 127, Hickory, NC 28602
Call

All AC Installation Contractors (10 total)

Eneco Inc. Quality Since 1977

4.8(360)
Highly Rated

All 360 reviews contribute to a 4.8-star average, with three detailed reviews praising customer service,…

331 Highland Ave SE, Hickory, NC 28602
Call

Southern Summit HVAC

5.0(46)

35 reviewers collectively awarded a perfect 5.0-star rating, with each testimonial praising specific…

7526 George Hildebran Rd, Hickory, NC 28602
Call

Maynard Refrigeration Services

4.5(34)

Of three visible reviews, two reference installation work, one praising the outcome and another criticizing…

215 11th St SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Call

4 Seasons Heat & Air

4.7(26)

Twenty-five of 26 reviews award 5 stars, with clients praising same-day response, fair pricing, and…

1120 19th St SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Call

Benfield Mechanical Services

4.3(12)
24/7

Eight of twelve reviewers award five stars, praising technical skill, thorough explanations, and work…

509 Main Ave SW B, Hickory, NC 28602
Call

Pros

5.0(3)
24/7

Three verified reviews yield a perfect 5.0-star average, representing 100% satisfaction. Reviewer Jeanni…

3213 NC-127, Hickory, NC 28602
Call

Dean's Heating & Air Conditioning

5.0(1)

With only one documented review showing a 5-star rating, insufficient data exists to draw statistically…

4945 Whitener Rd, Hickory, NC 28602
Call

AC Installation Costs in Hickory

New central AC installation costs in Hickory, by system type and brand.

ServiceLowAverageHigh
Window unit
$150$350$700
Ductless mini-split (single zone)
$2,000$4,500$8,000
Central AC replacement (existing ducts)
$3,500$6,500$12,000
Central AC new install (with ductwork)
$7,000$12,000$20,000
Carrier (residential)
$3,800$6,200$10,500
Trane (residential)
$5,000$8,800$13,600
Lennox (residential)
$3,500$6,500$12,000
Rheem (residential)
$3,200$5,500$9,000

Prices reflect humid subtropical metro averages compiled from published industry cost guides, contractor surveys, and regional labor data. Last updated: April 2026.

AC Installation in Hickory, NC: What to Expect

Hickory sits at about 1,200 feet in the Catawba County foothills where the Piedmont starts climbing toward the Blue Ridge. Summer highs reach the upper 80s with roughly 32 days above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity stays stubbornly high around 65 percent, making reliable cooling essential even though the climate here runs slightly cooler than the Charlotte basin. Nine licensed contractors serve the area, earning an average 4.8 rating across nearly 2,900 reviews, which tells you AC Installation in Hickory is a competitive market where reputation matters.

Window units typically run $150 to $700, while a ductless mini-split system for a single zone costs between $2,000 and $8,000. Replacing central air conditioning with existing ductwork usually falls in the $3,500 to $12,000 range, a figure that reflects equipment capacity, installer labor, and the complexity of connecting to permits and code requirements. North Carolina mandates that contractors hold Heating and Cooling classifications from the state board, verifying they have passed exams covering safety protocols and technical competency.

Customers consistently highlight fast response times. Fred Gray appears in multiple testimonials for Foothills Heating and Air, with clients praising same-day service and upfront pricing. Reviewers for Call Dad mention technicians like Zac and Gary arriving in uniform with protective covers, documenting the work with photos before leaving the property. Hickory Heating and Cooling Repair LLC draws repeated mentions of crews finishing without callbacks, contrasts that signal reliability matters deeply in this market.

Frequently Asked Questions

New AC installation in Hickory costs $150-$20,000 depending on system type. Window units run $150-$700, ductless mini-splits $2,000-$8,000 per zone, central AC replacement with existing ducts $3,500-$12,000, and full new installs with ductwork $7,000-$20,000. SEER rating, tonnage, and brand significantly affect pricing.