Burnaby summers have changed. The 2021 heat dome reached 41°C in Burnaby and forced thousands of homeowners to install AC for the first time. Subsequent summers continue to push June through August into 30+°C territory regularly. Cooling is no longer optional comfort in most Burnaby neighborhoods — it's health and habitability infrastructure.
We install central air conditioners (paired with existing furnaces), ductless mini-split AC systems (for homes without ducts), and heat pump systems (which heat in winter and cool in summer for the lowest annual operating cost). For most Burnaby homes, a heat pump is the better long-term answer because of stacked rebates and dual-purpose use.
Every install includes Manual J load calculation, refrigerant line sizing, condensate drain routing, and electrical capacity verification. We pull the City of Burnaby mechanical permit, the BC electrical permit where required, and submit FortisBC and CleanBC rebate paperwork on your behalf.
What's Included
Central air conditioning
Outdoor condenser + indoor coil paired with your existing furnace. Most affordable cooling option for homes with intact ductwork.
Ductless mini-split AC
Single-zone or multi-zone systems for homes without ducts. Common in Burnaby Heights and Capitol Hill heritage homes.
Heat pump systems (heat + cool)
Replaces both your furnace and AC with one system. Best long-term answer for most Burnaby homes — see our heat pump page.
Manual J load calculation
Real BTU sizing based on your home — not square footage shortcuts. Oversized AC short-cycles and dehumidifies poorly.
Rebate paperwork handled
FortisBC + CleanBC stacking on heat pumps up to $6,000 combined. We submit and follow up.
Permits & inspection
City of Burnaby mechanical permit + BC electrical permit included. Inspected before commissioning.
Burnaby's Cooling Microclimates
Burnaby is not a single climate when it comes to summer cooling needs. Metrotown and Brentwood — dense with concrete, glass, and asphalt — run a real urban heat island effect. Surface temperatures here reach 5–8°C above ambient on still summer days, and west-facing condo units with floor-to-ceiling glass become unliveable without cooling. These are our highest-demand Burnaby cooling neighborhoods.
Big Bend and Riverway — closer to the Fraser, lower elevation — experience higher humidity than the rest of Burnaby. The same air temperature feels noticeably warmer and stickier here. Properly sized AC with appropriate dehumidification matters more than raw BTU output. Oversized units short-cycle and leave the house damp.
Burnaby Heights, Capitol Hill, and Burnaby Mountain at higher elevation experience lower nighttime temperatures even during heat waves — overnight relief that lower neighborhoods don't get. Homes here often run smaller cooling systems sized for daytime peak rather than 24-hour operation. We size accordingly.
Burnaby AC Installation — What It Costs
Installed prices including unit, labor, refrigerant lines, condensate, electrical, permits, and rebate paperwork.
- Central AC (paired with existing furnace)$5,400–$8,500
- Single-zone ductless mini-split AC$5,800–$8,500
- Multi-zone ductless (3 heads)$11,000–$16,500
- Ducted heat pump (heat + cool)$11,500–$17,500
- Premium variable-speed cooling$8,500–$13,000
- Less rebates (heat pump only)Up to −$6,000
What Burnaby Homeowners Say
“Our top-floor unit was unbearable in July. They installed a quiet ductless system in two days and walked us through the strata approval beforehand. Zero issues, much cooler home.”
“Had a heat pump installed in our townhouse. They handled the BC Hydro rebate paperwork start to finish — got back $4,500. Installers were on time, tidy, and explained the controls properly.”
“Furnace quit on a Tuesday morning in February. Called HVAC Coquitlam at 8am — tech arrived from Coquitlam by 9:30. New ignitor installed, heating restored before noon. Honest pricing, no upsell.”
Other Burnaby Cooling Services
We handle the full cooling silo for Burnaby homes — every service below is from the same in-house team, dispatched from Coquitlam.
Burnaby Cooling FAQs
The questions Burnaby homeowners ask us most about this service.
Should I install central AC or a ductless mini-split in Burnaby?
Should I install AC or a heat pump in Burnaby?
What size AC do I need for my Burnaby home?
How long does AC installation take in Burnaby?
Will my Burnaby strata approve AC?
Are there rebates for AC installation in Burnaby?
Get Your Free Burnaby AC Quote
Manual J sizing, all major brands, rebate paperwork on heat pumps.
- Response within 1 hour — a real human answers, not a call center.
- Same rates 24/7 — no overtime, weekend, or holiday surcharges.
- Licensed, insured, permitted — Red Seal gas fitters, FSR electricians, $5M coverage.
- Workmanship warranty — 1-year labor warranty plus full manufacturer parts coverage.