Air conditioning may be a necessity if you live in Dallas — especially on hot, summer days where temperatures can reach well into the 90s.

On hot days, very young children and elderly persons may be at risk for heat-related illness, as are those who have certain existing medical conditions. Central air also circulates air through the home, cooling you off and reducing the chance of mold growth.

Contact the best HVAC pros in Dallas to get free estimates for your central air installation project.

An online search is the fastest and easiest way to find the best HVAC and AC contractors in Dallas. Compare ratings and Top Pro statuses, as well as customer reviews. Reviews with photos of actual work done by the professional are particularly valuable.

Next, find out if the pro has any credentials. For example, visit the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation website to find out if the pros you’re considering have an air conditioning and refrigeration license.

Your final step is asking several contractors to send you free estimates, and comparing all of the quotes you receive. Before you make your choice, narrow down your list of potential pros by analyzing their prices, reputation, reviews and skills.

Your air conditioner should have about 20 BTU per square foot of living space, according to Consumer Reports. However, you should also account for other factors in the room. 

If it’s a very shady space, you can take off 10% of the square footage BTU calculation. If it’s sunny, add 10%. For rooms normally occupied by two or more people, you should add 600 BTU per additional person. Finally, if the room is a kitchen, add 4,000 BTU to your calculated square footage total.

Talk to an air conditioning company or HVAC professional to find out what size you should get.

The SEER label on an air conditioner stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. This is a measure of the efficiency of either an air conditioning unit or a heat pump. 

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends replacing older AC units with energy-efficient models. Contact an air conditioning company or HVAC specialist for tips on how to select a new unit.

There are a number of different appliances that professionals can install for you, including:

• Washers and dryers. These machines are heavy and very sensitive to being level and balanced, and also require hookups to water, electricity and sometimes gas or propane.
• Cooking ranges. Your range may use propane or gas, which is a hookup job best left to the pros.
• Microwaves. You may want to have your microwave be an undermount or in-mounted unit, which a pro can install and make it look seamless.
• Refrigerators. These are heavy and often require a water hookup.
• And more!

Reach out to an appliance installation service, and find out if they can install your appliance. Often, it’s helpful to provide the brand and model of the appliance you’re trying to set up.

There are several perks to having a professional install your appliances, including:

• Hiring a pro saves you time and money. If it breaks down, the service person who sold and installed the machine can fulfill its warranty. However, this warranty could be void if you install it incorrectly.
• It will work reliably. Many appliances like ranges and laundry machines rely on being on level surfaces as well as having potentially dangerous hookups installed correctly. 
• You can get repair and maintenance support. If something isn’t working or you want advice, you can call up your installer and ask if they can help you troubleshoot or repair it.

Installing a new appliance costs $125, on average. However, homeowners should expect to pay within the range of $120 to $150. 

For less complex appliance installations, you may pay a low-end cost ranging between $65 and $100. On the other hand, more complex appliances like laundry machines, ranges and other items can cost between $175 and $326 to install. Ask whichever appliance installation service you hire to give you a price quote, if possible.

You can tip appliance installers if you feel their service has gone above and beyond. A standard tip is between $10 and $20. 

Reasons you might consider tipping include a very pleasant customer service demeanor, having to carry a heavy appliance up or down the stairs, working in inclement weather, taking care not to make a mess and other acts of care and consideration. You are not obligated to leave a tip — but one is always appreciated.

To find an appliance installer near you, start searching on Thumbtack. This way, you see a list of nearby pros offering services and compare based on their customer review, ratings and profile pages. You can also find customer-uploaded photos showing pictures of the pro’s work. 

Check for licensing requirements in your state, and make sure whoever you work with abides by them. Finally, contact several different pros to compare their rates.