Tacoma AC Installation | Trane Add-On in 98499

The Challenge

This Tacoma homeowner had a working gas furnace but no central cooling. Summers in Western Washington have grown warmer and less predictable, and relying on fans or window units was no longer cutting it. The goal was to add a complete central AC system that would work with the existing furnace and ductwork, without requiring a full system overhaul.

The job also required honest ductwork evaluation. Adding air conditioning to a home that was built without it often reveals airflow gaps, and leaky ducts can undercut the performance of any new system before it ever runs its first cooling season.

What the installation needed to address:

• No existing cooling system of any kind in the home
• Basement equipment location requiring proper drainage and condensate management
• Duct leakage that would reduce cooling efficiency if left unsealed
• Full electrical circuit for the new outdoor unit
• All permits, inspections, and code compliance handled by Pacific

Our Solution

Pacific installed a Trane central air conditioning system using the Trane AC Add-on Promotion, which packaged the outdoor unit, indoor evaporator coil, and electrical work together. The indoor coil was installed in the basement mechanical room, connected directly to the existing furnace so the home’s current blower and ductwork could distribute the cooled air throughout the house.

Because adding cooling to a forced-air system works best when the ducts are tight, Pacific also completed an Aeroseal duct sealing service during the same visit. Aeroseal uses a proven pressurized formula to seal leaks from the inside out, and the homeowner qualified for a $1,250 PSE instant rebate that was applied at the time of service. A condensate pump was installed to properly manage drainage from the new indoor coil. Learn more about rebates and incentives available to Tacoma-area homeowners.

Equipment List

• Air Conditioner: Trane 5TTR3030 A1000AA, 2.5-ton central AC unit, R-454B refrigerant, 13 SEER
• Evaporator Coil: Trane 5PXCB003AS3HAA, upflow/downflow/convertible horizontal, 17.5″W x 17.5″H
• Line Set: 3/8″ liquid line, 3/4″ suction line, 50-foot run with bends and 1/2″ insulation
• Condensate Pump: 20-foot lift, 120V pump for proper drainage from the indoor coil
• Duct Sealing: Aeroseal whole-home duct sealing with before-and-after performance certificate
• Electrical: New dedicated circuit from the main panel, disconnect box, breakers, and weatherproof whip for the outdoor unit

Performance and Comfort Benefits

• True central cooling throughout the home, using the existing ductwork and furnace blower
• Aeroseal duct sealing reduces conditioned air loss, so the new AC system works more efficiently from day one
• R-454B refrigerant meets current environmental standards and is designed for long-term availability
• Proper condensate drainage prevents moisture issues in the basement mechanical space
• Dedicated electrical circuit ensures safe, code-compliant operation with no risk of overloading existing circuits
• PSE Aeroseal rebate of $1,250 applied instantly, reducing out-of-pocket cost without any paperwork on the homeowner’s part
• Full installation completed in a single day with no overnight disruption to the home

Why This Matters for Tacoma Homeowners

A large share of homes in Tacoma and the surrounding 98499 area were built before central air conditioning was standard in Western Washington. These homes have gas furnaces with existing duct systems, but no cooling equipment at all. Adding AC to that setup is often far more practical than it sounds: the furnace blower already moves air through the home, and a properly sized evaporator coil and outdoor unit can connect to that system and deliver whole-home cooling without tearing out what already works.

What this job also shows is how much ductwork matters. Sealing the ducts before cooling season begins is not a luxury add-on. It is what allows the new system to perform the way it was designed to. Cooled air that leaks into the basement or crawl space is money spent conditioning spaces the homeowner will never sit in. Pacific’s team completed the Aeroseal service alongside the installation so the system was ready to perform on the first hot day of summer.

For Tacoma homeowners considering the same path, the process is more predictable than most expect. Pacific handles the equipment selection, permits, electrical, duct work, and inspections from start to finish. The homeowner in this project was cooling their home by the same evening the crew arrived.