Waywest Mechanical installs, repairs and maintains air conditioning in Nanaimo and across Vancouver Island, including central air conditioners, heat pumps that cool and heat, and ductless mini-splits. Licensed technicians diagnose weak cooling, refrigerant leaks and failed compressors, and size new systems to the building. For most Island homes, a heat pump is now the preferred way to add air conditioning because it also provides efficient winter heat.
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM · quotes within the hour
Cooling options for Island buildings
Heat pumps. The most common way to add cooling today. The outdoor unit looks like an air conditioner, cools the house all summer, and reverses to heat in winter. See heat pumps.
Central air conditioners. A cooling-only outdoor unit paired with a coil on your existing furnace. A good fit when a newer gas furnace is staying.
Ductless mini-splits. Wall-mounted units for homes without ductwork or for rooms that overheat. See ductless mini-splits.
Commercial cooling. Split systems and rooftop equipment for offices, retail, multi-unit residential buildings and care facilities.
When air conditioning matters most
Summer heat on the Island is no longer an occasional inconvenience. Extended hot spells make upstairs bedrooms hard to sleep in, and heat is a genuine health risk for older adults, young children and people with medical conditions. That is why cooling is increasingly a priority in seniors' communities, strata buildings and rental properties as well as single-family homes.
Common air conditioning repairs
- Weak or warm airflow — filters, coils, blower problems or low refrigerant
- Refrigerant leaks — found, repaired and recharged to specification
- Frozen coils — usually airflow or refrigerant related
- Outdoor unit not starting — capacitors, contactors, fan motors or compressors
- Water leaking indoors — blocked condensate drains or pans
- Short cycling and thermostat faults
- Unusual noises from the compressor or fans
Refrigerant work requires certified technicians and proper recovery equipment, and Waywest's refrigeration experience covers this directly.
Installing a new system
- Cooling load estimate based on the building, windows, sun exposure and insulation.
- Duct and electrical check for central systems.
- Equipment recommendation — heat pump, air conditioner or ductless — with rebates noted where they apply.
- Installation of the outdoor unit, indoor coil or heads, refrigerant piping and condensate drain.
- Evacuation, charging and commissioning, then testing airflow and temperatures.
Keep it running
Spring maintenance keeps a system efficient and catches failing parts before the hottest week of the year — see maintenance plans. Pairing cooling with better filtration also helps during wildfire smoke season — see indoor air quality.
Service area
Waywest installs and services air conditioning in Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, Duncan, the Comox Valley and across our Vancouver Island service area, for homes and commercial buildings.
What happens when you call
- A person answers
You talk to the Nanaimo office, or our own crew on the 24/7 line — not a call centre.
- You hear the rate first
We explain the service rate, or the emergency rate after hours, before anyone is booked or dispatched.
- A licensed technician arrives
A Waywest technician with a stocked vehicle diagnoses the problem and explains your options.
- You approve the work
Repairs go ahead once you agree. Larger jobs get a written quote you can take time to consider.
Quick facts
- Emergency service
- 24/7 at 250-616-1446 — typically on site within an hour in Nanaimo
- Office hours
- Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM, 250-729-2394
- Service area
- Nanaimo and Vancouver Island, Victoria to Port Hardy
- Licensing
- TSBC licence LGA0004592; licensed, bonded and insured
- Quotes
- Reply within the hour during business hours
- Page updated
Common questions
Should I install an air conditioner or a heat pump?
On Vancouver Island a heat pump is usually the better choice. It cools in summer exactly like an air conditioner, and also heats efficiently in winter, often qualifying for rebates. A cooling-only air conditioner makes sense mainly when a home already has a newer heating system and only needs summer cooling.
Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling?
Common causes are a clogged air filter, a dirty outdoor coil, low refrigerant from a leak, a frozen indoor coil, or a failing compressor or capacitor. Turn the system off if the indoor coil or refrigerant lines are iced, replace the filter, and book a service call if cooling does not return.
How often should an air conditioner be serviced?
Once a year, ideally in spring before the first hot spell. Service includes cleaning coils, checking refrigerant pressures, testing electrical components and clearing the condensate drain.
Can you add air conditioning to a home with a furnace?
Yes. A heat pump or air conditioner can usually be added to an existing furnace, using the same ductwork and blower, if the ducts and furnace fan can handle the airflow. Waywest checks this before quoting.
Need this sorted out?
Call the Nanaimo office and talk to someone who can tell you what the work involves and when we can get to it.