Air Conditioning · Nationwide

AC replacement and installation

A new air conditioner should be sized with a Manual J load calculation, not by matching the old unit's tonnage. Expect a permit, a matched indoor coil, new refrigerant lines or a proper flush, and a written quote that lists the model numbers.

(380) 273-8053

Same-day appointments when available
Licensed HVAC contractors
Written price before any repair

Technician inspecting an outdoor air conditioner condenser beside a house

Since 2025, new residential systems ship with lower-GWP refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32. That matters if you're thinking about replacing only the outdoor unit: mixing refrigerant types isn't allowed, so most replacements include the indoor coil too.

Federal efficiency minimums (SEER2) are higher in the South and Southwest than in northern states. Where systems run many hours a year, a higher-SEER2 or variable-speed system usually pays back faster. Check your utility and federal incentives before you buy.

AC Replacement & Installation at a glance

Category: Air Conditioning
Service area: Nationwide
Typical visit: Load calculation → Options in writing → Permit and install → Startup and commissioning
Urgent help: Scheduled service
Equipment covered: Split systems, Package units, Variable-speed condensers, Evaporator coils, Line sets, Equipment pads

Symptoms

Signs you need ac replacement & installation

The system is 12–15+ years old
It uses R-22 refrigerant and has a leak
Repair costs are piling up season after season
Some rooms never cool down
Summer power bills keep rising

Process

How the AC Replacement & Installation visit works

1
Load calculation
Manual J using your square footage, windows, insulation and orientation.
2
Options in writing
Two or three choices with SEER2, model numbers, warranty and price.
3
Permit and install
Pulled with the local building department, with a matched coil and new pad if needed.
4
Startup and commissioning
Charge set by subcooling, airflow checked, and the system registered for warranty.

Cost

What affects AC Replacement & Installation cost

Every contractor sets their own prices. These are the things that move the number. Ask for a written price before work starts.

Tonnage and efficiency (SEER2)
Single-stage vs. two-stage vs. variable speed
Whether ductwork needs changes
Rooftop or ground-mounted location
Crane or roof access for package units
Permit and electrical upgrades

Before the tech arrives

What you can safely do before AC Replacement & Installation

Safe to try

Gather your old unit's model number and age
Note which rooms are uncomfortable
Collect 12 months of power bills

Stop and call

Don't buy equipment online to self-install; most warranties require a licensed installer
Don't let anyone size by rule of thumb alone

Example

AC Replacement & Installation: before and after

Drag the slider to compare. These are illustrative stock photos, not jobs completed by contractors in our network.

After: Technician inspecting an outdoor air conditioner condenser beside a house — Worn-out AC → new high-efficiency condenser
Aging units that need constant repair are replaced with a correctly sized, higher-SEER2 system on a matched coil.
AC Replacement & Installation →

Before: Old, rusted air conditioning units — Worn-out AC → new high-efficiency condenser
Aging units that need constant repair are replaced with a correctly sized, higher-SEER2 system on a matched coil.
AC Replacement & Installation →

FAQ

AC Replacement & Installation questions

What size AC do I need?+

It depends on the house, not just square footage. A Manual J calculation accounts for windows, insulation, shading, orientation and your local climate. Oversized systems short-cycle and leave the house clammy.

Do I need a permit to replace my AC?+

In most places, yes. Equipment replacement usually requires a mechanical permit from your city or county, and the contractor normally pulls it.

Is a heat pump better than a new AC?+

In mild-winter climates a heat pump often makes sense because it replaces both the AC and most furnace use. In very cold regions, a cold-climate heat pump or dual-fuel setup is common.

AC Replacement & Installation city guides

AC Replacement & Installation by state

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington, D.C.West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Heat pump outdoor unit installed beside a home

Heat Pump InstallationAll-electric and dual-fuel systems, sized for your local climate.

Ductwork Replacement & DesignNew duct systems sized with Manual D for even airflow.

Hand adjusting a smart thermostat on a wall

Thermostat Installation & RepairSmart and programmable thermostats, C-wire, heat pump wiring.

Technician servicing a rooftop package unit

Package Unit Repair & ReplacementAll-in-one gas/electric and heat pump units on roofs or slabs.

AC Replacement & Installation guides

Need heating or cooling help now?

Call to be connected with a licensed HVAC contractor serving your ZIP code.