AC Installation in San Antonio & Austin
Properly sized for Texas heat. Manufacturer-backed warranties. CPS Energy and Austin Energy rebates handled for you. Free in-home estimate.
New AC installation in San Antonio and Austin typically costs $5,500 to $13,500 depending on system size, efficiency rating, and home complexity. The biggest variable: getting the size right. We perform an in-home Manual J load calculation — not a square-footage shortcut — so the system we install matches your actual cooling load. Oversized units short-cycle, waste energy, and fail early in Texas heat. Right-sized units run longer, cost less to operate, and last 5+ years longer.
When to consider replacement
A few clear signs your AC is past the repair-it-anymore line.
System is 12+ years old
Texas heat ages units faster. After year 12, repair frequency climbs and efficiency drops 20–30% from new.
Repair quote over $1,500
If a major component (compressor, coil) is failing, replacement often pays back in 3-4 years through lower bills.
R-22 refrigerant system
R-22 is phased out. Existing R-22 charges still work but leaks are very expensive to top off — replacement makes economic sense.
Electric bills climbing
A 30%+ summer bill jump usually means the system has lost efficiency. New SEER2 units use 30-50% less energy.
Hot rooms / uneven cooling
Means the system is undersized or ductwork is failing. Sometimes a mini-split addition solves it cheaper than a full replace.
Repaired multiple times this year
Two or more service calls in a single year is the inflection point. The next repair won't be the last.
Our install process
From quote to "it's running," typically 1-2 days for a standard install.
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1
Free in-home estimate
A licensed tech walks the home, measures the cooling load (Manual J), checks ductwork, and asks how you actually use each room. No high-pressure sales scripts.
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2
Multiple-option written quote
You get a good/better/best quote — typically a standard-efficiency option, a mid-tier, and a high-efficiency option with rebate breakdown. All written, all itemized.
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3
Scheduling + financing
If you proceed, we schedule install (usually within a week). Financing available through partner lenders with approved credit, including 0% promotional plans.
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4
Install day
Crew of 2-3 techs. Standard install is 1 day; complex jobs with ductwork can be 2. We protect floors, remove the old unit, install the new system, and clean up.
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5
Commissioning + paperwork
We test refrigerant charge, airflow, and supply temps. Register the warranty in your name. File rebate paperwork with CPS Energy or Austin Energy. You get a binder with everything.
AC installation FAQ
How much does a new AC system cost in San Antonio? +
For a typical SA single-family home (3-ton system), a complete install runs $7,000 to $11,000 installed. Higher SEER2 ratings push the top end up but pay back through lower bills and rebate eligibility. Heat pump conversions add $1,500-$3,500 over standard AC. We give written good/better/best quotes so you can see the trade-offs side by side.
How long does a new AC install take? +
Standard like-for-like replacement: one day. Adding ductwork, modifying electrical, or converting to a heat pump can stretch to two days. We'll give you the timeline in writing with the quote.
What's a Manual J load calculation and why does it matter? +
Manual J is the industry-standard method for sizing AC systems — it accounts for square footage, insulation, window orientation, ceiling height, and Texas climate data to calculate your actual cooling load in BTUs. Many contractors skip this and just match whatever was there before, or use a "rule of thumb" by square footage. Both approaches are wrong as often as right. We do a real Manual J on every install. An oversized AC short-cycles, wastes energy, doesn't dehumidify, and fails years early.
What about rebates and tax credits? +
CPS Energy (San Antonio) offers $250-$1,500+ rebates on high-efficiency AC and heat pump installs. Austin Energy offers similar via their Power Saver program. The federal Inflation Reduction Act stacks a 30% tax credit (up to $2,000) on heat pump installs. On a typical $10K install with a heat pump, total back-of-pocket savings can hit $3,000+. We handle all the paperwork.
Do you offer financing? +
Yes. Financing is available through partner lenders with approved credit, including 0% promotional periods on qualifying installs. Typical terms: 6-12 months 0%, or longer-term financing at competitive rates. We'll show you the options during the quote.
What warranty comes with a new install? +
Most major manufacturers (Carrier, Trane, Lennox) offer 10 years on parts and 10 years on the compressor when the system is registered within 60 days — which we handle for you. We add 2 years on labor on top. Optional extended labor warranties are available.
Should I get a heat pump or a regular AC? +
For Texas climates, heat pumps make increasing sense. They cool the same as AC but also handle the mild SA/Austin winters more efficiently than gas heat. With current federal tax credits stacked on local rebates, the install cost difference often disappears. The trade-off: gas heat is faster in a hard cold snap. We'll lay out the math during your quote.
Ready for a free estimate?
A licensed tech comes to your home, measures the actual cooling load, walks the ductwork, and gives you a written quote with rebates broken down.