HVAC Pricing Guide for San Antonio Homeowners

Real pricing from a company that's been doing this for over 24 years. No bait-and-switch, no hidden fees. Here's what things actually cost.

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We publish our pricing because you deserve to know what you're getting into before you pick up the phone. HVAC work in San Antonio isn't cheap — your system runs 7+ months a year in this heat, and the equipment, labor, and expertise to do it right cost real money.

Every range below reflects what we've actually charged across hundreds of jobs. The final number depends on your home, your system, and what we find when we get there — but you won't get a quote that falls outside these ranges without a conversation about why.

Pricing last updated: April 2026

What Things Cost

AC Repair

$300–$800 per repair

Diagnosis and repair of your central air conditioning system. Covers refrigerant leaks, compressor issues, capacitor and contactor replacement, fan motors, and electrical faults. Same-day service available.

What affects your price

Type of component that failed (capacitor vs. compressor)
Refrigerant type and amount needed
System age and accessibility

Learn more about ac repair →

AC & Heating System Installation

$10,000–$15,000 per system

Full system replacement including indoor and outdoor units, thermostat, and ductwork modifications if needed. Price includes Manual J load calculation, equipment, labor, permits, and a 10-year manufacturer warranty on Trane systems.

What affects your price

Home square footage and layout
System efficiency rating (SEER2)
Ductwork condition — modification or replacement adds cost
Equipment brand and tier

Learn more about ac & heating system installation →

Heating Repair

$300–$800 per repair

Furnace and heating system diagnostics and repair. Covers ignitor replacement, blower motor issues, heat exchanger problems, gas valve repair, and thermostat faults. We service all major brands.

What affects your price

Gas furnace vs. heat pump system
Failed component (ignitor vs. heat exchanger)
Parts availability for older systems

Learn more about heating repair →

Heat Pump Installation

$12,000–$18,000 per system

Complete heat pump system installation for year-round heating and cooling from a single unit. Includes equipment, labor, electrical work, thermostat, and permits. Heat pumps qualify for federal IRA tax credits up to $2,000 and CPS Energy rebates.

What affects your price

System capacity (tonnage) based on home size
Ducted vs. ductless configuration
Electrical panel upgrades if needed
Available rebates and tax credits can offset $2,000–$4,000

Learn more about heat pump installation →

Mini Split Installation

$5,000–$8,000 per zone

Ductless mini split installation — Mitsubishi and RunTru by Trane. Ideal for room additions, garage conversions, older homes without ductwork, and spaces where extending existing ductwork is impractical or expensive.

What affects your price

Single-zone vs. multi-zone system
Wall-mount vs. ceiling cassette vs. floor-mount
Line set length and routing complexity
Electrical requirements

Learn more about mini split installation →

Tune-Up & Maintenance

$89–$250 per visit

Multi-point system inspection and tune-up. Includes refrigerant pressure check, coil inspection, electrical connection tightening, condensate drain clearing, filter check, and thermostat calibration. Catches small problems before they become expensive repairs.

What affects your price

AC-only vs. full HVAC system tune-up
Additional services (coil cleaning, UV light check)
Maintenance agreement members get lower rates

Learn more about tune-up & maintenance →

Diagnostic & Inspection

$89–$250 per visit

On-site diagnostic visit when your system isn't working right. Our technician runs a full system evaluation to identify the root cause. Diagnostic fee applies toward the cost of any repair performed the same day. We also perform pre-sale HVAC inspections for real estate transactions.

What affects your price

Complexity of the issue
System type and accessibility
Diagnostic fee waived if repair is performed same-day

Learn more about diagnostic & inspection →

Emergency & After-Hours Surcharge

$134–$200 added to service

After-hours and weekend emergency surcharge on top of normal service rates. When your AC dies at 2am in a San Antonio July, we answer the phone. This fee covers technician availability outside standard business hours — it does not replace the repair cost.

What affects your price

Time of call (evenings vs. overnight vs. holidays)
Distance to your location

Learn more about emergency & after-hours surcharge →

What Affects Your HVAC Costs

Every home is different. Here's why HVAC pricing is a range, not a flat number — and what pushes your job toward the high or low end.

Home Size & Layout

A 1,200 sq ft ranch and a 3,500 sq ft two-story need very different systems. Bigger homes need more capacity, and multi-story layouts with long duct runs add complexity. We size every system with a Manual J load calculation — not a rule-of-thumb guess.

System Age & Condition

A 5-year-old system with a blown capacitor is a quick fix. A 20-year-old unit with a cracked heat exchanger is a different conversation. Older systems may need hard-to-find parts or have compounding issues that make replacement the smarter investment.

Efficiency Rating

Higher SEER2 ratings mean lower energy bills but higher upfront cost. In San Antonio, where your AC runs 7+ months a year, the efficiency upgrade usually pays for itself — but the right rating depends on how long you plan to stay in the home.

Ductwork Condition

If your existing ductwork is undersized, damaged, or poorly sealed, a new system won't perform to spec. About 30% of installations in older San Antonio homes need some duct modification. We inspect before quoting so there are no surprises.

Time of Year

Emergency replacements in July cost more than planned installations in March. Not because we raise prices — because equipment demand spikes, manufacturers charge more for rush orders, and scheduling is tighter. Planning ahead saves money.

Brand & Equipment Tier

We install Trane systems because they hold up in Texas heat. Within Trane's lineup, there's a range — from reliable base models to premium variable-speed units with the quietest operation and best humidity control. We help you pick the tier that matches your priorities.

Want an exact price for your home? Call (210) 561-COOL for a free estimate.

Why Our Prices Are What They Are

You can find cheaper quotes. You can also find contractors who skip the load calculation, undersize the system, and leave you with a unit that runs constantly and dies in 6 years. Here's what you're actually paying for with MD Air.

Manual J Load Calculations

We size every system to your home — not a square-footage guess that leaves you over- or under-cooled.

Trane Equipment

Factory-backed systems built for Texas heat with 10-year manufacturer warranties.

Licensed & Insured Technicians

EPA-certified, background-checked techs who've been doing this for years — not a subcontracted crew.

24+ Years in San Antonio

We know the housing stock, the soil, the ductwork patterns, and the CPS rebate paperwork. Experience isn't overhead — it's why your install lasts.

Upfront Pricing, No Surprises

You approve the price before we start. If we find something unexpected, we call you — we don't just add it to the bill.

Rebate Paperwork Handled

CPS Energy rebates, manufacturer rebates, IRA tax credit documentation — we handle the paperwork so you don't have to.

Flexible Payment Options

Major HVAC work doesn't have to break the bank. We offer 0% interest financing through Wells Fargo, Synchrony, and Credit Human with low monthly payments.

View Financing Options

Pricing Questions

Most AC repairs in San Antonio run between $300 and $800. The biggest variable is which part failed — a capacitor replacement is on the low end, while a compressor or evaporator coil pushes toward the top. We charge a diagnostic fee of $89–$250 that applies toward the repair if you move forward the same day.

A full AC and heating system replacement typically runs $10,000–$15,000 installed. That includes the indoor and outdoor units, thermostat, labor, permits, and a 10-year Trane manufacturer warranty. The price depends on your home's size, the efficiency rating you choose, and whether your ductwork needs modification. We offer 0% financing through Wells Fargo.

The equipment itself is a big part of it — a quality condenser, air handler, and thermostat aren't cheap. But what you're really paying for is proper installation: Manual J load calculations, correct refrigerant charge, sealed duct connections, electrical work, permits, and a crew that's done this thousands of times. A badly installed cheap system will cost you more in repairs and energy bills within 3 years than the difference you saved upfront.

General rule: if the repair costs more than half what a new system would cost, and your system is over 10 years old, replacement usually makes more sense. A $600 repair on a 15-year-old system is buying time, not solving the problem. We'll give you an honest assessment — we don't push replacements when a repair will last.

Yes. CPS Energy offers rebates on qualifying high-efficiency systems, and the federal IRA provides tax credits up to $2,000 for heat pump installations. Trane also runs manufacturer rebates seasonally. We handle the CPS rebate paperwork for you — most customers don't realize that's included.

Yes, the diagnostic fee is $89–$250 depending on system complexity. If you approve the repair and we do the work the same day, the diagnostic fee is applied toward your repair total — you're not paying it on top. If you decide not to repair, the fee covers our technician's time and the full diagnostic report.

Heat pump installations run $12,000–$18,000, which is higher than a traditional AC system ($10,000–$15,000). The difference is that a heat pump handles both heating and cooling from one unit, so you're replacing two systems with one. Factor in the $2,000 federal tax credit and lower operating costs, and the lifetime cost is often lower. In San Antonio's mild winters, heat pumps are increasingly the better value.

Yes. Every installation quote includes permits, labor, equipment, thermostat, and the manufacturer warranty (10 years on Trane systems). We also include a 1-year labor warranty on all installations and a 1-year warranty on repairs. There are no hidden fees — the price we quote is the price you pay.

Get Your Exact Price

Every home is different. Contact us for a free, no-obligation estimate based on your specific situation.

Schedule Service Call (210) 561-COOL