AC Installation in San Antonio

A new AC system is a $10,000–$15,000 decision. We make sure you get the right system for your home, installed correctly, with the paperwork handled — not the cheapest box a salesman can talk you into.

Schedule AC Installation Call (210) 561-COOL

Replacing your air conditioning system is one of the biggest purchases you'll make as a homeowner. In San Antonio, where your AC runs 8 months a year and accounts for 50–60% of your electric bill, the difference between a properly installed system and a shortcut job shows up every single month — in comfort, in energy bills, and in how long the equipment lasts.

We've installed thousands of systems across San Antonio over the past 24 years. We've worked in every type of home — 1960s ranch houses in Terrell Hills with no attic access, two-story stucco in Stone Oak with cathedral ceilings, pier-and-beam in Dignowity Hill, and new construction in Cibolo with open floor plans. Every home has its own challenges, and we size and install every system for the specific house it goes in.

We're a Trane Comfort Specialist dealer — that's not a title you buy, it's earned through installation quality, customer satisfaction, and ongoing training. We install the full Trane lineup from reliable base models to premium variable-speed systems. If you have a brand preference, we can work with that too — but we recommend Trane because they hold up in Texas heat better than anything else we've installed over 24 years.

AC Installation Service

Why Choose Our AC Installation Service

Manual J load calculation on every job. We measure your home's actual cooling needs — square footage, insulation R-values, window area, orientation, ductwork layout. A rule-of-thumb "500 sq ft per ton" guess leads to oversized or undersized systems that short-cycle, waste energy, and fail early.
Trane equipment built for Texas heat. We install the full Trane lineup — XR, XL, and XV series. Every unit is built with components rated for sustained high-temperature operation, not designed for a mild Midwest climate and shipped south.
Our own installation crews, not subcontractors. The team that installs your system works for us, has been trained by us, and is accountable to us. No temp labor, no day-rate crews racing to finish.
10-year manufacturer warranty on Trane systems. Covers compressor, coil, and all functional parts. We also include a 1-year labor warranty — if anything related to our installation needs adjustment, we come back at no charge.
0% financing through Wells Fargo, Synchrony, and Credit Human. Most approvals come back in minutes. We also help you stack CPS Energy rebates and federal tax credits on top of financing — they reduce what you owe, not what you finance.
We handle all the paperwork. Permits, CPS Energy rebate applications, manufacturer warranty registration, and IRA tax credit documentation. You sign, we file. Most customers don't realize this is included until we hand them the rebate check.

Signs It's Time for a New AC System

No one wants to replace their AC. But at some point, repairs stop making financial sense. Here are the situations where we typically recommend replacement over repair.

Your System Is 12–15+ Years Old

AC systems in San Antonio work harder than almost anywhere in the country. A system rated for 15–20 years in a moderate climate might last 10–14 here. If yours is approaching that age and needing repairs, every dollar you spend on parts is going into a system that's on borrowed time.

Repair Costs Are Stacking Up

One $400 repair is fine. But if you've spent $800+ on repairs in the past 18 months and something else just broke, the math changes. We'll show you the total you've spent on repairs versus what a new system would cost — sometimes the answer surprises people.

Your Energy Bills Keep Climbing

A system from 2012 might run at 13 SEER. A new Trane XR runs at 15–16 SEER2. In San Antonio, where your AC accounts for half your CPS Energy bill, that efficiency jump can save $50–$100/month during summer. Over 10 years, that's $4,000–$8,000 in energy savings.

R-22 Refrigerant (Freon)

If your system uses R-22 (phased out in 2020), refrigerant costs are extreme — $100–$200 per pound when it used to be $15. A system that needs a recharge every year is burning $500+ just on refrigerant. A new system uses R-410A or R-454B, which is cheaper, more efficient, and not going away.

Uneven Cooling or Humidity Issues

If some rooms are 78° while others are 85°, or your house feels clammy even when the AC runs, the system may be incorrectly sized or the ductwork can't deliver. A new installation with a proper load calculation and duct assessment solves both problems — something a repair can't fix.

The Compressor Failed

A compressor replacement runs $1,200–$2,500 in parts and labor. On a system over 10 years old, that's usually the tipping point. You're putting a $2,000 part into a system where the evaporator coil, blower motor, and contactor are the same age. We'll quote you both options — repair and replace — so you can compare.

What to Expect

1

It starts with a phone call. We schedule an in-home consultation — usually within 48 hours. There's no charge and no pressure. We need to see your home before we can give you an accurate quote.

2

Our technician walks the house, measures rooms, checks insulation levels, counts windows, and inspects your existing ductwork. This data feeds a Manual J load calculation — the industry-standard method for sizing HVAC systems. It takes about 45 minutes. A contractor who quotes you a system size over the phone without seeing your home is guessing.

3

We present you with options — typically 2–3 system configurations at different efficiency levels and price points. Each quote includes the equipment, labor, thermostat, permits, and warranty. No hidden line items. We explain the real-world difference between a 15 SEER2 and a 17 SEER2 in San Antonio energy costs so you can make an informed decision.

4

Installation day. Our crew arrives on time with everything staged — equipment, materials, tools. A standard replacement takes one day (8–10 hours). If we're modifying ductwork or running new electrical, it may take a second day. We protect your floors, walls, and belongings — this is your home, not a job site.

5

After installation, we run the system under full load and take measurements: supply and return air temperatures, refrigerant pressures, airflow at every register. We're verifying that the system performs to spec, not just that it turns on. We also program your thermostat and walk you through how to use it.

6

We handle the cleanup, haul away your old equipment, file the city permit, submit your CPS Energy rebate application, and register your manufacturer warranty. You get a folder with all documentation. Most customers have their rebate check within 6–8 weeks.

AC installation typically costs $10,000–$15,000 in San Antonio.

Includes equipment, labor, thermostat, permits, and 10-year warranty. 0% financing available. CPS rebates and IRA tax credits can offset $2,000–$4,000.

View Full Pricing Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

A full AC and heating system replacement typically runs $10,000–$15,000 installed. The biggest price drivers are your home's size (which determines tonnage), the efficiency rating you choose (higher SEER2 = higher upfront cost but lower bills), and whether your ductwork needs modification. A 1,500 sq ft ranch with good ducts is on the low end. A 3,000 sq ft two-story that needs duct modifications lands higher. We provide written quotes with no hidden fees — the number we give you is the number you pay.
A Manual J is the engineering calculation that determines exactly how many BTUs of cooling your home needs. It accounts for square footage, insulation R-values, window area and orientation, number of occupants, ceiling height, ductwork design, and even the color of your roof. Without it, a contractor is guessing your system size based on square footage alone — and they almost always guess too big. An oversized system short-cycles: it cools the air fast but shuts off before removing humidity, leaving your home clammy and uncomfortable. It also wears out faster because of the constant start-stop cycling. We run a Manual J on every single installation.
A standard system replacement — condenser, air handler, thermostat, refrigerant lines — takes one day, typically 8–10 hours. If we're modifying ductwork, upgrading electrical, or replacing a furnace at the same time, it can stretch to a second day. We schedule the full time block so you're not waiting on a crew that left to start another job. Your system will be running and tested before we leave.
In San Antonio, where your AC runs 8 months a year, the efficiency rating matters more than in cooler climates. The federal minimum is currently 14.3 SEER2. We typically recommend 15–16 SEER2 as the sweet spot for most homeowners — the energy savings are meaningful without the steep price jump of ultra-high-efficiency systems. A 17+ SEER2 variable-speed system makes sense for larger homes where you'll stay for 10+ years and want the best humidity control and quietest operation. We'll show you the actual energy cost difference for your specific home based on your CPS Energy rates.
Three potential sources of savings: CPS Energy offers rebates on qualifying high-efficiency systems — typically $200–$800 depending on the equipment. The federal IRA provides tax credits up to $2,000 for heat pump installations (not standard AC). Trane also runs manufacturer rebates seasonally, usually $300–$500 during spring and fall promotions. These stack — a heat pump installation could get you $2,500–$3,000 back. We handle the CPS paperwork and provide the documentation you need for the federal credit at tax time.
Not always, but about 30% of installations in older San Antonio homes need some duct modification. Common issues: undersized return air (causes the new system to starve for airflow), disconnected or crushed flex duct in the attic, and leaking connections that dump conditioned air into your attic instead of your rooms. We inspect your ductwork as part of the load calculation and tell you upfront if it needs work. A new 16 SEER2 system connected to leaky, undersized ductwork will perform like a 12 SEER system — you'd be paying for efficiency you're not getting.
For San Antonio's climate, heat pumps are increasingly the better value. A heat pump does both heating and cooling from one unit — so you're replacing two systems with one. Our winters are mild enough that heat pumps handle them efficiently without a backup furnace. The upside: lower operating costs year-round, eligibility for the $2,000 federal tax credit (traditional AC doesn't qualify), and simpler maintenance. The downside: higher upfront cost ($12,000–$18,000 vs. $10,000–$15,000). We install both and can show you the 10-year cost comparison for your specific situation.
We offer 0% interest financing through Wells Fargo, Synchrony, and Credit Human with promotional periods up to 18 months. Most credit decisions come back in minutes. You can also stack financing with CPS Energy rebates and Trane manufacturer rebates — the rebates reduce what you owe, so your financed amount is lower than the sticker price. For example, a $13,000 installation with a $500 CPS rebate and $400 Trane rebate means you're financing $12,100. Some homeowners also use home equity lines or pay cash — we accept all major payment methods.

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