A new AC, sized right and installed right — without the sales circus.
No commissioned “comfort advisors,” no today-only pricing games. Just an honest answer to one question: what system does this house actually need — and is a new one even worth it yet?
- Free replacement estimates
- Sized to your house, not a sales chart
- Ductwork checked first
- We’ll tell you if a repair is smarter
Not sure yet? Start with a diagnostic visit — if the unit is worth saving, we’ll say so.
Get a free estimate
Leave your number — we’ll call back to talk about the house, the current system, and realistic options.
Prefer to talk now? Call (512) 692-7191
No spam, ever. We only contact you about this estimate.
Repair or replace? Here’s how we actually decide.
Most companies answer this question with whatever pays them best. We use the numbers instead.
Repair usually wins when…
The system is under ~10 years old, the failure is electrical or a single component, refrigerant is the current type, and the unit cooled well before the breakdown.
Replacement wins when…
Age × repair cost passes the “$5,000 rule,” the unit runs discontinued R-22, the compressor is failing, or you’re paying for the same repairs each summer.
Either way, you decide
You get both numbers side by side — the repair and the replacement — with our recommendation and the reasoning. No countdown timers, no “today-only” pricing.
Why the install matters more than the brand
Industry studies keep finding the same thing: most comfort complaints trace back to installation shortcuts, not equipment quality. Here’s what “done right” includes.
Size to the house
Insulation, windows, orientation, and ducts — not just square footage. Oversized units short-cycle and leave Austin humidity in the air; undersized ones never catch up.
Fix the airflow path
Returns, supplies, and duct restrictions get checked before equipment is chosen. A great condenser strangled by bad ducts is money wasted.
Install cleanly & safely
Proper line sets, electrical connections, condensate drainage with overflow protection, level mounting, and a tidy finish you’re not embarrassed to look at.
Commission & verify
Refrigerant charge set by measurement, airflow verified, thermostat programmed, temperature split confirmed under real load — then we walk you through all of it.
Systems we install
Central air conditioners
The workhorse for most Austin homes. Replacing like-for-like or upgrading capacity when an addition changed the load — matched to your furnace or air handler.
Heat pumps
One system for Austin’s brutal summers and mild winters — efficient cooling plus heating without a separate furnace. Increasingly the smart default here.
Full system replacements
Condenser, coil, and air handler replaced as a matched set — with thermostat, drain, and duct connections brought up to standard while everything is open.
How an installation goes
Estimate visit
We look at the house, the old system, and the ducts, then talk through realistic options — usually two or three, not a 12-line menu of confusion.
Written flat quote
Equipment, scope, and price in plain language. Take your time, compare it — it stays valid, because honest numbers don’t expire at midnight.
Installation day
Most replacements are done in a day. Old equipment hauled off, work area left clean, and the system commissioned by measurement, not by feel.
Walkthrough & support
You see what was done, how to run the thermostat, and when to change filters. Questions later? You call the technician who installed it.
Installation questions, answered straight
How long does an AC installation take?
A straightforward replacement of an existing central AC is usually done in one day. Adding central air where there was none, or jobs with significant duct changes, take longer — you’ll get a realistic timeline with your estimate, before you commit.
What size AC do I need for my Austin home?
It depends on the home, not just square footage — insulation, windows, orientation, and duct condition all matter. Oversized units short-cycle and leave humidity behind; undersized units run forever and never catch up. We size the system to the house instead of defaulting to “one size bigger.”
Is it worth replacing a working AC just for higher efficiency?
Rarely on efficiency savings alone. Replacement usually makes sense when the current system is old and failing, uses discontinued R-22, or faces a repair costing a large share of a new system’s price. If your unit runs fine, the honest advice is usually: keep maintaining it. Need it fixed instead? See AC repair.
Do you check ductwork before installing a new AC?
Yes. A new system connected to leaky or restrictive ducts never delivers its rated comfort or efficiency. Before recommending equipment we check return and supply sizing, obvious leaks, and restrictions — and we’ll tell you if duct fixes matter more than a shinier unit.
Get a straight answer about your next AC.
Free estimate, honest repair-vs-replace math, and a written flat quote that doesn’t expire at midnight.
Mon–Fri 7 AM–4 PM · support@austin-acrepair.com