Frisco, TX
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on cost, sizing, permits and the questions people actually search for.
Cost
How much does a new AC unit cost for a 2,000 sq ft house?
There is no single honest answer to that without seeing the house. Efficiency, staging, whether the lineset can be reused and how accessible the coil is all move it, and a two-storey with a dual system is a different job again. Call and we will give you a ballpark from your square footage and system age before anyone visits.
Why don’t you list prices on the site?
Because a number on a web page is either so wide it tells you nothing, or narrow enough to be wrong for your house. What we will commit to is the process: a free load calculation, one fixed written quote, and no obligation attached to either.
Is the quote what I will actually pay?
Yes. The written quote after the load calculation is fixed, itemised and valid for 30 days. It does not move on install day unless you change the scope.
Do you offer financing?
Through third-party lenders, yes; terms depend on your credit. We do not advertise monthly payment figures — quoting a low monthly number without the term attached is how a big purchase gets made to look small.
Is there a tax credit for HVAC in 2026?
The federal 25C credit covers 30% of qualifying equipment cost — up to $600 for a qualifying air conditioner and up to $2,000 for a qualifying heat pump, subject to an annual cap. Equipment must meet the efficiency tier in force at installation. Not tax advice; confirm with your advisor. More detail.
Does a new AC unit increase home value?
Some, but less than the cost. Its real effect is on saleability: a fifteen-year-old system is a negotiating lever for a buyer’s inspector, and a new one removes it. More detail.
Repair versus replace
What is the $5,000 rule for AC?
Multiply the system’s age in years by the repair quote. Over $5,000 leans replace; under leans repair. A twelve-year-old system with a $500 repair gives $6,000 — replace. A rule of thumb, not a decision procedure.
My system is seven years old and needs a repair. Should I replace it?
Almost certainly not. A single component failure — capacitor, contactor, fan motor — on a seven-year-old system is a few hundred dollars against several thousand. Call a repair company. We do not do repair work, so we are not the right people either way.
When does replacement stop being a close call?
Compressor failure, an evaporator coil leaking out of warranty, a system still running R-22, or a third repair on equipment past fifteen years. Full guide.
My system uses R-22. Does that change things?
Considerably. R-22 has not been produced or imported in the US since 2020 — what is available is reclaimed, expensive, and getting scarcer. A refrigerant leak on an R-22 system means paying a steep price to refill something that will leak again.
How long should an AC system last in Texas?
Shorter than the national figure. The cooling season here is long and hard on equipment; 12–17 years is a realistic Frisco range, against 15–20 nationally.
Sizing and equipment
What size AC unit do I need?
The rule of thumb is roughly 400–600 sq ft per ton, but that is a starting point rather than an answer — orientation, glazing, insulation, ceiling height and duct capacity all move it. Tonnage chart.
Can I just replace it with the same size that is there now?
You can, and most contractors will. It assumes the original was sized correctly — and in Frisco’s 2000s builder construction, systems were often generously oversized. That is how a fifteen-year-old mistake gets repeated for another fifteen.
What is wrong with an oversized unit?
It cools quickly, shuts off, and never runs long enough to remove humidity — so the house feels cold and clammy at the same time. It also short-cycles, which is hard on the compressor.
What SEER2 rating should I get?
14.3 SEER2 is the southern-region federal minimum. Most Frisco homeowners land at 15–17. SEER2 explained.
Single-stage or two-stage?
If you are choosing one upgrade, we would generally point at staging before efficiency. Single-stage vs two-stage.
What brand do you install?
Within a tier the difference between brands is much smaller than the difference between a good install and a bad one. We care about DFW parts availability and warranty terms. Tell us your preference and we will quote it.
Can I keep my existing ductwork?
Usually. We measure static pressure and return capacity during the load calculation, and if the ducts cannot carry the airflow we will say so before you buy equipment. Ductwork replacement.
The job itself
Can I legally install my own AC unit?
You can buy equipment, but in Texas anyone installing HVAC for compensation needs a TDLR licence, and handling refrigerant requires EPA Section 608 certification. A homeowner working on their own residence has more latitude — but the work still needs a City of Frisco mechanical permit and inspection, and manufacturers void the parts warranty on equipment not installed by a licensed contractor. That warranty is usually worth more than the labour saved.
Do I need a permit to replace an AC or furnace in Frisco?
Yes — a mechanical permit plus inspection. We pull it and schedule the inspection. A contractor suggesting you skip it is telling you something useful about the rest of their work.
How long does installation take?
One day for a standard changeout, six to eight hours. Two days for ductwork, attic platform rebuilds, or dual-system homes. Hour by hour.
When is the best time of year to replace?
February through April. Better availability, shorter lead times, and you are not making a five-figure decision in a hot house.
What is the warranty?
Manufacturer’s parts warranty — typically 10 years on registered equipment, and registration has to happen within 60 days. We register it and send you the confirmation. Labour warranty terms are on your quote.
Do you work on commercial buildings or cars?
No. Residential only — houses, townhomes and duplexes.
What areas do you cover?
Frisco and the surrounding North Dallas suburbs within roughly 20 miles. Where we install.
Find out what your house actually needs
A load calculation, a fixed written quote, and a straight answer about whether you should be replacing at all. Free, with no sales presentation attached.