AC replacement · Pearland & South Houston Time for a new AC? Let's do it right.
An AC replacement in Pearland is a 15-year decision. Get the size and the installer right and you can forget about it until the 2040s. Get it wrong and someone is at your house every August. We start with a load calculation and check every supply and return before exact model numbers go on the quote.
- Free in-home assessment
- Manual J load calculation
- 10-year parts warranty
- Permits pulled, every job
What's included with AC replacement
Swapping a condenser takes an afternoon. A replacement that runs clean for 15 years, and does not need warranty work in year three, takes these steps.
Manual J load calculation
We measure square footage, glass area, insulation and air leakage, then look at the ducts. That gives the cooling load room by room. A lot of the systems we pull out in Pearland were oversized, and an oversized unit is the main reason a house feels clammy even when it is cold.
Static pressure test on the duct system
Put a new high-SEER2 unit on small or leaky ducts and it runs inefficiently and wears out capacitors and blower motors early. We measure static pressure before quoting, so any duct work you need is on the quote from the start.
Equipment match, in writing
The outdoor unit and indoor coil are matched with the air handler or furnace as one system, and the AHRI certificate is attached to the quote. You see model numbers and SEER2 ratings before you sign. Most of what we quote is two-stage or variable-speed Trane and Goodman equipment.
Refrigerant charge by superheat and subcooling
Charging a new system by gauge pressure alone gets it wrong a lot of the time. We weigh the refrigerant in or charge by superheat and subcooling, then check the readings on a 90-plus-degree day. The final charge goes on your commissioning report.
Permit pulled, code-compliant install
We pull the City of Pearland permit on every replacement, and the inspection happens after install. An unpermitted AC can come back at you when you sell the house or file a homeowner insurance claim.
Manufacturer parts warranty plus our parts and labor warranty
Registered systems carry a 10-year manufacturer parts warranty. Our own 12-month parts and labor warranty covers the install, and extended labor coverage is available at additional cost. Current terms are on the warranties page.
What does it cost?
See real replacement ranges in 60 seconds, based on real local installs. No phone number required to see the number.
Signs your AC is ready for replacement
A tired AC shows it in August. If two or three of these sound familiar, we will price the repair and the replacement side by side so you can compare before deciding.
- AC is over 12 years old
- Repair quote is more than half the cost of a new system
- System uses R-22 refrigerant (no longer produced; remaining supply is reclaimed and expensive)
- You replaced the compressor or coil within the last 5 years
- Electric bills climb every summer
- House feels humid even when the thermostat reads cool
- Some rooms run several degrees warmer than others
- Outdoor unit is loud or rusting through
- Frequent refrigerant top-offs (you have an internal leak)
- Drain pan or coil keeps freezing up
How a visit works
Five steps. No surprises. Same on your first call as your fiftieth.
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Free in-home assessment
A comfort advisor walks the house, takes Manual J measurements and looks over the ductwork and electrical. Plan on about an hour. The written quote is texted to you within one business hour, and you decide on your own timeline.
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Two or three written options
Each option lists model numbers, SEER2, BTU size and warranty terms. Compare them at the kitchen table and call with questions. Ask which one we would pick and we will tell you why.
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Permit and install scheduling
We pull the permit and line up any electrical work. Most replacements finish in one day, and major ductwork adds a second. Floors get covered before anything comes through the door.
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Install and commission
Out comes the old equipment. The new outdoor unit goes on a level pad, the coil goes in, and the refrigerant lines are flushed and brazed under nitrogen. After a deep vacuum, the refrigerant is weighed in. The drain line gets a trap and a condensate sensor.
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Walkthrough and warranty registration
We register the equipment with the manufacturer the same day. You keep a folder with the model and serial numbers, the permit and a commissioning report showing the actual charge and electrical readings.
- $99 Diagnostic visit ($79 for new customers), waived when you approve the repair
- Free In-home estimates on new systems
- Same price Nights, weekends, and holidays. No overtime fees.
What Pearland neighbors are saying
"I ask for 3 bids to replace my HVAC system. Robert Britt came out for one of the bids. I was impressed because he was the only one to check the BTU’s. Robert quickly came to the conclusion that my current system was undersized for the size of my house."
"First Mark came to our home to fix our unit because it was not cooling. He was very professional and got our old unit cooling until we could get the new unit- and assisted us in getting a new unit. Raul and his assistant came to install the new unit."
"The technician arrived on time to give me an estimate for a complete new system. He was knowledgeable and easy to talk to. He was patient and able to answer all of my questions. I plan to use Clear The Air to replace my existing system."
Frequently asked
How much does AC replacement cost in Pearland?
Replacing just the AC side (the condenser and indoor coil) starts around $4,800 installed. A complete system for a typical 3-ton Pearland home runs $8,900 to $21,500 by tier, from a single-stage Goodman at 14.3 SEER2 up to a variable-speed Trane. Tonnage and whatever the ductwork needs move the number within that range.
How long does a new AC last in Pearland?
With a tune-up every year, most Pearland systems last 12 to 16 years. Skip the maintenance and they give up sooner. Houses closer to Galveston Bay lose some life to salt air. Variable-speed systems tend to hold up longer because the compressor starts and stops less.
Two-stage or variable-speed, which is worth it?
Both run long cycles at low output, which pulls more water out of the air and evens out hot rooms. Variable-speed is quieter and holds humidity in a tighter band. At 3 tons, a two-stage system runs $11,400 to $15,900 installed and variable-speed runs $14,900 to $21,500. For most Pearland homes we end up recommending two-stage.
Do I need new ductwork with a new AC?
Sometimes. We measure static pressure before we quote, and if the ducts are small or leaky enough to choke a new system, we tell you. Many homes run fine on the ducts they have. When the old system is 15 years or older, plenum or supply-line work ($500 to $1,500) comes up more often.
Can I just replace the outdoor unit?
Rarely. The outdoor unit and indoor coil work as one matched refrigerant system, and a mismatched pair has no AHRI certificate. It costs you efficiency and can void the manufacturer warranty. We replace both sides.
Is it worth repairing an old R-22 system?
Small repairs, sometimes. R-22 is no longer produced and what is left is reclaimed and expensive, so a refrigerant leak on an R-22 system usually tips the decision toward replacing it. The new system also needs its line set flushed or replaced, which adds $300 to $500.
Do you handle the permit and inspection?
Yes, on every replacement. We pull the City of Pearland permit, or the one for whatever city you live in, and the inspection is scheduled after install. We can be on site for it. An unpermitted install is a red flag at resale and can complicate a homeowner insurance claim.