Signs it’s time to replace your AC
What matters in your home?
You don’t need all the answers before you call.
Repairs are getting more frequent
One repair in a few years is normal wear. A service call every season is a pattern. Keep a list of what’s been fixed and when.
It can’t keep up on the hottest afternoons
If your system falls further behind each summer, even after repairs and a clean filter, the equipment may be wearing out or may never have been sized right.
Rising electric bills with the same use
Same thermostat setting, same household, higher summer bills. An aging system may be working harder for the same cooling, or something fixable may be wrong.
An older R-22 or aging R-410A system
R-22 is no longer produced or imported, which makes leak repairs on older systems a harder call. R-410A systems can still be serviced, but newer equipment uses different refrigerants. We’ll tell you which one your system uses and what that means.
Rooms that never get comfortable
A hot upstairs may come from sizing, ductwork or attic heat, not a broken part. A replacement is the moment to fix the cause.
What a good AC replacement quote includes
Know what you’re approving.
Two quotes for “a new AC” can describe very different jobs. A clear quote spells out exactly what you’re getting, so you can compare fairly. Look for these items:
- Equipment, both halvesMake, model and size for the outdoor unit and the indoor unit (air handler, furnace coil or evaporator coil).
- A matched systemWhether the indoor and outdoor units are rated together as a certified pair, with that pair’s SEER2 rating.
- What’s replaced and what’s reusedThe line set, pad, thermostat and ductwork.
- The permitWhether it’s included.
- Removal of the old unitIncluding refrigerant recovery, which EPA rules require before central AC equipment is disposed of.
- Start-up and testingHow the new system is checked once it’s running.
- WarrantiesBoth the labor warranty and the manufacturer’s warranty, and who registers the equipment.
- A total priceOne number for the whole job.
Sizing a replacement AC the right way
Start with your home.
A new AC shouldn’t automatically copy the old unit’s size. Homes change, and the original system may never have been sized right.
The industry method is a load calculation, often called a Manual J. It looks at square footage, insulation, windows, which way the home faces and where the ductwork runs. The result tells you how much cooling your home actually needs.
Size matters both ways. An oversized unit cools in short bursts, which can leave rooms clammy and uneven. An undersized one runs almost nonstop and still falls behind.
In two-story homes across Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert, a hot upstairs often isn’t a size problem at all. Ductwork, returns or zoning may be the real fix, and a replacement is the right time to look.
Replace the outdoor unit only vs. the full system
Compare your options.
Outdoor unit only
- What’s replacedThe outdoor condenser only.
- EfficiencyMay not reach its rated efficiency without a matched coil.
- RefrigerantThe old coil must suit the new refrigerant.
- WarrantyAsk how the pairing affects coverage.
- When it can make senseA newer indoor coil with a certified match.
Full system
- What’s replacedOutdoor unit and indoor coil or air handler.
- EfficiencyRated as a certified matched pair.
- RefrigerantBoth halves built for the same one.
- WarrantyGet labor and manufacturer terms in writing.
- When it makes senseMost older systems, and any R-22 system.
Considering a heat pump instead of a new AC? See heat pump installation.
How AC replacement with Keenan works
Start with a conversation.
We look at your home and current system
Tell us about your equipment, repair history and comfort concerns. We look at what you have and what’s actually wrong first.
You get a written quote with options
Your written quote breaks out the outdoor and indoor equipment, everything the job includes, one total price and the warranty coverage. Nothing is approved until you’ve reviewed it and your questions are answered.
We install, test and walk you through it
Once you approve, we install the new system, test it and show you how it runs. The Keenan Comfort Club can help keep it in shape.
Thinking about replacing? Let’s talk.
Replacing in summer? Plan for it.
Timing matters.
When an AC fails in July, you decide under pressure. If a repair can safely buy time, you can compare quotes calmly.
Seeing several of the signs above on an older system? Spring and fall give you time to compare quotes before the heat sets the deadline.
What affects AC replacement cost
No surprises.
Every replacement is priced on your home and your choices.
- System sizeMeasured in tons of cooling capacity.
- EfficiencyHigher SEER2 ratings and multi-stage or variable-speed compressors.
- What’s being replacedAn AC only, an AC with a furnace or air handler, or a heat pump.
- Where the indoor unit sitsAttic, closet, garage, or a rooftop package unit.
- DuctworkIts condition and whether any changes are needed.
- Electrical or pad workIf the new equipment needs it.
- Thermostat and permit
- RebatesUtility rebates may lower your net cost (see the FAQ below).
Your written quote lists each item before you approve anything.
The person behind the name
Your neighbor.
Your comfort.
Daniel grew up in the East Valley and still calls it home. Keenan is locally owned, family owned, and independent. Not owned by private equity.
Explore more
Care for your whole home.
AC replacement questions
A little clarity.
How much does AC replacement cost in Chandler?
It depends on size, efficiency, what’s being replaced, where the equipment sits and any ductwork or electrical work. Keenan gives you a written, itemized quote with the total price before you decide.
What size AC do I need?
That comes from your home, not the old unit’s label. A load calculation looks at square footage, insulation, windows, orientation and ductwork. Copying the old size can repeat an old mistake.
Do I need to replace the indoor unit too?
Often, yes. AHRI certifies split systems as matched indoor and outdoor pairs, not separate units, so a new outdoor unit on an old coil may not deliver its rated efficiency. We’ll explain what applies to you.
What is SEER2, and what’s required in Arizona?
SEER2 rates cooling efficiency across a whole season, and EER2 rates it at peak heat. Arizona is in DOE’s Southwest region, where split-system ACs installed since January 1, 2023 need at least 14.3 SEER2 for most home sizes (13.8 for larger systems), plus a minimum EER2. Higher numbers mean less electricity for the same cooling.
Are there rebates for a new AC?
If SRP is your electric utility, its Cool Cash rebate pays per ton on qualifying high-efficiency AC and heat pump systems installed by a licensed Arizona contractor. Terms and amounts change, so check SRP’s current program. The federal 25C tax credit only covered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
How long does an AC replacement take?
It depends on the equipment and what’s being changed. Your quote will include the expected schedule.
Does a problem always mean I need a new AC?
No. Keenan’s approach starts with explaining the problem and whether a repair reasonably makes sense. If you’d like a diagnosis first, start with AC repair.
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