Time For a New AC? Let’s Do It Right.
Replacing an air conditioner in Pearland is a 15-year decision. Pick the right size, the right SEER2, and the right installer, and you forget about it for a decade and a half. Pick wrong and you are calling someone every August. We start with a load calculation, walk every supply and return, and put exact model numbers on the quote so you know what you are buying.
- Free in-home assessment
- Manual J load calculation
- 10-year parts warranty
- Permits pulled, every job
What's included in a AC Replacement
A real AC replacement is more than swapping a condenser. Here is what an honest install looks like, and the steps that separate a system that runs clean for 15 years from one that needs warranty work in year three.
Manual J load calculation
We measure square footage, glazing, insulation, infiltration, and ductwork. The result is the actual cooling load your home needs, room by room. Around 35 percent of the AC systems we replace in Pearland were oversized, which is the main reason houses feel clammy even when they are cold.
Static pressure test on the duct system
A new high-SEER2 AC behind undersized or leaky ductwork will run inefficiently and burn through capacitors and blower motors. We measure static pressure before quoting. If the ducts need work, you see it on the quote, not after.
Equipment match, in writing
Outdoor unit, indoor coil, and air handler matched as a complete system, with the AHRI certificate on the quote. You see exact model numbers, SEER2 ratings, BTU output, and warranty terms before signing. We quote two-stage and variable-speed inverter systems from Trane, Lennox, Carrier, and other major brands.
Refrigerant charge by superheat and subcooling
A new AC charged by gauge pressure alone is wrong about half the time. We weigh in refrigerant or charge by superheat and subcooling, then verify the readings on a 90-plus-degree day. The actual 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. A new AC without a permit hurts your resale value and your homeowner insurance, and you will not know it until you need either one.
10-year parts warranty plus optional 10-year labor warranty
Manufacturer parts warranty is 10 years on registered systems. We offer a matching labor warranty so a $400 service call in year six is not on you. Comfort Club members get free annual tune-ups for the warranty period.
Signs your AC is ready for replacement
In Pearland, the August heat tells you everything about a tired AC. If you are seeing two or three of these patterns, replacement is usually the right call. We will run the numbers both ways before recommending it.
- AC is over 12 years old
- Repair quote is more than half the cost of a new system
- System uses R-22 refrigerant (banned and expensive)
- You replaced the compressor or coil within the last 5 years
- Electric bills have climbed every summer for the last three years
- House feels humid even when the thermostat reads cool
- Some rooms are 6 to 10 degrees warmer than others
- Outdoor unit is loud, shakes, or shows visible rust
- 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 real comfort advisor walks the house, takes Manual J measurements, and inspects the ductwork and electrical. Allow about 60 to 75 minutes. No high-pressure pitch and no commission-driven upsells.
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Two or three written options
Good, better, and best on paper, with model numbers, SEER2 ratings, BTU sizes, and warranty terms. Take it home, compare, ask questions. We do not push the most expensive system if your house does not need it.
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Permit and install scheduling
We pull the permit, schedule the install (most are completed in one day, two for major ductwork), and coordinate any electrical work. Cold drinks and protective floor coverings are part of the deal.
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Install and commission
Old equipment removed, new outdoor unit set on a level pad, new coil installed, refrigerant lines flushed and brazed under nitrogen, system pulled into a deep vacuum, refrigerant weighed in. Drain line trapped, electrical to code, condensate sensor added.
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Walkthrough and warranty registration
We register the warranty with the manufacturer the same day. You get a folder with model and serial numbers, the permit, the warranty card, and a commissioning report with the actual refrigerant charge and electrical readings.
What Pearland neighbors are saying
"Got three quotes for an AC replacement. Clear the Air was the only one that did a load calculation. Turns out our old AC was 35 percent oversized, which explained why the house always felt clammy. New two-stage system, even temperatures, and the dehumidifier we used to run is now packed up in the garage."
"Quoted us a 17 SEER2 Trane with a matching labor warranty. Install was clean, the lead tech walked us through the refrigerant charge and the electrical readings before he left. Permit passed first time."
"They told us we did not need a new system. Repaired our 9-year-old unit for $580 and said it had another 5 to 7 years easy. Most companies would have sold us a new AC. We will use them when it really is time."
Frequently asked
How much does AC replacement cost in Pearland?
Installed prices in Pearland run from about $5,800 for a single-stage 14.3 SEER2 system on a simple swap-out, up to $14,000 or more for a variable-speed inverter system with new line set, ductwork, and electrical. The average install we do lands between $8,500 and $11,000. The number depends on size, SEER2, stages, and what your ductwork needs.
How long does a new AC last in Pearland?
Most Pearland AC systems last 12 to 16 years with annual maintenance, and 8 to 11 without. Coastal humidity and salt closer to Galveston Bay shorten that. Variable-speed inverter systems often run 14 to 18 years because the compressor cycles less aggressively.
What SEER2 rating should I get?
Code minimum in Texas is 14.3 SEER2. Most replacements we do are 16 to 18 SEER2. Higher SEER2 costs more upfront and pays back over 5 to 8 years on Pearland electric bills. If you spend a lot of summer in the home, the upgrade is worth it. If you travel often or have a small home, 14.3 is fine.
Two-stage or variable-speed, which is worth it?
In Pearland, two-stage and variable-speed systems run longer at lower output, which dehumidifies better and evens out the cold spots. Variable-speed inverter compressors are quieter, last longer, and can hold a tighter humidity range. The upcharge is usually $1,500 to $2,500 over single-stage. For most Pearland homes, two-stage is the sweet spot.
Do I need new ductwork with a new AC?
Sometimes. We measure static pressure before we quote. If the ducts are undersized or leaky enough that they will choke a new high-SEER2 system, we tell you. About 1 in 4 Pearland replacements needs duct modifications. The rest run fine on the existing system.
Can I just replace the outdoor unit?
Almost never the right call. The outdoor unit and indoor coil are matched as a refrigerant system. Mismatching them voids the warranty, hurts efficiency, and the AHRI certificate will not exist for the combination. We replace both sides every time.
Are there rebates or financing?
CenterPoint Energy rebates and federal tax credits change year to year. As of the most recent cycle, qualifying high-SEER2 systems in Pearland are eligible for utility rebates and federal tax credits that together can knock $1,200 to $3,000 off the install. We have 0 percent for 18 months and longer-term financing through Synchrony and Wells Fargo on approved credit.
Do you handle the permit and inspection?
Yes, every install. We pull the City of Pearland permit (or whatever city you are in), the inspection is scheduled after install, and we are on site for it if needed. An AC install without a permit is a red flag for resale and for your homeowner insurance claim if anything happens.