AC & HVAC Cost in San Antonio, TX
Typical price ranges for AC repair, replacement, heating and ductwork, from published cost guides (2024–2026). These are estimates, not quotes. For a real price, request free, no-obligation quotes from independent local HVAC contractors.
- Every range labeled with its source type
- CPS Energy rebate math per ton
- Free quote service, not a contractor
Get a real price, free
San Antonio AC and HVAC price table
Typical ranges from published cost guides (2024–2026) — estimates, not quotes. Ranges are national unless marked San Antonio. Your price depends on the system, the house and the contractor.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $75–$200 (San Antonio guides: about $75–$150) |
| Typical AC repair | $250–$700 (average about $375) |
| Capacitor or contactor replacement | $100–$450 |
| Refrigerant recharge (after a leak is fixed) | $150–$900; leak repair plus recharge $200–$1,500 |
| Compressor replacement | $600–$4,000 |
| New central AC, installed (3 tons) | $5,000–$12,000 |
| AC + furnace replacement, San Antonio (3 tons, minimum efficiency) | $9,000–$12,000 |
| Heat pump, installed | $5,000–$15,000 (San Antonio 3-ton with air handler: $9,000–$12,000) |
| Furnace repair | $300–$1,200 |
| Furnace replacement | $2,800–$7,500 |
| Mini split, installed | $2,000–$6,000 single zone; $5,000–$10,000 for 2–3 zones |
| Air duct cleaning | $300–$700 (about $500 for a 2,000 sq ft home) |
| Duct repair (sections) | $500–$2,600 |
| Ductwork replacement | about $2,000–$3,000 per ton in San Antonio (3 tons: $6,000–$9,000) |
| AC tune-up / maintenance | $150–$350 (CPS Energy offers a no-cost tune-up to eligible customers) |
| After-hours / weekend | often 2–3× the normal rate, about $150–$300 per hour |
New AC by size (Fixr 2026, installed): 2 tons $2,000–$7,600; 3 tons $2,500–$8,000; 4 tons $3,100–$8,700; 5 tons $3,300–$9,300.
HVAC cost calculator
Pick a job to see the typical published range. For a new AC, heat pump or mini split you can add a rough CPS Energy rebate estimate. The calculator uses the same ranges as the table above.
$250–$700
Rough estimate only — your quote depends on the equipment, access, ductwork and timing.
What changes the price of HVAC work in San Antonio
System size and a load calculation
Equipment is priced by cooling tons, and a 5-ton system costs more than a 2-ton one. A Manual J load calculation tells the contractor what the house actually needs, so you are not paying for a bigger unit than necessary or living with one that can't keep up in August.
Attic access and heat
Attic air handlers and ducts are common in San Antonio-area homes. A DOE case study puts vented San Antonio attics at about 130 °F on average, which makes attic work slower and harder. Tight access, a second floor or an old drain pan can add labor to a quote.
Refrigerant type
Since January 1, 2025, new residential split systems must use refrigerant with a GWP under 700, such as R-454B or R-32. EPA's May 21, 2026 rule lets systems whose components were all made or imported before 2025 be installed until stock runs out, and existing R-410A systems can still be repaired. Ask which refrigerant a quote includes. More in our refrigerant change guide.
Efficiency tier
Texas is in DOE's Southeast region: a new split AC under 45,000 Btu/h must be at least 14.3 SEER2 (13.8 for larger), and a split heat pump at least 14.3 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2. Higher tiers cost more up front but earn larger CPS Energy rebates per ton.
Ductwork
ENERGY STAR says 20–30% of the air moving through ducts can be lost, and recommends insulating attic ducts to R-6 or more. If a contractor finds crushed, leaky or undersized ducts, repair runs $500–$2,600 for sections, and full replacement about $2,000–$3,000 per ton in San Antonio. See the duct cleaning and ductwork guide.
Permits and timing
A replacement needs a city mechanical permit in San Antonio, which the contractor pulls; ask whether the permit is included. Nights, weekends and holidays usually cost more, and searches for AC repair peak July through September, when contractors are busiest.
Diagnostic fees and reading a quote
A service call or diagnostic visit runs $75–$200 in national guides, and about $75–$150 in San Antonio guides. It pays for the visit and the diagnosis, not the repair. Before booking, ask:
- Is the diagnostic fee credited toward the repair if I go ahead?
- What is the after-hours or weekend rate?
- Will I get a written, itemized quote with model and serial numbers?
- Does the price include the permit, haul-away and any duct or drain work?
For a replacement, get 2–3 quotes and compare the equipment, the SEER2 rating and the scope, not only the total. Our guide to comparing HVAC companies in San Antonio covers the license lookup and red flags.
CPS Energy rebates and the no-cost tune-up
CPS Energy's program year runs February 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. Central AC, heat pump and ductless mini-split rebates are $90–$310 per cooling ton by SEER2 tier: $115–$310 per ton for early replacement of working equipment, and $90–$275 per ton on burnout. A 3-ton system at 16.5 SEER2 works out to $525 for early replacement or $450 on burnout.
The system must be installed by a Texas-licensed contractor, the permit number is required inside San Antonio city limits, CPS checks the AHRI certificate, and you apply within 30 days. Rebates depend on funding, so check CPS Energy for current availability. Our CPS Energy AC rebate guide walks through it.
CPS Energy also offers a no-cost High-Performance A/C Tune-up to eligible customers. It needs an outdoor temperature of at least 55 °F, and you supply the filter. Otherwise, a tune-up typically runs $150–$350; see the AC maintenance guide.
Repair or replace: the cost math
ENERGY STAR suggests considering replacement for an AC or heat pump over 10 years old, or a furnace over 15. On a newer system, even a $600–$4,000 compressor may be worth repairing. On an older R-410A system, compare that repair with $5,000–$12,000 for a new 3-ton central AC, minus any CPS Energy rebate if funding is available. Ask contractors to quote both in writing. More in repair or replace your AC in San Antonio and the AC replacement guide.
Ways to keep HVAC costs down
- Check filters monthly, as ENERGY STAR recommends; a clogged filter strains the system.
- Keep the condensate drain clear, especially with an attic air handler.
- Book a cooling check-up in spring and a heating check-up in fall, before the rush.
- Ask about the CPS Energy no-cost tune-up if you qualify.
- Get 2–3 written quotes for any large job.
Need help now? The emergency and after-hours AC repair guide covers what to check first. Contractors in New Braunfels, Boerne and across the San Antonio area can quote your job.
HVAC cost questions
How much does AC repair cost in San Antonio?
Published cost guides put a typical AC repair at $250–$700, with an average of about $375. San Antonio guides list the diagnostic visit at about $75–$150. A capacitor or contactor runs $100–$450, while a compressor replacement runs $600–$4,000. These are estimates, not quotes; the contractor who inspects your system gives the real price in writing.
How much does a new AC cost in San Antonio?
A new 3-ton central AC typically runs $5,000–$12,000 installed in national guides. A San Antonio guide puts a 3-ton AC and furnace replacement at minimum efficiency at $9,000–$12,000. By size, Fixr's 2026 installed ranges are $2,000–$7,600 for 2 tons up to $3,300–$9,300 for 5 tons. Ductwork, attic access and efficiency tier move the price.
Why can a refrigerant recharge cost so much?
An air conditioner is sealed, so it should only need refrigerant after a leak is found and fixed. Guides put a recharge at $150–$900, and leak repair plus recharge at $200–$1,500, depending on how much refrigerant is needed and where the leak is. Ask what refrigerant your system uses; it should never be topped off with a different one.
What does after-hours AC repair cost?
Published guides say night, weekend and holiday visits often cost 2–3× the normal rate, or about $150–$300 per hour. Some San Antonio HVAC companies offer after-hours service, usually at a higher rate. Ask for the after-hours charge and whether the diagnostic fee is credited toward the repair before the technician comes out.
How much can a CPS Energy rebate take off?
CPS Energy lists $90–$310 per cooling ton, depending on SEER2 tier and whether you replace a working system early or after a breakdown. For example, a 3-ton system at 16.5 SEER2 works out to $525 for early replacement or $450 on burnout. Funding can run out, so check CPS Energy for current availability before counting on it.
Is the CPS Energy AC tune-up really free?
CPS Energy offers a no-cost High-Performance A/C Tune-up to eligible residential customers. It needs an outdoor temperature of at least 55 °F, and the customer supplies or pays for the filter. Otherwise, published guides put an AC tune-up at $150–$350. Check CPS Energy for eligibility and current availability before you book anything.
AC out or system acting up? Get free quotes.
Tell us what's going on and independent local HVAC contractors can send no-obligation quotes.