How Getting HVAC Quotes Works in San Antonio
Free quotes from independent local HVAC contractors, in seven plain steps. We connect San Antonio-area homeowners with independent, TDLR-licensed local HVAC contractors for free, no-obligation quotes. The contractor you choose diagnoses, quotes, pulls the permit and does the work directly with you.
Get a Free QuoteThe seven steps, from first message to finished job
This is the path most AC repair and replacement jobs in San Antonio follow, whether the problem is a warm-air vent in July or a heat pump struggling through a hard freeze.
Tell us what is going on
Use the free quote form or call. Describe the problem (no cooling, warm air, water near the indoor unit, noise, a breaker that trips), the age of the system if you know it, where the indoor unit sits (attic, closet or garage), your ZIP code and how urgent it is.
We pass your request to independent local contractors
Your request goes to independent HVAC contractors that cover your area and handle the kind of work you described. We usually reply the same day. The service is free and you are not obligated to hire anyone.
A contractor contacts you and inspects the system
The company you hear from arranges a visit directly with you, inspects the equipment and explains what it found. Before the visit, ask about the diagnostic fee, whether it is credited to the repair, and the after-hours rate if you need an evening or weekend visit.
Compare written quotes
Ask for a written, itemized quote that lists parts, labor and, for new equipment, model and serial numbers, the SEER2 rating and the refrigerant. For a replacement, ask for a Manual J load calculation. Two or three quotes make it easier to spot a price that is far off.
Check the license before you sign
Get the company's TDLR license number (TACLA or TACLB, ending in E or C for home AC) and look it up on the TDLR license search. Confirm the technician is TDLR-registered or certified and EPA Section 608 certified to handle refrigerant.
The contractor pulls the permit and does the work
For a replacement, the contractor you hire pulls the city mechanical permit and schedules any inspection. The work, warranty and invoice are between you and that contractor.
Apply for rebates and keep your paperwork
If you are a CPS Energy customer replacing a central AC, heat pump or mini split, the rebate application is due within 30 days of installation and needs the AHRI certificate, an itemized invoice and, inside San Antonio city limits, the permit number. Check CPS Energy for current availability.
Before you send a request: safety first
- If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave the house and call 911. Do not wait for a contractor.
- If you smell burning or electrical odors from the AC or furnace, shut the system off at the thermostat and at the breaker.
- Do not open refrigerant lines or add refrigerant yourself. Federal rules require EPA Section 608 certification to handle it.
- Water around an attic or closet air handler can mean a clogged condensate drain. Turning the system off limits the damage until it is looked at.
Simple things worth checking first are on our AC not cooling checklist.
What happens during the visit
For a repair, the technician usually checks the thermostat, electrical parts such as the capacitor and contactor, airflow and filter, the condensate drain, and the refrigerant charge. Published cost guides (2024–2026) put a San Antonio diagnostic visit at about $75–$150, and a typical repair at $250–$700 nationally. These are estimates, not quotes. Our AC and HVAC cost guide lists typical ranges for common repairs and new systems.
For a replacement, expect the contractor to measure the home or run a load calculation, look at the ductwork and the attic or closet where the air handler sits, and talk through efficiency. In Texas, a new split AC under about 4 tons must be at least 14.3 SEER2 (13.8 for larger systems), and a new split heat pump at least 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2. New systems generally use R-454B or R-32 refrigerant, though equipment made before 2025 may still be installed under EPA's May 2026 rule. Our AC replacement page covers that decision in more detail.
Permits and inspections
San Antonio's Development Services Department says trade permits may be obtained by "trade contractors that are licensed by the City or State and registered with the City", and mechanical permits are not on the homeowner list, so the contractor pulls the permit. New Braunfels, Boerne and Universal City require contractors to register with the city. Live Oak's 2026 FAQ says replacing a condenser, air handler or ducts needs a permit, with a final inspection and a duct-leakage test when ductwork is replaced. In Schertz, Converse, Helotes and Cibolo, check with the city. Our San Antonio HVAC permits guide has more. This is general information, not legal advice.
What we do, and what we do not do
San Antonio Residential HVAC takes your request and passes it to independent local HVAC contractors so they can contact you with quotes. We do not inspect equipment, set prices, sign contracts or take payment for HVAC work. Each contractor is responsible for its own licensing, permits, insurance, pricing and work. Read more on the about page or in the FAQ, or see how to compare San Antonio HVAC companies.
Ready to start? Request a free quote or call Call (727) 300-6656.
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.