When a new AC beats one more repair
We fix more units than we swap out, and we will say so when a repair is the smarter call. But some situations point clearly to replacement. If your equipment is 12 years old or more, you are past its design life in this climate. North Texas summers are brutal on AC equipment. Parts get harder to track down. The system loses ground each year. What used to cool your Keller home for $180 a month now runs $280.
Running R-22 refrigerant is an even louder signal. Production stopped in 2020. A single pound now goes for $100 or higher, and a typical recharge takes 3 to 5 pounds. At $300 to $500 per refill with the underlying leak still there, you are burning cash every season on a shrinking supply. Hailstorms in north Tarrant County also bend condenser fins year after year and shorten the life of any outdoor unit, especially the open exposures around Hidden Lakes and Marshall Ridge.
Other warning signs: repair quotes topping half the price of a new system, hot rooms next to cool ones, the unit running all day without hitting the set temp, or breakdowns more than once per summer. Many Estancia patio homes built in the early 2000s came with builder-grade 13 SEER units now nearing end of life. Two-story brick homes near Bear Creek Park and along Florence Road often run the same era of equipment that is starting to fail. Newer construction off Rufe Snow Drive tends to have better gear, but even those are 8-plus years old by now.
Not sure whether to fix it or swap it? Call us at (817) 945-6320. We will look at the system, lay out the dollar figures for both paths, and let you make the call. No pressure. If repair is the smarter spend, we say so. Stretch the life of your current unit with regular AC tune-ups.
How we size a new AC the right way for Keller
Most HVAC outfits skip the sizing math. They glance at the old unit, match the tonnage, and bolt the new one in. That is how you wind up with an oversized system that short cycles, wastes power, and cannot hold a steady temp. Or one that is too small, runs all day, and still cannot keep pace when Keller hits 105 in late July.
We run a Manual J load calc on every install. That is the engineering standard for residential HVAC sizing. We measure square footage, insulation values, window area and orientation, ductwork condition, and how many people live there. Then we plug in north Texas climate factors: IECC Climate Zone 3A, mild but variable winters, summer stretches above 100 for weeks at a time, the Gulf moisture pushes that drive humidity up in May and June, and the brutal sun load on west-facing brick.
The result is a system matched to your house. Not too big, not too small. It runs at a steady pace, holds every room within 2 to 3 degrees of the thermostat setting, and handles the Keller range from 105-degree afternoons in August to 25-degree mornings in January. That is what a properly sized unit should do in this climate.
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What new AC installation costs in Keller
We talk pricing plainly because most companies dance around it. Entry tier: $4,500 to $6,500. That gets you a 14 SEER2 single-stage system. Builder grade, similar to what was originally installed in many Keller homes. It cools. It is reliable. If price is the priority, this is a fine pick.
Mid tier: $6,500 to $9,000. A 16 SEER2 two-stage system. Better temperature control, quieter outside, lower bills from Oncor on the delivery side and from your retail electric provider on the supply side. The two-stage compressor runs at low speed most of the time and only ramps up on the hottest days. This is our most popular install across Keller because it strikes a balance between cost, comfort, and lower run time.
Top tier: $9,000 to $14,000. An 18+ SEER2 variable-speed system. Very quiet. Top SEER ratings. The compressor adjusts on the fly to match exact cooling demand. These systems can cut cooling bills by 40 to 50 percent against a 12-year-old unit. A solid pick for newer two-story builds in Marshall Ridge and larger homes near Bear Creek Park.
Your electric bill should drop $40 to $100 per month with a high-SEER unit compared to an aging system. Over 10 years that adds up to $4,800 to $12,000 back in your pocket. Factor that into the price tag when you weigh options.
Brands we install across Keller
Trane, Carrier, Lennox, Rheem, Goodman, Daikin, American Standard. We are not locked into one maker. Some shops are. They sell one brand and that is the only option you see, regardless of fit. We pick based on your budget, your ductwork, and what holds up against Keller's heat load and hailstorm exposure. If a $5,000 Goodman is the right call for your home, we say so instead of pushing a $10,000 system you do not need. If your unit just needs a fix instead of full replacement, look at common reasons your AC is not cooling.
Common questions about new AC systems
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