A/C Installation & System Replacement
A new system is only as good as the day it was installed. We size it to your house, not to a rule of thumb, and we do the unglamorous parts right.
Reliable Air installs and replaces residential air conditioning systems across metro Phoenix. Every installation starts with a Manual J load calculation so the equipment is sized to your actual home, not estimated by square footage. We quote multiple options at multiple price points, provide a written scope, and register the manufacturer warranty on your behalf.
The single most common problem we find on newer systems is not a bad part. It is a system that was never sized or installed correctly. Oversized equipment short-cycles, never runs long enough to pull humidity out during monsoon season, and wears its compressor out early. Undersized equipment runs continuously in August and still cannot hold setpoint.
So we start with the house: square footage, orientation, window area and glazing, insulation levels, duct location and leakage, and how many people actually live there. That calculation determines the tonnage. Then we talk about efficiency tiers and budget — in that order, because picking a SEER2 rating before you know the required capacity is backwards.
What a Reliable Air installation includes
- Manual J load calculation and duct static-pressure assessment before we quote
- Written proposal with at least three equipment options across price points
- Full removal and responsible disposal of the old equipment and refrigerant
- New line-set evacuation to 500 microns and weighed-in refrigerant charge
- New pad, disconnect, whip, float switch, and transition fittings as needed
- Duct sealing at the plenum and any repairs found during the airflow assessment
- Commissioning report — static pressure, temperature split, superheat, subcooling
- Manufacturer warranty registration and a written labor warranty from us
Signs it is time to replace rather than repair
- The system is 12–15 years old and needs a major component
- It still uses R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer produced
- Summer electric bills climb every year with no change in habits
- Some rooms never get comfortable no matter how the thermostat is set
- You have paid for two or more repairs in the last 24 months
- The compressor is failing and the unit is out of warranty
What working with us looks like
Free in-home estimate
We measure, inspect the ductwork and electrical, and run the load calculation. No charge, no obligation.
Options, not a single number
You get several equipment choices with the real trade-offs explained — efficiency, staging, warranty, and cost.
Install day
Floors protected, old equipment out, new equipment in, line set properly evacuated. Typically one day for a straightforward changeout.
Commissioning and walkthrough
We verify performance with instruments, set up your thermostat, and walk you through filter changes and warranty terms.
What it costs
A standard residential changeout in the Valley generally falls between roughly $7,500 and $16,000 depending on tonnage, efficiency tier, and whether ductwork or electrical needs attention. We put the full scope in writing so you can compare our bid to anyone else line by line.
A/C Installation & Replacement questions, answered
How long does a new A/C installation take?
A straight changeout — same location, existing ductwork in good condition — is typically a single day, usually six to eight hours. Adding a new line set, relocating equipment, or performing significant duct work can extend it to two days.
What SEER2 rating makes sense in Phoenix?
Because our cooling season is so long, higher efficiency pays back faster here than almost anywhere in the country. For most Valley homes a 15.2 to 16 SEER2 two-stage system hits the best balance of installed cost and operating savings. Going to 18+ SEER2 variable-speed makes sense if you plan to stay ten or more years or have comfort problems that staging will solve.
Do I have to replace the furnace or air handler at the same time?
Usually yes, and not because we want to sell more equipment. The indoor coil and outdoor unit are a matched pair — a mismatched set will not deliver its rated efficiency and often voids the manufacturer warranty. If your air handler is genuinely new we will look at matching to it.
Do you offer financing on new systems?
Yes. We work with financing partners that offer monthly payment plans for approved applicants, including deferred-interest promotions when the manufacturer runs them. We will lay out the terms in writing alongside the equipment quote.
What size air conditioner does my house need?
It depends on far more than square footage. Orientation, window area, insulation, ceiling height, duct leakage, and occupancy all move the number. The old "one ton per 500 square feet" shortcut routinely oversizes Phoenix homes by half a ton or more. We run a Manual J calculation on every installation so the answer is specific to your house.
Get a/c installation & replacement handled today.
Same-day service, honest pricing, and a real human on the line. We have kept Phoenix cool since 1996.
Mon–Sat · 7am–7pm · 24/7 emergency line for no-cool and no-heat calls · ROC 330516 · ROC 264944