Signs It's Time to Replace Your AC
- The compressor or indoor coil failed and the warranty is over. Those repairs run $1,800 to $4,500.
- The system uses R-22, which hasn't been produced or imported in the US since 2020 and costs $90 to $150 a pound.
- You've paid for refrigerant more than once, which means a leak nobody has found.
- Rooms won't stay cool on 105° afternoons even after a tune-up.
The R-454B Refrigerant Change
New central AC systems installed in 2026 use newer refrigerants such as R-454B, which isn't interchangeable with R-410A. A working R-410A system doesn't have to be replaced. The EPA says existing systems can keep being repaired, including a new compressor or outdoor unit.
How the New System Should Be Sized
Ask how the company sized the replacement. Good AC replacement in Tucson starts with a load calculation. A proper load calculation uses your home's square footage, insulation, windows and sun exposure. An oversized unit cools fast, then cycles on and off, which wears it out and leaves the air clammy in monsoon season.
TEP Rebates on a New AC
Tucson Electric Power customers can get up to $600 toward a high-efficiency AC or up to $720 toward a heat pump through a participating contractor. Read the TEP AC and heat pump rebate details.
What to Compare in Quotes
Get at least two written quotes for AC replacement in Tucson. Each should list the equipment model, efficiency rating, warranty and whether the permit is included. If the compressor failed on a newer system, compare the quote against Tucson air conditioning repair first.
Related: heat pump repair in Tucson, AC refrigerant leak repair.
Sources: HomeGuide, US EPA, TEP Efficient Home Program.