Air Conditioning Installation FAQs

Yes…it really matters. Here’s why: A top-of-the-line air conditioner installed poorly will perform worse than a budget unit installed by a top-notch professional. The quality of the installation affects everything—how well it cools, how efficiently it runs, how long it lasts, and possibly even whether the manufacturer will honor the warranty. A rushed or sloppy install might save a few bucks up front—but it can cost you big in repairs, sky-high energy bills, or early system failure. This is one of those times where doing it right the first time really pays off. At Action Air Plumbing & Septic, we don’t just hook it up and head out. We follow detailed installation checklists, verify airflow and temperature differentials, and set your system up to manufacturer specifications. One of our core values is that details make the difference, and you’ll see it throughout our HVAC installation process. And once the system is in? We do a quality assurance walkthrough a few days later. One of our lead technicians will make sure you know how to use the features of your system,  go over maintenance tips, explain your warranty coverage, and answer any questions you have. Our relationship with you doesn’t end when we install your new system – it’s just the beginning.

Sure, you could set your thermostat higher—but we get it. Here in West Texas, setting the thermostat to 78 degrees in the summer feels a little like putting beans in chili or rooting for OU. It’s not technically treason, but it might raise some eyebrows at your next cookout. Here are a few better ways to help your AC run more efficiently (and save you money) without sweating your way through the summer:

• Replace your air filter regularly: A dirty filter restricts airflow and forces your system to work harder (and use more electricity). Clean filters = unrestricted cool air and lower bills. Set yourself a reminder to do this monthly, especially if you have pets.
• Use ceiling fans: Fans help mix & distribute cool air throughout your home, plus the moving air makes you feel more comfortable, even at a higher temperature. Stuffy, stagnant air is always uncomfortable even when it’s not hot.
• Get your condenser coils cleaned: Okay, this one isn’t easy for you to do – but it’s easy to get done with a professional AC tune-up. (Schedule One Now) Sure, if you’re confident and handy, you could take the cover off your air conditioner and spray it out with a hose. That would remove the dead bugs & leaves, but it takes special solvents to remove the baked-on pollen & dust that build up on the condenser coils. That build up is a layer of insulation, which makes the coils less efficient.

A clean system can actually outperform a dirty one—even if the dirty one has a higher efficiency rating.

Great question—and one we get a lot! Here’s the real answer: it depends. We know, we know – that’s not the answer you wanted to hear! But it’s true, because there are so many factors that go into an AC installation, including the size of the home, the quality of the AC unit, the add-on features, and the complexity of the installation. Here are a few things that affect the price:

• Size & Capacity: Air conditioners are measured in tons, with each ton capable of removing 12,000 BTUs of heat per hour. Larger homes—or homes with higher heat loads—require higher-tonnage systems, which cost more due to their increased materials and cooling capacity.
• Energy Efficiency (SEER Rating): SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and tells you how efficiently a unit cools your home. Higher SEER systems typically cost more upfront but can significantly reduce your energy bills over time.
• Features & Technology: Want an ultra-quiet system? Smart home controls? Variable-speed cooling? These upgrades enhance comfort and efficiency, reduce wear and tear, and add long-term value—but they also increase initial cost.
• Longevity & Warranty: Trusted brands and strong warranties provide peace of mind. A reliable system backed by a solid warranty means fewer worries about maintenance and repair, ensuring comfort and value for years to come.

The good news? We offer free in-home estimates and help you compare options at different price points. Our team will walk you through the pros and cons so you can choose what’s best for your home and your budget. Bottom line: We’ll help you find the right system—not just the most expensive one—and make sure it’s protected for the long haul.

Ah yes—the age-old dilemma. It’s a lot like deciding whether to fix up your older model car or finally trade it in for something shiny, reliable, and more efficient. While this choice is ultimately a personal one, we can help you consider some important factors:

• How much is the repair? A general rule of thumb: If the repair costs more than half the price of a new system and your system is more than 10 years old, replacement might make more sense.
• How old is your system? Most systems last around 10–15 years. If yours is creeping into retirement age, it may start nickel-and-diming you with breakdowns and inefficiency.
• Is this the first repair… or the fifth? If you’re starting to see a pattern, it might be time to cut your losses and invest in something reliable. Plus we know that mid-summer breakdowns can be super stressful, so at some point you may want to consider the benefit of giving yourself some peace of mind.
• How efficient is your current system? Even if it’s technically fixable, an old, low-SEER system can be an energy hog. A new system could help lower your utility bills and cool your home more evenly and quietly.
• One more thing to consider: Equipment prices and material costs have been steadily creeping up—and we haven’t seen them come back down. Unfortunately, the world just seems to be getting more expensive for all of us. If you’re already on the fence, waiting might just mean paying more later.

Most importantly, we believe you should have a conversation with an expert you trust. Schedule an Air Conditioning Replacement Consultation

Think of SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) like a miles-per-gallon rating for your air conditioner. The higher the SEER rating, the less energy your system uses to cool your home. It’s a way to compare how efficiently different systems perform under ideal conditions. A low-SEER system is like a sturdy, old-fashioned pickup truck. Reliable and hardworking, but maybe not the most fuel-efficient. A high-SEER system is more like a sleek hybrid or electric vehicle—engineered for efficiency, loaded with smart features, and designed to stretch every drop of energy. But keep in mind – even the fanciest hybrid won’t live up to its mpg rating if you never change the oil, skip the tune-ups, and run it on underinflated tires. The same goes for your AC system. A high-SEER system can only deliver top performance if it’s installed properly and kept clean. Dirty condenser coils, clogged filters, or poor installation can make even the best equipment run poorly. So yes, SEER matters—but maintenance and installation quality matter just as much (if not more).

A variable-speed system is like the cruise control of air conditioning. Instead of turning on at full blast and then shutting off completely (like standard single-speed systems), a variable-speed system can ramp up or down depending on how much cooling your home actually needs. Think of it like this: a single-speed system is either 100% ON or 100% OFF…it’s all or nothing. A variable-speed system has hundreds of speeds in between. It adjusts automatically to keep your home exactly where you want it—without the big temperature swings or energy spikes. Some of the perks of variable speed systems include:

• More consistent comfort – No more hot and cold spots. It gently maintains a steady temperature throughout the house.
• Lower energy bills – Because it runs at lower speeds most of the time, it uses less energy than older systems that constantly power on and off.
• Way quieter – No loud kicking on or off—just a soft hum in the background.
• Better air quality – It runs longer at lower speeds, which means it filters your air more often and does a better job of reducing humidity.
• Longer lifespan – Less stress from constant on/off cycling means your system wears out more slowly.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for the Mercedes of comfort and efficiency, a variable-speed system is hard to beat. Want to see if one makes sense for your home? Schedule a free estimate and we’ll walk you through it—no pressure, just honest advice.

Cleanliness. In fact, it’s more efficient to have a clean air conditioning system with a lower SEER rating, than a dirty AC unit with the highest SEER rating. Your air conditioner’s SEER rating is how efficient it was the day you bought it. Once bugs, dust, pollen, and leaves get into the mix, each AC system ages differently. Dust and pollen in the air stick to the condenser coils and get baked-on, year after year. This creates a layer of insulation on the condenser coils. That layer makes it a little bit harder to get rid of heat – year after year. Special solvents are needed to dissolve this baked-on insulation layer of pollen and dust. If you get a <professional AC tune-up> every year, your system will stay like-new efficient year after year. But if you skip regular maintenance and let layer after layer build-up, even a really good cleaning after a few years of accumulation can only help so much. That’s why our professional AC tune-up is absolutely the best value service we offer. Keep your air conditioning system clean and it will keep you cool.

Air conditioning systems can be under-sized or even over-sized for a house – surprising, right? If your air conditioning system is under-sized, it will run too long and too hard because it is struggling to keep up, which causes higher utility bills and causes it to wear out faster. On the flip side, having an over-sized system can’t be bad, right? Well, an over-sized system will blast a whole lot of cool air at once. Yes, that sounds good, but it actually means the system isn’t dehumidifying or circulating the air in your house very well. Air conditioning comfort is actually as much about the dehumidification of air as it is about cooling. And if the air isn’t circulating well, your house temperature will feel uneven with cooler and warmer spots. So you want to be like Goldilocks and get just the right size air conditioning system.  We can’t determine the just-right size system over the phone – or if the system you have now is the right size. And while often you will end up replacing your old AC system with one that’s the same size, it’s not always the case. That’s why we always perform a heat load calculation that takes into account things like the square footage of your home, the number of windows, and even which direction those windows face. We don’t just swap a box for a box – we take our time to be as thorough as possible so we can ensure your new system is the best solution for your home Schedule an appointment for a free, no obligation consultation to find out the just-right air conditioner size for your house.