Nobody wants to spend thousands on a new AC system. So when the technician says it needs a repair, most homeowners say "fix it" without thinking twice.
But there's a point where repairs stop making financial sense — where you're spending $500 here and $800 there on a system that's going to need something else next month. On the Gulf Coast, where systems run harder and wear out faster, that tipping point comes sooner than most people expect.
Here are five signs it's time to have the replacement conversation.
1. Your System Is 10+ Years Old
The average AC system lasts 15–20 years in a moderate climate. On the Gulf Coast? Expect 10–15 years, even with good maintenance. The combination of salt air corrosion, extreme humidity, and near-constant operation takes years off the equipment.
If your system is approaching or past the 10-year mark and you're facing a repair over $1,000, it's worth getting a replacement quote for comparison. You might be surprised how quickly a new, efficient system pays for itself in lower energy bills.
For homes in newer League City developments running builder-grade equipment, the timeline can be even shorter — builder-grade systems are often the minimum spec and weren't selected for Gulf Coast longevity.
2. Your Energy Bills Keep Climbing
Pull up your electric bills from the last three summers. If they're trending upward and your rates haven't changed significantly, your AC system is losing efficiency.
As components wear — compressor valves, fan motors, coil surfaces — the system has to run longer to produce the same cooling. A system that originally used 3,000 kWh per month might be pulling 4,000 kWh to cool the same house five years later. At Galveston-area electricity rates, that's an extra $80–$120 per month.
Modern systems with variable-speed compressors and higher SEER2 ratings can cut cooling costs by 30–50% compared to a 10-year-old unit. Over 10 years of Gulf Coast cooling seasons, that efficiency gap adds up to thousands of dollars.
3. You're Calling for Repairs More Than Once a Year
One repair call per year is normal. Two or more means the system is telling you something.
HVAC systems don't fail all at once — they fail in pieces. The capacitor goes this spring. The contactor fails in July. The blower motor dies in September. Each repair seems reasonable on its own, but add them up over two years and you've spent half the cost of a new system on equipment that's going to keep breaking.
This is especially true for systems experiencing short cycling — a symptom that can stem from multiple underlying issues, each of which becomes a separate repair bill.
We track repair history for our maintenance customers and will tell you honestly when the math stops working in your favor.
4. Some Rooms Won't Stay Comfortable
If you've got rooms that are always too hot or too cold — and adjusting the thermostat doesn't help — the problem usually isn't just the equipment. It's a system design issue: undersized ductwork, poor airflow balance, or an AC unit that was never properly sized for the house.
Replacing the equipment alone won't fix a design problem. That's why every system replacement we do starts with a full HVAC Performance Review. We evaluate the entire system — ductwork, insulation, airflow — so the new equipment is matched to your home, not just dropped in where the old unit sat.
This is particularly common in Friendswood's Nottingham Country and West Ranch neighborhoods, where home additions and converted garages change the cooling load without corresponding HVAC modifications.
5. Your System Uses R-22 Refrigerant
R-22 (commonly called Freon) was phased out of production in 2020. If your system uses R-22 and develops a refrigerant leak, you're looking at $100–$200+ per pound for reclaimed refrigerant — and most systems need 5–10 pounds for a full charge.
Beyond the cost, R-22 systems are old enough that other components are nearing end-of-life too. Converting to a modern R-410A or R-454B system eliminates the refrigerant cost problem and gives you a fresh, efficient starting point.
When to Call a Pro: Not sure which refrigerant your system uses? Check the data plate on the outdoor unit — it lists the refrigerant type. If it says R-22 or HCFC-22, you're on borrowed time. If you can't read the plate due to corrosion (common on Gulf Coast units), a technician can identify the refrigerant type during a standard system inspection.
What a Replacement Looks Like with Coastal Eco
We don't do cookie-cutter installations. Here's what every replacement includes:
HVAC Performance Review — A comprehensive evaluation of your home's ductwork, insulation, and airflow before we select equipment. This ensures the new system is properly sized using Manual J load calculations — not a guess based on square footage.
Coastal-grade equipment selection — We install equipment with factory-applied corrosion-resistant coatings and coastal protection features rated for high-salinity Gulf Coast environments.
Proper installation details — Elevated mounting to protect against storm surge, corrosion-resistant hardware, sealed electrical connections, and UV-resistant line set protection.
Ductwork modifications if needed to match the new system's airflow requirements. A new 4-ton system connected to ductwork designed for a 3-ton unit won't perform any better than what you had before.
Financing options — Including 0% APR through Synchrony Bank. The right time to replace shouldn't depend on having the full amount on hand.
Every installation is performed by our EPA-certified, TDLR-licensed technicians and backed by manufacturer warranties plus our own workmanship guarantee.
The Real Cost of Waiting
We understand the instinct to keep repairing. A $400 repair feels a lot more manageable than a $6,000–$10,000 replacement. But here's what waiting actually costs on the Gulf Coast:
- Higher energy bills — An aging system running at 60–70% efficiency costs $600–$1,200 more per year than a modern replacement
- Repair accumulation — Average repair spend in the last 2 years of a Gulf Coast system's life: $1,200–$2,000
- Emergency timing — Systems that die on the hottest day of July mean emergency pricing and limited equipment selection
- Secondary damage — A failing system that can't control humidity can lead to mold in the ductwork, which is expensive to remediate
Replacing proactively — on your schedule, with time to choose the right equipment — almost always costs less than an emergency replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a new AC system cost in the Galveston area?
For a standard single-family home, expect $6,000–$12,000 depending on system size, efficiency rating, and whether ductwork modifications are needed. Coastal-grade equipment adds 15–25% but pays for itself in extended lifespan and lower maintenance costs.
How long will the installation take?
Most residential replacements are completed in one day. If significant ductwork modifications are needed, it may extend to two days. We'll provide a specific timeline during the Performance Review.
Will a new system fix my humidity problems?
Often yes, especially if the old system was oversized (which causes short cycling and poor dehumidification). Modern variable-speed systems run longer at lower capacity, which removes more moisture. If humidity issues persist, adding a whole-home dehumidifier provides complete control.
Should I replace just the outdoor unit or the whole system?
Always replace the indoor and outdoor units together. Mismatched systems don't communicate properly, void most manufacturer warranties, and never reach their rated efficiency. The savings from keeping the old indoor unit are small compared to the performance and reliability penalties.
