Central AC with gas furnace
Best for
Worth knowing
Homes with gas service and existing ductwork, the most common setup in Fort Bend
You replace the AC and indoor coil. The furnace can stay if it’s in good shape, or both can be replaced together
AC Installation and Replacement in Richmond, TX
Temper Mechanical Air & Heat installs and replaces central air conditioners, heat pumps and ductless systems for homes in Richmond and across Fort Bend County. We size every system with a room by room load calculation, give you a written quote that lists everything included, and install most systems in one day. We pull permits where they’re required and register your manufacturer warranty for you.
Call (346) 485-8142 or request a free installation estimate.
- Licensed by TDLR, TACLA 92943C
- NATE certified technicians
- Texas HUB and MBE certified
- $9.1 million in commercial mechanical projects since 2023
- Site specific safety plans on every job
- Local shop at 6115 FM 762, Richmond
Submit Your Details
Get a free quote personalized to you.
Repair or Replace? A Quick Check
If two or more of these apply to your system, replacement usually costs less over the next few years than continuing to repair it.
| Sign | What it means |
|---|---|
| The system is 12 years old or older | Heat and humidity here wear systems out faster, and most last 10 to 15 years |
| The repair costs more than half the price of a new system | You’re paying to keep aging equipment going |
| It runs on R-22 | R-22 is no longer produced, so any refrigerant repair is expensive |
| The compressor or indoor coil failed outside warranty | These are the two most expensive parts to replace |
| You’ve needed service more than once this year | Other worn parts usually follow |
| Bills are rising and rooms won’t cool evenly | The system has lost capacity that repairs won’t bring back |
If your system is younger and the problem is a single part, AC repair is usually the better call. We tell you which one makes sense and show you both prices. For more detail, read repair vs. replace in Richmond.
How Much Does a New AC Cost in Richmond, TX?
Most new central air installations in Richmond cost between $3,500 and $10,000. Larger homes, high efficiency variable speed systems and zoned systems cost more. Your exact price depends on the size of the home, the efficiency level you choose and the condition of your ductwork and electrical service.
Standard
Typical range $3,500 to $6,500 What you getSingle stage system that meets the Texas minimum efficiency, for straightforward replacements
Mid range
Typical range $6,500 to $10,000 What you getHigher SEER2 two stage or variable speed system with better humidity control and quieter operation
Premium
Typical range $10,000 and up What you getTop efficiency inverter systems, zoning, advanced controls or larger homes
What every Temper Mechanical quote includes:
- outdoor unit and a matched indoor coil or air handler
- refrigerant line set inspection, flushed or replaced as needed
- a new level pad and electrical disconnect
- condensate drain with a safety float switch (and a secondary pan for attic units)
- a thermostat matched to the system
- permit, where your city requires one
- removal of the old equipment and legal recovery of its refrigerant
- startup testing and manufacturer warranty registration
What changes the price: ductwork repair or replacement, electrical panel upgrades, moving the unit to a new location, attic access, and adding a second system or zoning for two story homes.
Rebates, tax credits and financing in 2026:
Federal tax credit.
The federal tax credit for home AC and heat pump upgrades (Section 25C) ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025, so it doesn’t apply to 2026 installations.
Utility incentives.
CenterPoint Energy offers incentives for qualifying high efficiency systems, applied to your invoice through participating contractors.
Current specials.
See our specials, including the Ion system rebate.
Financing.
Financing lets you spread the cost into monthly payments. Ask about current financing options when you book your estimate.
Choosing the Right System for Your Richmond Home
Heat pump
Best for
Worth knowing
All electric homes, or homeowners who want one system for cooling and heating
Our mild winters suit heat pumps well. Read do homes in Rosenberg use heat pumps?
Ductless mini split
Best for
Worth knowing
Additions, garage conversions, sunrooms and rooms the main system can’t reach
No ductwork needed, and each indoor head has its own temperature control
Variable speed (inverter) system
Best for
Worth knowing
Homes with humidity problems, hot upstairs rooms or high power bills
Runs longer at low speed, which pulls more moisture out of the air. Compare inverter vs. non inverter systems
Day & Night Ion system
Best for
Worth knowing
Homeowners who want quiet operation and strong humidity control
See Ion system installation in Richmond and how it compares to a standard AC
What SEER2 Rating Makes Sense in Richmond?
Since 2023, every new split system AC installed in Texas has to meet the federal South region minimum. That’s 14.3 SEER2 for systems under 45,000 BTU (roughly 3.5 tons or less) and 13.8 SEER2 for larger systems. Heat pumps must reach at least 14.3 SEER2 nationwide.
Note that SEER2 is a newer, stricter test, so the numbers run a little lower than the old SEER ratings.
For most Richmond homes, a system in the 15 to 17 SEER2 range gives the best balance of upfront cost and savings, because air conditioners here run for most of the year.
Higher efficiency equipment also tends to be the equipment that qualifies for utility incentives. If your home has humidity problems or a hot second floor, the variable speed design matters more than the SEER2 number.
We show you the running cost difference between the options we quote, so you can decide with real numbers instead of a sales pitch.
Why “Same Size as the Old One” Is the Wrong Way to Choose
Many Fort Bend homes were built with systems sized by a quick square footage rule. When an oversized system gets replaced with another of the same size, the same problems carry over.
Oversized systems feel clammy.
They cool the air quickly and shut off before removing enough moisture. In Gulf Coast humidity, that leaves the house cool and sticky, and the constant starting and stopping shortens equipment life.
Undersized systems never catch up.
They run nonstop on August afternoons and still can’t reach the thermostat setting.
Ductwork decides how well any system performs.
Leaky or undersized ducts in a hot attic can waste a large share of the cooling before it reaches your rooms.
We run a room by room load calculation (Manual J) that accounts for insulation, window size and direction, ceiling height, and attic and duct conditions. Then we check that your ductwork can actually deliver the airflow.
Two story homes often cool better with zoning or a separate upstairs system. See why two story homes in Richmond have hot spots.
The 2026 Refrigerant Change and Your New System
New home air conditioners and heat pumps are now built for lower impact refrigerants, mainly R-454B and R-32, instead of R-410A. Here’s what that means for your installation:
The indoor and outdoor units have to match.
A new R-454B outdoor unit can’t run on an old R-410A coil, so most replacements include a new indoor coil or air handler.
The installation steps are different.
These refrigerants need specific tools, handling and leak checks, and many new indoor units include a refrigerant leak sensor. Our installers are trained on them.
The old line set may need replacing.
We inspect it, then flush or replace it depending on its condition and the manufacturer’s requirements.
If your current R-410A system still works well, there’s no rule forcing you to replace it. When you do replace it, the new system uses the new refrigerant.
Our Installation Process
How long it takes: most replacements are finished in one day, usually 6 to 10 hours. Jobs that need ductwork changes, electrical upgrades or a new location for the equipment can take a second day.
Home visit and load calculation.
We inspect your current system, ductwork, electrical service, attic and outdoor area, then size the new system.
Written quote with options.
You get two or three options, each with the equipment, efficiency, price and everything included spelled out. Nothing is added after you sign.
Scheduling and permits.
We order the equipment, pull any required permit and set an installation date that works for you.
Installation day.
We protect your floors and remove the old system. Then we:
- set the outdoor unit on a level pad (Fort Bend’s Beaumont Clay shifts, so we check the ground and pad carefully)
- install the matched indoor coil or air handler with a secondary drain pan and float switch in the attic
- pressure test the refrigerant lines with nitrogen and pull a deep vacuum before charging
- wire the disconnect and thermostat
Startup and testing.
We charge the system to the manufacturer’s specification, measure airflow and the temperature drop across the coil, test the drain and safety switch, and set up the thermostat.
Walkthrough and paperwork.
We show you how to use the system and change filters, send photos of the finished installation, and register your warranty. See how we document every job.
Why Richmond Homeowners Choose Temper Mechanical
-
We’re licensed for the work.
We hold a TDLR air conditioning license (TACLA 92943C) and a Texas Master Plumber license (MPL #45322), so the gas line to your furnace and the condensate drain are handled by licensed hands too.
-
The same team designs commercial systems.
Our in house design team has worked on mechanical systems for the University of Houston, Texas Southern University and the Clear Choice Micro Hospital. Your home gets the same attention to sizing and airflow.
-
Zero safety infractions since 2018.
Our crews follow strict safety and cleanup standards in every home.
-
We’re credentialed.
NATE certified, BBB accredited, MBE and HUB certified, and an authorized Trane and Day & Night dealer.
-
We’re local.
Our shop is on FM 762 in Richmond, so service after the installation is close by.
Read customer reviews or see recent installations.
AC Installation Across Richmond and Fort Bend County
We install air conditioners throughout Richmond, including
- Pecan Grove,
- The Grove,
- Long Meadow Farms,
- Harvest Green,
- Veranda,
- Aliana,
- Grand Mission and
- Canyon Gate at the Brazos.
We also install in
- Rosenberg, TX
- Pecan Grove, TX
- Sugar Land, TX
- Katy, TX
- Cinco Ranch, TX
- Houston, TX
For businesses, see commercial HVAC services.
AC Installation FAQs
Most central air installations in Richmond cost $3,500 to $10,000. Premium variable speed systems, zoning and larger homes cost more. The price depends on system size, efficiency and the condition of your ductwork and electrical service. We give you a written, itemized quote after a free visit to your home.
Most replacements take one day, about 6 to 10 hours. Projects with ductwork changes, electrical upgrades or a new equipment location can take two days.
It depends on your home, not just the square footage. Insulation, windows, sun exposure, ceiling height and duct condition all change the answer. We run a Manual J load calculation to size the system correctly. Replacing with the same size as the old unit often repeats an old sizing mistake.
Usually, yes, up to a point. Air conditioners here run for most of the year, so a 15 to 17 SEER2 system often pays back the difference through lower power bills. Variable speed systems also control humidity better, which matters in Fort Bend.
Usually not. New systems use R-454B or R-32 refrigerant, and the outdoor unit has to be matched to a compatible indoor coil to work properly and keep the warranty valid.
Not always. We inspect and test your ducts during the estimate. Ducts in good shape can stay. Leaky, crushed or undersized ducts should be repaired or replaced, or the new system won’t deliver its rated performance.
The federal Section 25C credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. CenterPoint Energy offers incentives for qualifying high efficiency systems through participating contractors, and we check current offers when we quote.
If your home has gas and a furnace in good condition, replacing just the AC and coil is often the most affordable choice. If you’re all electric or replacing both systems, a heat pump makes sense in Richmond’s mild winters. We price both so you can compare.
Yes. [Insert lender and terms.] Ask about current offers when you book your estimate.
Yes. We pull permits wherever your city requires them and handle the inspection.
Get Your Free Installation Estimate
We’ll measure your home, explain your options in plain language and give you a written quote with no pressure to sign.