Central air conditioner replacement cost in San Antonio, TX
Installed, 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)
A typical central AC (3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)) costs about $4,650 installed in the San Antonio area, about the same as the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $28 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in San Antonio
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $3,150 | $3,500 | $4,550 | $3,500 |
| 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $4,100 | $4,650 | $6,100 | $4,650 |
| 4 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $5,400 | $5,950 | $7,600 | $6,000 |
| 5 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $6,600 | $7,350 | $8,800 | $7,400 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | San Antonio metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $22 | $23 |
| Median | $28 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $36 | $37 |
The San Antonio market
San Antonio's Development Services Department requires a permit to install water heaters and HVAC equipment, and only state-licensed contractors can get electrical, mechanical or plumbing permits. Its pages do not mention a homestead homeowner exception. Water heater replacement has an unusual path: under the Limited Service and Repair (LSR) permit, a licensed plumbing contractor may do the work first and obtain the permit within three working days of finishing to avoid a penalty fee. The LSR fee is a $57.50 plumbing base fee, an $11.50 processing fee and a 4% surcharge. After an LSR permit issues, the owner may request a free DSD inspection within 30 days through the BuildSA portal. HVAC replacement is not addressed separately. EIA found 83% of Texas homes use central air. New Braunfels and suburban cities issue their own permits.
Central air is close to universal in San Antonio, and long summers keep it running. Ask the contractor for the system's tonnage and efficiency rating in writing. A load calculation tells you whether the old size was right. Ask whether the indoor coil is being replaced to match, and whether the ducts will be checked for leaks. The city's pages do not say whether a straight condenser swap is treated differently, so confirm with Development Services.
Permits in San Antonio
| Permit for this job | Yes (general: installing HVAC equipment requires a permit; replacement not addressed separately) (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Plumbing LSR: $57.50 plumbing permit base fee + $11.50 processing fee + 4% Development Services/Technology surcharge. Home Remodeling FAQ (2019): plumbing $50 + per fixture; mechanical $50 + per mechanical fixture. |
| Who can pull it | State-licensed contractor for plumbing/mechanical permits |
| Inspection | On request for LSR water heater permits (owner may request a DSD inspection within 30 days); HVAC unclear |
Rebates in Texas
HEAR: announced, not open yet. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Texas State Energy Conservation Office (Comptroller), checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in San Antonio
- Gas tank water heater
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Central air conditioner cost in other metros
Sources
- City of San Antonio: Home remodeling permit FAQ
- City of San Antonio IB 121c: Limited Service and Repair permits
- Texas Comptroller: State Energy Conservation Office
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX (49-9021 HVAC mechanics and installers)
- DOE Residential CAC & Heat Pumps Direct Final Rule TSD (Dec 2016), Table 8.2.30, split AC coil-only (2015$; 4-ton interpolated)