AC replacement in Kyle, TX

When replacement enters the conversation

Four facts decide it, and a technician can collect all four on one visit: the install year, what failed, the refrigerant on the data plate, and how many times the system has been recharged.

Age. About 38% of Kyle's homes were built between 2000 and 2009 (Census ACS 2020–2024). A house that still has its original system is running equipment that has been through twenty or more Central Texas summers.

What failed. A compressor or a leaking attic coil is a large share of the machine. On an older system those repairs buy time rather than years.

Refrigerant. Systems installed before about 2010 often run on R-22, which has not been produced since 2020. Systems from about 2010 to 2024 run on R-410A, which can still be serviced and recharged. Since January 2025, new residential equipment ships with R-454B or R-32. Those refrigerants are not drop-in substitutes, so a new R-454B outdoor unit comes with a coil built for it.

Why the attic coil matters

The coil above the furnace or inside the air handler is half of the cooling system. A new outdoor unit is rated as part of a specific pair. Paired with an old coil it may cool, but it will not deliver its rated efficiency, and a mismatched pair can put the manufacturer's warranty out of reach. In Kyle that coil usually sits in the attic over a secondary drain pan, and the pan and the drain line deserve a look while the coil is out.

Sizing is a measurement, not a copy

The right size for the new unit comes from the house: floor area, window area and orientation, attic insulation and the duct system. The size of the unit being removed is a starting point at most. In fast-built subdivisions the same floor plan went onto lots facing every direction, and a west-facing back wall of glass cooks in a way the plan never showed. Ask the contractor what the proposed size is based on.

Permit and inspection

The City of Kyle requires a permit for installing or replacing heating or air conditioner equipment, and the contractor pulling it must be registered with the city and licensed by TDLR. Ask who pulls the permit and when the inspection is scheduled. Homes outside city limits fall under other rules, so ask the contractor what applies to your address.

Questions to ask on the quote

• Does it replace the attic coil, or only the outdoor unit?
• What size is proposed, and what was it based on?
• Is the existing line set being reused, and has it been checked?
• Is the secondary drain pan or its float switch being replaced?
• Who pulls the permit?
• What is your TDLR license number?

Common questions

Can the old line set be reused? Sometimes. It depends on its size, its condition and what the new equipment calls for. The answer should come with a reason.

How long does a changeout take? A like-for-like outdoor unit and coil replacement is usually about one day of work, longer if ductwork or the attic platform needs changes. The contractor will say which applies.