Neon Heating & Cooling provides professional air conditioning replacement for San Francisco, CA. We’re a licensed HVAC contractor, CSLB #1156494, and we schedule your free in-home estimate quickly. Call to check the next available date.
If your system shows two or more of these, replacement usually saves you money over the next few years.
Your air conditioner is over ten years old and requires more costly or frequent repairs. Age by itself does not necessitate the replacement of the system, but it does become a significant consideration when additional issues arise.
which has been phased out for imports and new manufacturing in the United States. R-22 that has been recycled and recovered can still be repaired, although it is becoming more expensive and scarce.
In the last year, you've requested repairs more than twice. Repairs made to the same system repeatedly typically indicate a more serious underlying issue rather than a temporary solution.
even though you haven't changed how you use the system.
At that point, you're paying to delay the inevitable.
even after airflow, ductwork, and other correctable issues have been evaluated.
Older electrical systems, limited equipment space, rooftop installations, and restricted access in multistory buildings can affect installation costs. Ductwork condition, parking and loading arrangements, and permit requirements may also influence the scope of work.
During your in-home assessment, we evaluate these factors and explain the recommended work. NEON handles the required permit applications, and your proposal outlines the scope and price before approved work begins.
In San Francisco, the average cost to replace a central air conditioner ranges from $5,283 to $11,676, with most homeowners paying a citywide average of $8,328. Because San Francisco is a high-cost-of-living (HCOL) area, local labor rates are higher than the national average and generally make up 30% to 50% of the total project invoice ($2,500 to $4,100+).
AC replacement in San Francisco costs depend on the system type, equipment, and installation requirements. Replacing an existing central AC, converting to a heat pump, and installing a ductless system can involve different scopes of work.
| System Type | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Central AC replacement | Custom quote after assessment |
Homes with suitable existing ductwork |
| Heat pump installation Most popular | starting $4,500 | Heating and cooling in one system |
| Single-zone ductless mini-split | starting $1,500 | Individual rooms or smaller spaces without ductwork |
| Multi-zone ductless system | Custom quote | Multiple rooms with separate temperature control |
| Ductwork installation or replacement | starting $690 / register | Homes needing new or replacement ductwork |
Wondering how much it costs to replace an AC unit? Starting prices include equipment, standard installation, and system startup and testing. Standard replacements also include removal and disposal of the old equipment.
Additional electrical work, major ductwork changes, and nonstandard installation requirements are assessed separately. Permit fees depend on the project and are addressed in your written proposal. A 100A-to-200A electrical panel upgrade is quoted separately after assessment. For a 2,000-square-foot San Francisco home, square footage alone does not determine the new AC unit cost or the total installation price. Heating and cooling needs, ductwork condition, electrical capacity, and equipment access all affect the total.
Eligible CleanPowerSF customers may qualify for $1,200 in bill credits over 24 months when replacing gas or electric-resistance heating with a qualifying heat pump. Program requirements and funding availability apply. NEON helps you explore incentives and provides the required documents.
The right air conditioning unit replacement depends on your home’s layout, ductwork, and your neighborhood’s microclimate.
Here’s how the main options compare.
We handle heating, cooling, ductwork, and electrical work, with practical solutions for San Francisco’s older buildings, limited equipment space, and aging electrical systems.
We explain what needs attention, what can wait, and your available options. You’ll know the scope and price before approved work begins.
Contact us online or by phone to request service. Our team will help you find the next available appointment.
NEON Heating & Cooling is a California-licensed HVAC contractor (CSLB #1156494). Refrigerant-related work is performed by EPA Section 608-certified technicians.
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AC system replacement in San Francisco generally follows these five steps. Ducted replacements usually take 1–2 days; jobs involving new ductwork or an electrical panel upgrade may take longer.
You’ll be informed at every turn, not just when the bill shows up.
A technician evaluates your home's square footage, insulation, window exposure, and ductwork condition. A Manual J load calculation helps determine the right system size.
You get a written quote covering equipment, labor, and any additional work. Applicable permit fees are addressed in your proposal.
NEON Heating & Cooling handles the required San Francisco Department of Building Inspection permit applications on your behalf, so you don't have to navigate city paperwork.
We install the new equipment and test system operation. Standard replacements include removal and disposal of the old equipment.
We coordinate the required city inspections, which may take place after installation. Before we depart, we guide you through thermostat settings and basic maintenance.
Vic BTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Our experience with Freon HVAC has been exceptional for a full panel upgrade to 200 amps and installation of a new Mitsubishi mini-split system in an old house. We took quotes from 4 different top rated hvac providers in the San Jose area, before deciding to go with Freon. I appreciated the honesty and detailed analysis of our needs by Slava when he first showed up to do an estimate. He asked a ton of questions, checked the house for existing setup, wiring, possibilities, and discussed multiple possibilities including ducted, gas, hybrid, and heat pump only. Once we decided to go with a specific type of configuration, he gave us multiple options. Their pricing was competitive and while it took forever for PGE to get to the wiring/transformer upgrade, Freon's team worked with them patiently to meet our needs. Special thanks to Jessica for regular follow ups with PGE and us. Once PGE scheduled the wiring upgrade (after 3 months), Freon's team was prompt and did a very clean install including all internal wiring and drainage work. They ensured city inspection was scheduled promptly and addressed all city concerns for a quick approval. I have not dealt with a more professional and competent crew in this area in a very long time. Would love to do business with them again.
Christopher LI usually doubt perfect 5-star ratings, but Freon completely earned theirs. My AC/heater combo unit broke, and every other company told me I needed a total replacement, quoting me between $9k and $12k. Freon came out to inspect it, and later that day, they gave me a quote for just $3,000 to repair it. I signed the contract that night, and they were back to do the work just 5 days later on June 19th. The tech replaced the compressor to get it running, but didn't stop there. He thoroughly tested the system, caught a power issue, and replaced the compressor relay and expansion valve to ensure the unit wouldn't break down again. Outstanding service. I'm finally set for the summer and winter. They deserve every single star!
Mark TeffetellerVery reliable. Our technician Gary went above and beyond to help with a replacement. Highly recommend!
Yinan KongI’m so impressed with the technician’s expertise! He’s a true professional and finally fixed an overheating issue that we’ve been struggling with for years. Highly recommended.
Chris WuGood job Ali , thank you .
Natasha RussoGreat experience overall! Guys are respectful knowledgeable reasonably priced quick clean highly recommend for your HVAC needs! Patient and explained all my questions had a new gas heater installed and they took Great care put in new everything valves air filters etc. Thank you!
DON BARKLEYThey did all the necessary homework before they came and as such they had the right part and did ti the job per the online quote. I particularly like the timely communication of their arrival time schedule.
Jordan LaiExcellent service and friendly consultation and very quick response!!!
chris dieterInstall heat pump change out on existing ducted system to replace gas furnace
Holly LFriendly and professional. There was a misstep accident that caused some damage and they repaired it right away.
NEON Heating & Cooling is an AC replacement company in San Francisco serving the city and the following nearby Bay Area communities:
If your AC is older, unreliable, or needs costly repairs, you don’t have to figure it out alone. NEON Heating & Cooling helps you compare your options, from a straightforward central AC replacement to a heat pump conversion, with clear pricing and no pressure to upgrade beyond what you need.
We’re licensed (CSLB #1156494) and understand:
Your visit starts with a free in-home assessment. You receive a written proposal before approved work begins. Call (415) 915-9945 to schedule your free AC replacement estimate in San Francisco.
A Manual J load calculation determines the appropriate system capacity based on your home’s square footage, insulation, windows, ceiling height, and other factors. We also assess the existing ductwork and airflow.
Yes. An oversized AC can cycle on and off too frequently, causing uneven temperatures, reduced efficiency, and added wear. Short cycles can also limit moisture removal.
A properly selected replacement can improve comfort, cooling efficiency, and reliability. Depending on the equipment, it may also offer quieter operation, variable-speed performance, and smart thermostat compatibility.
The best option depends on your home. Ductless mini-splits suit spaces without ductwork, while central AC can work well with suitable existing ducts. Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling and are available in ducted and ductless configurations.
Square footage alone does not determine the price. Equipment, ductwork condition, electrical capacity, and installation access affect the total. NEON provides a project-specific quote after an in-home assessment.
Standard AC replacement in San Francisco includes equipment, standard installation, system startup and testing, and removal and disposal of the old equipment. Additional electrical work, major ductwork changes, nonstandard work, and permit fees are addressed in your proposal.
Yes. NEON handles the required permit applications through the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection. The permits and fees depend on the project scope.
Multiply your AC’s age by the estimated repair cost. A 10-year-old system needing a $600 repair gives a result of $6,000. A result above $5,000 is a rough prompt to compare options—not proof that replacement is the better choice.
Choose a rating based on your cooling needs, expected usage, electricity costs, and budget. Higher SEER2 ratings indicate greater cooling efficiency, but the added upfront cost may not be worthwhile for every home. For heat pumps, heating efficiency matters too.
Not necessarily. A reliable AC that keeps your home comfortable may still be worth keeping. Consider replacement if repairs become frequent or expensive, or the system no longer cools well. Age alone isn’t enough to decide.
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Licensed HVAC, Heating & Cooling Services for San Francisco and nearby areas. Fast response, honest pricing, and reliable service for homes and businesses.
CSLB # 1156494
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