AC Condenser Replacement in DeSoto, TX

Short answer: Sometimes the outdoor unit can be replaced on its own, but often it should be replaced along with the indoor coil. Call us, tell us what your unit is doing, and we will look at your system and tell you which one applies.

Is this the right page for you?

This page is for DeSoto homeowners whose outdoor unit, the condenser, has failed or is failing. It may fit you if:

• The unit outside has stopped working and the AC no longer cools.
• A technician told you the compressor, the coil or the fan motor is bad.
• You are being told the outdoor unit needs to be replaced and you want to know your options.

If your compressor is the part that failed, read our compressor failed page too. If your whole system is old, see AC and furnace replacement.

What the condenser does

The condenser is the outdoor half of a split-system air conditioner. It is the unit that sits outside your home. It holds the compressor, the outdoor coil and the fan. It sends heat from inside your home out into the air.

When an outdoor unit gets replaced

Common reasons include:

• A failed compressor
• A coil leak that cannot be repaired
• A seized fan motor

Smaller parts, such as a contactor or a capacitor, are usually a repair rather than a replacement. We look at what failed before anything else.

Replace only the outdoor unit, or the whole system

Your indoor and outdoor units were designed to work as a coordinated pair. Replacing only one can cost less up front, but it may not give you the best value, according to AHRI, the trade group that certifies these matches.

A condenser-only swap generally works only if your existing indoor coil is in good condition and is compatible with the new outdoor unit. If the indoor coil is old, replacing both is the usual advice. And when a system is past about 12 to 15 years old, a full matched system usually makes more sense.

With a mismatch, the system may still run, but it may not perform up to the promised energy efficiency level, and it can put extra stress on the cooling system. If you are told only the outdoor unit needs replacing, ask about the warranty on the combination.

What the job involves

1. Call us and tell us about your unit. Tell us what it is doing and how old it is.
2. We confirm the details and book a time.
3. We look at your system. We check the outdoor unit and the indoor coil, and whether the two can work together.
4. We walk you through your options before any work starts. You decide before we begin.
5. We remove the old unit and set the new one.
6. We test the system before we leave.

What to know first

Ask for the match certificate. Ask any company for proof of a certified match, an AHRI reference number that you can check online.

Efficiency rules. A new split-system AC under 45,000 BTU/h must meet at least 14.3 SEER2 if it is installed on or after January 1, 2023. At 45,000 BTU/h or more, the minimum is 13.8 SEER2. See high-efficiency AC replacement for more.

Refrigerant. New residential AC equipment can no longer ship with R-410A. Most makers now use R-454B.

Ask about the license. Texas licenses air conditioning contractors through TDLR, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Ask any company you talk to for its TDLR license number.

Ask about permits. The City of DeSoto says permits are required for mechanical work its codes cover. Ask any company whether your job needs one.

Questions

Ready to talk about your outdoor unit?

Call us, tell us what your AC is doing, and we will walk you through your options.