Short answer: If your AC and your furnace are both old, replacing them together as one matched system is often the cleanest fix. Call us and we will walk you through your options before any work starts.
Is this the right page for you?
This page is for DeSoto homeowners who are looking at a full HVAC system replacement: the air conditioner and the furnace, done as one job. It may fit you if:
- Your AC and furnace are both 12 to 15 years old or more.
- One of them has failed and the other is close to the end of its life.
- You keep paying for repairs on both.
- You want one job, one set of equipment and one start date.
If only your AC is giving you trouble, see our AC replacement in DeSoto, TX page. If you are not sure yet, our repair or replace checklist will help.
What a matched system means
In a matched system, the outdoor unit, the indoor coil, and the furnace or air handler are replaced together. They are chosen to work as one set. That is the idea behind replacing the AC and furnace in one job.
DeSoto grew fast in the 1970s and 1980s, and the city now has 21,238 housing units (2020 census). Many homes here have likely had their AC replaced once or twice already. If the furnace is still the original, it may be time to look at both.
What the job involves
- Call us and tell us about your system. Tell us what you have and what it is doing.
- We confirm the details and book a time.
- We look at your system. We check the outdoor unit, the indoor coil and the furnace or air handler.
- We walk you through your options before any work starts. You decide before we begin.
- We remove the old equipment and set the new system.
- We test the whole system before we leave.
What to know first
Efficiency rules. Texas is in the DOE Southeast region. A new split-system AC under 45,000 BTU/h must meet 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. For a plain-words guide, read SEER2 in Texas, explained.
Refrigerant. New residential AC equipment can no longer ship with R-410A. Most makers now use R-454B. R-410A is still legal to service, but supply is being cut and it costs more than it used to. That is one more reason to think twice about repairing an old system again.
What affects the job. The efficiency rating, the type of motor, the size of your home and the system, any duct changes, add-ons like a thermostat, and local labor all change what a replacement involves. We cover each one in what affects an AC replacement.
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.
Other systems we replace
Some homes do not have a separate furnace and indoor coil. If yours has one outdoor cabinet that cools and heats, see our package unit replacement page.
Questions
Should I replace my AC and furnace at the same time?
Often yes, if both are old. When both are 12 to 15 years old or more, or one has failed and the other is close behind, replacing them together is usually cleaner than doing it in two jobs. If your furnace is much newer than your AC, you may not need to replace it. Call us and we will tell you what makes sense.
What is a matched system?
A matched system means the outdoor unit, the indoor coil and the furnace or air handler are replaced together, so they work as one set.
Does a new AC have to meet an efficiency rule in Texas?
Yes. Texas is in the DOE Southeast region. 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.
Do new systems use a different refrigerant?
Yes. Since January 2025, new residential AC equipment can no longer ship with R-410A. Most makers now use R-454B.
Ready to talk about your system?
Call us, tell us what your AC and furnace are doing, and we will walk you through your options.