If your air conditioner is old, leaking or costing more to repair every summer, the first step is a free in-home estimate. Fallbrook Heating & Air has handled AC replacement in Fallbrook and across North County since 1972. We look at your whole system, not just the box outside, and give you a clear estimate for replacing it, with permits, Title 24 duct testing and refrigerant recovery included in the job.
What happens at a free in-home AC estimate?
A technician visits your home, looks at the existing outdoor unit, indoor coil, furnace or air handler, ductwork and electrical service, and asks how the house actually feels in summer. You get a written replacement estimate and an honest view of whether repair is still reasonable. There is no charge and no obligation.
- Walk-through. We ask which rooms run hot, what your bills look like, and how long you plan to stay in the home.
- Equipment check. Age, size, refrigerant type and condition of the outdoor unit, coil and furnace or air handler.
- Sizing. We size the new system to the house, considering square footage, windows, insulation, orientation and duct layout, rather than simply matching the old unit's tonnage.
- Ducts and electrical. Ductwork condition matters because California requires duct testing on most changeouts. We also check the breaker, disconnect and wiring.
- Options. You get clear choices, for example a standard-efficiency AC, a higher-efficiency model, or a heat pump, with the trade-offs explained.
When does replacing an air conditioner make sense?
Replacement usually makes sense when a system is roughly fifteen years or older and needs a major repair such as a compressor or coil, when refrigerant leaks keep coming back, or when the house never cools evenly. A working system that is simply old does not have to be replaced; we will tell you if yours can keep going.
Inland North County is hard on air conditioners. Fallbrook averages highs in the mid-80s in August, and heat waves push well past that, so outdoor units in the inland valleys rack up long run hours. Near the coast the load is lighter, but salt air corrodes coils and connections. Both shorten equipment life in different ways. Our guide to repairing or replacing an AC goes through the decision in more detail.
What does a proper AC installation include?
A proper installation is more than swapping equipment. It covers correct sizing, a permit, refrigerant recovery from the old unit, a matched outdoor unit and indoor coil, new or flushed refrigerant lines where needed, electrical checks, Title 24 duct testing and sealing, third-party verification, and a full startup test before we leave.
- Permit pulled and filed with San Diego County Planning & Development Services for unincorporated areas like Fallbrook, Bonsall and Rainbow, or with your city's building department
- EPA-compliant refrigerant recovery and disposal of the old equipment
- Outdoor unit and indoor coil matched so the system delivers its rated efficiency
- Refrigerant lines, drain, disconnect and wiring checked or replaced as needed
- Title 24 duct leakage testing and sealing, with verification by an independent, licensed ECC-Rater (formerly HERS) that we contract and schedule
- Startup: charge, airflow and temperature split checked, thermostat set up, and the system explained to you
Every step follows California code. That matters when you sell the house: unpermitted HVAC work can surface in a buyer's inspection.
We install Daikin, Goodman, Innovair, Bosch, Fujitsu, ADP, Carrier, Bryant, Payne, York, Williams and AC PRO equipment, and our technicians are factory trained on Daikin, Innovair, Bosch, Fujitsu, York and Honeywell.
What efficiency and refrigerant rules apply to a new AC in 2026?
In California, a new split-system central AC under 45,000 BTU must meet at least 14.3 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 (9.8 EER2 if rated 15.2 SEER2 or higher); larger systems need 13.8 SEER2 and 11.2 EER2. New residential split systems made since January 2025 use A2L refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32 instead of R-410A.
| Equipment | Minimum SEER2 | Other minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Split central AC, under 45,000 BTU | 14.3 | 11.7 EER2 (9.8 if rated 15.2+ SEER2) |
| Split central AC, 45,000 BTU and up | 13.8 | 11.2 EER2 (9.8 if rated 15.2+ SEER2) |
| Split heat pump | 14.3 | 7.5 HSPF2 |
The EER2 number matters in hot inland areas because it measures efficiency at peak heat, when your system is working hardest. See our guides on SEER2 requirements in California and the move from R-410A to R-454B.
How much does a new AC cost in North County?
Published 2026 estimates for replacing central air in the San Diego area range from roughly $6,500 to $12,000 (Provision Air) and $8,000 to $16,000 (Hans Energy Systems). Those are third-party figures, not our prices. Your real number depends on system size, efficiency, ductwork, electrical work and access, which is why the in-home estimate is free.
The biggest swings usually come from whether the furnace or air handler is also replaced, how much duct sealing is needed to pass testing, and whether the electrical panel needs work. Our AC replacement cost guide breaks those factors down.
Rebates and credits: as of October 2026, the federal 25C tax credit has ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025, and the TECH Clean California single-family incentives are closed to new reservations. SDG&E lists its current programs at sdge.com/rebates. Programs change; we will check current eligibility with you. More in our SDG&E rebates guide.
“Highly recommend them to everyone! Finally, someone with work ethic and integrity!”
Does every room have to be the same temperature?
No, and a replacement is the best time to fix uneven rooms. Two-story homes often run hot upstairs because heat rises and long duct runs lose air. Duct changes, better return air or a zoning system can be designed into the new install, which costs less than retrofitting later.
We offer zoning options for homes where one thermostat cannot keep every floor comfortable.
“Jack went above & beyond. Very happy!”
Where we install
We install and replace central air across North County, from Fallbrook and Rainbow, De Luz and Pala Mesa to Escondido and coastal Carlsbad, plus Temecula and Murrieta in southwest Riverside County. Each city issues its own permits; we pull them. Call (760) 728-8716 or book online to set up your free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Is the in-home AC estimate really free?
Yes. Fallbrook Heating & Air has offered free central air conditioning estimates for years. A technician visits, looks at your existing equipment, ductwork, electrical and installation location, and gives you a replacement estimate with no charge and no obligation to go ahead.
Can I replace just the outdoor unit and keep my old indoor coil?
Usually not on an older system. Outdoor units and indoor coils are designed and rated as matched sets, and new units use a different refrigerant from many older coils. Mismatched parts can fall short of the rated efficiency and may not meet code. We explain the options for your specific system.
Does California require a heat pump when I replace my AC?
No. The 2025 California Energy Code, in effect since January 1, 2026, does not require a heat pump when you replace an existing home air conditioner or furnace. A heat pump is still worth comparing, because it replaces both heating and cooling with one outdoor unit.
Do coastal homes need a different air conditioner?
Coastal homes need the same efficiency minimums but more attention to corrosion. Salt air near Oceanside and Carlsbad attacks outdoor coils and electrical connections, so placement, a protective coastal coating on the new coil and regular rinsing matter more there. We offer both. Inland homes in Fallbrook and Temecula face longer run times and higher heat loads instead.
Rather we call you?
Leave your name and number and we'll call you back.