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Quoted a new system? Check before you sign

Get a Second Opinion on Your AC Before You Replace It

Plenty of LA homeowners have been told they need a $12,000 system when the real problem was a $200 capacitor or a clogged drain. A second opinion costs far less than an unnecessary replacement, and if you really do need a new system, you will know the quote is fair.

Free quote review: send the quote and photos, we tell you what to ask
On-site check when you want a technician to confirm the diagnosis
No sales pressure: repair is recommended whenever it makes sense

Call (213) 659-0061

How we price repairs

Send us these

The written quote or diagnosis you were given
A photo of the outdoor unit label (brand, model, serial)
A photo of the indoor unit or furnace label
What the system was doing when it failed
Any photos the first technician took

Text or call (213) 659-0061. An in-person inspection is billed as a standard diagnostic visit.

The short answer

When Should I Get a Second Opinion?

Any time you are told to replace a system that was working fine until recently, or you are handed a quote over about $1,500 without a clear explanation of what failed. Also get one if:

You were told the system “needs refrigerant” but nobody looked for the leak
A routine tune-up ended with a replacement pitch
The technician could not show you the failed part or a reading that proves it
The quote says “condemned” or “unsafe” without explaining why
The price was only good “if you sign today”
The quote does not list model numbers, tonnage or a permit

Real examples

What Second Opinions Often Find

What you were told	What it often turns out to be	Typical LA repair cost (2026)
“Your compressor is dead, you need a new system”	A failed capacitor that stopped the compressor from starting	$150 to $400
“The system is shot, it won’t turn on”	A failed contactor, blown fuse or a float switch tripped by a clogged drain	$100 to $350
“Water damage means it has to be replaced”	A clogged condensate drain line or cracked drain pan	$100 to $300
“It is low on refrigerant every year, time to replace”	A leak at a fitting or valve that can be found and repaired	$400 to $1,500+
“Your rooms are hot because the AC is too small”	Leaky or crushed attic ducts	Varies; see ductwork

Not every quote is wrong. Sometimes replacement really is the right call, and a second opinion confirms that too.

How we decide

How to Tell if Replacement Really Makes Sense

Use the $5,000 rule: multiply the system’s age by the repair cost. Over $5,000 usually points to replacement. Under $5,000 usually means repair. A 15-year-old system with a $300 capacitor (4,500) should be repaired. The same system with a $2,500 compressor (37,500) is a replacement candidate.

Other things that genuinely justify replacement:

A failed compressor or evaporator coil on a system over 12 to 15 years old
An R-22 system with a refrigerant leak, since R-22 is no longer produced
A cracked furnace heat exchanger, which is a carbon monoxide risk
Repeated major repairs within a couple of years

What does not justify replacement on its own: the R-410A phase-out. New R-410A systems can no longer be made, but existing ones can still be repaired and recharged legally.

If you do replace

Checking a Replacement Quote

If replacement is the right answer, a second opinion can still save money. In Los Angeles in 2026, a central AC on existing ducts typically costs about $5,500 to $12,000 installed, and a ducted heat pump about $9,000 to $17,000. Compare quotes on:

Matched model numbers and an AHRI certificate
A load calculation, not “same size as before”
LADBS permit and HERS testing included
Whether LADWP rebates apply, which can be $1,000 or more per ton for heat pumps
Warranty terms in writing

More on this on our AC installation page.

Process

How a Second Opinion Works

Send the quote and photos by text, or call (213) 659-0061.
We review it and tell you which parts look right and what questions to ask.
If you want certainty, a technician inspects the system in person and tests the part in question.
You get a plain-English answer: repair, replace, or get more information, with the numbers for both options.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth getting a second opinion on an HVAC replacement?

Yes. A new system in LA typically costs $5,500 to $17,000. A second opinion can catch a misdiagnosis, like a failed capacitor mistaken for a dead compressor, and confirms the price is fair when replacement is genuinely needed.

How much does an HVAC second opinion cost?

Reviewing a written quote and photos is free. An in-person inspection is billed as a standard diagnostic visit, which typically runs $70 to $250 in Los Angeles.

How do I know if my compressor is really bad?

A technician should be able to show you readings, such as winding resistance, amp draw or a shorted-to-ground test, not just say it is bad. A failed capacitor can make a healthy compressor look dead.

Should I replace my AC because of the R-410A phase-out?

Not on its own. Only new R-410A equipment manufacture ended on January 1, 2025. Existing systems can still be repaired and recharged legally.

What is the $5,000 rule?

Multiply the age of your system by the repair cost. Over $5,000 usually means replacement makes more sense; under $5,000 usually means repair.

AC repair

Common problems and what each repair costs.

AC installation

What a fair replacement quote includes.

AC repair prices

2026 LA price ranges for every common repair.

Heat pumps

Big LADWP rebates if you do replace.

Quoted a new system? Check first.

Text or call with the quote and photos of your unit. You will get an honest answer on whether it is needed.