By Richardson TX HVAC Hub | Last updated: | 7 min read
Key Takeaways
- Your AC is a matched set. The outside unit and the coil inside your house are built and tested to work together. A “condenser only” quote swaps just the outside unit and leaves the old coil behind, so the system no longer runs the way it was rated to.
- New units use a different refrigerant. Most new ACs run on a newer refrigerant than the one in your current system. The new outside unit usually can’t be hooked to your old indoor coil unless the manufacturer okays it and a leak sensor is added.
- You could lose your warranty. Brands like Carrier and Rheem won’t cover systems with mismatched parts. If the compressor dies in a few years, you could be stuck paying for it yourself.
- You’ll likely miss out on the Oncor rebate. Oncor’s 2026 rebate program needs proof that the new system is a certified match. A new outside unit on an old coil can’t provide that.
- The federal tax credit is gone. The AC tax credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025, so don’t count on it for a 2026 install.
- Older-style units are still legal. You may hear that ACs using the old refrigerant were banned in 2026. They weren’t. The EPA dropped that deadline in May 2026, so contractors can still install them while supplies last.
What Is a Condenser-Only AC Quote?
A condenser-only AC quote is a price to replace the outdoor unit of a central air system while leaving the indoor evaporator coil in place.
A split AC system has two halves that are rated as one pair:
- Outdoor condenser: compressor, condenser coil, fan
- Indoor evaporator coil: sits on the furnace or inside the air handler, often in the attic
- Line set: copper refrigerant lines connecting the two
- Metering device: a TXV or piston sized to the refrigerant and the pair
The AHRI Directory lists which outdoor and indoor combinations are tested together. That listing sets the official SEER2 rating and capacity. A condenser paired with a coil that is not listed with it has no certified rating.
Is It Legal to Install an R-410A AC in Richardson in 2026?
Yes. R-410A equipment manufactured before January 1, 2025 can still be installed in Richardson until supplies run out.
| Rule | Date | What it means for Richardson homeowners |
|---|---|---|
| New R-410A split systems stop being manufactured | Jan 1, 2025 | New systems ship with R-454B or R-32 |
| Original R-410A install deadline | Jan 1, 2026 | Removed by EPA final rule signed May 21, 2026 |
| Servicing existing R-410A systems | No deadline | Existing systems can keep being repaired |
| HFC production allowance cut to 30% of baseline | 2029 | R-410A refrigerant supply shrinks further |
R-410A refrigerant costs more each year. Some suppliers report prices roughly double 2024 levels (sources checked October 2026; figures vary between retail and wholesale). Every future leak on an R-410A system costs more to recharge.
Can a New R-454B or R-32 Condenser Use an Old Coil?
Usually not. Manufacturers state that A2L split system components must be used only with other A2L components.
The exception path requires all of the following:
- An existing indoor coil the manufacturer approves for the new refrigerant
- A leak detection mitigation kit (sensor at the coil plus a control board)
- A metering device sized for R-454B or R-32
- A2L labeling and testing
A quote that puts a new A2L condenser on an old R-410A coil with none of these steps is the biggest red flag a Richardson homeowner can get.
What Does a Condenser-Only Quote Really Cost You?
A condenser-only job costs less up front, but the price gap shrinks once rebates and warranty risk are counted.
| Factor | Condenser only | Matched full system |
|---|---|---|
| Oncor Take a Load Off Texas rebate | Not eligible (no AHRI certificate) | Eligible if contractor is registered |
| Federal 25C credit | $0 (ended 12/31/2025) | $0 (ended 12/31/2025) |
| Manufacturer warranty | At risk (Carrier, Rheem exclude unmatched systems) | Full term if registered on time |
| Certified SEER2 rating | None for the mismatched pair | Rated per AHRI listing |
Sources: EPA, Oncor 2026 HEE SOP Program Manual, IRS, Carrier and Rheem warranty documents.
Why Condenser-Only Quotes Hit Richardson Homes Harder
Richardson’s housing stock makes the coil mismatch problem common.
- Older homes: Most of Richardson was built from the 1950s to the 1980s, during Texas Instruments and UT Dallas growth. Richardson Heights and Canyon Creek are mostly mid-century ranch homes. Cottonwood Creek went up mainly in the 1970s and 80s. Prairie Creek was built later in the century.
- Piecemeal replacements: Homes outside newer areas like CityLine and the Telecom Corridor have often had two or three AC systems swapped in parts over the years.
- Gas furnace with coil on top: Atmos Energy supplies gas in Richardson, so many homes have a gas furnace with the AC coil sitting on it. That is the exact setup where a condenser-only job leaves an old coil behind.
- Heat load: DFW hit 100°F on 55 days in 2023. A mismatched system runs longer in that heat, which shows up on Oncor delivery charges and the retail electric bill.
Richardson splits between Dallas County (about two-thirds) and Collin County (the northern third). The permit office, code, and Oncor delivery service are the same on both sides.
Does a Condenser-Only Replacement Void the Warranty?
A condenser-only replacement can void or shrink the manufacturer warranty when the system is not AHRI-matched.
| Brand | Registration deadline | Penalty for no registration | Matched-system clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier | 90 days | 10 years drops to 5 | Coil must be listed with the outdoor unit in the AHRI Directory |
| Rheem | 90 days | 10 years drops to 5 | Excludes units not properly matched per AHRI |
| Goodman | 60 days | Registration required for limited warranty | Requires a properly matched system |
| Trane | 60 days | 10 years drops to 5 | Check the model warranty certificate |
Ask the contractor who registers the unit and get the registration confirmation in writing.
Can You Get an Oncor Rebate on a Condenser-Only Swap?
Almost never. Oncor’s 2026 Take a Load Off Texas program requires paperwork a mismatched system cannot produce.
Program requirements for a new system:
- AHRI certificate for each new system
- Minimum 11.6 EER
- Contractor registered with the program and holding a current TDLR license
- Permits pulled by the contractor
Homeowners do not apply directly. Program funds are limited each year, so ask the contractor about eligibility before signing.
What SEER2 Rating Is Required in Richardson?
Richardson is in the DOE Southeast region, which sets minimums for new split system ACs:
- Under 45,000 Btu/h (under about 3.75 tons): 14.3 SEER2
- 45,000 Btu/h and up: 13.8 SEER2
The rating belongs to the matched outdoor and indoor pair, not the condenser alone. Ask which coil any quoted SEER2 number is based on.
The Upsell Worry Cuts Both Ways
Upselling is a fair worry, and not every job needs a new furnace. A cheap condenser-only quote can still be the expensive option. When the old coil leaks a year later, the homeowner pays for refrigerant, a new coil, and a second round of labor.
When Does a Condenser-Only Replacement Make Sense?
A condenser-only replacement makes sense when the contractor can show an AHRI-certified match between the new condenser and the existing coil.
That usually means:
- The coil is recent and in good condition
- The coil uses the same refrigerant as the new condenser
- The replacement is a same-model warranty swap, or the manufacturer approves the coil with a mitigation kit
10 Questions to Ask Before You Sign
- What is the AHRI reference number for this exact condenser and coil combination?
- Is the condenser R-410A, R-454B, or R-32? If R-410A, what is the manufacture date?
- If it uses a new refrigerant, are you replacing my coil? If not, is my coil manufacturer-approved, and are you adding a leak detection kit?
- What SEER2 rating does this exact pair carry?
- Who registers the warranty, and when will I get proof?
- Will you pull the City of Richardson mechanical permit?
- What is your TDLR license number?
- Are you a registered Oncor Take a Load Off Texas contractor, and does this job qualify?
- How old is my current coil, and is it leaking now?
- Can I see the full-system price next to the condenser-only price?
Permits and Licensing in Richardson
An AC replacement in Richardson requires a mechanical permit from the City of Richardson Building Inspection department, pulled by the contractor. Building Inspection: (972) 744-4180. Online permits are on cor.net.
Texas requires a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) air conditioning and refrigeration contractor license for HVAC work done for pay. Homeowners working on their own home are exempt. Check any contractor on the TDLR license search or call 800-803-9202.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just replace my outside AC unit?
Only if the new outdoor unit has an AHRI-certified match with your existing indoor coil. Most Richardson homes with older coils do not have one.
How do I check if a new condenser matches my indoor coil?
Ask the contractor for the AHRI reference number for the exact outdoor unit and indoor coil pairing, then look it up in the AHRI Directory. If no certified match is listed, the pairing is not rated, which can affect the warranty and any Oncor rebate.
What should a full-system AC quote in Richardson include?
Model numbers for the outdoor unit, indoor coil, and furnace or air handler, the AHRI reference number, SEER2 rating, refrigerant type, the City of Richardson mechanical permit, line set and drain work, parts and labor warranty terms, and the contractor’s TDLR license number.
How long does an R-410A AC last in North Texas?
Most last about 12 to 15 years here. Long cooling seasons and summer heat wear equipment faster than in milder climates, and yearly maintenance helps a system reach the high end of that range.