AC Installation and Replacement Across the Lowcountry
Certified and Licensed | SC Mechanical Contractor #M111694 | Right-sized, high-efficiency systems | Financing available | Serving the coast since 1947
Call 843-305-5728 to get a free quote!
Call for a free estimate
843-305-5728
Should I repair or replace my AC?
Short Answer: Replace it if the system is more than 10 to 15 years old, uses the old R-22 refrigerant, or needs a repair that costs more than about a third of a new unit. Repair it if it is newer, the fix is small, and the rest of the system is sound. We will give you the honest math, not a scare.
A good rule of thumb: multiply the system's age by the repair cost, and if that number gets up near the price of a new unit, replacement usually wins. Older R-22 systems are the clearest case, because that refrigerant is no longer made, and a major leak gets expensive fast. But plenty of systems are worth fixing, and we will tell you when yours is. If you came here from one of our repair pages, like AC repair in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, or North Charleston, that repair-first habit is the same one we bring to a replacement quote. It is not better, just different from a company that leads with the most expensive option.
Coastal Air Plus installs and replaces central air conditioners, heat pumps, and ductless systems across the Charleston Lowcountry and the Grand Strand. We size every system to your home, not to a sales target, install it to code with the permit pulled, and offer financing. We have done this since 1947, and we would rather fix what you have than sell you a system you do not need. Call (843) 723-3887 for a free replacement estimate.
Call 843-305-5728
Certified and Licensed | SC Mechanical Contractor #M111694
How do I know what size AC I need?
Short Answer: The right size comes from a Manual J load calculation, not a rule of thumb or matching the old unit. An oversized system short-cycles, leaves you humid, and wears out early, which matters a lot in the Lowcountry's heat and moisture. We measure your home and size it properly.
Bigger is not better with air conditioning. An oversized unit cools the air fast but shuts off before it pulls the humidity out, so the house feels clammy and the system cycles on and off in a way that shortens its life. We run a real load calculation that accounts for your square footage, insulation, windows, ceiling height, and how the sun hits the house, then we match equipment to that. Getting the size right the first time is part of how we fix it right the first time instead of leaving you to live with a system that never quite feels comfortable.
Right-sized, high-efficiency systems | Financing available
What SEER2 efficiency rating should I choose?
- Short Answer: The Southeast minimum is 14.3 SEER2 for most split systems, and that is a solid, affordable baseline. Stepping up to a higher SEER2 or a variable-speed system lowers your summer bills and runs quieter, and a utility rebate can help offset the cost. We will show you the payback so you can decide.
SEER2 is the efficiency rating for new equipment, and here in the Southeast the law sets the floor at 14.3 SEER2 for split systems under 45,000 BTU, and 13.8 SEER2 for larger systems. That baseline is a fine choice for many homes. If you run the AC hard, which most Lowcountry homes do from May into October, a higher-SEER2 or variable-speed system can pay for itself over time in lower bills and steadier comfort. We lay out the real numbers, including any utility rebate (for example, Dominion Energy offers a rebate on qualifying ENERGY STAR equipment), and let you pick. We treat folks right for the long term, so we are not going to push a premium system that does not earn its keep in your home.
What do the 2026 refrigerant rules mean for a new system?
- Short Answer: Manufacturers stopped building R-410A systems on January 1, 2025, so most new equipment now uses low-GWP refrigerants like R-32 or R-454B. Some remaining R-410A inventory can still be installed while it is sold through, but a current-standard system keeps refrigerant available and reasonably priced for its whole life.
The industry just went through its biggest change since the old R-22 phase-out. Manufacturers stopped building R-410A systems on January 1, 2025, so new equipment now uses the lower-impact refrigerants R-32 or R-454B. Pre-2025 R-410A systems can still be installed while remaining inventory is sold through, and existing R-410A systems stay fully serviceable, so there is no need to panic. The practical upshot is simple: a new A2L system uses the current-standard refrigerant, so you are not the homeowner in a few years hunting for scarce, pricey refrigerant for an obsolete unit. We handle all refrigerant work with technicians certified under
EPA Section 608, as the law requires.
Heat pump, straight AC, or ductless?
- Short Answer: It depends on your home. A heat pump heats and cools efficiently and suits most Lowcountry homes. A straight AC paired with a furnace works where there is gas heat. Ductless mini-splits are ideal for older homes with no ductwork, additions, or rooms that never cool right.
Most homes here do well on a heat pump, which both cools in summer and heats in our mild winters without a separate furnace. If you already heat with gas, a straight air conditioner paired with that furnace can make sense. For older Lowcountry homes that never had central air, for additions, or for a sunroom or bonus room that always runs hot, a ductless mini-split is often the cleanest answer, since it needs no ductwork. We walk your home and recommend the type that fits it, not the one with the biggest ticket.
Do I need a permit to replace my AC, and what about the coast?
- Short Answer: Yes. A system replacement needs a mechanical permit, and the authority depends on your address (your city, or the county if unincorporated). Near the water, flood-zone rules may require the new equipment raised above the flood line, and coastal salt means coastal-rated equipment is worth it.
We pull the mechanical permit for your replacement and have the work inspected, through whichever authority covers your address. On the barrier islands and along the marsh, FEMA flood rules can require the condenser raised on a stand above the expected flood line, and the steady salt air rewards corrosion-resistant, coastal-rated equipment that lasts longer near the ocean. Inland, salt is barely a factor and the focus is humidity and efficiency. We size the equipment and the install to where you actually live, which is the same block-by-block read we bring to every Charleston County, Berkeley County, and Dorchester County job.
How much does a new AC cost, and can I finance it?
- Short Answer: Most new system installations across the Lowcountry run about $6,500 to $14,000 depending on the type, size, and efficiency, with high-efficiency and multi-zone systems higher. We give you a clear written estimate, and financing is available so a breakdown does not have to wait.
Typical installed-price ranges to help you plan, not a quote. Your exact price depends on the equipment, your home, and any duct or electrical work needed, and we confirm it in writing after we assess the home.
We offer financing on replacements through our financing options, and we will size the new system to your home rather than overselling you. A heads-up on incentives: the federal 25C tax credit ended December 31, 2025, but a utility rebate may still apply, and we will check your provider's current program for you.
| New system type | Typical installed range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central AC (straight cool), standard efficiency | $6,500 to $11,000 | With existing ductwork |
| Heat pump system | $8,000 to $14,000 | Heats and cools |
| High-efficiency or variable-speed system | $12,000 to $18,000+ | Lower bills, quieter |
| Ductless mini-split, single zone | $4,500 to $8,500 | No ductwork needed |
| Ductless mini-split, multi-zone | $9,000 to $20,000 | Whole-home, no ducts |
Why homeowners across the Lowcountry call Coastal Air Plus for a new system
We have installed and serviced systems on this coast since 1947, and that track record is built on honest advice, right-sized equipment, and clean installs, not the hard sell. We pull the permit, haul off the old system, and stand behind the work. Once your new system is in, our VIP Maintenance Club keeps it under warranty and running its best, and if you ever need a repair we are the same crew. We install across the Charleston Lowcountry and up the coast on the Grand Strand in Horry County.
Creating Lasting Relationships is the whole idea: put in the right system the right way, tell the truth about cost, and earn the next call.
Ready for a free replacement estimate? Request service or call (843) 723-3887.
AC Installation and Replacement FAQ
How long does a new AC installation take?
Most standard system replacements are done in one day. A more involved job, like adding ductwork, converting to a heat pump, or a multi-zone ductless install, can take two days or more. We give you the timeline in writing with your estimate so there are no surprises.
Will a new system really lower my power bill?
Usually yes, if your old one is aging or low-efficiency. A right-sized modern system at 14.3 SEER2 or higher uses noticeably less power than a 12-to-15-year-old unit, and a higher-efficiency or variable-speed system saves more. We will show you the expected payback so you can judge it for yourself rather than take our word.
Do you remove and dispose of my old system?
Yes. We haul off and properly dispose of the old equipment and recover the old refrigerant as the law requires, and we leave the space clean. That is part of the install, not an add-on charge sprung on you later.
Can you install central air in a home that never had it?
Yes. We haul off and properly dispose of the old equipment and recover the old refrigerant as the law requires, and we leave the space clean. That is part of the install, not an add-on charge sprung on you later.
Are there rebates on a high-efficiency systems?
Possibly. The federal 25C tax credit ended at the end of 2025, but utility rebates can still apply. Dominion Energy offers a rebate on qualifying ENERGY STAR equipment, and Santee Cooper customers on the Grand Strand and in parts of Berkeley County may qualify for a heat-pump rebate. We check your specific provider's current program before you count on anything.
Do you offer financing on a new AC system?
Yes. We offer financing on replacements so a sudden breakdown does not have to wait for the budget to catch up, and we size the system to your home, not to a payment. Ask us for the current terms when we give you the estimate.
