Getting a Second Opinion on an AC Replacement Quote: 9 Red Flags (2026)

A second opinion on an AC replacement takes an hour and can be worth thousands. Sometimes the system really is done and the quote is fair. Sometimes it needed a $300 part. Sometimes it does need replacing, but the quote is the wrong size, the wrong tier, or missing the rebate. Here's how to tell which one you're looking at.

9 red flags on a replacement quote

1. "Your compressor is weak" with no numbers. A failing compressor shows up in readings: amp draw, pressures, a megohm test. If nobody wrote any down, nobody proved it. Ask for the readings.

2. A replacement pitch on a system under 10 years old. Capacitors, contactors, fan motors and drain issues are repairs. A newer system with one failed part should get a repair price first. What common repairs cost.

3. "This price is only good today." Equipment prices don't change overnight. A same-day discount is a closing tactic, and it's a sign the first number had room in it.

4. No model numbers on paper. A real quote lists the outdoor unit and the indoor coil or air handler by model, plus the SEER2 rating. Without them you can't compare quotes, check the AHRI match, or know what you're buying.

5. A bigger system "to be safe." Oversized systems cool fast, cycle off, and leave the house clammy, and they cost more up front. Ask how the size was chosen. The answer should be a load calculation, not "same as the old one plus half a ton." Sizing guide.

6. Only a monthly payment. "$189 a month" isn't a price. Ask for the total, the term and the rate, then compare.

7. Add-ons bundled into the system price. UV lights, air scrubbers, surge protectors, duct cleaning and premium thermostats can be fine. They should be separate lines you can say no to.

8. "New ducts" with no test. Duct problems are real in Valley attics, but they should come with a leakage test, photos or both. "Your ducts are shot" from the attic hatch isn't a diagnosis. Ductwork costs.

9. Rebates that don't exist. In 2026 there's no federal tax credit and no APS AC rebate. A quote that subtracts either one is out of date or padding the deal. SRP Cool Cash is real, but it should be its own line at the actual per-ton amount. 2026 rebate rules · APS rebate ended.

Questions to ask before you sign

• What exactly failed, and can you show me the reading or photo?
• What would the repair cost, and why don't you recommend it?
• How did you size the new system? Can I see the load calculation?
• What are both model numbers, the SEER2 rating and the AHRI number?
• Is the line set being replaced, or flushed and pressure-tested?
• Is the permit included? Thermostat? Haul-away?
• How many years of labor warranty, in writing, and who honors it?
• Is the person quoting me paid on commission?

The last one matters. At a lot of the bigger Valley shops, the tech or "comfort advisor" is paid more when you buy more. That doesn't make every quote wrong, but it's worth knowing. What "commission tech" means.

When a second opinion is worth it

• The quote is for replacement and the system is under 12 years old
• The diagnosis was a single sentence
• The price is well above our cost by size ranges
• You felt rushed

If the system is 18 years old, R-22 and leaking, you probably don't need us to tell you. Get two quotes and compare the line items.

What our second opinion looks like

We read the other quote, look at the system, take our own readings, and give you one of three answers: repair it (here's the price), replace it (here's our price and why), or the other quote is fair and you should go with it. It's free on replacement quotes. Our techs aren't paid commission. Free second opinion.