AC Installation & Replacement in South Fulton
An old AC rarely quits at a good time. We help you pick a replacement sized to the house, set it level, match the indoor coil and test it, in South Fulton and nearby towns.
Time to replace?
Until it is fixed: Leave the old unit's refrigerant lines alone. The charge has to be recovered with proper equipment before removal.
Is it better to oversize or undersize an AC unit?
Neither. Sizing should be done correctly with Manual J from ACCA. This will be based on calculations in your house. The most common error is oversizing. In a humid climate like South Fulton this can cause issues. The larger the unit the faster they will cool down and turn off. This means there isn't enough time for the moisture to be extracted from air. Leaving you with a cold and damp house. Undersizing can cause the system to lag on the hottest afternoons. The average house around Stonewall Tell Rd will be around 2005. They will have the system in the attic/closet/crawlspace. Many of these have been updated. New windows and finished bonus rooms.
What an AC replacement includes
A new outdoor unit for a South Fulton home is why you called. The coil, line set and drain matter as much.
Brazing the line set at the valve
Sizing the house
Size is worked out from the house itself, so the system runs long enough to pull humidity out.
Matched coil and unit
The outdoor unit and indoor coil are a rated pair, and that pairing is what the efficiency rating describes.
The refrigerant change
Since January 1, 2025, new residential systems are built for lower-GWP refrigerants; existing R-410A systems can still be serviced.
City permit rules
South Fulton requires a mechanical permit and inspections on system replacements, applied for through the City's SagesGov portal.
Startup and full cycle
A full cycle with charge and airflow checked. Then register the equipment; the manufacturer's warranty often depends on it.
Drain, pan and disconnect
Before we leave, the condensate drain flows outdoors, the pan is sound and the disconnect wiring is tight.
What is a good SEER2 rating for a new AC in Georgia?
The floor is 14.3 SEER2 for most new split systems installed in the Southeast. Above that, listen: single-stage starts at full blast, variable-speed ramps up quietly and runs longer.
| Compare | Single-stage system | Variable-speed system |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A compressor with one speed: fully on or off | A compressor that changes speed to match the heat load |
| Where it sits | Outdoor unit on a pad, coil indoors over the furnace | Same pad and coil spots, usually with a variable-speed indoor blower |
| Usually found in | Most original 2000s systems and entry-level replacements | Higher-efficiency tiers and homes chasing better humidity control |
| What failure looks like | Short, loud cycles and a clammy house when oversized | Error codes at the thermostat or on the outdoor board |
| What the repair needs | Common parts: capacitors, contactors and motors most techs carry | Model-specific boards and motors, sometimes ordered from the manufacturer |
Signs the old system is near the end
- The nameplate says R-22, common on original units in pre-2010 homes.
- Someone has added refrigerant more than one summer in a row.
- The house feels clammy even with the thermostat set cool.
- Rust through the cabinet, or oily spots at the line fittings.
- A tech has quoted a new compressor or coil.
Two or more? Get a replacement quote before paying for the next repair, then compare.
Cased coil over an attic furnace
Replacement questions we hear in South Fulton
Most people replacing a system ask these. Missing yours? Call or send the form.
Cost and DIY
What is the average cost to replace an AC system in 2026?
There isn't one honest average. The quote turns on tonnage, the SEER2 tier, whether the coil or furnace changes too, the line set, any duct work, attic or crawlspace access, refrigerant type and the City permit. Your quote comes from your house.
Can I replace my AC myself?
Not safely. A technician has to recover and charge the refrigerant, and capacitors hold a charge. Replacements also need a City permit and inspection; skipping it carries a 100% fee penalty.
Choosing equipment
What can replace a central AC?
Most of the time the swap is a heat pump. It cools like an AC but also heats. A heat pump can also be used alongside a gas furnace for back-up. If there are areas without ducting we can install a ductless mini split. We will look at your ducting, electrical service and furnace first.
Can I replace just the AC and not the furnace?
Usually, if the furnace is sound and its blower moves enough air. The indoor coil normally changes with the outdoor unit, though, because new-refrigerant outdoor units aren't mixed with old-refrigerant coils.
Timing
Is a 15 year old AC unit still good?
This can be the case if the system is cooling well and not losing refrigerant. Check the name plate. If it is using R-22 you can continue to use it for as long as needed (EPA). A leak will be costly, though. 15 years is towards the end of the life of an AC.
What is the best time of year to replace an AC?
Spring or fall, before the old one fails. In a South Fulton spring you get time to compare quotes and choose the size, instead of deciding in a hot house in July. Call 7am to 7pm, any day, to set up a look.
Old AC near the end? Check the nameplate, call.
Tell us the outdoor unit's age and refrigerant from the nameplate, whether you heat with gas or a heat pump, and what the system is doing.
(470) 912-2502Open every day, 7am to 7pm