Air Conditioning Replacement

Air Conditioning Replacement in San Diego County for Better Performance and Fewer Repairs

When your AC keeps failing, it’s frustrating and expensive. An air conditioning replacement by Guthrie & Sons will make sure your home stays cool, your bills stay manageable, and your comfort isn’t a question mark anymore.

Need an Air Conditioning Replacement? We Make It Fast, Easy, and Affordable

If your AC is getting older, breaking down more often, or just can’t keep up anymore, it might be time to replace it. Most systems last around 10–15 years, and beyond that, AC repairs tend to get more frequent—and more expensive.

At Guthrie & Sons Heating, Air & Solar, we don’t just install equipment—we take care of people. Our team shows up on time, treats your home like it’s our own, and takes the time to do things the right way. We wear booties, lay down drop cloths, explain what we’re doing, and back our work with strong warranties. It’s not asking for much, but not everyone does it. We do because it’s what you deserve.

We handle air conditioning replacement in San Diego for homes, rentals, and local businesses. Our NATE-certified techs are some of the best in the business—and they’re here to make this a smooth, positive experience, not the hassle you might be dreading. Reach out today for a free quote to get started!

Is It Better to Repair an Old AC or Replace It?

If we had a nickel for every time someone asked us this, we’d be swimming in nickels. Seriously though, it’s a great question, and the answer really depends on what’s going on with your system. Here’s what we look at:

Is your AC unit over 10–15 years old?
Are repairs becoming a regular thing?
Are your energy bills going up for no good reason?
Is the temperature inconsistent from room to room?
Does it still use R-22 refrigerant?
Is the AC repair close to what a new system would cost?

At Guthrie & Sons, we’ll never push you into a new system if a repair makes more sense. If we can fix it and help you get more life out of it, we will. If an air conditioning replacement is the smarter move, we’ll walk you through your options—clearly, honestly, and without the pressure.

Free Online Air Conditioning Replacement Cost Calculator

Trying to get a rough idea of what a new air conditioner might cost? We’ve got you covered.
While we’re always happy to provide a free in-home estimate, we know it’s not always easy to find time. That’s why we offer an easy-to-use air conditioning replacement cost calculator—so you can start planning on your schedule. It’s a quick way to explore pricing and system options before you’re ready to meet with us or without having us come out to your home first.

We can also walk you through available tax credits and rebate opportunities to help you save.
Need financing? We offer flexible options to make your air conditioning replacement service more affordable upfront. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to move forward, we’re here to help in every way that we can.

Buying an AC? How to Choose the Right Air Conditioner for Your Home

When it’s time to replace your AC, you’re not stuck with what you had before. There’s no rule that says you have to stick with the same brand or system type. In fact, depending on your home and how you use it, a different setup might work better.

At Guthrie & Sons, we help you sort through the alphabet soup that is BTUs, SEER ratings, and more. Your air conditioning replacement is in great hands with our trusted team. We’ll explain what matters, what doesn’t, and how to make the best choice for your home—without the jargon overload.

Here’s what we’ll help you think through:

System Size

AC size isn’t about how big the unit looks—it’s about how much cooling power (measured in BTUs) your home actually needs. And believe it or not, your current system might be the wrong size. Too small, and it struggles to keep up. Too big, and it constantly turns on and off, wasting energy and wearing out parts faster. We’ll do the proper calculations to make sure your next system fits your home—and works like it should.

Energy Efficiency

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it’s basically your AC’s miles-per-gallon. If your current system is 10+ years old, it might be a SEER 10 or 12. Today’s systems start around SEER 14, and high-efficiency models can go up to 20+. The higher the SEER, the more you’ll save on your electric bill—especially in a San Diego summer. We’ll help you pick the right efficiency level without overspending on things you don’t need.

Helpful Features

Some new ACs come packed with features—Wi-Fi control, quiet modes, zoning, variable speed, and more. For some families, those upgrades make life easier and more comfortable, like controlling temps from your phone or sleeping through the night without a noisy fan. But not every home needs every feature. We’ll help you sort through what’s truly useful based on how you live, not what sounds good in a brochure.

System Type

If you already have ductwork and want to cool your whole house, central AC is probably the way to go. For garages, older homes, or add-ons where ducts don’t reach, ductless mini splits are a great option—super efficient and easy to install. More and more homeowners are also going with electric heat pumps. They look like an AC, but they do both heating and cooling, all without gas.

No matter what system you go with, we’ll make sure it’s the right fit for your home and how you live in it. Every install includes a 2-year labor warranty, with the option to extend it to 10 years. We also back our work with a lifetime workmanship guarantee and our Property Protection Guarantee, so you can feel good about every part of the air conditioning replacement process.

Protect Your New AC With Our Low-Price Maintenance Plan

Once you’ve purchased your new air conditioner, it just makes sense to protect it. Our USA Membership Plan makes regular maintenance easy, so your system runs better, longer. We’ll remind you when it’s time for service—no need to keep track or stress about it. Members get priority scheduling, discounted service calls, and lower repair costs. It also keeps your extended warranty valid, which is a must for long-term coverage. We take care of everything from cleaning to system checks—start to finish.

And if something ever goes wrong between visits? We handle air conditioning repairs—and we care for your heating system, too, so you’re covered in every season.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your system still runs on R-22, it’s likely near the end of its life. R-22 has been phased out, making it hard to find and very expensive—even basic repairs can cost more than they’re worth. While most newer systems use R410A, it’s also being phased out. The latest systems now use R32 or R454B, and we primarily install R32 for better long-term compatibility. If your system uses R-22 or R410A, it’s a good time to start planning for replacement—we’ll help you weigh your options.

The price depends on several factors—like the size of your home, the type of system you choose, and how energy-efficient you want it to be. Some systems are budget-friendly, while others come with advanced features and higher SEER ratings. We offer free in-home quotes so you can see exactly what works for your space and budget. No pressure, no guesswork—just straight answers.

We do! Replacing your AC isn’t always something you plan for, which is why we offer fast, flexible financing options. Whether you want to spread out payments or take advantage of promotional rates, we’ll help you find a plan that works. Our team walks you through everything so it’s simple and stress-free.

Yes—there are often rebates and tax incentives available for upgrading to a high-efficiency system. We stay up to date on all the latest programs, so we can help you take full advantage of what’s out there. When you work with Guthrie & Sons, we’ll always point you toward the best savings opportunities.

WATER HEATER

$2,600 Federal Tax Credit on Heat Pump Water Heater

Valid on a qualifying heat pump water heater installation with electrical panel upgrade. Up to $2,000 (30% of cost) in Federal Tax Credits for a heat pump water heater and up to $600 (30% of cost) for an electrical panel upgrade. Can be combined with state rebates only. Restrictions apply. See dealer for details.

INSTALLATION

Up to $11,750 Off a New System*

Qualify for HEEHRA and you can get up to $8,000 in HEEHRA rebates, up to $1,150 in manufacturer rebates and up to $2,600 in Federal Tax Credits for a total of up to $11,750 off a new installation. Valid on residential properties only. Cannot combine with any other offers. Must mention promo at time of estimate appointment. Restrictions apply. See dealer for details. Offer valid until funds last.

REPAIR

Free Diagnostic w/ a Repair

Your diagnostic service call fee will be waived if you proceed with a repair. Cannot combine with other offers. Restrictions apply. See dealer for details. Offer expires 5/31/25.

INSTALLATION

0% APR for 25 Months

Get 0% APR financing for 25 months on a new heating or air conditioning installation. 0% interest with 25 equal monthly payments. Financing subject to credit approval. Valid on residential properties only. Cannot combine with other offers. Must mention promo at time of estimate appointment. Restrictions apply. See dealer for details. Offer valid for an estimate appointment scheduled before 5/31/25.

Real Reviews From Real Customers

We do things differently, and our customers appreciate it. See what some of our thousands of satisfied customers have to say about working with us.

Dianne Haase

20:57 02 May 25

Great customer service, technicians always on time and friendly. I’ve had my new hybrid heat pump for a few years and Guthrie & Sons are very proactive making sure everything is running smoothly. Very happy in my decision to use them!

Andrea Kossoudji

01:11 30 Apr 25

Great service!! Jonathan was patient, kind, knowledgeable and extremely professional! I love Guthrie & Sons’ reminder system, notification of the technician enroute, the easy invoice system and immediate emailing of the findings, including detailed photographs of the work completed!! Highly recommend!

james beedon

20:47 23 Apr 25

Last summer my air conditioner couldn't cool the house in the hottest period of summer. The HVAC team I was working with came in and said the coils were leaking, the unit was 20 years old. I requested quotes from 5 different companies, and the variation of prices was huge. I went with Guthrie and Sons for these reasons:1. Local Company2. Family Owned3. Great presentation, no pressure4. Good products5. Competitive pricingJust installed yesterday, so jury is still out on the system, but installation was thorough and great communication so far!

Darius Degher

21:45 22 Apr 25

Carson and Michael were brilliant. The heat pump installation went smoothly, and they are really pleasant and trustworthy fellows. The day after it was installed, I had a plumber at my house. He looked at their work and was impressed. He said it was much cleaner than the way HVAC people usually do it.

Lito Ricasata

19:03 08 Apr 25

First time prospective client of Guthrie and Sons. Very responsive staff in providing updates on my calls. Mario F. came over to check out my existing cooling and heating system and is very thorough and professional in providing necessary information related to repair/upgrades. Pending his quote, my experience with Guthrie and Sons is top notch and most highly recommended.Updated review: Kareen, Daniel and Michael worked on the AC replacement, relocation of furnace to the attic and replacement of ductwork. Very professional and knowledgeable team in my opinion. Completed the work in a timely and very satisfactory manner.

Michael Myers

00:19 25 Mar 25

My experience with Guthrie & Sons has been excellent, and I am pleased to write a very favorable review about it. They replaced three air conditioners and three propane furnaces with new equipment that utilizes heat pump technology. I had met with other companies and I was close to coming to a conclusion, when a friend recommended Guthrie & Sons. He told me that they are hyper focused on customer service from beginning to end.Their customer service started with the on line completion of a basic information form. Shortly after submitting that form, I heard from Zach who scheduled an appointment at my home.I had already met with three other HVAC contractors, and for that reason, I had some basic information about the systems available and how heat pumps work and whether propane furnaces should also be installed. I signed a contract on a Friday. By Wednesday of the next week they had completed the installation. Wow.The installation of one of the furnaces in the attic caused minor damage to the drywall. THEY BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION and told me a drywall contractor would be in touch regarding its repair. Two days later it was repaired.Since installation, the equipment (heat pumps from Bosch) has been working great and I am optimistic about the future. Meanwhile, their pricing, warranty and terms are far superior to their competitors.Since this is an unusually long review and so favorable, let me add this: This is my honest, uncompensated opinion. I have no relationship with anyone at Guthrie & Sons other than the contract we executed.

Tom H

15:21 20 Mar 25

We recently had Guthrie and Sons install a Mini-Split system in our home. The entire process was handled professionally with no issues occurring at any time. The estimator (Vlad) went through options with us but let us evaluate the best solution for us with zero pressure. The installation team (Matthew and Aaron) showed up on time, reviewed the scope of the job, made sure they understood what we wanted, and then proceeded to complete the installation exactly as discussed. They asked for my input as needed so there were no surprises when the job was completed.They respected my property and made sure everything was left at least as clean was when they arrived. The job was completed on time and as promised and they reviewed the details of the system and its use clearly. I would definitely have Guthrie and Sons do other electrical/HVAC work should the need arise.

Mike Macias

19:43 19 Mar 25

I have been in the construction industry in San Diego for over 50 years. I owned my own contracting company for over 40 years. I have seen all levels of customer service in my years. The level of customer service from Guthrie and Son’s is among the best I’ve ever seen and received. Every time I hear anyone asking for a referral for HVAC work I immediately give them your number. When I recommend a company I in essence am putting my name and reputation on the line. I refer them with 100% confidence in the service they will receive. Thank you very much for your legendary service.

Scott Sypkens

23:32 11 Mar 25

We first hired Guthrie and Sons to replace a furnace after comparing proposals from several heating and air companies. They’ve since been back for annual check ups, and today Kareen came to diagnose and resolve an issue with our mini-splits. My experience each time, including today, is that they hire friendly, knowledgeable people who do good work. They’ve never tried to upsell or do anything unnecessary, which is the way it should be. I’d recommend them to anyone who asks.

Marilyn Rivas

20:07 09 Mar 25

They always come out quickly. They are so polite and careful.

Steven Wheeler

19:28 07 Mar 25

Good technician did everything right yet our heater still not workingJonathan gave us the likeliest problems so we’ll have to get it fixed

Dmitriy

04:01 07 Mar 25

My AC was not working for seven months. Three other companies tried to fix it with no success. Don’t make the same mistake I did—go straight to Guthrie & Sons! They are absolutely worth every penny.

Cecilia Benevich

22:17 05 Mar 25

Rick

21:38 05 Mar 25

Experienced technician gave me the particulars of a replacement HVAC system

Daylan Dauchot

21:28 05 Mar 25

Courteous, in-time, helpful, honest. Would recommend.

Xinxin Wang

22:05 04 Mar 25

Tom Barden

18:26 04 Mar 25

Adair Cooke

19:02 03 Mar 25

Jonathon is a great technician. He is very willing to answer any questions and explains things very well. He is very transparent with letting us know cost, finance options, different furnace models and anything else we want to know. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for furnace repair or replacement.

Bratso Krsic

00:29 28 Feb 25

Guthrie and Sons took on the challenging project of installing an HVAC system at St. George's Serbian Orthodox Church of San Diego, CA. They were the only company among the six we consulted that saw the project through to the end. The members of our congregation are not just happy, but thoroughly satisfied with the heating and air conditioning. The system, split units/floor units with condensers outside, was installed with minimal intrusion onto the church's artwork. Despite the project taking longer than expected due to permit delays, the results were well worth the wait. We highly recommend Guthrie and Sons Heating and Air.

Jennie Cornsweet

00:10 28 Feb 25

Have been using Guthrie & Sons for several years now and purchase my new HVAC system with them. They do our yearly maintenance and have always been professional, efficient and reliable. Jonathan was the tech that came today and I want to thank him for his great work and great attitude.

Get a Free Quote for Your Air Conditioning Replacement

We love helping people stay cool—it really puts a smile on someone’s face! If your current AC is struggling or has already called it quits, we can help. Guthrie & Sons is known across the San Diego area for honest service, quality installs, and great people. Let’s get your comfort back on track with a system that fits your home and your budget. Contact us now to request a free quote for your air conditioning replacement in San Diego, California.

8248 Ronson Road
San Diego, CA 92111

(619) 269-3013

Air Conditioning Replacement