Your central air in Studio City has to come out, and the question is what a replacement will cost and what the quote should include. Studio AC Co. replaces central AC from a load calculation, and you can ask for the written replacement quote now and have a survey booked.
What sets the central AC replacement price
We do not print a flat number for a full central AC swap, because the same tonnage can cost very different amounts on two different streets. Brand, SEER2 rating and whether your ductwork needs modification or replacement all move it.
Your number is set once the house is measured, and the quote is written before work starts.
The four lines that set your number
- Tonnage. The load calculation picks the size. The old unit's size is not the answer, because the house may have changed since it went in.
- SEER2 rating. A higher rating costs more up front. SEER2 is the current federal efficiency rating.
- Brand and stages. Single-stage and variable equipment are priced differently, and the quote names the model.
- Ducts. If the existing ducts are damaged or undersized, modification or replacement goes on the quote as its own line.
Refrigerant is part of the model choice. Since 1 Jan 2025, new residential split AC systems are made with lower-GWP A2L refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32. That is the equipment you are being quoted, not an upgrade you add.
Repair first, or replace
A failing compressor is where this decision gets made. If the compressor is locked or the windings are open, replacement costs $1,400 to $3,600 for the part and labor, which is often more than half the price of a new outdoor condensing unit.
Leaks work the same way. A two-pound recharge now costs $239 to $600, and if the leak is in the evaporator coil or condenser coil, repair costs often reach $1,200 to $3,600. Spending that on a system you are about to replace anyway is a poor trade. A tech can diagnose the unit first and tell you which side of the line it falls on.
Replacing the whole system or just the outdoor unit
A quote can cover three scopes:
| Scope | What is replaced | Decided by |
|---|---|---|
| Full system | Outdoor condenser, indoor coil and furnace or air handler | Load calculation and the condition of the indoor side |
| Outdoor unit with matched coil | Condenser and a coil that matches it | Whether the indoor equipment is compatible with the new refrigerant |
| System plus ducts | Everything above plus duct repair or replacement | Duct inspection and test results |
Mixing old and new parts can cause problems, so the survey checks that the indoor and outdoor sides are a matched pair before anything is priced. If they are not, the quote says so.
Where the new outdoor unit goes
On flat Studio City lots the new condenser can sit where the old one was. Hillside lots off Laurel Canyon are different, with benched pads, longer line sets and narrow roads that affect delivery. The survey looks at the pad, the clearances and the line-set run, and the quote reflects them.
LADWP is the electric utility in Studio City, and the electrical disconnect and breaker size are checked at the survey so the electrical scope is in the number.
Permit and testing
Replacing AC in California is permitted work, and in Studio City LADBS issues the permit and inspects the install. Title 24 Part 6 can require duct sealing and a duct leakage test, verified by a third-party HERS rater who is not the installer, depending on the scope. We tell you at the survey whether your job triggers it. The permit and the test are lines in the written quote, so they are not a surprise on a later invoice.
Booking the survey
Send the address, a photo of the outdoor unit and its label, and a line about any rooms that run warm. That is enough to book a survey. The tech measures the house, checks the ducts and the pad, and writes the quote. If you are also replacing the furnace, ask for it on the same estimate so the ducts and electrical are priced once. See our AC installation service for the full scope, or the Studio City page for the area we cover.
FAQ
How long does a central AC replacement take?
The survey sets the date and the scope sets the time. A straight swap is shorter than one with new ducts or a new pad. The quote gives you the plan.Can I choose a different size than my old unit?
The load calculation picks the size. It can land above, below or equal to the old unit, and the quote shows the reasoning.Will the quote include removal of the old unit?
Removal of the old equipment is part of the replacement scope, and the quote lists it.Do you replace central air in Sherman Oaks and Glendale?
Yes. Sherman Oaks and Glendale are part of the area we serve, and the same survey and written quote apply.Can I get a ductless system instead?
Yes, if ductwork is the problem. Ask for a ductless option on the same estimate and compare the two scopes.Call to replace your central AC
Call (877) 704-7652 and give Studio AC Co. your address and what the system is doing now, whether that is weak cooling, noise or a failed part. We will book the survey and write the quote before any work starts.
Need Professional HVAC Service?
Our HVAC-experienced technicians are ready to help with all your AC and heating needs. Contact Studio AC Co. today for expert service throughout the Laurel Canyon, Toluca Lake, Universal City, Sherman Oaks, and Encino service area.
