Full system replacement with Carrier, Trane, Lennox, or Rheem — installed in a day, backed by a 10-year parts warranty, and eligible for federal tax credits up to $2,000 through the Inflation Reduction Act.
From first call to commissioned system, here's exactly what happens — and why we don't skip steps other contractors skip.
We measure every room, count windows, note insulation, and run a proper Manual J load calculation. Most contractors skip this step and just match your old system size — that's why so many Cedar Grove homes have oversized, short-cycling AC units.
Load calc output tells us the correct tonnage. Texas homes often need 1.5–4 tons depending on size, orientation, and envelope. Properly sized systems run longer cycles, dehumidify better, and last 30–40% longer than oversized units.
We present 3 options — Essential, Performance, and Premium — from our 5 factory-authorized brands. You choose based on budget and comfort priorities, not based on what earns the tech the biggest commission (we don't pay commission).
On-site application with Wells Fargo or Synchrony. Approvals in under 2 minutes. 0% financing for 12–24 months for qualified buyers, plus longer-term fixed-rate plans. No obligation to use financing — it's just there if you want it.
2-person crew arrives 7:30–8:30 AM. Floors protected with drop cloths. Old system removed and hauled away free. New equipment set, lines brazed with nitrogen purge, thermostat wired, condensate trap built, commissioning run.
Vacuum evacuation to 500 microns, nitrogen pressure test, refrigerant charge by weight, superheat/subcool verification, CFM measurement at every register, static pressure check. These are the steps that make a system last 15+ years.
We register your 10-year parts warranty with the manufacturer the same day, file all Inflation Reduction Act tax credit paperwork, submit local utility rebate applications, and pull the permit for city inspection. Zero paperwork for you.
Before we leave: thermostat programming, filter location and replacement schedule, condensate drain location, breaker location, what sounds are normal, what signals a problem, and how to reach us if anything comes up.
We're factory-authorized for Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Rheem, and Goodman. That means OEM parts, manufacturer-backed warranties, and direct-from-factory pricing with no middle markup.
| Brand | Parts Warranty | Price Tier | Efficiency Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier Our most-installed brand |
10 years | $$ – $$$$ | 14.3 – 26 SEER2 | Reliability, quiet operation, premium variable-speed (Infinity) |
| Trane Heavy-duty design |
10 years | $$ – $$$$ | 14.3 – 22 SEER2 | Larger homes, extreme climates, long lifespan |
| Lennox Industry-leading efficiency |
10 years | $$$ – $$$$$ | 14.3 – 28 SEER2 | Highest efficiency available, lowest operating costs |
| Rheem Strong value play |
10 years | $$ – $$$ | 14.3 – 20.5 SEER2 | Great price-to-reliability ratio for tight budgets |
| Goodman Budget-friendly option |
10 years | $ – $$ | 14.3 – 18 SEER2 | Homeowners staying under 5 years, rental properties |
SEER2 replaced the old SEER rating in January 2023. It measures cooling efficiency under real-world duct conditions. Higher SEER2 = lower operating costs, but also higher upfront price.
The legal minimum for a new AC installed in Texas. Single-stage compressor, single-speed blower. Good for smaller homes, short-term owners, and rental properties. Expect to cut cooling costs 20–30% vs. a 15-year-old unit.
Typical monthly cooling cost (2,000 sq ft Cedar Grove home): ~$145 in peak summer
Two-stage compressor adjusts output based on demand. Quieter, better humidity control, longer cycles. The sweet spot for most Cedar Grove homes — noticeable bill savings without the premium price of variable-speed systems.
Typical monthly cooling cost (2,000 sq ft Cedar Grove home): ~$115 in peak summer
Inverter-driven variable-speed compressor runs continuously at low output. Best humidity control, quietest operation, most even temperatures room-to-room. Qualifies for the full $600 federal tax credit. Pays back in 5–7 years for most homes.
Typical monthly cooling cost (2,000 sq ft Cedar Grove home): ~$85 in peak summer
Three clear tiers. Every price includes equipment, installation labor, new refrigerant lines, permits, startup, warranty registration, and haul-away of the old system. No hidden fees, no surprise charges.
Prices shown are starting points for a 3-ton system in a typical 2,000 sq ft home. Final quote depends on home size, ductwork condition, and equipment tier selected. All prices include 0% financing eligibility for qualified buyers.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) made meaningful upgrades more affordable. Qualifying AC and heat pump installations receive direct federal tax credits — not a rebate, not a loan — that you claim on your tax return.
Meridian handles all tax credit and rebate paperwork at no charge as part of every installation. You get Form 5695 completed and filed for your tax return.
See Financing OptionsMost straight-swap installations are a single-day job. Here's the typical schedule so you know exactly what's happening.
| Time | What's Happening |
|---|---|
| 7:30–8:30 AM | Crew arrives. Floors covered, work area staged, equipment unloaded. |
| 8:30–10:00 AM | Old system recovered (refrigerant captured per EPA rules), disconnected, removed. |
| 10:00 AM–12:30 PM | New outdoor condenser and indoor coil/air handler set. Refrigerant lines run, brazed with nitrogen purge. |
| 12:30–1:00 PM | Crew lunch break (they bring their own, don't use your kitchen). |
| 1:00–3:00 PM | Electrical connections, thermostat wiring, condensate drain with trap and safety switch, line set insulation. |
| 3:00–4:30 PM | System evacuated to 500 microns, refrigerant charged by weight, commissioning tests run. |
| 4:30–5:30 PM | Cleanup, walkthrough with homeowner, warranty paperwork, permit/inspection scheduled. |
Two-day installations (ductwork modifications, fuel-source changes, zoning additions) follow a similar flow with day 2 typically starting at 8:00 AM and finishing by mid-afternoon.
"Got three quotes for a full system replacement. Meridian wasn't the cheapest, but they were the only company that actually did a proper load calculation instead of just looking at my current unit. The system they recommended was smaller than what the other guys quoted — and it runs perfectly in 105-degree weather. Crew was clean, respectful, finished on time."
"Replaced our 18-year-old AC with a Carrier Infinity variable-speed. The difference is night and day. It's almost silent, the humidity in the house is noticeably better, and our July electric bill dropped from $340 to $195. The team was in and out in a single day. Got our $600 tax credit paperwork the next morning."
"We were quoted $14k by one of those big-box companies for a mid-tier system. Meridian did the same install with a better-quality Trane for $11,500. They financed it at 0% over 18 months. Real people, real pricing, no pressure sales pitch. Wish more companies did business this way."
New AC installation in Cedar Grove ranges from $7,500 to $16,000+ depending on home size, efficiency level, and brand.
A standard 14.3 SEER2 system for a 2,000 sq ft home starts around $7,500. A 16–17 SEER2 two-stage system runs $10,500–$13,500. Premium 18+ SEER2 variable-speed systems with matched air handlers start at $14,500. Prices include equipment, installation labor, new refrigerant lines, permits, and startup — no hidden fees.
A straight system swap — same size, same configuration, no ductwork changes — takes 6–8 hours and is completed in a single day.
Installations that require ductwork modifications, electrical upgrades, or a change from one fuel type to another (gas furnace to heat pump) typically run 1.5–2 days. Crews arrive between 7:30 and 8:30 AM and rarely work past 6 PM.
The minimum SEER2 rating for a new AC installed in Texas is 14.3. For most Cedar Grove homes, 16 SEER2 is the sweet spot — enough efficiency gain over the minimum to noticeably lower your summer bills, without the premium price of variable-speed equipment.
If you're in a larger home (3,000+ sq ft), run your AC 6+ months per year, or plan to stay in the home 10+ years, an 18+ SEER2 variable-speed system pays back the price premium through lower operating costs and typically qualifies for the full federal tax credit.
Yes. Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), qualifying high-efficiency central ACs receive a 30% federal tax credit up to $600. Qualifying heat pumps receive up to $2,000.
Income-eligible households may also qualify for HEEHRA rebates covering up to $8,000 of a heat pump installation. Meridian handles all tax credit and rebate paperwork at no charge as part of every installation, including Form 5695 for your tax return.
There is no universal "best" brand — every major manufacturer (Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Rheem) makes reliable equipment at multiple price tiers. What matters more than brand is the installer.
A perfectly-sized Carrier installed by a poor contractor will perform worse than a properly-sized Goodman installed by a skilled crew. We install Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Rheem, and Goodman — we recommend based on your home, ductwork, and budget, not based on our warehouse inventory.
Yes. Meridian partners with Wells Fargo and Synchrony to offer 0% financing for qualified buyers over 12–24 months, plus longer-term plans up to 120 months at competitive fixed rates.
Applications take 2 minutes and are processed on-site during your free estimate. We also accept all major credit cards and offer a 3% discount for cash or check payment.
Usually not. Most Cedar Grove homes have serviceable ductwork that only needs minor sealing. We inspect the full duct system as part of every estimate.
If your ducts are undersized, crushed, or leaking significantly (we use a duct blaster test to measure actual leakage), we'll recommend targeted repairs — usually $800–$2,500 — rather than full replacement. Complete duct replacement is rarely necessary and we'll tell you honestly when it is.
Every Meridian installation includes:
A proper Manual J load calculation, three clear options, upfront flat-rate pricing — and we walk away if it's not a fit.