How Much Does a New AC Cost in Round Rock, TX? A Transparent Pricing Guide from Koala Cooling & Plumbing. 

Written By Scott Feller, CEO and Owner of Koala Cooling & Plumbing | May 1, 2026

There’s a question I get more than almost any other: “How much is this going to cost me?”

I enjoy that question. Not because it’s easy to answer — it isn’t — but because it tells me the homeowner is doing their homework. And homeowners who do their homework end up making better decisions, having better experiences, and feel better about what they spent.

CEO and Owner of Koala Cooling & Plumbing, Scott Feller. Action shot at Koala headquarters….probably talking to a homeowner or the team about an AC installation project.

Let me give you the most complete AC pricing guide you’ll find in the Round Rock and Greater Austin area. Real numbers. Real Carrier equipment. Real install prices,  because we believe an informed homeowner makes a better homeowner, and a better homeowner makes for a better long term working relationship.

I want to say something plainly before you read a single price in this blog: Koala Cooling & Plumbing does not compete on price alone. We compete on quality of equipment, quality of installation, quality of service, and the long-term warranties that back all of it up. The prices you’ll find below are fair, transparent, and all-inclusive, but the reason to choose Koala Cooling & Plumbing isn’t that we’re the cheapest option in Central Texas. It’s that we may well be the best value, and there’s a meaningful difference between the two.

Any company can look at this blog and undercut our prices by a few dollars. What they can’t replicate is the way we install, the Comfort Advisors who size your system correctly. Price is what you pay once. Quality is what you live with for the next 15–20 years. 

We predominantly install Carrier equipment because after years in this business, it’s simply among the best available,  though if you have a strong preference for another manufacturer, we can accommodate that with alternate pricing. Here’s everything you need to know before you spend a dime! 

First: Why Doesn’t Every AC Quote Look the Same?

Before we get to numbers, let’s talk about why two neighbors with similar houses can get quotes that differ by thousands of dollars. Three variables drive almost all of it.

1. The Size of Your Home (and System)

AC systems are sized in tons — not weight, but cooling capacity. A ton of cooling equals 12,000 BTUs per hour. As a general rule of thumb for Central Texas homes:

These are rough guidelines , ceiling height, insulation quality, sun exposure, window area, and duct condition all affect the right size for your home. Our Comfort Advisors perform a proper Manual J load calculation before recommending any system size. If someone quotes you a system without ever asking about your home’s specifics, that’s a red flag.

2. What Fuel Your System Uses

In Central Texas, most homes run on one of two configurations:

– Gas furnace + AC coil + outdoor condenser — the most common setup. The furnace provides heat in winter; the AC coil and condenser handle cooling. Natural gas is the most affordable fuel for heating in this area. Homes with propane service use the same equipment configuration.

– Heat pump system — an all-electric alternative that both heats and cools using the same equipment. Heat pumps are highly efficient in mild climates and are often the best choice for homes without natural gas service. They work well in Central Texas winters, though gas systems tend to have an edge on the coldest nights we occasionally see.

The Efficiency of the Unit (SEER2 Rating)

SEER2 is the federal efficiency standard that replaced SEER in 2023. The higher the number, the more efficiently the system cools — and the lower your monthly electric bill. In Central Texas, where your AC runs hard for seven or eight months a year, efficiency matters more than in most parts of the country.

We organize our Carrier equipment into three tiers,  and the differences between them go well beyond efficiency ratings:

Good — Carrier Single-Stage (up to ~15 SEER2)

Reliable, code-compliant, and built to last. On or off — full capacity or nothing. Comes with a 1-year Koala Cooling labor warranty plus a 10-year manufacturer’s parts warranty from Carrier (requires annual professional service to maintain). This system comes with one year of Koala Club  prepaid! This keeps your warranty active and your system running at peak performance.

Better — Carrier Two-Stage (up to ~17–18 SEER2)

Runs at lower capacity most of the time for better comfort, quieter operation, and significantly improved humidity control. Available in 2, 3, 4, and 5 ton only. Every Better system includes a **Solace AirRanger™ Polarized Media Air Cleaner** — a whole-home filtration system that is 97% efficient at capturing particles down to 0.3 microns, including submicron particles that standard filters miss entirely. The EPA classifies the finest airborne particles as the most dangerous to human health; the AirRanger is specifically engineered to capture them. Comes with a **2-year Koala Cooling labor warranty** plus a **10-year manufacturer’s parts warranty** from Carrier. This system comes with two years of Koala Club prepaid.

Best — Carrier Infinity Variable-Speed with Greenspeed® Intelligence (up to ~20–24 SEER2 gas / ~22 

SEER2 heat pump) continuously adjusts between roughly 25% and 100% capacity to match your home’s exact needs at any given moment. The quietest, most efficient, and most comfortable system we install. Available in 2, 3, 4, and 5 ton only. Every Best system includes both the Solace AirRanger™ Polarized Media Air Cleaner** and the **Solace Series3 Germicidal UVC Lamp** — a high-output ultraviolet germicidal system that neutralizes airborne viruses (including the COVID-19 virus), bacteria, mold spores, and other biological contaminants by disrupting their DNA so they can no longer reproduce.

The EPA has stated that the combined use of filtration and germicidal UVC light is an effective means of preventing the distribution of airborne viruses in occupied spaces. Comes with a **5-year Koala Cooling labor warranty** (upgradeable to 10 years — ask your Comfort Advisor) plus a **10-year manufacturer’s parts warranty** from Carrier and 5 years of Koala Club.

Note: Infinity variable-speed systems typically require the supply and/or return plenum(s) to be enlarged to handle optimal airflow — our Comfort Advisors will assess this during your quote visit.

Labor warranties that mean something.

Any HVAC company can offer a manufacturer’s parts warranty — Carrier’s 10-year parts warranty comes with every registered system we install, on every tier. What varies is who stands behind the labor. At Koala Cooling & Plumbing, our labor warranties are in-house:

– Good systems: 1-year labor warranty

– Better systems: 2-year labor warranty

– Best systems: 5-year labor warranty, upgradeable to 10 years

**Important:** Carrier requires annual professional service to keep the 10-year parts warranty active. Our Koala Club maintenance plan satisfies that requirement — and it’s the most cost-effective way to protect both your manufacturer warranty and your Koala labor warranty simultaneously.

Current Pricing — Valid Through May 14th

The prices in this blog reflect our current winter pricing, valid through May 14, 2026. Pricing will be adjusted on May 15th and this blog will be updated to reflect those changes. If you’ve been thinking about replacing your system, acting before May 15th will lock in today’s rates.

Available Discounts

The following discounts apply on top of the already-reduced winter prices shown below:

– **10% off**  Koala Club members, verified veterans, and senior citizens

– **5% off** for cash payment (ACH, check, or cash — no credit cards, no financing)

– **The Koala Club/veteran/senior discount and the cash discount can be combined for a maximum of 15% off**

– Koala Club and veteran/senior discounts cannot be stacked with each other — maximum 10% from this category

See the “With 10% Discount” columns in each pricing table to see your price if you qualify.

What Does a New AC System Actually Cost in Round Rock, TX?

All prices below are fully installed and include all applicable taxes.** Every price includes equipment, labor, permits, fusible disconnect, and all standard installation materials. There are no hidden fees and no surprises.

These are Koala Cooling & Plumbing’s actual prices for the Round Rock and Greater Austin area — not national averages.*

Gas System Pricing (Natural Gas Furnace + AC)

Good — Carrier Single-Stage (up to ~15 SEER2)

Better — Carrier Two-Stage (up to ~17–18 SEER2)

Available in 2, 3, 4, and 5 ton only. Includes Solace AirRanger™ Polarized Media Air Cleaner.

Best — Carrier Infinity Variable-Speed (up to ~20–24 SEER2)

Available in 2, 3, 4, and 5 ton only. Includes Solace AirRanger™ + Solace Series3 UVC Lamp. Plenum enlargement may be required — assessed at quote.

Heat Pump System Pricing (AHU + Coil + AC)

Good — Carrier Single-Stage Heat Pump (up to ~15 SEER2)

Better — Carrier Two-Stage Heat Pump (up to ~17–18 SEER2)

Available in 2, 3, 4, and 5 ton only. Includes Solace AirRanger™ Polarized Media Air Cleaner.

Best — Carrier Infinity Variable-Speed Heat Pump (up to ~22 SEER2)

Available in 2, 3, 4, and 5 ton only. Includes Solace AirRanger™ + Solace Series3 UVC Lamp. Plenum enlargement may be required — assessed at quote.

All systems at all tiers — Good, Better, and Best — come with Koala Cooling & Plumbing’s exclusive       100% Satisfaction Guarantee. As well, they all come with Carrier’s 10-year parts warranty  when registered with the manufacturer. Registration requires annual professional service to keep the warranty active. Our Koala Club membership satisfies this requirement and is the most straightforward way to protect your investment.

The Bottom Line

Replacing your AC system is one of the larger purchases you’ll make as a homeowner. You deserve to know exactly what you’re getting and what it costs — before anyone shows up at your door

The right system for your home depends on your square footage, your fuel source, how long you plan to stay, and how much you value long-term comfort and efficiency versus upfront cost. There’s no single right answer — but there is a right answer for your specific situation, and any Koala Cooling Comfort Advisor will help you find it.

Lots of companies in Central Texas can beat us on price. No one can beat us on customer service, after all, we are Koala-fied. 

Have more questions or want additional info? Reach out by filling out our contact form by clicking below.

We’re Koala Cooling & Plumbing, your neighbors in Round Rock at 1102 S Industrial Blvd, Suite C, Round Rock, TX 78681. 

Feel free to visit us anytime!