Dunn Wright HVAC
HVAC Savings Calculator
See roughly how much a higher-efficiency air conditioner could save on your Central Texas cooling bills. Adjust the numbers for your home — every estimate is a realistic range, not a sales pitch.
Older systems are often SEER 8–13.
Central Texas averages around $0.14/kWh — check your bill.
Estimated annual savings
$462/yr
~15-year savings
$6,930
Typical install range
$12,500–$17,000
Based on an estimated 3.7-ton system for a 2,000 sq ft home. This is a rough planning range — your exact quote depends on your home, and complex installs or full ductwork replacement can run higher.
Financing available
Spread the cost of your new system
A new system is a big investment. Through our financing partner Hearth, you can check pre-qualified monthly payment options in about two minutes — with no impact to your credit score. Add your details and we’ll carry them over to speed things up.
All optional. Your name and email prefill your Hearth application; your address and system preference stay with Dunn Wright (not shared with Hearth) so we can follow up with an exact quote. By continuing you’ll go to our financing partner Hearth — see our Privacy Policy. Hearth checks your rate without affecting your credit score.
Better — two-stage
A SEER 16 system lands in our better — two-stage tier — steadier temperatures and humidity control. Compare the air conditioners we install:
How much can you save upgrading your AC in Central Texas?
A typical Central Texas home upgrading from an older SEER 10 air conditioner to a modern SEER 16 system saves roughly $350–$600 a year on cooling, depending on home size and electricity rate — about $5,000–$9,000 over a 15-year system life. Because our cooling season is long and hot, efficiency gains add up faster here than in milder climates. The calculator above estimates your numbers; the table below shows common examples at an average $0.14/kWh rate.
| Home size | Est. annual savings | ~15-year savings | Typical install range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | $347/yr | $5,205 | $9,500–$12,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $462/yr | $6,930 | $12,500–$17,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $578/yr | $8,670 | $15,500–$21,000 |
Assumes a SEER 10 → SEER 16 upgrade, ~2,000 cooling hours/yr, $0.14/kWh. Install ranges are system-only estimates; ductwork replacement, when needed, typically adds $3,000–$7,000.
More than savings: cleaner air and healthier comfort
Lower energy bills are only part of the story. An aging air conditioner and old, leaky ductwork can harbor dust, pollen, mold, and other allergens and push them back into the rooms you live in. A modern system supports higher-efficiency (higher-MERV) filtration, and variable-speed equipment like Daikin runs longer, gentler cycles that pull humidity and airborne particles out of the air more steadily. Replacing tired ductwork seals up the leaks that draw in attic dust in the first place. For households dealing with allergies, asthma, or Central Texas's brutal cedar and ragweed seasons, that air-quality improvement can matter more than the monthly savings — it is exactly why we treat an upgrade as a comfort-and-health decision, not just an efficiency one.
How this estimate is calculated
Cooling energy use rises as efficiency (SEER) falls. We estimate annual cooling kilowatt-hours as your system capacity (about 22 BTU per square foot) times Central Texas cooling hours, divided by the SEER rating. The savings is the difference between running your current SEER and the new SEER, multiplied by your electricity rate. It’s a well-established approximation — not a Manual J load calculation — so we always show it as a range and recommend an in-home evaluation for an exact quote.
Frequently asked questions
- How much can I save upgrading to a higher-SEER AC in Texas?
- A typical Central Texas home upgrading from an older SEER 10 system to a modern SEER 16 system saves roughly $350–$600 a year in cooling costs, depending on home size, your electricity rate, and how hot the summer runs. Over a 15-year system life that is about $5,000–$9,000 — but comfort, humidity control, and reliability are usually the bigger reasons homeowners upgrade.
- Is a SEER 16 system worth it in Central Texas?
- For most Central Texas homes, yes. Our long, hot cooling season means a high-efficiency system runs for thousands of hours a year, so the efficiency gain from SEER 10–13 up to SEER 16 adds up. A higher-SEER variable-speed system also dehumidifies better and runs quieter. The right tier depends on your home — Dunn Wright gives an honest recommendation, not a hard sell.
- How is HVAC cooling savings calculated?
- Estimated annual cooling cost equals your system size (BTU) times the equivalent full-load cooling hours, divided by the SEER rating, times your electricity rate. The savings from an upgrade is the difference between running the old SEER and the new SEER. This calculator uses Central Texas defaults (about 2,000 cooling hours a year and 22 BTU per square foot) that you can adjust.
- Can a new HVAC system improve indoor air quality or help with allergies?
- Often, yes. An aging air conditioner and decades-old ductwork can collect dust, pollen, mold, and other allergens and recirculate them through your home. A new system supports higher-MERV filtration, and variable-speed models like Daikin run longer, gentler cycles that filter and dehumidify the air more consistently. Replacing leaky old ductwork also stops it from pulling in attic dust. It will not cure allergies, but many Central Texas homeowners notice noticeably cleaner, less humid air — especially during cedar and ragweed season.
- How much does a new HVAC system cost in Central Texas?
- A full system replacement in Central Texas typically runs about $9,000–$20,000 installed, and more if aging ductwork needs replacing. The price depends on the size of your home, the SEER and efficiency tier you choose, and the condition of your existing ducts and equipment. Higher-efficiency systems cost more up front but cut energy bills and improve comfort and air quality. Every home is different — call (830) 500-0615 for an exact, no-pressure quote.
- Are these savings estimates guaranteed?
- No — they are honest estimates, not quotes. Real savings depend on your home’s insulation, ductwork, thermostat habits, and your actual electricity rate. Dunn Wright competes on quality and reliable workmanship, not the lowest price, so we would rather give you a realistic range than an inflated promise. Call (830) 500-0615 for an exact, no-pressure quote.
Ready for an exact number?
Tell us about your home and we’ll give you an honest, upfront quote — no pressure, and workmanship we stand behind.