AC Installation & Replacement in Antioch & Contra Costa
New central AC sized for East County heat
If your air conditioner is old, leaking refrigerant or failing every summer, a new system can end the repair calls and run far more efficiently. We install and replace central air conditioners, with matched indoor coils and furnaces, in homes, apartments and light commercial buildings across Contra Costa. New equipment now uses lower-GWP refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32. We size each system for your house, not for the label on the old unit.
Why choose Blue Star
We start with a load calculation, a look at your ducts and a check of your electrical panel, because a new unit on bad ducts still underperforms. Installs follow the manufacturer's instructions, including a nitrogen purge while brazing and a deep vacuum before charging. We pull the permit, coordinate the ECC (formerly HERS) inspection and haul away the old equipment with its refrigerant recovered. Quotes on new equipment are free.
- Load calculation and sizing
- Duct and panel inspection
- R-454B and R-32 equipment
- Permit and ECC inspection
- Old unit hauled away
- Thermostat setup and test
Where we work
Brentwood and Oakley tract homes built in the late 1990s and 2000s are reaching the end of their original AC systems, and southeast Antioch is right behind them. These houses face 100-degree afternoons, so correct sizing matters. Older homes in north Antioch, Concord and Pleasant Hill often need duct work to pass the required leakage test. In Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, Mutual approval and the community's equipment standards apply before a replacement can be scheduled.
Major corridors
- SR-4
- Lone Tree Way
- Balfour Rd
- Sand Creek Rd
- Main St Oakley
- Clayton Rd
- Contra Costa Blvd
- I-680
Find your town
4.9 stars on Google
Read more reviewsColton was great. He found the problem right away and did a temporary fix to get my a/c running until he could get the right part ordered. He also made sure every inside was working well.
Questions we hear
What size AC does my house need?
Size depends on more than square footage. Insulation, windows, which way the house faces, attic ducts and the number of people all change the load. A unit that is too big cycles on and off and leaves rooms clammy, while one that is too small runs nonstop on 100-degree days. We run a load calculation so the new system fits your house, not the old unit's tonnage.
Can I still get an R-410A air conditioner?
New AC and heat pump equipment made since January 2025 uses lower-GWP refrigerants, mainly R-454B or R-32. Federal rules now allow installing leftover R-410A split systems built before 2025, but California has its own refrigerant limits, supply is shrinking and parts will get harder to find. For most homes we recommend the newer refrigerant, and we show you what is available when we quote.
Do I need a permit to replace my air conditioner?
Yes. California's Title 24 energy code requires a building permit for an AC change-out, and most also need ECC (formerly HERS) verification by a third-party rater. Replacing the outdoor or indoor unit usually triggers a duct leakage test, and leaky ducts must be sealed to pass. We pull the permit with your city or the County and meet the inspector, so the job closes out properly.
Should I replace my AC with a heat pump instead?
It is often worth a look. A heat pump replaces the AC and can take over most or all of your heating, which fits East County's hot summers and mild winters. The Bay Area Air District's zero-NOx rule for new furnaces starts in 2029, so switching now can save a second change-out later. The right choice depends on your panel, ducts and budget, so we quote both.
Are there rebates or tax credits for a new AC in 2026?
Fewer than before. The federal energy tax credit ended for systems installed after 2025, and most state and regional heat pump rebates for single-family homes are fully reserved or waitlisted this year. Income-qualified programs through PG&E, MCE and BayREN may still help some households. We tell you what is open when we quote and point you to the program so you can apply.
Related services
All servicesBlue Star Heating & Air is just a call away!
Thinking about a new AC before next summer? Call (925) 584-2428 or request a free quote on new equipment.