Can't Afford a New AC in San Antonio? Your Options
A dead AC in a San Antonio summer is a real problem, and a new system is a big expense. Before you assume you need one, and if you truly cannot cover it, here are the options and the local programs that can help.
First: you may not need a new AC
Many "the AC is dead" calls turn out to be one failed part, like a capacitor, contactor or fan motor. Get a diagnosis and the repair price in writing before you price a new system. Then:
- Use the $5,000 rule to see whether the repair makes sense.
- If another company told you to replace it, get a free second opinion. Cowboy's offers free second opinions in the San Antonio area on other companies' replacement quotes.
- Check common small failures yourself: see bad AC capacitor signs and how to reset your AC unit.
CPS Energy Casa Verde
Casa Verde is a CPS Energy weatherization program for income-qualified customers. Both homeowners and renters can qualify. Its list of upgrades includes central AC tune-ups, duct sealing and repair, smart thermostats, insulation, solar screens and window AC replacement. It does not list replacing a central AC system.
Apply at cpsenergy.com/casaverde or call 210-353-2272. Income limits apply and change each year, so check the program page.
Help paying the energy bill
- REAP (Residential Energy Assistance Partnership): a partnership of CPS Energy, the City of San Antonio and Bexar County that gives bill credits to customers in need. See cpsenergy.com/reap or call CPS Energy Community Engagement at 210-353-4483.
- City of San Antonio utility assistance: help with energy bills for income-qualified households with an active CPS Energy account, with priority for households with children, people with disabilities and adults 60 and older. See sa.gov utility assistance or call 210-207-8198.
- Texas 2-1-1: call 211 to find other local help programs.
These programs help with bills, not with buying a new central AC, but freeing up the bill can make a repair possible.
Rebates and financing
If replacement is the right call, two things lower the cost:
- CPS Energy rebates on qualifying high-efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps.
- Financing, so you pay over time. See financing options and AC replacement cost in San Antonio.
A right-sized system can also cost less to buy and run. See what size AC do I need.
Staying safe in the heat meanwhile
- Close blinds on sunny windows and use fans in the rooms you are in.
- A window unit can cool one room for sleeping.
- Drink water, and check on older neighbors and anyone with health problems.
- During heat advisories, the City of San Antonio opens cooling centers. Call 311 to find one.
Need a diagnosis or a repair price? Cowboy's answers 24/7 with our own dispatch on Blanco Road, and you get the price in writing before work starts. See AC repair in San Antonio.
Frequently asked questions
What can I do if I can't afford a new AC in San Antonio?
First get a diagnosis: many failures are one part, not the whole system. Then check CPS Energy Casa Verde, REAP and City of San Antonio utility assistance, CPS Energy rebates, and financing.
Does CPS Energy help pay for a new air conditioner?
CPS Energy offers rebates on qualifying high-efficiency systems. Its Casa Verde program covers items like AC tune-ups, duct sealing and window AC replacement for income-qualified customers, but does not list central AC replacement.
Can renters get help from Casa Verde?
Yes. CPS Energy says both homeowners and renters can receive Casa Verde upgrades.
Who can help me pay my CPS Energy bill?
REAP and the City of San Antonio utility assistance program help income-qualified customers with energy bills. You can also call 211 for other programs.
Is it worth repairing my old AC instead of replacing it?
Often, if the repair is small. Use the $5,000 rule: multiply the system age by the repair price. Under 5,000 usually favors repair.
Related service: AC repair in San Antonio · financing · free second opinions. Cowboy's AC answers 24/7 at (210) 495-7771.
