Replacing a Failing Tempstar Unit in Austin Texas

Updated September 2026 · ATX Mini Split King, Austin and Central Texas

If your Tempstar unit is struggling to keep up with a Central Texas summer, you are likely reading this because it is not cooling, it is short cycling, it is making noise, it is old, or a repair quote came back higher than you expected. ATX Mini Split King is an independent contractor that removes and replaces existing equipment. We have no relationship with Tempstar. This page walks you through what to expect when switching to a ductless mini split system for your Austin home.

ATX Mini Split King is an independent HVAC and electrical contractor. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a representative of Tempstar or any manufacturer. The Tempstar name appears here only to describe equipment that may already be installed in your home and that we can remove and replace. All manufacturer names are the property of their owners.

Flat pricing, everything included

Those are materials and labor together, wired to code by a TDLR licensed contractor. Anything non standard gets quoted first, before a single tool comes out of the truck: a very long line set, an electrical panel that needs work, a difficult mount, a roof or masonry penetration, disposal of the old equipment. You hear the number before we start, not after.

What Usually Brings a Homeowner to This Page

Most calls start the same way. The unit is not cooling the way it used to. It runs but the air coming out is barely cool. Or it cycles on and off every few minutes, a condition known as short cycling. That short cycling often points to an issue with the compressor or refrigerant circuit. Sometimes the outdoor unit makes a loud rattling or grinding sound that was not there last summer. In other cases the equipment is simply old. A system that has been running for fifteen or twenty years may still blow air but it runs constantly and the electric bill climbs.

Another common reason is a high repair quote. A technician tells you the compressor is failing, the coil is leaking, or the control board is dead. The repair cost feels too close to the price of a new system. You start weighing your options. Whatever the exact symptom, the underlying question is whether to put more money into the existing setup or start fresh. Central Texas summers are long and unforgiving. A unit that is limping along in June will likely fail entirely in July or August when you need it most.

Repair Versus Replace: An Honest Look

Repair is sometimes the smarter money. If the unit is less than eight years old and the problem is a simple part like a capacitor, a contactor, or a small refrigerant leak that can be isolated and repaired, fixing it usually makes sense. A single repair can buy you several more years of service for a few hundred dollars. You should not replace equipment that still has useful life left just because it is old. A well maintained system that is running fine does not need to be swapped out.

Replace makes more sense when the repair involves the compressor, the evaporator coil, or the condenser coil. Those parts are expensive and the labor to replace them is high. If the system uses R22 refrigerant, which is being phased out, future service calls will be costly. If the unit is short cycling from a failing compressor, no repair will fix that permanently. In those cases putting money into a new system gives you a fresh start. The honest answer depends on the age of the unit, the cost of the specific repair, and your own timeline for staying in the home.

What Carries Over to a Ductless Mini Split System

When replacing a Tempstar unit with a ductless mini split, very little of the existing equipment transfers. The outdoor pad can usually stay if it is in good condition and level. The wall penetration where the line set goes through can sometimes be reused if the hole is in the right location and large enough for the new lines. Everything else is new. The line set connecting the outdoor unit to the indoor unit must be replaced. Old line sets contain residual oil and debris from the previous system and are sized for a different type of equipment.

The electrical disconnect and circuit breaker may be reusable if the voltage and amperage match the new system. That must be verified on site. The mounting bracket for the old condenser is removed. The condensate drain route may change because a ductless indoor head drains by gravity through a small tube. The location of that drain matters. If the old system had a condensate pump, it will be removed. In short, the new installation is mostly new work. The only carryover items are the concrete pad and possibly the wall penetration.

What Replacement Day Looks Like

On the day of the replacement, the crew arrives in the morning. The first step is to shut off power at the breaker and disconnect the old Tempstar unit. The outdoor condenser is disconnected from the line set and the electrical wiring. The indoor unit, whether it is a furnace and coil or an air handler, is removed from its location. The old line set is cut out and pulled through the wall penetration. The outdoor pad is inspected and cleaned. If it is cracked or unlevel, it is replaced. Otherwise it stays.

Before the crew starts, the homeowner needs to decide where the new indoor heads will go. In a ductless system each head serves a zone. You choose how many heads and where to place them. Common spots are a living room, a main bedroom, and a converted garage or addition. The outdoor condenser location must also be chosen. It should be on the pad, with clearance for airflow and access. The crew then mounts the indoor head, runs new line set, pulls the electrical circuit, and installs the outdoor unit. The system is pressure tested, evacuated, and charged. Most jobs take one full day.

Flat Pricing and What Is Included

ATX Mini Split King offers flat pricing for complete mini split installations. For one indoor head the price is $1,500. For two indoor heads the price is $2,500. For three indoor heads the price is $3,500. These prices include all materials and labor. That means the indoor head, the outdoor condenser, the line set, the wall penetration, the electrical disconnect, the mounting hardware, and the condensate drain line are all included. The work is done to code by a TDLR licensed contractor. The price also includes removal and disposal of the old Tempstar equipment.

Any work that is non standard is quoted separately before any work begins. Examples include upgrading the electrical panel, running a new circuit from the panel a long distance, repairing drywall, or adding a condensate pump. If the outdoor pad needs to be replaced, that is quoted separately. If the wall penetration requires structural reinforcement, that is quoted separately. You will know the full cost before the crew arrives. There are no surprise charges. The flat pricing covers the standard installation for a typical Austin home.

What to Ask an Installer Before You Hire Them

Before hiring any installer, ask if they are a TDLR licensed contractor in Texas. Ask if they carry liability insurance and workers compensation. Ask if the work will be permitted and inspected by the local municipality. In Austin that is often required. Ask how many mini split installations they have done in the last year. Experience matters because mini splits require proper line set flaring, vacuum dehydration, and electrical commissioning. Ask what brand of equipment they typically install and why they chose that brand. Ask for a written quote that lists exactly what is included and what is not.

There are also times when keeping the existing equipment is the better decision. If the Tempstar unit is less than five years old and the repair is minor, keep it. If the home has existing ductwork that is in good condition and the ductwork is sized correctly, a ducted system may be a better fit than a ductless mini split. Mini splits are not the right answer for every home. If you have a large open floor plan with existing ducts, a central system may serve you better. A good installer will tell you when a mini split is not the right choice.

Questions people actually ask

How long does a mini split installation take in an Austin home?

Most single head installations take one full day. A two or three head system may take a day and a half. The crew arrives in the morning and works until the system is running. The exact time depends on the distance between the indoor and outdoor units and the condition of the existing wall penetration. Older homes may have asbestos in the wall or other issues that slow things down.

Can I keep my old thermostat with a new mini split?

No. Mini splits use their own wireless remote or wall mounted controller. The old thermostat cannot be reused because the control voltage and communication protocol are completely different. The new controller will be mounted on a wall in each zone. You can set temperature, fan speed, and mode from that controller or from the remote that comes with the indoor head.

What happens to my old Tempstar unit after removal?

ATX Mini Split King removes the old equipment and disposes of it properly. Refrigerant is recovered and recycled in compliance with EPA regulations. The metal and components are taken to a scrap yard. You do not need to do anything with the old unit. It is included in the flat price. The outdoor pad stays if it is in good condition. Everything else is hauled away.

Do I need to upgrade my electrical panel for a mini split?

Not always. Mini split systems draw less current than a central air conditioner of the same cooling capacity. If your panel has an open breaker slot and sufficient capacity, the new circuit can be added without a panel upgrade. ATX Mini Split King will evaluate your panel during the quote. If an upgrade is needed, that cost is quoted separately before any work begins.

Is a mini split a good choice for a converted garage in Austin?

Yes, often. Converted garages usually have no ductwork and thin walls. A ductless mini split is ideal because it does not require ducts. One indoor head can cool a typical garage conversion. The outdoor unit can be placed on the exterior wall. Just make sure the head is mounted on an interior wall with good airflow. A mini split avoids the cost and mess of running new ducts through a slab floor.

Keep reading

Every replacement guide we have written is listed on the replacement guide hub. Next door to this page: replacing a failing american standard unit in austin, replacing a failing coleman unit in austin. Pricing, service area and the quote form all live on the ATX Mini Split King home page, and the Austin mini split cost guide covers what the rest of the market charges.