Questions
Straight answers on heating and air around Seneca: prices, who does the work, permits, rebates and refrigerants.
Prices and the service
How much does an AC repair cost in Seneca, SC?
Most repairs run $150–$850 for parts and labor, on top of a $75–$150 diagnostic visit. A failed capacitor, the commonest summer fix, is $150–$400; a compressor is $1,500–$3,500.
How much is a new heat pump in Seneca?
A 3-ton heat pump with a new air handler, the most common replacement around Seneca, typically runs $7,500–$12,000 installed at standard efficiency, and $9,700–$18,600 for a variable-speed system.
Who does the work when I contact Seneca Heat & Air?
Seneca Heat & Air is a referral service. Your request goes to a licensed local HVAC contractor, licensed by South Carolina LLR, who calls you, prices the job after seeing it and does the work under their own license and warranty.
Which towns do you cover?
Seneca, Clemson, Walhalla, Westminster, Pendleton, Central, Salem, Six Mile, West Union, Fair Play, Long Creek and Townville, and the homes around Lake Keowee and Lake Hartwell. If you are just outside that, ask: the form takes any nearby town.
How soon will someone call?
The contractor calls or texts you back after your request arrives. Phones are answered Monday to Saturday, 7am to 7pm.
Is there still a federal tax credit for heat pumps in 2026?
No. The 25C credit ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. Duke Energy customers may still qualify for a $350–$900 Smart $aver rebate on a qualifying heat pump, and South Carolina's state rebates have not opened yet.
Heat pump or gas furnace in Seneca?
Heat pumps are the most common system here: winters are mild, and many homes have no gas line. Where Fort Hill natural gas or propane is already in the house, an AC with a gas furnace, or a dual-fuel heat pump, can make sense.
How often should a heat pump be serviced?
Twice a year in the Upstate: spring before the cooling season and fall before the heating season, because a heat pump works both. A tune-up typically costs $90–$200 a visit.
Is the ballpark on this site a quote?
No. It is a range from typical Upstate prices. The contractor gives you a written price after seeing the system, and you are never obliged to go ahead.
Systems and rules
Does an HVAC contractor need a license in South Carolina?
Yes. HVAC contractors are licensed by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). You can check any license by name or number on the LLR license lookup at verify.llronline.com.
Can my old R-410A system still be repaired?
Yes. Servicing R-410A systems is legal and parts are available, but the refrigerant has roughly doubled in price since 2024, about $60–$110 a pound installed. Fix leaks rather than topping up every year.
What about an old R-22 system?
R-22 has not been made since 2020, so only reclaimed stock is left, at about $125–$250 a pound installed. A major repair on an R-22 system is usually the point to replace it.
What refrigerant do new systems use?
New systems made since 2025 use R-454B or R-32. Contractors may still install leftover R-410A systems built before 2025; ask which one you are being quoted, and know that a new outdoor unit cannot be paired with an old R-410A indoor coil.
What is the minimum efficiency for a new system in South Carolina?
South Carolina is in the Department of Energy’s Southeast region: 14.3 SEER2 for central air under about 3.5 tons, 13.8 SEER2 for larger split AC systems, and 14.3 SEER2 with 7.5 HSPF2 for split heat pumps.
Is duct cleaning worth it?
Usually not as routine maintenance. The EPA recommends it when there is visible mold, pests, or heavy debris coming out of the vents. In Upstate homes, leaky or crushed ducts in the crawlspace are the bigger problem; sealing runs $500–$2,500.
What size system does my house need?
A rule of thumb is 500–750 square feet per ton, which is what the estimator uses. The right answer comes from a Manual J load calculation, which often shows a smaller system than the one being replaced.
Call, text or ask for a price
Seneca Heat & Air
Seneca and Oconee County
Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm