How Much For An Ac Unit

Factors That Affect Air Conditioner Costs

How much does it cost to charge an air conditioner? #airconditionerrepair

Various factors can influence the final cost of having a new air conditioner installed. Some of these include the brand of the AC unit, its power, its BTU rating, the installation process and tax credits.

Brand: The brand of the unit is a big factor in the price of replacement. Its important to know your options because some brands, like Aire-Flo, have less expensive products, while other brands, such as Lennox and Trane, tend to be more expensive.
Unit power/size of your property: The size of the property can also influence price when its time to replace an air conditioner. As a general rule, 20 British thermal units per square foot is needed to keep a property sufficiently cooled.
Installation: If youre simply replacing an older unit with an upgraded but similar model, the cost will be lower than if extensive in-home changes are required.
Energy efficiency: Energy efficiency is key to the cost of a new air conditioner and lower monthly energy costs. A higher SEER rating on a unit indicates greater efficiency and a higher cost.
Tax credits: As of publishing, some AC units are eligible for a federal tax credit of $300 which expires Dec. 31, 2021.

A/c Installation Costs & Considerations

When choosing a company to replace your existing heating and/or air conditioning system, theinstallation process is the single most important step for the safety and life expectancy of the system.

Contractors must follow several key processes to ensure your systems efficiency, comfort, safety, and life expectancy.

Failure to comply with any of the necessary processes required by local codes, the manufacture, and industry standards can only lead to high energy bills, discomfort, and a drastically shortened life expectancy of the equipment.

Its also important to note that many HVAC contractors dont include labor or other fees in their estimates. As a result, you could end up paying more than you planned to.

We recommend always checking that your contractors estimate includes these additional costs.

Mini Split Ductless Air Conditioning & Heating Systems

Living in Phoenix, AZ, without air conditioning is not an option. Did you know there is another option to cooling and heating your home other than central air conditioning?

Ductless air conditioners and heat pumps are the fastest growing segment of HVAC equipment sales in North America, and have been for several years now. You can read about the price to install a ductless air conditioner or heat pump mini split in thispost.

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Home Equity Line Of Credit

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, also uses your home as collateral, but it works more like a credit card. Your bank gives you a credit limit that can be continually reused within the draw period as long as you make your payments on time. This draw period lasts around 10 years. After that, youll make payments on the amount you borrowed for another 10 to 20 years. HELOCs charge a variable interest rate, which means that your payments will fluctuate based on how much you borrow and the current market rate youre being charged at the time of payment.

How Much Does It Cost To Install A New Air Conditioner And Ductwork

When to Upgrade Your Central Air Conditioning System for Residential ...

The cost of AC installation can vary depending on many different factors, such as the size of your home, the type of AC system you choose, and whether or not you already have ductwork. If your home doesnt have existing ductwork, installing a furnace, AC and ductwork would generally cost between $20,000 and $30,000.

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Central Ac Unit Prices By Brand

For the purpose of this price list of leading central air conditioner brands, we used a baseline of a standard efficiency 2.5 ton central ac unit and matching evaporator coil, from the different leading brands below. A 2.5 ton unit is the approximate size installed in most 1400-1800 square foot homes. All central ac unit prices online are approximate, based on the latest pricing sheets we have. Prices updated to reflect 2022 new pricing and economic conditions.

Central AC Unit Brand

Residential Air Conditioner Freon Refill Cost

Aside from the cost of the gas itself, homeowners also need to factor additional dollars toward labor. As mentioned earlier, Freon costs about $125 $150 per pound. Most homeowners will pay in the range of $200 to $400 for a refill, depending on the type and size of their HVAC unit. If you own a larger r22 unit, you may have to spend $600 or more. To break this down for you, a 25lbs unit of r410A costs anything between $100 and $175. Labor will be an additional $70 to $100 per hour.

What About The Best Air Conditioners On The Market

BEST 17 SEER to 18 SEER Split Heat Pump or AC with Gas Furnace cost: $8,500 $13,000*

Most often: Two-stage compressors , variable speed motors, and premium features. Expect much better comfort and reduced temperature swings compared to your older single-stage system. Expect considerably lower utility bills than your older existing single-stage system.

NEW FOR 2021:New variable speed compressor models from manufacturers like Bosch are available in this price range. As technology advances some manufacturers are offering Ultimate level HVAC Systems at Best level prices.

ULTIMATE 18 SEER to 25+ SEER Split Heat Pump or AC with Gas Furnace cost: $9,000 $15,000+*

Almost Always: Variable-speed inverter driven compressors, variable speed motors inside and outside, and the most premium features available on the market. Expect significantly better comfort and virtually no temperature swings. Most manufacturers publicly claim temperature control to within 1/2 a degree Fahrenheit! Expect significant energy savings compared to single-stage and even dual-stage existing systems. These systems almost always include high-end Wi-Fi controls and are practically silent inside and out.

*Depending on brand, tonnage , features, and minor component changes needed to accommodate the new system.

Air Conditioning Tax Credits And Rebates

How Much Does An Air Conditioner Cost? – AC Installation

Local utility rebates may be available on multiple types of furnaces, air conditioners, air handlers, and heat pumps, some of which include full system installations.

Product manufacturers will occasionally have product rebates available. These rebates are usually on full system installations and require the thermostat to be installed with the system.

At Fire & Ice, we include the thermostat with the system. These digital, programmable thermostats can also save on energy usage by allowing more precise control over your system.

Lastly, Energy Tax Credits may be available on certain energy-efficient rated heating and cooling products. These ratings generally increase with the purchase of full systems at the same time. Be sure to ask about these along with the efficiency rating of your intended system.

Preparing For The Hvac Replacement Crew To Arrive

Listed below are a few things to expect when the HVAC installation crew comes to your home.

Theyll need easy access to the yard and inside unit Regardless of where your AC unit and the evaporator coil are located, the install team is going to need to easily get to those areas. You should clear the entryway access to the area, as well as assuring they can obtain easy access to the yard.Common areas they may need to go:
Your backyard, where the outside AC condensing unit is located. If you have a lot of weeds or plant growth around the unit, you should clear a space about 1-2 feet wide around the entire unit.
Access to the attic, garage, crawl space or utility closet where the furnace or air handler and evaporator coil are located.
Access to your electrical circuit breaker box.
Hallway or inside wall where the thermostat is mounted.
Ability to access return air filters, usually on the surface of walls or ceilings.
If you have pets, be prepared to segregate them from the workers.

Ac Unit & Matching Evaporator Coil Costs

The price list below is for the equipment only. The range covers wholesale costs that you could purchase it for online as well as the discounted pricing the dealers get with preferred partnerships at the various brand manufacturers.

1.5 ton AC and coil $960 $1,600
2 ton AC and coil $1,130 $3,150
2.5 ton AC and coil $1,460 $3,420
3 ton AC and coil $1,860 $3,950
3.5 ton AC and coil $2,460 $4,390
4 ton AC and coil $2,700 $4,930
5 ton AC and coil $2,910 $5,300

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Common Problems With Air Conditioners

Knowing whats wrong with your air conditioner is half the battle. If you notice any of the following issues, your unit likely needs to be repaired or replaced.

Old Age

The average central air conditioner lasts about 15 years. If your unit is showing signs of old age, like poor performance or unusual noises, its likely time for a replacement.

Frozen Coils

If your evaporator coils dont get adequate airflow or they are clogged they can freeze and your AC unit may stop working. Dirt and other types of debris can clog the air filters and ducts, which restricts warm air from reaching the coils. Without the warm air, the coils cant cool the air being pushed through your AC unit efficiently and may eventually freeze.

If your coils are frozen, you may notice:

Warm air coming out of the vents, despite the AC unit being on
Condensation or ice on the AC unit or the outdoor refrigerant line
Obvious signs of ice on the coil after opening the air handler

If you discover a frozen coil, dont try to clear the ice by hand because you may damage the unit. Instead, you can use a do-it-yourself remedy to thaw the ice before consulting with an HVAC technician. If the following steps dont resolve your problem, we suggest you contact an AC expert. You may have a more serious malfunction, like a refrigerant leak, which must be handled by a licensed professional.

Turn off the AC system using the external thermostat and make sure to turn off the unit using the furnace switch.

Refrigerant Leak

What Features And Functions Are You Looking For

How Much Is A New Central Air Conditioner

If you require or choose to include the bells and whistles such as a new thermostat, a low noise model, or if the design of your house requires some ductwork to link with your existing AC, all of these factors will influence the price of your new air conditioner and you will most likely be quoted more than average.

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Cost To Install An Hvac System With Ductwork

Ducts are an important part of central air conditioning systems. The ducts allow the cooled or heated air to travel to different parts of your home. There are many duct types and installation styles. Ducts cost between $0.80 and $150 a linear foot. Most duct installation costs between $2,000 and $4,000. The cost to install a new central air conditioning system with ducts is between $5,000 and $12,000.

When To Replace Your Air Conditioner

Your AC equipment is 15+ years old
After turning on your AC unit, it takes too long for your house to cool down
Any part of the air conditioning system is loud or making unusual noises, like bangs, squeaks and scrapes

Youve had previous equipment breakdowns or the outdoor unit is showing signs of deterioration
You are concerned with high energy consumption with an older AC unit

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Hvac Package Unit Cost

A package unit costs between $10,000 and $14,000. A package unit contains the AC and furnace in one piece. It is smaller than a split system and is typically installed outdoors. This is not the most efficient system and is best used in small homes and moderate climates. While it can be less expensive than installing a separate furnace and air conditioners, it can cost more long-term because the entire unit must be replaced if one section breaks. These units most frequently use gas, and it can be difficult to find models that use other fuels.

American Standard Air Conditioner Prices

How Much Should a New Air Conditioning Unit Cost?

The cost of an American Standard air conditioner is $2,470 to $7,000. American Standard is considered a mid to high-end air conditioner. They have a full range of sizes and options to choose from. They also have a full range of SEER ratings. This means you can easily find the unit that best fits your needs. These units also have a long history of quality and durability and are known to last.

Is It True That Energy

Yes! The federal government has extended the Residential Energy Efficient Tax Credit through December 31, 2021 additional credits and rebates may also be available at the state level.

Only air conditioners that meet criteria, however, qualify. Most homeowners can expect a $250 $350 credit for AC systems with an EER greater than 12 and a SEER greater than 14. Your contractor will provide you with the documentation needed for your taxes.

How Much Does It Cost For An A/c Unit For A 2000 Sq Ft Home

The average AC unit can cool 400 square feet of your home per 1 ton of air conditioning cooling capacity. This would produce 12,000 BTUs per 400 square feet. You can take the 2000 sq. ft measurement and divide by 400 sq. ft of cooled area and calculate that you would need a 5.0 TON air conditioner. This A/C system should be able to remove 60,000 BTUs per hour A 5.0 TON air conditioner would cost around $1,980 for the AC unit alone or a total installation cost of $3,690. Top known brands may cost more.

Lets calculate AC unit installation cost for your home:

Swamp Cooler Installation Cost

The cost of a swamp cooler installation averages $150 to $2,000. Swamp coolers are generally easy to install. Some smaller models can be installed by the homeowner. Larger models and whole-house models may need professional installation. The exact cost depends on the unit size and type. Several swamp coolers are available. Some can be mounted indoors, others on the roof. The placement has an impact on the final costs.

How To Determine Air Conditioner Efficiency

Ideally, you want to buy the most energy-efficient air conditioner that you can afford. But higher SEER models typically cost more money, so you may want to calculate the annual electricity cost for an air conditioner to see if the payoff meets your needs. If you have an HVAC Energy Management Consultant evaluate your home, theyll do these calculations for you.

To start, youll need to identify four factors.

The BTU output of your chosen air conditioner British Thermal Units measures the rate of heat transfer needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit or freeze one short ton of water into ice in 24 hours. The AC unit specifications will tell you its BTU output.

The unit size AC units are sized by tons, which instead of weight, describes the rate of heat transfer that results in the freezing or melting of 1 short ton of pure water at 0 °C in 24 hours. 1 ton of cooling is equivalent to 12,000 BTU.

An estimate of how many hours you have the AC unit turned on each year

After you have this information, use the following formula to calculate how much money running an AC unit will cost you each year:

Unit size × BTU/h × operational hours per year × $/kWh ÷ SEER ÷ 1000W/kW = annual energy cost

The first step is to convert the units size to BTU-per hour. For reference: A one-ton AC unit is rated for 12,000 BTU-per hour.

× = 60,000 BTU/h.

The next step is to determine how much you pay in kilowatt-per-hours compared to the unit efficiency rating.

New Ac System Installation Cost By Capacity

Central air conditioners are not sold by the BTU but by the ton. A ton is the amount of cooling power produced by a ton of ice. Central air conditioning units are sold by the ton, starting at 1.5 tons, which is required to cool homes between 600 and 1,000 sq.ft. The cost per ton increases because the units size must also increase.

Ton
$12,000 – $18,000

Central Ac Unit Pricing By Size

Central air conditioner units are manufactured in very specific sizes ranging from 1.5 5 tons of cooling capacity for home use. An HVAC contractor can perform a load calculation on your home to tell you the exact size for your house. Many states now require a load calculation for both new and replacement ac units, to have the system permit and inspection completed. If the AC Contractor does not pull a load calculation, use a different contractor!

How Much Does A Split Air Conditioning System Cost Installed

The average cost of a new split-system cooling & heating system is around $8,000 $11,000. See below for a breakdown.

The most common type of central air conditioning system is called a split system. This type of system contains two or three main components with one component, the condenser, located outside, and the other component, the air handler, or evap. coil & furnace, inside.

Before government regulations required higher efficiency air conditioners , it was common to only replace the air conditioning portion of a split system. I.E., just the condenser or outdoor unit. This would typically cost only a few thousand dollars . With the new minimum air conditioner SEER rating of 14 SEER however, both the indoor and outdoor components need to be replaced in order to meet the standard.

The indoor components require a lot of additional labor to replace compared to the outdoor condenser. This is one of the factors that has driven replacement costs up significantly in the last 10 years.