Average cost to install central air conditioning - chart. Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members. AC units are sized in tons. One ton of air conditioning cools to square feet on average, depending on the home's layout, insulation, and local climate.
Homes over 3, square feet may require two condenser units. AC units with a higher SEER rating cost more upfront but are more efficient and reduce long-term energy costs. A ductless AC system features an outdoor condenser that supports up to five indoor air handlers, also called "zones".
Window air conditioner prices depend on the size, brand, efficiency, and features. A portable unit uses a hose to vent hot air outside through a window, wall, ceiling, or door. New AC unit cost to install - chart. Adding central AC to a forced-air system may require other upgrades:. An air conditioner needs 16 to 30 BTUs per square foot of living space on average.
The following table shows the recommended AC size in tons based on the home's square footage and climate zone:. Central air is a good investment in warm climates but provides less value in regions with mild summer weather. Replacing an existing central air system maintains but does not increase the home's value. An air conditioner lasts 12 to 15 years if correctly sized for the home and properly maintained.
Most handymen do this installation. You can also sometimes have the store or company do the installation. Costs vary depending on the unit size and installation type. 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. Mini-splits can be installed in walls, ceilings, and in many configurations. They can also cool one or several zones, depending on the air handler placement.
The more zones you have, the higher the installation and final project costs. Single-zone installations cost the least. In a split system, the air conditioner and furnace are installed separately. They use the same ducts but do not interact. The air conditioning unit is usually installed outside on a pad.
The more components and the larger the system, the higher the installation costs. A variable capacity air conditioner is a central air conditioner. It can adjust as needed rather than having a single or two-stage motor. This makes it more efficient than other models. While the unit costs more, it is installed like other central air conditioning units.
That means it has the same labor costs as a less-efficient model. This HVAC system packages a furnace and air conditioner in one cabinet. It can take up less space than two separate units, which makes it a good choice for smaller homes.
The entire unit must be installed outdoors. It requires ducts to run like other central air systems. This system requires frequent maintenance and has higher installation fees. Geothermal systems use the earth or water. Rather than cooling or heating the air, they move the heat between your home and the earth. In the summer, this means they take the heated air from your home and move it to the earth.
This cools your home while using very little electricity. Because it is not as effective at cooling as true air conditioning, it is recommended for homes in northern or moderate climates.
Get free estimates from trusted air conditioner installation companies near me Get Free Estimates. While central air is one of the most popular types of air conditioning for homes, your costs can be different if you have a smaller area to cool. Condos, apartments, townhouses, and mobile homes may have different needs. In some of these cases, a window or portable unit might be your best or only option.
In other cases, a ductless installation might be appropriate. For that reason, installing air conditioning in an area that is not a house has different costs. Most apartments do not allow changes to the walls or other building structures. That means you must add a window unit or purchase a portable unit if the unit does not currently have AC. If your apartment is larger, a portable unit may be your best option.
You can wheel it from area to area or purchase one large enough to effectively cool a large, open space. Since condos are individual units owned by the resident, you have more leeway in what you can use.
You may need to check with the association before doing anything visible. These plus portable units make great choices for condos. Townhouses are like condos because you own the space you reside in, but you also have shared walls and spaces. You may also be governed by an association dictating what can be visible from the outside. This may mean that while window, in-wall, and ductless units may all be good choices for a townhouse, you may need to check with the association before installation.
You can also choose a portable unit. Since townhouses tend to be on two floors, a ductless system with two air handlers may offer the best cooling. Mobile homes come in many sizes and configurations.
Some have ducts installed for a furnace, so you could add central air. If you do not have ducts, you can use a ductless system with good results.
Many mobile homeowners find that in-wall, window, and portable units also work well. Due to the window size and that space is often at a premium, in-wall and ductless systems are the two most common methods of adding cooling to a mobile home. Garages are unique in their layout and construction, which limits the air conditioning you can use there.
Most garages do not have windows, meaning window units cannot be used. Most portable units also need some window access, meaning they are not a good fit for garages. Most garages also do not have ducts, meaning a ductless system is the best in most cases.
If your garage has a room above it, the same system could also cool this by adding a second air handler to the installation. 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. BTUs measure energy.
The more square footage the space has, the more BTUs required to keep that space heated or cooled. Energy Star recommends choosing a unit with the appropriate BTU capacity. Some people assume a higher BTU capacity is better, no matter the room size. Determine your ideal BTU capacity based on the square footage of the room s you want to cool. Window air conditioners, portable air conditioners, and mini-splits are all sold by the BTU. Central air conditioning, however, does not use BTUs.
It uses tons. Square footage is not the only factor to consider. Keep several other things in mind when calculating your BTU needs. First, consider your climate. If you live in a state with high heat and humidity, you may require a more powerful unit for your square footage. A room with many windows may require more BTU capacity because of potential heat loss.
Also, consider the height of your ceilings and whether you are cooling a multi-story space. Hot air rises, so these factors can make spaces difficult to cool. Energy Star recommends the following:. To get the most precise measurements, your air conditioning contractor starts by making a manual J or load calculation to determine the capacity your space needs.
Find top-rated air conditioner installers near me Find Pros. 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. The cost per ton increases because the units size must also increase. This unit size cools homes up to 1, sq. It is the smallest central AC unit on the market. Look into ductless systems, window units, or portable units if you need to cool less space. The higher the SEER, the higher your initial costs. This size unit cools homes up to 1, sq.
Like other air conditioners, several things impact the cost. This includes quality, brand, and efficiency. Choosing a unit that has a higher SEER rating or a higher-quality unit results in a higher initial cost. The average cost of a 2. This unit cools homes up to 1, sq. This is one of the more common sizes of AC units. Because most homes do not cool spaces like attics and garages, a 2, sq. Like other units, many things impact the unit cost. A higher-efficiency or better-quality unit costs more upfront.
This is another very common size of AC unit. Homes up to 2, sq. As with other air conditioner types, many factors impact your final cost, including higher efficiency, higher quality, and the final location.
The cost of a 3. This size cools homes up to 2, sq. This size can have a range of costs, depending on factors like efficiency, durability, and placement. You may have higher costs if you need ducts, a new pad, other components. This unit cools an interior living space of up to 2, sq.
Due to its size, this is a slightly less common unit. Many people mistakenly purchase this size for smaller homes, assuming they cool better. Unfortunately, this can lead to the unit burning out quickly. It can also lead to higher-than-average bills. This size cools an interior space of up to 3, sq.
This unit is used more frequently in commercial spaces than residential homes. While it can be installed in homes with at least 3, sq. Using it in homes any smaller than 3, sq. It could also lead to the unit failing more quickly than a properly sized unit. This unit cools a space of up to 6, sq. This size is not sold for residential use. They are designed for cooling large commercial spaces only. They have different installation considerations, costs, and setups. The cost to replace an AC unit varies, but it is often very close to the initial installation estimate, depending on the unit type.
In an initial installation for central air, the coils, refrigerant lines, and cooling pad must be installed with the new unit. Many of these can be reused with the replacement AC, which can lower costs slightly and offset the removal and disposal fees. Costs can be higher if you also need to replace your ductwork, cooling pad, lines, or other equipment. Portable units also have the same potential disposal fees. The replacement cost for mini-splits varies greatly, depending on where the unit is located and the type of unit and air handler.
If you cannot use a new air handler that is the same size and shape as your older unit, you could have higher costs related to fitting the new unit. This could include repairing the drywall, cutting a larger hole in the drywall, or running new tubes through the walls.
The cost to replace your ductwork varies widely, depending on several factors. These include where your ducts are located, how accessible they are, the current duct type, and the type of ducts you are replacing them with. If your ducts are hard to reach or need carpentry work, your costs can double or more.
If you have an existing furnace and ducts, it is relatively easy to add air conditioning. The air conditioning is not added to your furnace but installed on a separate pad outside. It uses the same ducts as your furnace, but they never interact.
Compare quotes to get the best price on your air conditioner installation Compare Quotes. The cost to have your air conditioning serviced varies greatly, depending on several factors. The first is the air conditioner type.
Having a window unit serviced has different costs than having central air conditioning serviced. The second is how often you have the service performed. Yearly maintenance contracts cost less per visit than if you have someone out infrequently. Finally, the service type needed also impacts your cost. For example, charging the refrigerant costs more than cleaning dirty coils. Costs can be higher if you need repair work.
Portable and window air conditioners make great choices for those who do not want something invasive or permanent. They also make great choices for those in apartments. Of the two, portable units are easier to use because they do not require installation. Some models need to vent out a window, but others do not require this.
Window units are typically less expensive and not as large or likely to get in the way as portable units. They can sometimes be left in the window year-round. In others, they may need to be removed and reinstalled seasonally, which makes them slightly more difficult to use.
Both options can effectively cool a room in your home. Portable units can move with you from space to space, so they are more versatile when cooling a home without an open floor plan. Fans and air conditioners are good options for staying cool on a hot day. They work in different ways, however. The cost of a Trane central air conditioner is understandably high. Their primary focus is on producing water heaters and boilers, and they also have a big HVAC department that produces one of the best central air conditioners.
Rheem has close to a year tradition; it was founded in and, in addition to the Rheem brand, also sells HVAC products under the Ruud brand. They produce anything from 2 ton central AC units to bigger 5 ton units. Cost-wise, they are cheaper than some of the best central AC unit brands. Daikin Industries is one of the best central AC unit brands.
On top of that, they are the ones who developed and successfully marketed RA; one of the most widely used refrigerants in cooperation with Carrier. They have been in business since close to years now , and have made quite a few very successful series of central air conditioning systems.
In , they offer the most extensive portfolio of central AC units. At its heart is the advanced variable speed scroll and swing compressor. All Daikin units also come with proprietary ComfortNet digital thermostats that are easy to use and add to the energy-efficiency. If you compare Daikin vs Trane prices, Trane will probably be costlier.
Established in by Dave Lennox, this Iowian company has always been at the forefront of the newest HVAC technologies, and they are readily implementing and upgrading their models every 5 years or so. That means that the variable speed compressor Lennox uses will hold the temperature almost exactly as you set it. Obviously, as stated before, the precise prices of all central air conditioners depend on several factors. They have been around since and produce a range of HVAC products, with a special focus on air conditioners.
In short, Carrier truly is THE brand when it comes to central air conditioners. The high energy-efficiency of the 24VNA6 series is the result of something Carrier calls Greenspeed intelligence. Carrier offers quite standard prices for most of their central air conditioners. Bryant is a bit less-known HVAC company.
They have a reputation for being a discount central AC producer; Bryant sells units that are cheaper, but still have decent specs and are comparatively reliable. Bryant is all about price-performance.
Mitsubishi is the oldest HVAC company. The company — Mitsubishi Group — is a global conglomerated. They have a big HVAC department as well. Primarily, Mitsubishi is focused on producing ductless mini-split air conditioners , but they also offer smaller up to 3 ton central air conditioners.
They offer these mini-split lines in Price-wise, the Mitsubishi units cost less than AC units by other brands because they are smaller up to 3 ton. Coleman is a smaller central AC brand that produces good air conditioners. The company is primarily focused on manufacturing camping gear, including propane and gasoline stoves. Coleman might not be the most well-recognized brand like Carrier or Trane, but they do offer their central AC units at budget-friendly rates.
Central AC units are made in a variety of sizes or capacities. They are usually used as small house air conditioners. They are very useful in cases when 2 ton AC is not quite enough powerful and a 3 ton unit would be overkill. Prices of 2. Note: 2. Not many companies offer 2. Unfortunately, 2. Pretty much every company that makes central AC systems offers one or several 3 ton units. That means that such a unit can cover quite a lot of space; a standard house, for example.
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