Table of Contents for this Page<\/h3>\n<\/div>\nInstallation or Replacement Cost of a Central AC Unit<\/h2>\n
The average cost to replace your central air conditioner condensing unit is $3,240, installed by a local HVAC company. While we do not recommend it, homeowners can buy a condensing unit and coil online which cost around $1,400 \u2013 $2,750. Finding a company to install it will be a challenge and unless you are experienced with HVAC replacement, it\u2019s not an easy DIY project.<\/p>\n
Professional AC unit installation costs between $2,400 \u2013 $3,875, which usually includes the AC unit condensing unit (outside unit), a matching evaporator coil (inside of air handler or furnace), recharging the refrigerant as needed, cleaning the drain line, inspections as needed, all labor and warranty of workmanship, removal and disposal of all old equipment.<\/p>\n
If other equipment is needed, like a furnace or air handler, expect the cost to rise accordingly.<\/p>\n
Average Do It Yourself cost<\/p>\n
$1,980 (AC and Coil only)<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Average Contractor Installed Cost<\/p>\n $3,400 \u2013 $4,875<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Typical Cost Average<\/p>\n $3,640, Installed<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/img><\/p>\n If you live in an area with a long cooling season, having a central air installed at your home is very common. In fact, central AC systems have quickly become standard equipment on most newly built homes in all of the US, where smaller window units used to be the rule. The AC unit itself, is just one piece of a complete HVAC system, including the AC condensing unit, evaporator coil, forced air furnace or air handler, air ducts, thermostat, and more.<\/p>\n For this Costimate, we\u2019re going to help you understand more about your central air conditioner replacement cost, as it relates to replacing the outdoor ac unit and evaporator coil only. Since your HVAC system is an expensive home repair, we\u2019ll also explain some of the other components that may need to be changed out at the same time, as well as how you can save money by replacing the entire hvac system at the same time. Throughout this page you\u2019ll learn about factors that affect unit cost for central air, installation cost, and what others who have replaced their own central air conditioners have paid.<\/p>\n The most costly component of a central air conditioner, is the outdoor ac unit itself. In order to do it right, at minimum you\u2019re going to have to replace the outdoor condenser unit<\/span> and a matched evaporator coil<\/span>. Assuming nothing else is wrong with the air handler or furnace, these two components will restore central air conditioning to your home. Since this is going to be one of the higher cost home improvements you\u2019ll make, it\u2019s important to understand the options and how they affect the replacement ac unit price as well as the impact on efficiency, longevity and most important your comfort for the next 12-15 years.<\/p>\n Note<\/em><\/span>: Since you\u2019re replacing just the central air unit and inside coil, there are going to be limits on what you can install. The outdoor unit and evaporator coil must be compatible with the rest of the hvac system it will be matched to. If you need a larger unit to better cool your home, you\u2019ll probably need to replace the entire system.<\/p>\n Outside of the labor cost to install, the equipment and parts make up a good bit of what it cost for an AC unit replacement or installation.<\/p>\n The price list below is for the equipment only. The range covers wholesale costs that you could purchase it for online (not recommended) as well as the discounted pricing the dealers get with preferred partnerships at the various brand manufacturers.<\/p>\n We include this cost of supplies section in the installation cost area, since most homeowners don\u2019t clearly understand other expenses that are included when they see a contractor price quote. Your installation may or may not require all of these items, but most do.<\/p>\n Since you will be connecting to the electrical and mechanical systems (power disconnect, duct, drain line) on your home, chances are very good that you\u2019ll need a permit and inspection to finalize your central air installation. Check with your local code enforcement office, or ask your contractor.<\/p>\n There is no general rule-of-thumb pricing system in place with HVAC contractors. Some will use a flat-rate pricing system and others will charge you by the hour. Flat rate installation costs are typically determined with a set of variables, that multiply the wholesale cost of ac equipment and supplies, with additional factors for overhead and profit, and a final calculation based on the difficulty of installation. Hourly rates are determined by how much money the company needs to earn per hour, per person, plus overhead and profit.<\/p>\n You can expect at least 2, and possibly 3 installers to replace your central ac unit. On average, it will take 4-6 hours for simple projects, and 5-8 for the most common installations, and 8 hours or more for more difficult installations involving duct modifications, crawl spaces, 3rd floor attics, etc. That does not include travel time to\/from your home, time to pickup new equipment, etc.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve found the HVAC projects listed below to be commonly related to having a central air conditioner installed, or other HVAC repairs closely related to this type. If so, head over to our Business Finance News Pro\u2019s page, and help us make this page better and more accurate for both our visitors and your future customers.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Without a doubt, installing a central air conditioner is a job best left to a pro. While many DIY\u2019ers could probably handle the mechanical portion of the installation, its very uncommon that you would have the specialty tools and certifications to handle refrigerants, braze copper tubing, etc.<\/p>\n Trying to install your own system to save on the cost to install central air can go wrong and cost you much more very quickly. I consider myself an 8\/10 on the handyman scale, and I would hire a pro<\/span> to do this job every time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Table of Contents for this Page Installation or Replacement Cost of a Central AC Unit The average cost to replace your central air conditioner condensing unit is $3,240, installed by a local HVAC company. While we do not recommend it, homeowners can buy a condensing unit and coil online which cost around $1,400 \u2013 $2,750.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nOverview of Central AC Units<\/h2>\n
AC Unit and Evaporator Coil Cost Factors<\/h2>\n
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\nCentral AC units range from 1.5 tons (18,000 btu) to 5 tons (60,000 btu) in most residential systems. You don\u2019t get to choose a size when replacing an existing unit, the size is determined by the other components already installed, that your new ac unit needs to work with. There may be some leeway, but most often there\u2019s not.<\/li>\n
<\/br>
\nRanging from 13-21 SEER, higher values are more efficient to operate and cost more at the time of purchase.<\/li>\n
<\/br>
\n<\/strong>AC Compressors are either single or two-stage. Single stage is cheaper and two-stage are generally found on very high efficiency systems.<\/li>\n
<\/br>
\nNoise from the outside condensing unit can range from 50 \u2013 100 or more decibels. The quieter the unit is, the more its going to cost you.<\/li>\n
<\/br>
\nAll central air conditioner units come with a standard parts replacement warranty that will range from 5 years on lower priced models, to 10 years and beyond on the compressor and other parts. Extended part warranties are available, as well as service and installation cost warranties directly from your contractor.<\/li>\n
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\nConsumer ratings of the brand you purchase will have an effect on price as well. On the lower end you\u2019ll find brands like Goodman, York, Amana and others. On the high end of HVAC brand rand ratings for central air conditioners, you\u2019ll find American Standard, Trane, Carrier, Bryant and others. You can expect to pay a slightly higher cost for higher rated brands.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nCost of HVAC Equipment and Installation Supplies<\/h2>\n
AC Unit & Matching Evaporator Coil Costs<\/h3>\n
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Parts and installation Suppplies<\/h3>\n
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Permits, Inspection, and Installation Costs<\/h2>\n
Permit and Inspection Costs<\/h3>\n
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<\/br>
\nYour contractor is usually required to be present during all HVAC mechanical inspections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAC Installation Cost and Time<\/h3>\n
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Completed Installation Time<\/h3>\n
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\nEasy outdoor, utility room or garage access to all central ac unit components, replacing with a matching unit and coil, connect to existing thermostat through your existing refrigerant lineset.<\/li>\n
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\nIndoor closets, or basement location, with sheet metal transition work, connect to existing drain and lineset, install new thermostat, etc.<\/li>\n
<\/br>
\nAttic and crawl space installations that are hard to reach. Considerable duct work, replacement copper linesets, new electrical service, programmable thermostat, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/br>\n<\/p>\nAre You a Pro HVAC Company?<\/h3>\n
DIY or Hire a Pro<\/h2>\n
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