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Central Air Conditioning Cost

How Much Does Central Air Conditioning Cost?
 
average cost Medium: $3,500-$4,000
 
high cost High: $7,000-$8,000
 



Related Topics:

Ductless Air Conditioner

Upgrading an Electrical Panel

All Home & Garden
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Central air conditioning not only lowers temperatures throughout a house, it dehumidifies and filters the air, leaving it cleaner and more comfortable to breathe.
 
Typical costs:
  • Adding central air conditioning to an existing forced-air heating system in a 2,000-square-foot house averages $3,500 -$4,000, and can be done by two technicians in 2-3 days, with little or no change to the existing ducting; if ducts must be added, the work time doubles, as does the cost to $7,000 -$8,000 or more, according to ThisOldHouse.com.
  • Estimates for a older, smaller house of 800-1,000 square feet with no existing duct work run $2,100 -$6,000, or as high as $10,000 or more, depending on the type and quality of equipment installed, the amount of space available for installing ducts and vents, and the local economy.
What should be included:
  • The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute provides a brief explanation of how central air conditioning works. The California Consumer Energy Center offers detailed information on central air systems and specifics on ducts and vents.
  • Most central air conditioning systems are a split system, with the heaviest, noisiest, heat-generating components installed outdoors, and an evaporator coil indoors. The evaporator is connected to a blower (often part of a furnace) which distributes the chilled air through the home's vents. ThisOldHouse.com gives an overview. The other option is called a packaged central air conditioner; the condenser, compressor and evaporator are all in a cabinet which is installed on the roof or next to the house.
  • HVAC is a common industry term; it stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. A HVAC contractor does what's called a load calculation, taking into account the size and shape of the house, the amount of insulation, the local climate, the house's exposure to the sun, the occupants' habits and temperature choices, and other factors to determine what size unit is needed.
  • If an air conditioner is too large for the space, the unit will cycle off and on frequently, creating uncomfortable temperature swings and reducing its efficiency; too small and it won't be able cool the home adequately on hot days and could break down more often.
  • Residential central air conditioning is rated by a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER system. Since 2006, units sold in the US must have a SEER of at least 13.
  • Air conditioning systems marked with an Energy Star meet strict US government energy-efficiency guidelines.
Additional costs:
  • The most common mistake is buying a bigger system than needed; it costs more and doesn't do the job as well as one that's the right size.
Discounts:
  • Some older homes can't accommodate ducts, or the work is extremely difficult and expensive; in those cases, consider ductless air conditioning, also called mini-split systems.
Shopping for central air conditioning:
Article updated June 2007
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Recent Posts
Amount: $13,000.00 Your costs are out-of-date. I paid $13,000 for replacing two units. Dis I pay too much?
Posted by: Lebago in Hyattsville, MD.Purchased: January, 2007
Contractor: BG&EBTUs:
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Amount: $13,000.00 $13,000 for two units?
Posted by: neighbor in Campbell, CA.Purchased: July, 2007
That wasn't necessarily too much. How much square footage are you cooling? Also, did the house (or building) already have the ducts, fans, and vents for central heating? If not, the price can go way up. Did you have enough amperage or available circuits on your electrical panel, or did you have to upgrade that? (I just did a lot of electrical upgrades for $4,000). I definitely know people out here who have gotten A/C on a 1,350 square foot home for $3,000-$5,000, if they already had the ductwork and the needed electrical panel/wiring.
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Amount: $18,000.00 carrier Hvac units models 24ABA3
Posted by: pgrabowski@austin.rr.com in Austin, TX.Purchased: July, 2007
I had a new house built with 2 units installed in the Austin Texas area. Everthing is in the attic.
I am looking for the cost for the units and instalation numbers. Can anyone help
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Amount: $14,700.00 cost
Posted by: lisa in durham, NC.Purchased: May, 2008
Two Carrier Infinity Units with 16 Seer rating and air purifiers included. Heat Pump system to heat and cool 2000 sq ft all duct work existing - in NC
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Amount: $17,000.00 A/C INSTALLATION
Posted by: PATTY in WHITTIER, CA.Purchased: May, 2008
Contractor: ATLAS AIREBTUs:
I HAD AN ENTIRE HEATING AND A/C UNIT INSTALLED. I THINK I GOT HOSED WITH WHAT I PAID. I GOT A 4 TON UNIT.
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Amount: $5,800.00 New AC
Posted by: Robert in Monterey Park, CA.Purchased: May, 2008
I only paid 5800.00 for my AC unit, installation. The contractor's installed Amana AC 13 Seer. I didnt relize that I could have selected a highter energy saving unit. I didn't do my homework. Was this a good price? Is the unit of good quality?
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Amount: $17,000.00 17,0000 for AC Installation?
Posted by: Robert in Monterey Park, CA.Purchased: 2008
WQW Patty. I think that is too much. What type of unit to you buy and what is the sq footage to our home? Was this a new installation? I just got AC installation in Monterey Park, CA and only paid $5800.00
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Amount: $0.00 HELP US
Posted by: danielle in los angeles, CA.Purchased: 2008
Contractor: *BTUs: *
We live in a victorian built in 1892 (i dont mean the restored ones on Carroll Ave.) I desperately want to put in central air. We bake in the summer and freeze in the winter. This is my 8 month old daughters first experience with summer, it is VERY hard to keep her cool and happy during the hot nights. I hope to find someone reasonably priced and someone to trust definitely... or if someone doing a home improvement show wants to do it for free or partially.. to work on our home? Hey its worth a try you never know who reads these.
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Amount: $0.00 AC for Victorian
Posted by: KC in Arlington, VA.Purchased: 2008
If you are having trouble both cooling in summer and heating it in winter, you might be better off investing in better insulation before you consider central air. Old homes are rarely insulated according to current standards, which means that any hot or cold air you produce in the house immediately escapes outside. Contract an energy auditor or an insulation contractor for help. You may be able to get away without central air with a more tightly sealed house.
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Amount: $15,800.00 Two 3 Ton 16 SEER units
Posted by: Zax in Saint Louis, MO.Purchased: July, 2008
Contractor: BTUs: 36000
I got several quotes to install new AC units. I think this is the one I\'m going to go with - Two 3 Ton 16 SEER units installed for $15,800. Existing ductwork. Compressors to be moved to new location. Replace one return. Attic system; independent of home heating system. Any thoughts?
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Amount: $10,300.00 Trane Air & Heating Cost
Posted by: Ronnie Ferguson in Harker Heights, TX.Purchased: July, 2008
I'm trying to have a Trane 19i SEER system with air cleaner installed. I have a 2,000 sq/ft living area and all ducks and copper lines have been replaced (R22 refreg). I'm looking for the going cost to install the four components; Compressor, furnace(Trane XV80), AC coils, and air cleaner.
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Amount: $2,100.61 Did I pay too much.
Posted by: Thomas Williams in Camden, AR.Purchased: July, 2008
I had one condenser disconnected and another one connected. All the duct work, blower and electric wiring was already there. Just put the unit on the slab and connected it. The unit was a bottom of the line 4 ton Tempstar with an original 5 year compressor warranty. I would like to know if the price I paid was a fair one or too much.
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Amount: $0.00 Replacing Unit
Posted by: dew in Tuscumbia, AL.Purchased: August, 2008
Contractor: BTUs: 4 ton Unit
I am trying to get some idea of a cost for a unit without being taken. I need to replace the unit, electric a/c and gas heat (gas pack). It is NOT a split unit or a heat pump. Does $4500.00 sound like too much.
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Amount: $5,300.00 Price Difference
Posted by: SoCalAc in Murrieta, CA.Purchased: August, 2008
Contractor: Brookside Air ConditioningBTUs:
I was quoted $5465.00 for the installation of a new Amana air conditioner and furnace. The unit is an Amana ASX 14 seer / 5 ton system. Upon installing, the contractor stated that the 5 ton was not needed and he recommended the same model in a 4 ton system. He then said the new price would be $5300.00 for a difference of only $165.00. I am certain the estimator quoted me a much bigger difference in price originally. She now says that there is very little difference in the price from a 5 ton to a 4 ton, but that the price variance from a higher seer is much greater. Isn't there more of a price difference between the 4 ton and 5 ton units?
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Amount: $5,100.00 Cost variance
Posted by: John J in Jackson, MS.Purchased: 2008
Contractor: AC & HeatingBTUs: 5 ton
Just to show how much difference contractor costs may be. I got a full AC and furnace quote of $5,073 from an American Standard contractor and $5,900 by Trace. The Lennox exclusive contractor qouted $7,100. I highly question whether Lennox brand is worth the extra money.
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Amount: $3,699.00 Contractor
Posted by: Joe Corbett in Fort Myers, FL.Purchased: October, 2008
Contractor: Service Managers A/CBTUs: 24,000
Replacing Air Conditioners is very predictable and routeen. That is why we offer Up-Front Pricing. Visit joecooling.com to see our prices. No strings attached.
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Amount: $0.00 Converting from radiators to Central heating - NO existing ductwork
Posted by: Jersey Guy in Jersey City, NJ.Purchased: June, 2007
I'm thinking of converting the old steam boiler with rads with an HVAC system. There is no existing ductwork. Can someone please share their experience if you had a smilar thing done? What was the cost and size of the project?
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