One of the most important appliances in your home is your air conditioner. Many people would be extremely uncomfortable without an air conditioner in their home. However, is the most common question that is asked for heating and cooling is how much does it cost to install air conditioning? The answer to this question varies due to different elements and factors that go into the installation of the air conditioning. In most cases, air-conditioning can cost anywhere from $4000 to $14,000, depending on the unique elements and factors.
The Transparency Behind The Costs Of Air Conditioning
Each home may have a different size, or a contractor may use different brands and labor techniques, and other factors help determine the actual cost it takes to install air conditioning. If you are looking to install air-conditioning into your home, it is best to understand the costs and the breakdown before you make your final decision.
Before going into a breakdown of air-conditioning costs, you want to make sure that you’re going to get a fair deal. Most of the air-conditioning prices will not be advertised because the factors that go into determining the overall cost can vary from house to house. It is essential that the contractor of your choice is transparent behind any of the costs of the air-conditioning and will not have issues answering your questions or have a problem with you getting estimates with competitors. As mentioned previously, the air-conditioning costs can range anywhere from $4000 to $14000.
Finding an air-conditioning professional that is transparent, relatable, understanding, and informative is the first step to understanding the costs behind and air-conditioning installation. The right contractor you choose will be honest and upfront about all the costs relating to air-conditioning installation. They will help assist you in determining which unit is ideal for your home and your specific needs and not try to push you into an installation that is not the right fit for your home.
An Ideal Break Down And What To Expect With Costs
The factors that go into the installation of the air conditioner usually have a solid breakdown. There are cost factors that increase or decrease the overall amount that it takes to install air conditioning into a home. However, if you consider the price of equipment that you’re installing based on your home’s required size, labor costs, including ductwork, equipment, and supplies, and the profit margin, you will have a better idea of what the contractor will give you as an estimate.
It is always a good idea to get a detailed quote from the contractor, so you know exactly what you’re paying for before you decide. Some factors that they will include will show Equipment, SEER, labor, permits, travel, ducting, new installations, and maintenance. To understand the breakdown further, see each one factor below.
Brand Of Equipment
Not all air-conditioning equipment is created or made of the same quality. There are some brands of equipment that are higher costs because of the quality of the equipment and supplies it takes to run it. Each house has a different amount of space it needs to heat and cool. Therefore, different manufacturers have created equipment that can function for the different square footage of the home. Each piece of equipment comes in a range of sizes, which can make a difference in the conditioning capacity. The more capacity the unit has and the more quality the unit is built with, the higher it can cost. You can get a deeper understanding of the brand features that include the BTU’s, SEER, and single-stage versus two-stage unit. These all factor into the branding and the quality of the unit itself.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
The seasonal energy efficiency ratio, SEER, is the variable-rate that showcases what the energy efficiency is in the unit. This is essential to understand because each manufacturer can make different units of different sizes, all with different SEER ratings. For example, a single-stage unit with a moderate climate range may have a SEER rating of 17 that can cost up to $3000. However, a single-stage unit with a tropical climate range that has a seer rating of 17can cost anywhere from $1900-$2700 per unit. While you may find another unit that is for a cooler climate range with a SEER rating of 15, that can cost up to $1700 depending on the brand.
The SEER rating values from low, midrange, too high based on the efficiency for the selected unit. The higher the seer number, the more costly the units tend to be. Some areas require a mandatory SEER rating for air conditioners, you can always inquire with the contractors of what the mandatory rating is to get a better idea of what equipment you’re planning to choose.
Labor, Permits, and Travel
Just like with most contractor jobs, the harder the job and the more complex the job is, the higher the cost will be. For example, if you have to get a unit installed in your basements and have it moved to your attic, the labor will be more intensive as they have to direct the flow of the ducting through the house in different layers and areas.
Contractors that install air-conditioning into homes have to have the right insurance and experience to perform air-conditioning jobs. This is not a cheap process, as there are regular requirements mandated by every area to keep contractors up to date with the knowledge to install or maintain air-conditioning. Therefore, some costs that get included with every single installation are included in the fair profit margin and may include higher labor costs. An honest contractor will give you a detailed list of the cost breakdown and be free to answer any questions relating to the actual costs.
Air Duct Costs & Maintenance
Another cost factor variable that is added into air-conditioning is the air duct cost and ongoing maintenance plans. If you want to have a unit that lasts for 15 to 25 years, you want to ensure that you have a quality air duct flow and plan for maintenance for the oncoming years. You can ask your contractor if new ductwork is going to be needed or if they suggest regular maintenance. It is a good idea for any homeowner to have a constant and annual maintenance plan to keep their investment in prime condition.
However, new construction homes usually require new ductwork installations and treatments to allow the airflow to be functional and proper for the home. This can increase the cost of the installation. If you want to distribute the air correctly, the contractor will investigate the docs and base the cost off of the size and complexity of the installation before completing the job. They will then suggest to you a maintenance plan that you can benefit from so you don’t have to stress about ongoing issues or concerns in the future.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the actual cost of an air-conditioning installation depends on multiple factors. The cost changes can be from branding, company reputation, equipment and supplies, labor, location, maintenance and air ducting plans, and the fair profit margins. Get a breakdown of the installation so you have a better understanding of the cost for your home. Or talk with a specialist that is honest and reliable.