HOW MUCH DOES AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION COST?

What is the installation cost of an air conditioner?

A good air conditioner (AC) is an essential device that can provide you with more relief during the summer’s hot and warm months. An air conditioning system is a proper solution to keeping you and your home surroundings cool. An air conditioner creates a soothing and comfortable environment to work and live in by controlling the air’s temperature inside your home and removing pollutants. However, most people planning to purchase an air conditioning system fail to factor in the installation cost.

Several factors directly impact an air conditioner’s installation cost, such as the individual device characteristics such as its efficiency level, warranty, and brand. Additionally, the contractor or company that carries out the full installation of your air conditioning system will determine the installation cost. Furthermore, change-out, full installation, and full installations and full installation packages vary in the cost and labor required.

Change-out air ventilation installation cost.

Replacing the air conditioner system might take approximately one day, with the cost ranging between $4800 and $9300. A change-out involves replacing the primary component of an air conditioning system, and it’s done when the duct-work is in great shape. Most contractors avoid installing duct-work because it is challenging and time-consuming. Check out this link https://tntservicegroup.com/air-conditioning/ to get a live consultation for your air ventilation installation.

Full installation with duct-work.

A full air conditioning system installed with complete duct-work typically takes approximately five days and costs between $6800 and $12000. The installation of duct-work takes about four days and can cost about $2000 on top of the new system’s installation fee. New duct-work contains no leaks, accumulated allergens, and dust. Furthermore, replacing old duct-work improves your air conditioning system’s efficiency, thereby decreasing your energy charges.

Installation cost with add-ons.

The installation of a new AC system with upgrades can take about a week for a complete installation. Moreover, the cost of installing add-ons can cost $13000 to $17000, while zoning systems increase the total cost by $2300 to $3500. Additional features to an air conditioning system include UV lighting, a house humidifier, and a speed fan.

Installation cost estimation.

You should consider three key things when calculating the average cost of an air conditioner cost: labor, profit margin, and the characteristics of the device. The air conditioner price depends on its size, desired AFUE, and SEER values. You should factor in the installation supplies like the air conditioning pad, line set, refrigerant, sheet metal, and thermostat apart from labor costs. Furthermore, include the contractors expected profit margin that is usually 40% of the system’s cost.

The contractor fee.

Most people wish to settle for the lowest price on the market, especially when dealing with essential, expensive devices such as new air conditioning systems. However, hiring an installation contract with the lowest price can rapidly backfire. Furthermore, you should avoid sacrificing quality work and expertise for a quick and cheaper offer provided by contractors who lack adequate knowledge.

Search for a quality air conditioner contractor that offers the service at an affordable price by investigating if they have a license, a physical shop, written estimates, and their experience. The contractor should carry out a Manual J load calculation and dispose of the old air conditioner after installing a new one. Contractors are paid about $50 to $80 per hour or nearly half the air conditioning system’s price. The installation process’s complexity can be hired as other people’s services, such as journeyman, master technicians, and apprentice.

What About Project difficulty and hidden costs.

If reaching any existing air conditioning system is difficult, the cost of installation becomes higher. A compact attic or one filled with insulation can make access difficult, increasing the cost of installation. Some hidden costs include potential fines and permits, making it imperative to select a contractor that will follow the federal or local regulations about installing air conditioners. It would help if you considered other charges such as testing and removing lead paint or asbestos when carrying installation. 

Other costs you might run into during the installation include electrical work, plumbing, relocation of the air conditioning system, and upgrading it to current code standards. You should check with your local authorities for the cost of getting a permit to avoid being charged and removal of the already installed device at your expense. Averagely, a permit for installation ranges between $250 and $400.

SEER ratings.

The best air conditioners in the market have higher efficiency or SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings ranging from 13 to 25. SEER ratings indicate how efficiently the equipment cools your home. High SEER ratings can drastically decrease your energy bills but can make you incur higher installation costs. The average installation costs for a 13 SEER rating are about $2700, while a 24 rated device demands about $6800.

Size of the air conditioner.

The larger the AC, the more expensive it might become and thus increasing the installation fee. Air conditioner sizes are divided into either tonnage (Tons) or British Thermal Units (BTU). Tonnage and BTUs measure the amount of heat the unit can eliminate from your house in an hour where the higher the figure, the more effective it is. The contractor should determine the size of the air conditioner you home needs by performing a Manual J calculation.

The calculation considers factors such as climate, type of flooring, size of your home, and insulation quality. Avoid contractors that use the rule of thumb to size your air conditioning system. A conditioner with 5 Tons or 60000 BTU installation costs can cost around $3600, while a 1.5 Tons or 18000 BTU might be about $2000.

Brand selected.

The brand you select for fixing the air conditioner in your home will determine the cost of installation. Big brands have higher installation costs compared to less popular manufacturers. Furthermore, the manufacturer can produce air conditioning units with similar internal parts net their cost varies widely. Manufacturers are generally similar to small differences in their design, such as a quitter compressor and higher SEER ratings.

What warranty do you purchase with the system?

Longer warranties typically make the installation cost higher but minimize the money spent on maintenance in the end. Usually, there are two kinds of warranties where one covers faulty parts and equipment, while the other covers faulty work that occurs during the installation of the air conditioner. Manufacturers’ warranties last between two ten years while the contractor’s guarantee varies depending on the firm you choose