As with most home-improvement projects, the cost involved in installing a new residential air conditioning system differs. However, it is important for a homeowner to get free information and facts on the types of ACs, evaporator coils, and high efficiency home installation costs. Get a realistic air conditioner replacement cost by following some simple guidelines and table of contents.
If you are looking for the Best Air Conditioner Installation in Burlington Ontario, then you have come to the right place. Our TopCare HVAC of Burlington team has many years of installing AC units near you. We are the go-to team when you are looking for an AC contractor. Our Burlington Contractors has installed new ACs near Clarkdale, Roseland, Tansley, Zimmerman, and Port Nelson in Burlington Ontario.
What Factors Affect The Cost Of Installing A New Residential Air-Conditioner?
There are quite a few factors that affect the project cost of a new residential air-conditioning installation.
You can be ahead of the race, if you are able to make an informed decision about your home improvement project.
Energy Efficient Models
The best way to choose an energy-efficient model is to go in for an ENERGY STAR certified HVAC system and air source heat pump.
The system must offer the best comfort with the least energy consumption. Energy-efficient models have thermostats, controllers, and evaporator coils that allow you to enjoy optimum air quality with efficient use of energy.
Labor Cost
The central AC system installation price involves labor at around $120+ an hour. It could take up to 18 hours to install a 2-ton AC unit at your home.
Size Of The Home
The total area in square feet is an important factor to determine the project cost of installation. The thumb rule is that you need a 1-ton AC unit to cool a 400 ft.² area. The AC system installation in a 2000 ft.² home could cost around $2000 to $3900 with your existing forced air furnace heating system.
AC Cooling Capacity
Multiply the length with breath to calculate the tentative square feet area of your room.
Then check the British Thermal Unit or BTU per square foot
Get free information on this from your local AC store.
The basic guideline is that you need 30 to 40 British Thermal Units per ft.² in summer and 50 to 60 BTUs per ft.² in winter.
Take the help of a professional air-conditioning installation expert to calculate the HVAC replacement cost of your home’s central air conditioning system.
AC Size
It’s vital that you choose the right sized air-conditioner.
A bigger air-conditioner than required is likely to cycle on and off earlier resulting in wasted energy.
The smaller air-conditioner, on the other hand, takes longer to cool the same room resulting in higher energy bills.
AC Tonnage
The AC tonnage of your AC system installation is easy to calculate.
Use this calculation:
Required Tons = Square Feet X 25 / 12,000 – 0.5
For example, the average price of installing a 1.5-ton central HVAC system is around $2000.
This project cost increases with the tonnage.
The 2-ton new AC unit cost is around $2600 with installation, while a 4-ton new AC unit cost is around $370O with installation.
Brand
The brand that will serve your home cooling needs should always be the best brand to choose.
Installation costs depend on air conditioner prices and who you hire to install your air conditioner.
Residential Location
The climate in your residential location determines the cost of installation.
For example, around 25,000 to 30,000 BTUs cool a 1200 ft.² home in hot humid weather.
You’ll only need around 20,000 to 25,000 BTUs to cool the same area when outside temperatures are moderate.
The average price of your air conditioner reduces, as you go with lower SEER.
Quotations
Professional contractors do not compromise on the costs involved in upgrading their service equipment and having skilled technicians on their teams.
A professional installation is competitively priced taking into consideration these factors.
What’s The Cost Of Installing A Residential AC By Square Footage?
The basic rule is that 1-ton AC units are capable of cooling 400 square feet.
This effectively means that this AC produces 12,000 BTUs/600 square feet.
Using this as the base, let’s calculate the AC tonnage needed to cool a 1600 ft.² home.
1600 / 400 = 4 tons of AC cooling (4-ton air conditioner)
Your HVAC system must be able to cool 48,000 BTUs per hour (4.0 tons X 12,000 BTUs).
These 1600 ft.² home air conditioner units are available at approximately $3600 per unit.
Your HVAC installer adds labor, ducting and insulation costs, if any, to the installation price.
What’s The Installation Price Of A New Residential Air-Conditioner By Tonnage?
Installing 3-ton AC units – $2900 per unit
Installing 4-ton AC units – $3600 per unit
Installing 5-ton AC units – $3700 per unit
How Do You Calculate The Installation Cost Of A New Air-Conditioner By Its Unit Load?
This is performed by a professional HVAC contractor to prepare a quotation for the unit cost of a residential AC system.
The calculation is based on what is known as the Manual J Load calculation.
There are several factors that influence this manual load calculation.
- The existing duct system must bear the load of the new HVAC system. The professional HVAC installer measures separate manual loads for each room, if a replacement for the ducting is needed.
- The number of doors and windows, their type, and where they are placed.
- Layers of insulation on the ceiling and walls. This is measured in R value, which determines how well these two-dimensional barriers are able to resist conductive heat flow.
- The number of occupants in the home influences the manual load. Each human puts a load of approximately 250 BTUs on the AC system.
- A higher ceiling increases the area to be cooled and must be calculated in the manual load.
- The direction of the rooms with regard to the sun matters. A room takes longer to cool when its windows face the sun.
Who Does The HVAC Load Calculations To Determine The Residential AC Unit Size?
The HVAC pro uses the HVAC load calculator to calculate the BTU capacity of residential air-conditioning units.
The tool takes into account the area to be cooled, the number of windows, installation, and other factors that affect the load on the air-conditioner.
Once you have a clear idea of the AC unit size and the average cost of installation, the HVAC pro performs a full heat load analysis to determine the exact size of your AC and the energy costs to sustain it.
The full load heat analysis comes up with exact heating and cooling numbers for your home to remain cool in summer and hot in winter.
How Do You Calculate The Cost Of A Residential Air-Conditioner By SEER Rating?
Air conditioners with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER are high efficiency air conditioning units.
It’s important to note that the HVAC contractor completes additional installation processes to achieve this higher SEER rating.
This is likely to increase the average cost of installation.
The approximate AC installation prices by SEER ratings are:
SEER Rating / Air Conditioner + Installation
SEER 13 – 14: $2800
SEER 15 – 16: $3400
SEER 17 – 18: $4600
SEER 19 – 21: $5400
SEER 22 – 24: $6850
How Much Does A Residential AC Replacement Project Cost?
The unit price is just one factor that determines the AC replacement price.
Consider other cost factors for your project.
- Labor required to remove the old air system
- Size of your home
- Installation difficulties
- Ductwork complexity
- Type of air conditioner
- Brand of air conditioner
- Upgraded components
The total price varies between $2500 and $6,500+.
What Is The Cost Of A Portable Air-Conditioner?
The price depends on your needs.
For example, if you need a single portable air-conditioner to service an area less than 200 ft.² with approximately 7990 British Thermal Units, then you’d pay $240 to $560 per unit.
If you need a BTU cooling output rating of 13,990 to service an area of 600 ft.², you’d pay around $290 to $710 per unit.
Installation labor cost is $30 to $50 per hour.
How Much To Install A Residential Window Air-Conditioner?
Small room window air conditioners cool 200 to 300 ft.² with around 5000 to 8000 BTUs. They cost $100 to $200 depending on the brand and unit size.
Medium room window air conditioners cool 300 to 600 ft.² with around 8000 to 14000 BTU cooling output rating. The price is $200 to $300 per unit.
Large room window air conditioners cool 600 to 900 ft.² with around 14000 to 24000 BTU capacity. They cost $300 to $400 per unit.
Window AC installation costs $290 on average.
Expect to pay more for air conditioners with heaters, noiseless varieties, and those with higher efficiency ratings.
Is It Cheap To Install A Ductless Mini Split Air-Conditioner?
The ductless mini air-conditioner costs $2500 to $5000 per unit.
The cost depends on the BTU cooling output rating, the brand you choose, efficiency rating, and the cost of installation.
The ductless system that both heats and cools your home costs $3500 to $7500 including the installation cost.
Single-Zone Ductless Mini Split System
The single-zone ductless system is ideally suited to cool smaller rooms or spaces and supplement your existing AC system.
This single-zone AC System costs approximately $5000 with installation.
Four-Zone Ductless Mini Split System
This system has one outdoor unit but sustains individualized cooling and heating in four separate indoor areas or rooms without the use of ductwork.
It helps save money on energy costs, especially if you switch on the AC only when you need it.
The four-zone ductless system with both heating and cooling costs $6001 to $7999 including the installation cost.
Is A Ductless Air-Conditioner Heat Pump System Affordable?
This system is used in older homes that do not have the ducting system.
It cools and heats a maximum of eight zones with individual indoor controls.
These systems cost $6001 to $7999 including installation and subsidiary costs.
How Much To Install A Split Air-Conditioning System Paired With An Existing Indoor Furnace?
It depends on the size of your home.
A split AC system typically cools the upper rooms in your home that your existing indoor furnace cannot.
Calculate the number of cooing zones required and invest accordingly in a single-zone, four-zone, or eight-zone heating and cooling ductless mini split system.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Residential Central Air-Conditioner Unit?
The national average cost to install a residential central air-conditioner unit is around $5750 and ranges between $3800 and $7500.
Professional air-conditioning contractors include installation and the ductwork repair labor cost in their quotes.
What Is The Cost Of New Ductwork?
The flexible ductwork with insulation cost is around $2000 to $3000 for a 1500-ft.² home fitted with a new central air system.
There’s additional labor cost involved, if the ceiling or floor must be fixed, or if a new wall must be erected.
The cost is $12 to $20 per foot for an upper-floor ductwork installation.
Expect to pay $24 to $38 per foot for a wall installation.
Can The Residential Central Air-Conditioner Be Used With The Existing Heating System?
Yes, residential central ACs use the ductwork and fans of the existing system.
How Much For A New Heating System?
The heating system for a home depends on the type of HVAC unit you choose.
Installing a HVAC unit electric furnace costs $1500 to $2500.
The gas furnace costs $4000 to $5000.
If you choose an oil furnace, pay $5500 to $6500.
Finally, a heat pump costs $5000 to $6500.
What Is The Cost Of New Cooling And Heating System Insulation?
The cost of surface insulation to prevent heating and cooling loss is $1.9 per square foot.
What Are The Central Air Conditioner Prices For The Different Brands?
There are some brands like Goodman, York, and Rheem that offer mid-range residential air-conditioning units for around $2600 per unit with high SEER ratings.
Premium brands like American Standard and Lennox charge over $3700 for residential units with high SEER ratings.
Models Average Unit Cost
Carrier: $3900
American standard: $3700
Trane: $3200
Good Man: $2500
Ruud: $3200
Rheem: $3000
York: $2400
Lennox: $3800
Amana: $3000
What Factors Determine The Quality Of The Air-Conditioning Unit Installation?
The certified and experienced HVAC technician leaves nothing to chance.
The first step is to make sure your residential air-conditioning installation fulfills all local licensing and permit requirements.
The next step is to ensure you get maximum benefits from your air conditioner insurance terms.
Professional HVAC contractors use the best technicians, administrative staff, equipment, and perform comprehensive quality checks to ensure consistent heating and cooling temperatures that comply with SEER ratings.
Quality installation ensures the right-size central air-conditioner cools the home.
HVAC contractors cover damages and wearing out of parts in the warranty terms.
What Are The Hidden Costs To Worry About In A New Air Conditioner Installation?
It doesn’t matter how well you’re prepared with your budget for a new AC installation.
There is usually some hidden cost to replace a damaged component or two when the installation begins.
If you have been living in your home for a few years, consider additional costs for the following:
Vertical Wall Framing Member Damage
HVAC installers are likely to come across rotting vertical framing members or wall studs, especially in the basements of old homes.
Water tends to collect in the basement and seeps into the walls. The wall studs begin to rot after repeated exposure to moisture.
This is visible only after the drywall is removed. Add the additional cost to replace these rotten wall studs.
Ductwork Repair
Older homes have existing ductwork for heating in place.
Ducts get tangled, ripped, or damaged at various places.
This goes unnoticed until the new AC system is installed.
You pay more to repair or replace these damaged ducts.
Repairing Dry Walls
The new HVAC system is likely to have a new design that demands additional cuts to be made into the drywall for a correct fit.
Additional costs are involved to achieve this.
Increased Power Capacity
New central air-conditioning units require dedicated circuits and must be hardwired.
Can your existing power supply run the central air-conditioning unit with an additional 15 to 60 amperes of current?
If your answer is no, then you’ll need to increase the power capacity to ensure your energy efficient model runs consistently at optimum levels.
Are There Any Additional Costs After Installation?
The cost of running central air conditioners can go up to $250 a month based on several factors that affect the operating costs and electricity usage.
- Well insulated windows and doors keep warm air outside. This helps keep the cool air inside for longer periods of time, thereby putting less electrical load on the AC system.
- It goes without saying that AC units consume more power to cool a bigger home.
- The location is also important. Outside temperatures are lower, if trees and greenery provide shade to your home.
- Run the central air-conditioner only when it gets uncomfortable and hot. This ensures a lower electricity bill.
- Avoid running your unit at peak hours when electricity charges are higher.
- HVAC contractors set the thermostat at optimum levels. Changing these levels to cool the room at lower temperatures increases energy use.
How Do You Assess Air Conditioner Quotations Offered By Different Contractors?
- An air-conditioner replacement needs more work to acquire the same desired air quality as a new installation. These labor costs are factored into the quotes.
- The cost of installation is likely to include the manufacturer’s warranty and extended warranties offered by the local contractor.
- The professional installer offers the best extended warranty terms at the cheapest rates.
- You incur higher installation costs when you upgrade your HVAC system with the latest smart thermostat and other components.
- Local contractors are familiar with the permissions needed to install AC systems in your locality. The costs of fulfilling these statutory requirements are included in the quotes.
- Extremely low quotes on AC projects must ring warning bells. Be sure to check whether the contractor is aware of local AC installation policies.
- The professional contractor gives you the benefit of federal incentives and has a sound reputation for successfully completing major installations in the area.
- The contractor must be certified to complete installations with proper insurance in place.
Is It Possible To Install A New Air-Conditioner Without Professional Help?
It’s best not to install a new air-conditioner without the help of an HVAC installation and replacement expert.
There are too many electrical components that must be set the right way in order to get lower energy bills.
It’s not worth taking the risk after spending big dollars on your new home improvement project.
Can You Get A Tax Credit With A New Air-Conditioner System?
There is a residential energy efficiency tax credit system in place valid until December 31, 2021.
Existing primary homeowners get a maximum tax credit amount of $300 on ENERGY STAR certified high efficiency heat pumps for split systems with a 15 SEER rating and packaged systems with a 14 SEER rating.
ENERGY STAR Most Efficient air-conditioners also get a tax credit amount of $300 for split systems with a 16 SEER rating and packaged systems with a 14 SEER rating.
Verify credit eligibility by checking these benefits listed in the Manufacturer Certification Statement provided with your new air-conditioning equipment.
Do You Get Warranties On Newly Installed Residential Air-Conditioning Systems?
The manufacturing company offers warranties on defective components. These warranties run for a period of 5 to 10 years.
It’s your HVAC installer that offers you the warranty on installation, maintenance, and labor.
The cost to install your residential air-conditioner can go into thousands when you go in for cooling systems with high SEER ratings .
However, you now get free access to comprehensive information that’ll help you hire the right HVAC contractor for your home AC needs.
Do not hesitate to call TopCare HVAC for all your residential heating and cooling needs in Ontario.
We offer the best installation experience and the best rates for your AC home improvement project.
