Central Air Conditioner Prices – How Much Do They Cost?

Are you thinking of installing a central air conditioner system in your home? If so, you are probably wondering about central air conditioner prices and how to get the best deal for your buck. There is a lot to bear in mind when working with central air conditioner systems and some of the most important things, including the approximate prices, will be outlined in this article.

Usually central air conditioner prices are about $3500 to $4000 if you want to install the system in a 2000 square foot house. The job of this magnitude can be finished in about 2 to 3 days if you do not need to have any ducting changes made. If you want to add ducts then the whole process might take twice as long and the cost goes up to about $7000-$8000, sometimes even more. For an older and smaller house of about 800 to 1000 square feet with no existing duct installations the price might be around $2100 up to $6000. In some cases this price can go as high as $10000 or even more, depending on what kind of equipment you want to have installed and how much space is available for installation of ducts and vents.

Central Air Conditioner Prices by Type

Generally, central air conditioners are operated by electricity for the compressor, a blower and a fan. In certain hot climates this can add up and run extremely costly, so consider how much are you able to spend on electricity before installing a brand new cooling system. Usually there are two things that will determine this: energy efficiency and cooling capacity. Before deciding on a new system, ask the manufacturer or seller everything about these issues and potential costs. Usually the most popular way of measuring efficiency of the conditioner is with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio technology (SEER). Starting from 2006 only air conditioners with SEER rating of at least 13 can be sold in the States. More efficient models have a SEER rating varying between 14 and 22. Air conditioners are also rated through a method of Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). EER method helps to measure the amount of cooling relative to the amount of electricity spent. Getting this number might help you predict the actually costs of energy for the device.

The system itself is composed of several parts. The heaviest and noisiest components are usually installed outdoors, while the evaporator coil is placed indoors most of the time. Sometimes it can be mounted with a dedicated blower unit that is pushing the hot air through ductwork. The majority of blower units are usually installed in crawlspaces and attics.

Some of the basic mistakes when installing air conditioning is buying an overly big system that is not needed. This inflates the costs and is not as efficient as a smaller, more compact system designed to fit the rooms perfectly. There are also different types of air conditioners: central and portable. Central air conditioners cool the entire house but portable can be attached to windows and heat pumps to cool a single room. If you need to cool a single room it is better to choose a wall mounted air conditioner. It will also cost you less than a full system installation in the entire house. A wall unit costs about $300-$500 per piece. A central air conditioner is more expensive but also quieter and more energy efficient than single units. Some central air conditioners can also be composed of split units, where the condenser and compressor are outdoors while the blower is positioned inside on the furnace. The latter option is usually more cost efficient.

Always remember to ask about warranty before purchasing an air conditioning system. After you have read and understood the terms of warranty decide if this is the right choice for you. Warranties vary from one manufacturer to another. Remember that warranty will be void in case of an unauthorized person manipulating with the air conditioner, so always call a professional authorized service person to work with your conditioning system. It is common for the compressor to have a ten year warranty while for other parts five years is usually typical. As said before, warranty can vary from model to model.

Eventually you might need to repair your air conditioner systems. Some of the common problems include noisy air ducts, air handler squeals, blower running continuously, gas leaks, insufficient heat, motor running while blower doesn’t move air and no ignition. Regular maintenance will help you prevent unneeded repairs.

Another important issue is Freon. Some cheaper models still use the R-22 refrigerant, otherwise known as Freon that is damaging the ozone layer in the atmosphere. These units are not being manufactured anymore, but you might still find some for sale, so think twice before buying it.

Central Air Conditioner Prices & Savings

Air conditioner maintenance is vital to keep your systems up and running without any problems. The main problems with air conditioning systems are dirt and debris that accumulate over time, clogging the system. It doesn’t take more than an hour a season to clean your systems, thus increasing their lifespan. Usually this job is easy to do even without buying any additional tools and materials.

When evaluating what kind of conditioning system is best for your house, certain factors are important: how many windows the house has, how many rooms, the total area of your house in square feet, local climate, any existing ducts and vents as well as heating isolation and other factors. Consult a certified professional and have them evaluate the best and most efficient air conditioning system package for your situation.

Some of the most popular air conditioner manufacturers are Carrier and Trane. Sears also sells central air conditioning systems along with installation service. It is possible that for installing a bigger conditioning system you or your contractor will need to get a special permit on home expansion. If you wish to hire a contractor, check if he has all the required credentials and meets your locality’s licensing requirements.

And there you have it. You can now make informed buying decisions now that you know central air conditioner prices.