How Much Does An Air Conditioner Cost?

Average Cost of An Air Conditioner

Average costs for air conditioner installation run between $3,200 and $7,800. Those numbers include equipment cost, labor, and permits. If you don’t already have ductwork in your home for a forced-air furnace, then your air conditioning installation costs will rise. Duct installation involves additional labor and materials. Keep in mind that is just a general price range. An HVAC technician from Oliver is able to visit your home and provide you with a detailed quote.

Factors That Influence Air Conditioning Costs

1. Size of Your Home

The square footage of your home determines your starting point for air conditioner expenses. You have nothing to gain by buying a unit that is too small in an attempt to save money. An improperly sized unit would struggle to cool a home and would certainly wear out faster.

Air conditioner manufacturers express the capacity of each model according to tons of air cooling and BTU. 1 ton of air cooling maintains about 400 square feet of living space. An air conditioner applies about 12,000 BTU of energy to cool 1 ton of air. As a result, a 2,000 square foot home needs 5 tons of air cooling (2,000/400 = 5). Therefore, a 5-ton unit runs on 60,000 BTU (12,000 x 5 = 60,000). An installation specialist from Oliver can calculate what size air conditioner your home needs and recommend appropriate models.

2. Equipment Brand

You will encounter some price variation based on the manufacturer. Many brands deliver similar performance but may differentiate themselves over the years by durability. Brands that run quietly can demand a premium as well.

3. SEER Rating

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) describes energy efficiency based on a typical cooling season. The ratio results from comparing the cooling output to consumed watt hours. Air conditioner models have SEER numbers between 13 and 24. Units with higher SEER ratings operate more efficiently than equipment with lower SEER ratings.

An air conditioner with a high SEER rating costs more to install than a less efficient option. However, you earn back the initial investment through lower operating costs across the life of your equipment. If you choose a lower SEER model, your upfront cost is lower, but operating costs will be higher.

4. Warranty

Warranties provide peace of mind because they protect your investment. No one wants to pay for a new air conditioner and then have a big repair bill a year later. Because that shouldn’t happen, manufacturers issue warranties on their products. A manufacturer’s warranty covers major components for the first few years of operation. The length of a manufacturer’s warranty may influence your decision about what to buy. For example, a 5-year warranty offers greater value than a 3-year warranty, but read the fine print.

Manufacturers require professional installation before honoring warranties. Installers also offer warranties on their workmanship. Such a warranty protects you against costs related to installation errors for a certain period of time. Oliver’s Pro Series has a seasonal energy efficiency ratio of up to 14, a 1-year labor, and 10-year parts warranty. Our Gold Series has a SEER of up to 18 plus a 10-year parts and labor warranty. Oliver’s Platinum Series is our most energy-efficient air conditioning unit with a SEER of up to 25. It comes with a 12-year parts and labor warranty. Learn more about our energy efficient air conditioners today!

5. Installation Expertise

You don’t want to cut corners on installation. Installing an air conditioner involves electrical connections and durable seals on all refrigeration lines. Errors could cause poor performance and unreasonably high energy costs.

Many people choose well-established companies, like Oliver Heating & Cooling, that has been in business since 1971. All of our technicians are NATE certified and stay up to date with all building codes and modern A/C technology.