How much should a new Air Conditioning unit cost?

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How much should a new Air Conditioning unit cost?

The general range that homeowners can expect to pay for a new Air Conditioning system is between $2,500 and $4,500. However, the price can even go as high as $8,500 or more for a deluxe AC unit fully installed by a reputable dealer. 

Factors that affect the price of the AC unit: 
There are two main factors that affect the price you can expect to pay: 

1 - Size 
The larger your home, the more cooling power you will need. Cooling power is often measured in tons, and,1 ton is 12000 BTU (British Thermal Units). Smaller AC units can be as low as 18000 BTU, for smaller homes, and up to 5 tons or 60000 BTU for large homes. Correct sizing of your air conditioner to match your home is critical for achieving comfortable temperature and humidity levels. Oversizing an air conditioner will result in a home that feels cold and damp, whereas under sizing the air conditioner will result in high electricity bills, shortened lifespan of the equipment and a house that will not cool down enough when it gets hot outside. 

2 - Efficiency 
The efficiency of an AC unit is measured in SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit. In Canada 13 SEER is the minimum efficiency you can buy, 16 SEER is a good balance of unit price versus efficiency but you can go up to as high as 23 SEER. Air conditioners over 19 SEER are usually equipped with an inverter compressor, offering superior energy savings and maximum comfort compared to a single stage air conditioner, or even a two-stage air conditioner. If you are considering buying a top of the line AC with an inverter compressor you will usually have to invest in a new furnace too, unless the one you already have is the correct match for the new air conditioner. 

Installation 
Installing a new AC unit is not for do-it-yourselfers. There are a lot of places you can go wrong installing an AC without having the proper training and tools for the job. Questions to consider when installing a new unit should include: 

If you are replacing an existing AC are you installing new copper refrigerant lines? A new air conditioner should include new copper tubing for the refrigerant. If the existing lines must be reused, they need to be flushed with a cleaning solution and tested for any existing leaks using high-pressure nitrogen gas. 
Do you need ductwork? In order to install a central air conditioner your home must already have a duct system, but if not, there are ductless air conditioners on the market these days and they are quickly gaining in popularity. 

Warranty 
Most air conditioning manufacturers offer a 10-year parts warranty if the unit is registered within 60 days of installation. For a cost of approximately $400, it may be a good idea to invest in an extended warranty that has you covered for 10 years on labour charges. This extended warranty offers you complete protection (with required preventative maintenance). The best thing about investing in the extended warranty is that you don’t have to worry about any unplanned expenses on your new air conditioner for 10 years. 

If your Air Conditioner or Furnace are causing you any concerns, it’s time to call on one of our fully licensed technicians to help you with your HVAC needs. Contact Twintech Heating & Cooling at 1.844.894.6832 for professional assistance if you are looking to repair or replace your air conditioner or furnace.