What Is The Average Cost Of AC Replacement?

A question that we often hear from our customers, the desire to learn what air conditioner replacement costs can be a difficult answer to provide without learning more about the specific consumer wants and needs.
FOR INSTANCE: Consider the same question applied to purchasing a vehicle. The average cost of buying a car is difficult to pinpoint. What kind of car are you looking for? Small and compact or large and roomy? Great gas mileage or just something to get you from point A to point B? The price range can vary heavily, and only you as the buyer can answer these questions about what is most important to you. Without knowing these variables, providing an ‘average price’ is not overly helpful.
Now back to HVAC. The ‘average price of an air conditioner’ can be answered in a broad way, but it may not give you a true idea of what system is best for your home. When it comes to getting AC installation pricing, you are best off getting an in-home HVAC quote from a professional.
Read on to learn the main factors that determine the cost of ac installation, and why you can benefit more from an in-home estimate, rather than a ‘ballpark price’.
Heating And Cooling Equipment Brand
There are many good HVAC manufacturers out there, but not all equipment is created equally. Therefore, the quality and reliability of the products can vary depending on the manufacturer that makes the equipment. When replacing your air conditioner, consider choosing a brand that has a great reputation for durability and customer satisfaction.
Air Conditioner Tonnage
What size air conditioner do you need? Will your home require a 2-ton, 3-ton, 4-ton, or something in between? While it’s likely that your old AC was properly sized, it’s not uncommon to learn that the size of your air conditioner needs to be adjusted due to improper sizing, room additions, newly finished spaces, or more. Getting an HVAC professional to perform a load calculation in your home to confirm the size of air conditioner you need will benefit you greatly, and the price of the cooling unit is dependent on the tonnage needed.
Cooling Efficiency Options
When it comes to ac replacement costs, SEER (system energy efficiency rating) plays a significant role. Much like a car and the 'miles per gallon' rating, the higher efficiency rating of your HVAC system, the more you will expect to save on your utility usage. A high efficiency air conditioner will come at a higher upfront cost than a baseline model, but you'll be able to recoup the savings in energy (and then some!) in the upcoming years. Always be sure to consider the utility usage saved and comfort gained with equipment with higher AFUE and SEER ratings when comparing ac quotes.
HVAC Installation Company
One of the MOST IMPORTANT variables in any heating and cooling replacement project is choosing the company who installs the equipment. The best HVAC equipment in the world won’t operate properly if it’s not installed correctly. Remember to choose a reliable and reputable HVAC installation company who comes highly recommended to replace your air conditioner; the installation cost might be higher, but the peace of mind you’ll receive by selecting a quality company will far outweigh any potential headaches you receive with a poorly done install.
Seasonal Promotions
Depending on the time of year, manufacturers, companies like Logan Services, and even utility companies will offer a variety of seasonal HVAC rebates that can help to save you money when you purchase an air conditioner. Some of the best deals are extended to homeowners in the 'non-peak seasons', which may include the winter, early spring, and early fall. Consider also any air conditioner financing promotions that are offered; when paired with 0% APR financing, a new air conditioning system can be purchased at an affordable monthly price to fit your budget.
Economic Factors
Whether due to inflation, labor shortage, equipment availability, impacts in supply chain, etc., there are numerous factors that can impact the average price of ac replacement. In our experience, we’ve seen price increases become more frequent due to these recent economic factors. The price of an air conditioner can fluctuate depending on the current state of the economy, both locally and nationwide.
After reading this, you may now understand our hesitancy to answer the question: Can I get a ballpark estimate on a new AC? At Logan Services, we are happy to have a conversation tailored to you and your home, as well as your comfort needs.
It's our pleasure to educate you on the heating and cooling technology that is available for your home. Our free, in-home estimates take approximately 1 hour, and when we've properly assessed your best heating and cooling system choices, we'll present that to you with a price at the kitchen table.
Ready to schedule your FREE ESTIMATE? Get a Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus AC quote from our team of professionals. Use our convenient online booking tool and start living more comfortably at home today!