Central Air Conditioner Replacement Cost

Replacing an AC unit requires a lot of money, so you need to prepare before hiring someone to do it. However, estimating your air conditioner replacement cost might be a little bit tricky because there are many factors to consider.

Factors

Knowing what factors into the replacement cost will help you to budget accordingly. Bear in mind that some factors are more important than others. Make sure to get your priorities straight.

1.    Capacity

This goes without saying. Typically, the larger the AC unit, the more expensive it will be. However, capacity is the one factor you can’t compromise on. Don’t opt for a smaller unit if you wish to cut your budget short. It is important to choose the appropriate capacity for your home.

2.    Brands

Even with similar specifications, two units from different brands might have very different prices. Although premium brands tend to have better quality, the more affordable ones are not always worse. The brand is one factor that you can easily adjust without sacrificing much quality.

3.    Specification

Lower- or medium-tier brands don’t usually have many options for high-specification units. Hence, you may find the price gap between SEER 19 and SEER 21 can be quite significant.

4.    Labor and Permit Cost

Different companies may charge different amounts for labor fees, depending on their experience and service quality. Most AC replacement services include taking care of city permits, but ask anyway to make sure.

5.    Modifications and Adjustments

If you are replacing your current AC unit with a different size or type of unit, you may need to pay extra to cover the necessary modifications and adjustments. The most expensive possibility is if you replace a mini-split unit with a central system because you will need to have ductwork installed.

Estimated Ranges of Central Air Conditioner Replacement Cost

The average central air conditioner replacement cost is between $4,000 and $6,000 for residential buildings. Here are some more detailed estimates depending on various factors:

• A capacity of 1.5 to 2.0 tons
  • SEER 13-16: $3,300 to $4,900
  • SEER 17-20: $4,500 to $5,700
  • SEER 21-26: $6,000 to $7,300
• A capacity of 2.5 to 3.0 tons
  • SEER 13-16: $3,500 to $5,100
  • SEER 17-20: $4,750 to $6,000
  • SEER 21-26: $6,300 to $7,600
• A capacity of 3.5 to 4.0 tons
  • SEER 13-16: $3,600 to $5,300
  • SEER 17-20: $5,000 to $6,200
  • SEER 21-26: $6,600 to $7,900
• A capacity of 4.5 to 5.0 tons
  • SEER 13-16: $4,900 to $5,700
  • SEER 17-20: $5,250 to $6,500
  • SEER 21-26: $7,100 to $8,700

Other Types of Air Conditioning Systems Replacing air conditioners that are not central systems is much cheaper because the work tends to be much simpler. Here are the average estimated costs:

• Portable AC: $500 to $900 per unit
• Ductless Mini-Split AC
  • Single Zone: $1,900 to $4,000
  • Two Zones: $2,500 to $6,000
  • Three Zones: $3,200 to $8,000

There is no need to worry about getting your calculation slightly inaccurate. Before signing a contract with an HVAC company to proceed with the replacement, they will inspect your house and propose a quote, which includes the total air conditioner replacement cost in detail. A trustworthy company will not bill you anything that you don’t agree to in the first place.     ECM Air Conditioning, with its headquarters located in Boynton Beach, FL, provides air conditioning services within Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County, and St. Lucie County. If you’re looking to have a new HVAC system installed, we’re on-call and ready to assist you. So if you’re in need of an HVAC installation, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an inspection! Our HVAC installation experts will check your ductwork, measure, check wire sizes, and more before making recommendations to ensure maximum efficiency and comfort. Call us at 561-295-1763 or contact our HVAC installation team online by clicking here.