Does your air conditioner have a hard time keeping up with your home’s cooling demands? Are you tired of rising energy bills and frequent breakdowns? If your air conditioner has reached the end of its road, it may be time to replace it.
We know what you’re thinking, though. Air conditioners are expensive. But what is the cost of an AC replacement? There is no “one-size-fits-all” answer, as there are many factors that you need to consider.
When you replace your new air conditioner, the cost of the unit is not the total cost of the process. Don’t forget to account for the labor, which in this case involves removing your current unit and installing the new one.
When choosing an HVAC contractor to install your new unit, you need to make sure that they provide you with up-front pricing. If they can’t help you do research and give you an honest estimate about the total cost of replacing the AC unit, you should consider a different contractor.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner
If you are on the fence about replacing your air conditioner, it’s important to know when you should replace your AC instead of investing in repairs. Here are some of the most common signs that you should replace your air conditioner:
- Age of Unit: If your AC is over ten to 15 years old, it will start to run less efficiently than newer models, which can increase your energy consumption.
- Inconsistent Cooling: When your AC can’t maintain a consistent temperature or is blowing warm air, it may be struggling to perform and unable to cool your home effectively.
- Strange Noises: If you hear loud noises, like grinding, buzzing, or banging sounds, this could indicate serious internal issues that are not worth repairing.
- Expensive Repairs: If repair costs are more than half the price of a new AC, it may be more cost-effective to invest in a new, more reliable unit.
- Water and Refrigerant Leaks: Your AC unit should not be leaking at all. If you notice leaks coming from the unit, your entire system could be damaged.
Factors That Affect the Price of an AC Replacement
Two overarching factors affect the cost of replacing your air conditioner: the unit’s price and labor. Since the HVAC technicians have to remove the old system from your home, the labor cost will be a little more expensive than a standard AC installation.
Without going into too much detail, the cost of a central AC unit with labor is between $3,500 and $8,200. However, when you consider important factors like size, efficiency, and brand, the price tag can start to shift.
Air Conditioner Size
It’s important to size your new air conditioner properly. An undersized unit can’t keep up with the cooling demand in the hottest temperatures. However, an oversized unit is prone to short cycling, which wears out the system faster and reduces the ability to dehumidify your home adequately.
Air conditioners remove BTUs (British Thermal Units) to cool your home by taking away heat. BTUs measure the amount of heat energy. Larger systems can remove more BTUs at a faster rate, making them more expensive.
AC units are measured in tons. The larger the system, the more expensive it will be. You need to pick an AC system that works best for your home’s size so you don’t choose one that can’t cool your home or one that short cycles.
Here is a breakdown of unit size, BTUs, and home size, as well as their associated costs.
| UNIT SIZE (Tons) | BTUS | HOUSE SIZE (sq ft) | CENTRAL AC COST |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1.5 |
18,000 | 750 – 900 | $2,500 – $4,500 |
| 2> | 24,000 | 1,000 – 1,200 |
$3,100 – $5,100 |
| 3 | 36,000 | 1,500 – 1,800 | $3,400 – $5,400 |
| 4 | 48,000 | 2,000 – 2,4000 | $4,200 – $6,200 |
| 5 | 60,000 | 2,500 – 3,000 | $4,300 – $6,800 |
Air Conditioner Efficiency
In Maryland and the rest of the southern United States, the minimum Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) for new air conditioners is 15 SEER. The SEER rating measures the air conditioner’s efficiency during the cooling season. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the unit is, but that also means the unit is more expensive.
SEER ratings range between 14 and 20. The average cost of an energy-efficient AC unit ranges between $2,700 and the highest average cost being $6,950.
In general, higher SEER ratings indicate lower energy bills. Of course, to achieve such impressive performance, high-efficiency ACs are equipped with advanced features, such as a variable-speed air handler, thermal expansion valve, automatic-delay fan switch, and more. These features cost more, making high-efficiency air conditioners pricier upfront.
Air Conditioner Brand
As with any other appliance in your house, brands affect the price of AC units. There are tons of different brands with a wide range of costs.
Here is a list of some of the more expensive brands:
- Carrier
- Trane
- Lennox
Here is a list of more affordable AC brands:
- Frigidaire
- Amana
- Coleman
- York
- Rheem
- American Standard
- Bryant
GAC Services is a Bryant® Factory Authorized Dealer. We can help you find reliable AC units at an affordable price.
Labor
Since the AC technicians have to remove your old AC from your home, the labor will be more expensive. It will take roughly four to eight hours to replace your air conditioner.
Typically, AC contractors charge between $75 and $150 per hour for their services. That means the widest range of labor costs will be between $300 and $1,200. It’s important to speak to your AC technician about their hourly rate so you can get an accurate estimate of the cost of labor.
Don’t Forget to Ask About Contractor Promotions
When you first contact your AC contractor about replacing your air conditioning system, make sure to ask about any promotions or coupons. Heating and cooling companies often have seasonal deals that can get you discounted services, parts, or systems.
If you are looking for affordable AC unit replacement services in Gaithersburg, Maryland, turn to GAC Services. We will help you throughout the entire process, from inspecting your home to finding a unit to install.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation. We serve Frederick County, Montgomery County, and Howard County, Maryland.
