If your air conditioner is getting up there in age or starting to lose a lot of its steam, it might be time to think about air conditioner replacement. You might be wondering though, how much does a new air conditioner cost? There are a lot of factors that influence how much a new air conditioner costs, but with some simple planning, you can get a good estimate of how much your new air conditioner is going to cost.
Before deciding to replace your air conditioner, an important step is to determine if a new air conditioner costs more than your current repair costs. A good rule is to multiply the cost of repairs in a given year by the age of the unit. If this is more expensive than just replacing your air conditioner, you should go ahead and replace it.
Similarly, if your air conditioner is more than 15 years old, or around that age, it is time to start thinking about replacement. Most home air conditioners last for about 10-15 years, so if yours has reached that age, get in touch with the heating & air conditioning professionals at Galmiche & Sons to discuss air conditioner replacement and get an idea of what you should expect to pay for your replacement.
What to Expect When Replacing Your Air Conditioner?
There is not just one answer for those asking, “how much does a new air conditioner cost?” Instead, the cost of replacing your current air conditioner depends on a few different factors, including the type of air conditioning system you want.
You should think about whether you need central air, which costs between $4,000-$5,500 on average, ductless air conditioners, or window units for a new air conditioner with less cost. Window units run from $150-$750, but are limited in cooling capacity. A ductless, or “mini-split” option can run between $1,500-$2,000 and provides a bit more power and efficiency for a relatively low cost.
New Air Conditioner Cost Factors
Once you know what you need and what kind of units to look for, there are a few factors that will influence your new air conditioner’s cost. The biggest factor is the size of your home. For larger houses, you will need a larger, more powerful air conditioner. AC power is measured in “tons” of heat removed per hour. A “ton” is 12,000 British thermal units (BTUs) and you can estimate what size air conditioner you need by the size of the space to be cooled.
You will also want to consider things like how well insulated your home is when calculating how much heat you need removed. Additional work like installing more ductwork can drive up costs, so think about the labor and materials you will need as well when estimating how much your new air conditioner will cost.
Energy Efficient Units and Other Discounts
There are a variety of programs available that offer rebates and discounts to help people upgrade to energy efficient AC models. In particular, if you have an air conditioner produced before 2010, it is likely it uses the R22 refrigerant, which is being phased out by the EPA. There are discounts available to help you make the switch. Plus, Galmiche & Sons can help you find other programs to help bring down your new air conditioner cost.
Get a Quote for a New Air Conditioner Cost Today!
If you are ready to welcome summer, and the new air conditioning unit that goes along with it, contact our St. Louis heating & air conditioning company today for a free quote.
