Are you a homeowner that is interested in upgrading or replacing your current heating ventilation and air conditioning system? Are you shopping around, comparing HVAC system costs and HVAC installation costs? If so, this article shares important information to help you learn more about how much a heating and cooling system costs and what you can expect from an HVAC professional installing a new HVAC system in your home.
On average, you can expect a well-maintained unit to last you for more than a decade. In order to get the longest use from your system, you will want to schedule routine annual maintenance. This maintenance will include a full inspection of your unit, where a qualified HVAC contractor will clean each part of your system, correcting any malfunctions or replacing any worn parts they see.
Not only can this routine maintenance help to ensure your unit is functioning properly, it also helps to ensure it is working efficiently which can keep your energy bill lower.
If your unit is over the age of 10, has a frequent need for repairs, or doesn’t have a high enough SEER rating for your preference, it is time to consider replacing your heating and cooling system. The price of a new unit will vary depending on many different HVAC replacement cost factors that are explored below.
Unit Size
Your HVAC team will use the size of your home and your local climate to determine the unit size you’ll need. Unsurprisingly, the larger the unit, the higher the price tag.
BTUs—or British Thermal Units—and tons describe the unit’s capacity. In a nutshell, these units measure heating or cooling rates in a specified area. Finding a system that can balance your home’s temperature without wasting energy is essential.
Keep in mind that a bigger home doesn’t always require a relatively larger HVAC system. There is no direct per-square-foot requirement here. Factors such as your climate zone, home age, insulation type, and even how many windows you have can affect the number of tons and BTUs needed to control the temperature.
Labor and Installation
Installing an HVAC unit, removing and replacing ductwork, and making sure everything works properly is no easy feat. Labor for this project is around $1,500 on average. You’re likely to pay extra if you’ve never had an existing HVAC system.
Location of the Unit Outside the Home
The unit located outside the house is typically one half of your AC unit. This unit handles cooling the air from inside your home and moving it back in through the use of a compressor.
Most people put their outside AC units on the side or behind the home. But, this isn’t always the case. Those who are limited on space such as a multi-family home or townhome may need to mount theirs to the roof. In the event you need a roof-mounted AC unit, expect to pay around $1,000 more, as the AC contractor needs to find a spot that supports the weight of the system.
Location of the Unit Inside the Home
You’ll also need to consider the furnace system that goes inside your home. Most furnace systems go in places like a utility closet or in the attic or basement if you have one. The inside unit is also responsible for pulling in the hot and cold air to either cool down in the outside unit or heat up in the furnace.
If you have no proper place to install the inside unit, then you’re looking at spending anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 for a small space to be built around it.
Home Age and Construction
As we mentioned earlier, the age and construction of your home play a role in the size of your HVAC. But it also has a say in the HVAC system you can choose. Ductless mini-split systems, for example, come to the rescue in older houses where you can’t just install ductwork in the walls and ceiling.
When fitting your home for the best HVAC, your pro will analyze the R-value of your home insulation, ceiling height, size of the rooms, and types of windows in your home. Your window efficiency will alter the number of BTUs and tons your system needs to keep things comfortable.
Local Climate
The local climate heavily tips the scales regarding how much you’ll spend on your HVAC. You’ll spend more on central air and less on heating BTUs in Louisiana and vice versa up in Vermont. Humidity can also play a role. Dehumidifiers—a common add-on for HVACs—will be key in humid areas like the South.
An HVAC pro will use a climate zone map to estimate the tons and BTUs necessary for each part of your system.
Efficiency Ratings
Recent changes to HVAC efficiency standards will affect the rating of your system to heat and cool your home. The Department of Energy uses a series of ratings—such as SEER, AFUE, and HSPF—to assign an efficiency score to your appliance. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, rating requirements increased at the start of 2023 for regions across the country, so keep this in mind when looking at new models.
What do these energy-efficiency ratings mean? In an AC system, SEER measures the energy used by your system to cool your home during a season. The HSPF rating is similar but measures a heat pump’s efficiency over the season.
Your furnace’s AFUE rating ranges between 56% and 100%. It measures how much fuel your system uses while heating your home compared to how much it burns during the combustion process.
Not only is it important to know the required rating for your area, but it’s important to note the potential savings from investing in an efficient system. While you will pay between $350 and $1,500 more for each increase in the rating, you could save money on your utilities in the long run. Always speak with an HVAC pro about the right efficiency rating for your climate.
Brand
Thankfully, there’s plenty of competition in the HVAC world. More competition typically equals more competitive rates. Regardless of brand, the average cost of an HVAC unit is around $4,750.
Unsure What HVAC Unit is Right for You?
If you are unsure what size HVAC unit you need or which features fit your lifestyle needs, reach out to the team at Arrow Comfort today. Our team will work with you to find the perfect replacement for your specific needs.
About Arrow Comfort AC and Heating
Arrow Comfort LLC has over 20 years of experience providing quality HVAC services to Cleveland, Dayton, Liberty Texas, and surrounding areas. We specialize in affordable air conditioning and heating service, repairs, and installations. Our team of HVAC technicians work in both residential and commercial settings to help you gain climate control of your home or business. Reach out to us today to learn more about our air conditioning system and heating services.
Arrow Comfort LLC
2508 FM 1725,
Cleveland, TX 77328
832-579-6487
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