Factor inspection and installation fees into the cost of replacing your central air conditioning. Noisy equipment, excessive humidity within the home and a unit older than 10 years are among the top reasons to replace your central air conditioning, according to Energy Star, a U.S. government program promoting energy efficiency. The cost to replace your central air depends greatly on home specifications and can vary by thousands of dollars. Manufacturing, efficiency, installation fees, size of your home and whether you purchase an extended warranty all influence the cost. Month-to-month energy bills and special requirements of your family, such as a need for allergy filtration, should also be factored into the final price tag. An accredited contractor can work with you to determine the best central air conditioning system for your home. Check with the Air Conditioning Contractors of America for an accredited contractor near you. Specifications Perhaps the first step to determining the cost of replacing a central air conditioning unit is evaluating the specifications necessary for the size and dimensions of your home.

Decide if your current unit adequately cools your entire home or if you require a larger unit. Your air conditioning unit should be sized according to the square footage and layout of your home. For example, at the time of publication, the Central Air Conditioning Prices website rates a 1.5-ton, 18,000 Btu air conditioning unit and coil at $710, while a 5-ton, 60,000 Btu unit and coil is listed at $1,640, excluding installation. A unit that is too small will run constantly to keep a home cool, thus increasing your monthly energy bill. Northern AC provides a free central air conditioning conversion calculator on its website to help you determine the central air conditioning unit that best meets your needs. Manufacturer Central air conditioners range from the most basic to high-efficiency units, which have a higher price tag. A basic central air conditioner may be less expensive upfront, but you could pay more in the long run through higher monthly energy bills, whereas an energy-efficient unit may cost more on the outset, but your monthly bills will be lower.

Research brands, get several estimates and work with a contractor to make an informed decision on a purchase. Installation and labor Most states require that central air conditioning units be installed by licensed contractors, meaning the cost to replace your unit may include installation and labor fees. If installation and labor fees are included in the price, expect to pay anywhere from $2,650 to $15,600 for installation of a central air conditioning system as of 2013. what is the price of a 2 ton hvac unitWarranty Most central air conditioning units come with two- to five-year warranties. thru wall heat ac unitsExtended warranties can be purchased for an additional price -- usually for several hundred dollars -- and the longer the warranty, the higher the price. how much are 2 ton ac units

Ask your contractor how long you have to make a decision on purchasing an extended warranty. Some manufacturers sell extended warranties within 30 to 90 days of installation, and then the option expires. Efficiency The U.S. government encourages homeowners to install high-efficiency central air conditioning systems and offers incentives that include rebates and tax credits for the purchase of qualified products. Americans can cut their monthly energy bills by a third by installing energy efficient appliances, including central air conditioning units. References Energy Star: When is it time to replace?Central Air Conditioner Prices: Average AC Unit Prices by Size or CapacityPopular Mechanics: Buying a Central Air Conditioning SystemFixr: Central Air Conditioning Installation CostEnergy Star: About Energy Star Photo Credits Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionA weak air conditioner capacitor can cause your system to consume a lot of electricity, so you end up with bigger energy bills every month.

Moreover, a bad capacitor can affect the overall performance of your AC and shorten its lifespan. To protect it from serious damage, you should check your capacitor regularly and replace it when needed. This way, you can save some money on your energy bills and, at the same time, prolong the life of your air conditioning unit. The cost of replacing an air conditioner capacitor may vary depending on the brand and the features. On average, the cost of replacement ranges from $120 to $150. Branded units can cost a lot more than the generic ones, with some of these prices reaching up to $400. Note that these prices do factor in the cost of professional labor for replacing the part, so some costs can be cut if you have the means to safely and correctly install the capacitor yourself. Most basic capacitors, for the part alone, can run between $35 and $60, depending on how rare your specific model is; however, less than $40 is fairly standard for most models. Although a regular air conditioning capacitor may cost you less than a turbo capacitor, using the latter is better.

A turbo capacitor fits in almost all types of air conditioning system, and since it is designed to run on higher voltages, your unit is protected from voltage fluctuations. Moreover, if your turbo capacitor becomes weak, you can always adjust its capacity and prolong its lifespan. The region where you live can have a minor impact on the overall cost of replacing a capacitor, usually in relation to labor cost. In highly urban areas or cities in states where the average cost of living is higher, AC technicians can charge more for their services. However, this price fluctuation shouldn’t be very dramatic in most cases. If the capacitor isn’t replaced soon enough, other parts in the unit can become damaged. For instance, the wiring can end up burnt or loose, or your fan motor could also need attention. As a result, your repair costs can go up when the technician replaces the capacitor. To minimize these extra fixes, always get your capacitor replaced as soon as you’re certain there is a problem.