How Much Does it Cost to Install Central A/C? When you're looking to install central A/C, you can typically expect to pay from $3680 to $7170 for the central air conditioning system plus supplies and labor.Installation of a central air conditioning system is a complex job, so make sure that the air conditioning contractor you hire is licensed and experienced.If your house already has ductwork in place for a forced air heating system, great. Otherwise, installing ductwork will add considerably to the cost. An older home might not be able to accommodate the retrofitting of ductwork; if so, consult with your air conditioning professional about whether mini split A/C might be the best solution for you.What Size Central Air Conditioning Do You Need?Your air conditioning contractor will begin by calculating the right size of central A/C for your particular needs, taking these questions into account:How big is your home?What kind of airflow do you have?How many windows are there?Is your existing ductwork and insulation in good shape?

What's your local climate like?The federal Energy Star program publishes a handy chart showing approximately how much cooling power you'll need, based on your home's square footage.AREA TO BE COOLED (square feet)A/C CAPACITY NEEDED (BTUs per hour)550 up to 70014,000700 up to 1,00018,0001,000 up to 1,20021,0001,200 up to 1,40023,0001,400 up to 1,50024,0001,500 up to 2,00030,0002,000 up to 2,50034,000Why is it Important to Get the Right Size A/C?air conditioning unit will not cut onObviously, an undersized central air conditioning system won't cool your home adequately, leaving you uncomfortable on the hottest days. ac wall unit vs window unitBut an overly large system is also problematic, because it will continually cycle on and off. best bedroom air conditioning units

This is noisy and inefficient, increasing your electric bills. It can also cause the A/C to wear out more quickly, meaning you'll have to spend even more money to replace it.The best heating and cooling pros are expert at rightsizing A/C systems (aka load calculation or Manual J methodology), so find out from them what's best for your home.Cost BreakdownCost to install a central air conditioning system will normally include:Materials -- Air conditioning systems come in 2 basic types. Single-stage will start operating at full capacity as soon as the indoor temperature exceeds the level on your home's thermostat. Under the same conditions, two-stage starts at 2/3 of its capacity and gradually increases to full capacity. This makes it quieter, cleaner, and more efficient at using energy. In addition, A/C may be zoned so that it operates independently in 2 or more zones of your home.Labor -- The A/C pro first measures your home to determine the correct system size. He/She then installs the system and checks the airflow and amount of refrigerant.

He/she may need to install or repair ductwork as well. You might also need an electrician to upgrade your home's electrical system.Cleanup -- There may be a lot of cleanup if new ductwork is installed. In addition, old A/C units might need to be removed and disposed of.The initial estimate, which may include an onsite inspection, is often free.Get the Most for Your MoneyBook heating and cooling contractors to install air conditioning or heating during their slow seasons -- early in the spring and fall. As well as a shorter wait for a service call, you may receive discounts on labor and equipment.You might need a building permit in your locale for the A/C installation itself or for related tasks such as electrical upgrade. To avoid any problems, check before the work begins.Energy Star certifies air conditioning systems that meet its standards of efficiency and environmental friendliness. It also provides reviews of those it considers most efficient. When you purchase an Energy Star-certified appliance, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit.

Rebates may also be available from the state government or the manufacturer.Install a programmable or smart thermostat for even more energy savings.For Residents » Save Energy It takes just a little energy to save on energy costs. If you pay attention to the little things, the money you save will add up in a big way. The chart below gives you a good idea of energy costs per electrical appliance, kind of like nutrition fact labels on food. See also our Twelve Easy Ways to Save Energy. 1.5 kWh per hour Baseboard heater (six foot unit) (250 W/foot) Heat Pump heat strips 10 kWh per hour w/fan 10.5 kWh per hour w/fan Heat Pump w/o heat strips (1.8 COP)*** 2.93 kWh per hour 9.77 kWh per hour Window/wall (8kBtu) (120V-12 EER) 0.73 kWh per hour 1.8 kWh per hour Central (3 ton-12 SEER) 3.0 kWh per hour 0.2-0.4 kWh per hour $0.03 - $0.05 per hour 0.03 kWh per hour Less than $0.03 per hour 0.075 kWh per hour

380 - 500 kWh per month $41.00- $55.00 per month Instantaneous (110 v 29 amp) @1gpm 70'F $41.00 - $55.00 per month Instantaneous (240 v 50 amp) @2.5 gpm 83'F 12 kWh per hour 2.3 kWh per hour 1-1.5 kWh per hour $0.11 - $0.17 per hour 6 kWh per hour cleaning 0.12 kWh per 5 min $0.01 per 5 min 0.12 kWh per brew Coffee maker/brew, warmer on 0.4 kWh per hour Dishwasher: normal cycle (not including hot water) 1 - 2.17 kWh per load $0.11 - $0.24 per load Dishwasher: Energy saver cycle 0.5 kWh per load 0.04 kWh per use 0.75 kWh per hour Waffle iron, 4 servings 0.33 kWh per use Refrigerator (frost-free), 15 cu. Ft. (1996 unit) 150 kWh per month Freezer (manual defrost), 15 cu. Ft. 90 kWh per month Newer Units - Energy Star Refrigerators Energy Star Refrigerator, 14 cu. Ft. 34.5 kWh per month $ 3.80 per month Energy Star Refrigerator (frost-free), 17 cu. Ft.

35 kWh per month $ 3.85 per month Energy Star Refrigerator (frost-free), 19 cu. Ft. 46 kWh per month $ 5.06 per month Energy Star Refrigerator (Side by Side) 21 cu. Ft. 51 kWh per month $ 5.61 per month Energy Star Refrigerator (frost-free) 24 cu. Ft. 54 kWh per month $ 5.94 per month Energy Star Refrigerator (Side by Side) 25 cu. Ft. 60 kWh per month $ 6.60 per month 0.48 kWh per hour 40" - 49" Plasma 0.016 kWh per hour Less than $0.01 per hour 40" - 49" LCD 0.012 kWh per hour 0.24 kWh per hour 40" - 49" DLP 0.2 kWh per hour 30" - 36" Tube 0.12 kWh per hour 25" - 27" Tube 0.09 kWh per hour 28.8 kWh per month 0.02 kWh per hour 0.15 kWh per hour 0.21 kWh per hour 0.06 - 0.25 kWh per hour $0.01 - $0.03 per hour Desktop Computer on sleep/standby mode 0.001 - 0.006 kWh per hour 0.02 - 0.05 kWh per hour Monitor - 17" CRT

0.08 kWh per hour Monitor - 17" LCD 0.04 kWh per hour Speakers (25 Watts x 2) normal volume 0.05 kWh per hour Incandescent bulb (40 W) Incandescent bulb (60 W) 0.06 kWh per hour Incandescent bulb (75 W) Incandescent bulb (100 W) 0.1 kWh per hour Incandescent bulb (150 W) Compact fluorescent (8 W) equivalent to 25 W incandescent 0.008 kWh per hour Compact fluorescent (11 W) equivalent to 40 W incandescent 0.01 kWh per hour Compact fluorescent (15 W) equivalent to 60 W incandescent 0.015 kWh per hour Compact fluorescent (20 W) equivalent to 75 W incandescent Compact fluorescent (27 W) equivalent to 100 W incandescent 0.027 kWh per hour Compact fluorescent (38 W) equivalent to 150 W incandescent 0.038 kWh per hour 0.3 kWh per hour Clothes dryer (light load vs. heavy load) 2.5 - 4 kWh per load $0.28 - $0.44 per load Warm Wash, cold rinse 2.3 kWh per load