If your air conditioner or furnace just died, you’re facing some quick and tough decisions. Now is the time to take a deep breath and not rush to an uninformed decision.  The top mistakes people make when purchasing a new heating or cooling system are: Ignoring SEER – The higher the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating the more efficient the unit, which translates to less money spent each month heating or cooling your home. A 13 SEER rating is the minimum; 15 SEER is good; above 16 is high efficiency. A high efficiency system can cut your energy bills in half when compared to an old 8 SEER unit and also provides many comfort benefits. Missing rebate opportunities – Many states and manufacturers offer rebates to help offset the costs of some systems, particularly those that are higher efficiency.  In fact, some states offer as much as $1500 in rebates. Only getting one estimate – Prices and options will vary, as will service contracts, installation costs, and permits. 

Shop around and compare apples to apples. Going for the lowest price – A low price does not always equal the best value. A higher efficiency system might cost an extra $800 up front, but could save you $300 per year in energy costs. Over the life of the system, typically 12-15 years, you would be saving significant dollars by paying a little more for the higher efficiency system. Not considering maintenance contracts – Maintenance is necessary to keep your system functioning in optimal conditions over the life of the unit.  Over time dirt, debris, and other foreign substances can cause build up in your system, erode electrical connections and cause other damage that is expensive to replace.  In addition, the buildup can cause a 14 SEER unit to perform like a 10 SEER one, making your system work harder and your utility bills higher. Ensuring your system is clean and maintained annually can extend the life of your system and help you avoid expensive and preventable repairs in the future.

Not paying attention to refrigerant – R-22, which might be referred to by a brand name like Freon®, has been restricted from use in all new units produced after 2009. As an ozone-depleting gas, new R-22 refrigerant should not be used in  new systems.  If you’re buying a new system make sure it uses R-410A or a similar approved refrigerant. In some cases repairs can be made to existing systems using the R-22 refrigerant that is already in your old system or it can be repaired and recharged with “re-claimed” and recycled R-22 refrigerant from other old systems. Buying a new air conditioner or furnace is a big decision.  Take the time to make it a good one.  Have you recently replaced your system?  Tell us what you learned before your purchase! is a consumer price guide dedicated to helping homeowners learn about heat pump prices for their home. The information published on this site is kept as current as possible, and continually updated each week, with 2014-2016 heat pump pricing data that we compile from leading online resources, direct interaction with visitors like yourself, as well as HVAC industry data.

Split System Heat Pump systems are comprised of three or more main components, a thermostat control, and installation accessories that connect the components and allow them to work together properly. how much should it cost to recharge an ac unitAnytime we refer to a complete heat pump system, we’re referring to the outdoor condensing unit, an air handler with evaporator coil, electric heating strip, thermostat, and a refrigerant line-set to connect the system.ac package unit specifications Quick Links: Brands | air handling unit how they work The price list below is based on replacement heat pump prices for a complete 3-ton system. We needed to set this baseline in order to provide an equal comparison between each of the top rated heat pump brands listed below.

The system includes: 3-ton heat pump condenser, 1200 cfm air handler with built in coil, insulated copper line-set, and basic 7-day programmable heat pump thermostat. The combined efficiency of the complete heat pump system is rated at: 14 seer, 8.5 hspf, and would adequately heat and cool most homes between 1750-2250 sqft. Note: We’ve had several people ask us if you MUST buy a complete heat pump system, and in most cases, the answer is yes. The outdoor condensing unit (compressor) MUST be matched to the indoor coil, which are primarily located inside the air handler on most systems today. I won’t say that its required 100% of the time since you may have a component fail prematurely and can get away with just one main component being replaced. We do however, recommend it 100% of the time, especially if the system is older than 7 years. Before a heat pump system is installed in your home, a licensed HVAC company needs to run a heating and cooling load calculation on your home.

They will take several measurements, look at your windows, your attic and all areas of your home to determine heat gain and heat loss. They do this to be sure you have a properly sized heat pump system ranging from 1.5 tons to 5-tons in size. Note: For the purpose of this heat pump price list, we are including a complete unit with the following equipment: 14 SEER Heat Pump Condenser, Air Handler Fan Coil, Electric Heat Strip, (Backup heat) 7-Day Programmable Thermostat, and a New Copper Line-set. The pricing is set to an average manufacturer like Bryant, Heil, Lennox or Rheem. We also assume the installation would be of average difficulty, taking two skilled HVAC mechanical pros, one day to complete. Heat pump systems, just like central air conditioners and other major home appliances, come in several different efficiency ratings which are measure in SEER for cooling, and HSPF for heating your home. Standard efficiency heat pumps cost much less than the price of high efficiency heat pump systems for your home.