If you’re shopping for a new central air conditioner for your home, this is the bottom line question on your mind - “How much is it all going to cost me?” The answer is somewhere between $4,000 and $15,000, on average. If we could be more exact, we would. But there’s just so many things that influence the price of a new air conditioner. Here are just a few examples. Factors that affect the cost of the a new air conditioner Looking for a new air conditioner is a little like looking for a new car - there’s a wide range of prices available. But while the differing prices of cars are based on things like miles per gallon and if it has a moonroof, the cost of a new air conditioner is affected by: The size of the air conditioning system We’ve talked about how air conditioners are sized by tons before, but the basics are this - the bigger your home, the bigger air conditioner you’ll need and the more expensive it will be. Basic 2-ton air conditioners start around $4,000 and go up from there.

Larger air conditioners up to 5 tons can start at $6,000 with only basic features. The efficiency of the air conditioner When you purchase a vehicle, you are probably concerned about the long-term cost of ownership. One of the biggest factors is the efficiency of the car, which is measured in miles per gallon (MPG). In the same way, when you purchase an air conditioner, you should consider the long-term cost of ownership along with the initial cost. The biggest part of this long-term cost is the air conditioner’s energy efficiency, which is measured in SEER. And the more energy efficient an air conditioner is (the higher the SEER) the more expensive it will be. Of course, this initial cost difference can be more than made up for if in the long run. The most efficient air conditioners can be $5-8,000 more than lower end models. Whether you are also upgrading the heating system If you have a packaged air conditioning and heating system (usually found on the roof), you will likely be replacing the entire packaged unit at once.

Even if you have a split air conditioning and heating system, it’s highly recommended that you replace both the furnace and the air conditioner at the same time. You’ll get better energy efficiency and save more money in the long run - here’s why. The functionality you’re looking for Many air conditioners come with additional features to improve both energy efficiency and your home’s comfort. For example, two-stage air conditioners can both greatly reduce your home’s energy bills and make your home more comfortable. Likewise, a variable-speed fan increases energy efficiency and improves your home’s comfort. The company doing the installation The installation of the new air conditioner is as important (if not more so) than the actual air conditioner you select. A shoddy installation will break down more and cost more to run. So don’t settle for the cheapest air conditioner installation company you can find. Get a more accurate estimate If you’d like a more detailed and precise estimate of the cost of a new air conditioning system for your home, your best bet is to have a trusted air conditioning company come to your home and find out what you need.