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. best quality ac unitsFor 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. small personal ac unitsA unit that is too small will run constantly to keep a home cool, thus increasing your monthly energy bill. filter on ac unitNorthern 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. Warranty Most central air conditioning units come with two- to five-year warranties. Extended warranties can be purchased for an additional price -- usually for several hundred dollars -- and the longer the warranty, the higher the price.

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 Correction 1,702 posts, read 2,763,126 times 9,755 posts, read 8,477,934 times Originally Posted by goodgal

$7000 per set is about par. How big is the house that requires TWO 100,000 btu furnaces? Originally Posted by MrRational 5400-5600 heated sq feet 82 posts, read 137,735 times 557 posts, read 593,885 times 4,322 posts, read 4,701,486 timesThis Texas school has two conventional buildings, each with 20 air conditioning units along its back wall. That’s 40 units for just one tax-supported school! What does it cost to install and run 40 ac units in hot, humid Texas? Also, consider that this is a school for less than 300 students. Cost to cool your building It depicts the back side of one of two buildings that function as a traditional Texas school serving 236 students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. Like many traditional schools, this building has a line of 20 air conditioning units along its back wall. The companion building has another 20 units along its back wall. That’s 40 AC units at just one school! Consider what it costs to install 20 units.

How much electrical do those 20 units require? How much just plain expense does it take to install and run 20 units? And these units are not inexpensive toys. They are not $100 window units. By the time the unit is installed, each costs a minimum of $3,000 to $4,000. And bigger units cost two to four times that much. The next time you drive through town, please think about this. Look at the schools, look at the churches and just do a rough count of the AC units you see. Keep in mind that most schools and churches hide their units along the building’s back side. As I drive through the suburbs of Dallas, I’m constantly stunned by the number of AC units I see at schools. Many have one major AC unit for each classroom. That costs serious money – not only to install but to hook up, to maintain, to replace and most of all to furnish with power. It’s no wonder that we receive so much acclamation for our Monolithic Domes. Our domes use one fourth that amount of air conditioning.