Updated Mar. 31, 2016 Installing a new central air conditioner can cost between $3,000 to $10,000 or more. to the initial purchase price, you will have ongoing costs in terms of your monthly electric billBecause of these hefty costs, you’ll want to carefully consider your options before purchasing a new central air conditioner. This article presents the issues you should consider in purchasing central air, including; Homeowners have submitted thousands of reviews of central air conditioners to this site. However, many of the reviews cover air conditioners that are no longer sold. the remaining reviews to find the models preferred by most homeowners. The 10 best central air conditioners sold in 2016 are led by the 18 AFUE Goodman DSXC18 and the 17 SEER Coleman LX. 1. I need a new: 2. My zip code is: There are essentially two things that you’re paying for when purchasing and installing a new central air conditioner: equipment costs and labor costs.

Depending on your situation, you may be able to reduce your costs in one or both of these areas. Probably the single-greatest cost-saving solution is to buy your air conditioner from a direct-to-consumer retailer, and then hire a licensedBetween the complexity of the project, the environmental concerns of handling refrigerant and the high-voltage electricity involved, this is not a project for the Do-It-Yourselfer. Buying direct can reduce your upfront equipment costs, but before you buy it pays to consider how your unit of choice can lower your monthly utility bill. An air conditioner’s efficiency is typically provided as a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). Although a unit with a 13 SEER rating -— the lowest available —- will be less expensive upfront, you will spend more each month on your fuel bill than if you had selected aIf you purchase a high-efficiency central air conditioner, you may also qualify for rebates or other incentives provided by a local goverment or utility.

Consider, too, that the longer your unit runs in peak condition, the more bang you’re getting for your buck. Selecting a unit with a long-term warranty, and maintaining it on a regular basis, is another way to reduce your costs over the long haul. Although selecting the best unit for your home is important, selecting a contractor is equally, if not more, important. You will want to work with a good HVAC contractor when you install a new central air conditioning system. Make sure that you get quotes from at least threeThis will ensure you a low, medium and high bid, and give you a good sense of what it is reasonable to pay. Also, make sure to screen your potential contractors to ensure that they have happy customers and no complaints. is the best way to learn if the contractor with the most reasonable bid will be likely to complete your job to your satisfaction—and still be in business for your future maintenance needs. It is important to have an HVAC Contractor perform a load calculation

before you decide which size air conditioning system to buy. If you install an air conditioner that is too large, it will cycle on and off too often, substantially reducing the efficiency of the system. Too small, and your air conditioner may not be able to meet the demands of a hot, humid day.ac unit has water The industry standard load calculation is called the Manual J calculation.problem with unit testing It takes into account the size of your house, the amount of insulation installed,how to size an ac unit the square footage, and a host of other factors. More Central AC Resources As mentioned above, the most common measure of the efficiency of a consumer central air conditioning system is the Since 2006 the US government has required all new central air conditioners to have a SEER of at least 13.

Higher efficiency models have a SEER between 14 and 25.5. Another rating you might see is the EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio), although this method is more commonly used for rating commercial air conditioners. EER is a measure of the ratio of the amount of cooling (measured in BTUs) to the amount of electricity it consumes (measured in The EER is a steady state measure -- that is, the efficiency is only measured once the unit has started up and is running at a steady capacity. SEER takes into account the startup and shutdown time as well, making it a more accurate measurement for determining the actual energy costs for Do you need a new Heating or Cooling System? Get at least three quotes from HVAC Contractors (we can help you find licensed contractors) Compare reviews for the equipment the contractors recommend Check your Contractor's References Negotiate with the contractors whose references you like Read all questions and answers

How much does it cost to install a gas furnace ? Goodman 23-year-old furnace is starting to act up. What is a good replacement furnace? Ratings for ducane package unitsHow to Buy a Central Air Conditioner What the best air conditionerAn Energy Star qualified air conditioner will have a SEER of at least 14.5 and an EER of at least 12, while the most efficient central air conditioner will perform even better. that air conditioner installation and the specific components used canThis means some models that nominally meet the Energy Star threshold might not qualify as installed.A high-efficiency central air conditioner can seem expensive to operate in the beginning, but can be less costly in the long run, especially compared to older, less-efficient models. Government and utility company rebates are often available for models that meet high Energy Star standards or even higher CEE ones. Check these out before you buy as the

savings can be substantial.For quality systems, 10 years is now the norm, though better systems have stronger warranties still. lifetime coverage on the compressor; a significant consideration since that's the most important -- and costliest -- part of a centralAll central air conditioners are relatively quiet inside the home, but that doesn't meant they aren't stirring up aIf you have neighbors nearby, or like to sit outside even when the system is running, a quieter system will be appreciated by all.Experts say that when you get to the bottom line, there isn't a whole lot separating the highest quality central air conditioner systems from the lowest. However, there is a big gulf between the highest quality installers and those that are less-qualified -- and that's the reason behind wide swings in customer satisfaction betweenthe best brands are very picky about who they let represent themBecause of that, it might be a good idea to find the top

installers servicing your area, and look then to the brands they represent when narrowing down your selections. Know before you go Do you have theIf you're replacing an existing central air conditioner, then your house will already have a system of ducts in place. However, your contractor should still check out the ducts to make sure they areBe sure to tell the contractor about any problems you are having with airflow or uneven cooling with your existing system, since this may be a sign of poorly designed ductwork. If you are adding a new air conditioner, you may be able to connect it to the ductwork for your central heating system, although it may need some modifications. If your home has no ductwork, you might want to consider a ductless mini-split system.If you live in a hot, humid climate, it's especially important to choose an air conditioner with a high SEER, since the air conditioner will beIn a hot, dry climate, EER is more important than SEER;

measures how effective the air conditioner will be in the hottest weather. mild climates, consider a heat pump, which could meet your needs for heating asWe discuss heat pumps in our separate report on furnaces. at least three quotes from contractors. Regardless of the central air conditioner system you select, the difference between a great choice and a poor one often comes down to the contractor you select. neighbors and co-workers can be a good starting point. You can also ask local trade organizations for names of members in your area. Organizations like the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) have directories on their websites that can be searched by ZIP code. contractor who gives you an estimate based solely on your home's squareMake sure the contractor calculates your home's cooling needs according to Manual J, a tool published by the ACCA, and get a written estimate that shows all calculations, including out the contractor's credentials.

Ask to see the contractor's license and proof of insurance, and find out how long the company has been in business. recommends looking for a company whose technicians are certified by a trade organization, such as North American Technician Excellence (NATE) or HVAC Excellence. Get at least three references from each contractor, and be sure toA check with your local Better Business Bureau is a good idea as Buying tactics and strategiesDon't rely solely on price; you should expect to pay more for qualityAn extremely low bid is a warning sign that a contractor is likely to cutThe ACCA provides a handy guide on their website to compare bids based on both price and quality. for the best deal. An estimate isn't set in stone. If you have another bid that's lower, ask the contractor to explain the discrepancy. If you ask for a relatively small discount, you will probably get it. You can also negotiate for a better warranty or service contract.