HVAC installations (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) include various types of equipment that provide various levels of home comfort.The cost to install average HVAC depends upon type, unit cooling/heating capacity and zone coverage, comfort expectation, control upgrades, efficiency rating, preparation and special needs, and the labor rate.Type and cost summaryIn the following table the Cost figure is based on average HVAC for whole-house coverage ranging from 1200 sq.ft. TypeProsConsCostVentilating fans (5)Lowest cost comfortLimited comfort$990Flexible locationBreezy indoorsEvaporative coolingLow cost comfortLimited regions$1,146Filtered airBreezy indoorsAir-conditioning (A/C)Flexible locationHigher costs$3,598High comfortPlus ductsHeatingFlexible locationPlus ducts$4,695High comfortOther considerations and costsWindow and portable models may require no professional installation.Always understand the energy consumption needs of any equipment you choose.If the installation requires a new opening of a wood-framed exterior wall, that work will cost from about $55 to $75 per square foot of rough opening, depending mostly upon local labor rate.

Masonry work is yet more expensive.Multi-phase electrical circuitry is generally required for units of greater than 12,000 BTU’s per hour, or 5 horsepower, or 3.500 kilowatts.For sunny rooms, choose A/C with 10% more BTU’s than required for room size.For rooms that regularly contain more than two people, add 600 BTU’s per person to what the room size alone requires in A/C capacity.For kitchens A/C, select a unit with 4,000 more BTU’s than required for room size.wine room ac unitEvaporative coolers require a dry and arid climate in order to perform as desired. how much for a 2 ton ac unitUnder those conditions, they can lower room temperatures by 15º to 20º F and consume 75% less electricity than the equivalent A/C unit.best 3 ton ac unitThere may be local subsidy or grant for the upgrade of energy efficiency.

The professional installer may charge an additional displacement fee or minimum-job charge.Taxes and permit fees are not included. DIY considerationsWindow units and portable units are especially appropriate for DIY savings if a proper electrical outlet is already in place near the window.Some ventilation and evaporative cooling units are also DIY friendly.Other units that require structural modifications of the building, or more extensive installations throughout the building, or new electrical circuitry are much more appropriate for professional service. Cost to install HVAC in my city Cost to install HVAC varies greatly by region. To estimate heating and cooling equipment size *, enter the square footage of your home: Sq.Ft. If you don't know Equipment Size, SEER, AFUE/HSPF, etc., click on the name in blue for more information. 64 posts, read 636,923 times 285 posts, read 616,283 times Originally Posted by jerseyjersey Thanks so much for the info. would people replace HVAC before or after they break ?

My colleagues told me sometimes furnace can last as long as 50 years! Originally Posted by fzpanda I would say any time it's warm is a good time to get a system replaced. You can always get or borrow a window unit of two to get you by for a couple weeks while you have the system replaced. The same can't be said about the winter. Even if you can just heat one or two rooms, you have to worry about pipes freezing in the rest of the house. At least in the summer you don't have to worry about the rest of the house bursting into fires cause there's no A/C. 1,462 posts, read 3,353,450 times My recommendation is to get a PSEG worry-free contract for the AC and Furnace, so at least, that way, you're covered before you have to buy a new one. 6,304 posts, read 9,032,121 times We had to replace our original furnace when it was 40 years old. I believe in the old saying, "if it ain't broke". 2,481 posts, read 1,841,518 times If you can live without heat/AC for a bit, wait, if you can't, don't.

A couple and their teenage kid(s) can deal. A couple with a baby or an older person with health problems might want to consider being more proactive. Just saw this, and while yes, some well-made furnaces and A/C systems can last a long time, if you live in a townhouse community built in the 1990s, it's likely that they didn't use top of the line, built to last systems. Of course, if you live in a very high-end development, it might be different. But the first home we owned was a KHov built townhome circa 1990-91, and by the time we moved out in 2010 (so, 19-20 year old systems), just about everyone in our section had replaced their HVAC. They don't build things like they used to, especially in those developments! I don't believe that's true, they still build some quality products, but you have to pay more for them. Pretty much any mass build development uses builder grade (ie low quality) materials. No one looks at the high quality brand name air conditioners, furnaces, windows, etc when shopping for a house.

They are looking at the nice cabinets and granite counter tops. So the builders spend the money where people want to see better quality items and skimp on the things people don't see. Hence why I said that my comments may not apply if the OP lived in a high-end development. The "average" furnace from 50 years ago is probably more likely to be working than the average KHov mass install from 25 years ago.When you need to buy a new HVAC system or replace your old one, you are facing a major expense. Once you get a quote, your next question will be where to find a better deal. It can cut deeply into your savings or require financing. But you know you can't simply do without heating, cooling, and ventilation, so you will need to bite the bullet. What can you do to make it less painful? Follow a few simple steps, and you could save thousands on your new system or replacement costs. How to Find Deals and Rebates on HVAC SystemsCheck to see if your state or local utility company offers any rebates or incentives for replacing an old HVAC system.

You can usually stack offers, so if your state and local utility company both have promotions, you have struck gold. Submit for both to take a big chunk out of the cost of your new HVAC system.Look Up HVAC Rebates and Incentives By StateReview the current rebate offers from all of the leading HVAC manufacturers before you call anyone for estimates. You'll find them here:Carrier RebatesLennox RebatesTrane RebatesNote: Keep in mind that these offers usually apply to their most expensive models, so you may be able to get a better deal by purchasing a mid-level unit that isn't eligible for a manufacturer's rebate.Prices vary widely from one HVAC company to the next, so get several quotes before making your decision. Normally three quotes will be enough, but you may find it's worth getting a couple extra. The drawback to this is that many times you have to wait days or weeks to be scheduled to get a quote from each company. If your system hasn't failed and you aren't desperate for a replacement, start getting quotes two months before you will need the new system.

Check with warehouse clubs such as Costco if you are a member. They may offer a better deal or a store rebate card if you purchase a new system through their partner.Angie's List may have deals on HVAC, check there if you are a member. If you aren't, it is a good source for finding local contractors and reading reviews from customers and it may be worthwhile to join. Wait to have your new system installed in the fall or spring, when HVAC contractors aren't as busy. Then, ask for an off-season discount.Tips for Buying HVAC SystemsCheck the Better Business Bureau ratings before choosing a contractor. The cheapest quote may not be the best deal if the company has lots of unsatisfied customers. You can also check them on Angie's List and Yelp and read their reviews from customers. These can reassure you that you've chosen wisely or steer you away from companies that have poor reviews.If you are on the fence about whether you should replace your HVAC, find out when Energy Star recommends a replacement.