When your old air conditioner has to go, wouldn’t the first question that comes to your mind be, ‘how much does it cost to install a new air conditioning unit?’ That’s the first thing most people think of in my experience. So you can imagine how frustrated customers get when every air conditioning company they call refuses to discuss even ballpark pricing info on installing a central air conditioner over the phone. Of course, most heating and air companies want you to meet with a salesperson before they ever talk with you about pricing. Why do they do this? So they can try to size you up and base the price they quote you on how much research you’ve done or how urgently you need a new air conditioner installed. What a lousy way to do business right? So I’m going to give you the information most air conditioning contractors don’t want you to have… the basic price range you can expect reputable air conditioning companies to quote for the installation of a new central ac unit.

The price to install a central air conditioning unit varies significantly depending on the SEER rating of the unit you choose to install. In this post we’ve grouped the broad range of prices quoted from a basic ac unit up through the ultra high efficiency units based on the size of the home. Since we see hundreds of price quotes from other companies every year, we decided to start taking those quotes and organizing the information to give you a clear picture of the price ranges well-known, reputable companies charge for the different categories of central air conditioners. Keep in mind that the average cost to install a central ac unit varies according to which region of the country you live in. Prices tend to be lower in the Southeast than they are in Western states and the Northeast. If you’d like more detailed pricing information for each of the different models by SEER rating, we’ve broken down the price ranges for the most popular air conditioning units installed by homeowners from 13 SEER single-stage all the way up through 17 SEER 2-stage models in the 2015 Central Air Conditioning Buyer’s Guide which you can download for Free.

For Homes Between 1,000 and 1,800 Square Feet Air conditioning companies will charge anywhere from $3,900 for a smaller 13 SEER ac unit all the way up to $7,400 to install a 17 SEER 2-stage model. For Homes Larger Than 1,800 Square Feet Air conditioning companies will charge anywhere from $4,500 for a mid-size 13 SEER ac unit up to $7,900 to install a 17 SEER 2-stage model. Along with more detailed pricing info for each type of air conditioner, the 2015 Central Air Conditioning Buyer’s Guide includes lots of great information on the most common questions customers have when shopping for a new air conditioner, such as: How much does Xcel Energy offer in rebates for each model? What type of air conditioner do I really need? What are the best central air conditioning brands? What should be included in the installation of my new air conditioning unit? … you can download the 2015 Central Air Conditioning Buyer's Guide for Free by clicking here.

You can also find answers to just about any question you could ever have when it’s time to install a new central air conditioning unit in the Air Conditioning 101 section of our website.how long does an ac unit lastChoosing an Air Conditioning Systemmobile home central ac units Selecting an air conditioner for your home is a big decision. car ac repair shop near meIt’s an important investment today. It will play a key role in your home energy expenses for years to come. And when the summer heat is at its worst, you’ll want your family to have the best, most reliable cooling comfort possible. Here are a few things to consider. What do good central air units have in common? How can I be sure my Unit is the right size?

Which air conditioners are energy efficient? Are some air conditioners built better than others? What should I look for in a contractor? The best ones are efficient, operating on minimal electricity to hold utility bills down. They provide steady, dependable performance year after year when properly maintained. Good systems are quiet, long-lasting and low in service needs. Back to the top Obviously, an air conditioner that’s too small won’t keep your home sufficiently cool. But what many don’t realize is that an oversized system will cycle (turn on and off) more than necessary, wasting expensive energy and possibly putting undue strain on the compressor. A good contractor will determine the optimum size for your home by making a careful study of your cooling requirements. Window dimensions and exposure. Floor space, insulation and local climate. The direction your home faces. Even the amount of your home’s exterior shaded by trees. He’ll specify the cooling capacity of the system in either Btu/h (British thermal units of heat removed per hour) or refrigeration tons (one ton being equal to 12,000 Btu/h).

Much like automobile manufacturers, today’s air conditioner manufacturers are required by law to evaluate and rate their equipment according to its energy efficiency. This rating is known in the industry as a SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment. Most new homes with central air come equipped with a standard builder’s model. However, when replacement becomes necessary, property owners can upgrade their air conditioning by specifying a more energy-efficient system. The Rheem Prestige Series™ High Efficiency model, for example, has a SEER of 18.00, among the highest available. It’s significantly higher than today’s standard models, many of which carry SEER’s of at least 13. High SEER models are generally more expensive, but can easily make up the difference by reducing your home energy bills over the long run. The compressor is the heart of a condensing unit. On a hot day, it works long and hard.

Rheem installs the highly advanced scroll compressor in every Rheem condensing unit we produce. Scroll Compressors are recognized by the industry as the leader in reliability, efficiency and quiet operation. Other features to look for include louvered steel cabinets that protect the coils from damage and expensive repair bills. Also, with some condensing units, the fan can be another source of bothersome noise. Rheem units have a grill design that minimizes air restriction for quieter fan operation.Look for a contractor you see in your community. You want one who’s close by to provide you faster, more convenient service. He should offer a recognized name brand. And he should have a well-stocked inventory of replacement parts. You wouldn’t want to sit out a mid-summer heat wave waiting for a simple repair! One way to be sure you’ll get good service is to contact a neighborhood Rheem contractor. Your local Rheem contractor is knowledgeable, dependable, and as good as any you’ll find in the business.