Ah, summer. A time of the year when the sun is blazing high in the sky, and when being inside of your home on the kivik sofa and out of direct sunlight doesn’t keep you away from its blistering rays.
If you’re looking to seek shelter from the sun indoors then you will likely be looking for ways to keep yourself cool, calm, and collected. There’s no better way to do so than by installing an air conditioning system!
An air conditioner is key to keeping your home at a pleasant temperature, ensuring your energy levels aren’t depleted, and that you can go about your day without too much disruption.
But how much does it cost to install air conditioning? And is it truly worth the money?
In this article, we’ll take a look at the different costs associated with installing an air conditioning system in your home.
What Is Involved In Fitting An Air Conditioner?
When you are selecting an air conditioning model for your home, you must take a look at the different air conditioner prices out there. Looking at competitor prices means you will get the best possible price for your desired number of units — all without breaking the bank!
The tradesperson or engineer from the chosen installation company will then come to your home to see where you want to install your selected units. During this visit, they can calculate the exact size that you need while also talking you through the system type and best placement for all of the units.
Deciding on a location will help the engineer to see how much ductwork or pipework needs to be carried out. After determining this, you will then receive a quote for installation costs and a plan of action.
The system will then be installed by the relevant professionals, the system will have its tests, and then you will be shown how to use it.
Types Of Air Conditioning Models
There are benefits and drawbacks to nearly every type of air conditioning unit. They each work differently depending on the way that it is being used but can be categorized into two sections: portable and fixed air conditioning.
Portable Air Conditioning Units
These units are generally much cheaper than other types of air conditioning due to limited or reduced power and a relatively straightforward DIY installation just like you learned how to fix a recliner. If you are heavily reliant on your air conditioner to keep you feeling cooler during hotter weather, it may end up being far more cost-effective to select a fixed unit.
Split Air Conditioning Units
Split air conditioners use an inside and outside unit to filter warm air out and keep the cold air in. There is a lot more intervention required by an engineer for one of these systems as the installation is a little more complex than other units. But with the cost of installation considered, these air conditioners are still one of the more cost-effective options!
Window Air Conditioning Units
Window air conditioning units are far more common in older homes and are effective at cooling down smaller-sized rooms. They’re pretty heavy and are quite difficult to move as part of a DIY project so you might want to call in for some professional help if you are planning to install a new unit in your home.
General Costs Of Air Conditioning Installation
It’s important to know that the average American home is around 2,300 square feet.
Installing an AC unit in a smaller 1,600-square-foot house will usually sit in the region of $1,200 to $2,000 without the additional cost of labor. This will cost you a couple of hundred dollars extra, depending on the type of professional you have in to do the job.
In a 2,000-square-foot house, you may expect to fork out anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 (without labor costs) depending on the type of air conditioning system you want and the size of the room that you want it installed in.
It could cost anywhere from $3,500 to upwards of $7,000 to install a large or upgraded central air conditioning unit in a bigger home (over the 2,300 square foot mark).
What Affects The Cost Of Installing Air Conditioning
The total installation cost depends on a variety of factors including the type and size of the air conditioner that you choose. It also depends on the overall size of the house itself as bigger rooms will undoubtedly cost more to keep cool than smaller ones.
Type Of Air Conditioning System You Want
Portable air conditioners are the least expensive choice yet they can be very noisy. It involves connecting a hose to the outside of your home. A split air conditioner is a popular option for cooling down only one or two rooms at any given time.
Other types of air conditioning systems like ducted systems, window air conditioners, and ceiling-mounted ones are more expensive especially after considering the labor and work required to hide cables and pipes.
Number Of Units
The total number of units that you choose to have will also influence the overall cost of your air conditioning installation. After all, the fewer units you have, the cheaper it will be!
Yet purchasing multiple units at any given time won’t automatically be extremely expensive, depending on the extent of installation work required and the system that you end up choosing.
Size Of The Room
If you’re looking to effectively cool down a room then the air conditioning system must be effective and strong enough to handle the space. A smaller room may enable you to get by using an air conditioner that requires much less power and energy to keep it cool, yet it’s still in your best interest to opt for one that runs at maximum efficiency.
Available Features
Depending on the manufacturer you end up choosing, air conditioning systems will likely have different features that set them apart. This may include the following:
- Heating
- Fan speed control
- Dehumidifier
- Timer
- Sleep mode
- Remote control
- App access
Labor Costs Of Installing Air Conditioning
You can expect to pay around $450 total for labor costs to properly install an air conditioning system in an average-sized American home. You might encounter additional charges if the electrical circuit needs to be updated. Labor costs may also vary depending on the location of your home and the total complexity of the installation process.
You should expect higher labor costs if you are looking to install multiple units in your home as it requires more complex installation work regarding the functionality of ducts, pipes, and even cassettes.
Is It Expensive To Run Air Conditioning?
Once the initial installation costs have been paid you will need to think about the amount of money you will need to spend keeping your home ice cold. The obvious logic will apply: the longer you run it and the bigger the space is, the higher your bill will be.
There are ways to reduce this cost. Try running your AC when your doors and windows are fully shut, and make sure to turn it off whenever you leave the house. This will make sure that you are only paying for your active usage of the air conditioner.
Summary
Air conditioning installation could easily cost a couple of thousand dollars with the added cost of labor. However, the total amount that you will end up paying depends on the type of system that you want, the size of your space, and the number of units that you want to install.
