It costs an average of $3,500 to install a new air conditioning unit. While the typical cost to install air conditioning can range from about $2,900 to $4,000, a high-end project can easily cost upwards of $5,200. The total cost of your project will depend on the type of air conditioning system you choose, the size of your A/C unit, and installation costs in your area.

• How much does it cost to install or replace air conditioning?
• How much do different types of air conditioning systems cost?
• How much do different air conditioning units cost by size?
• What other factors can affect the cost of installing or replacing air conditioning?

Having air conditioning can make all the difference once summer rolls around. If you live in a place with hot or humid weather, installing air conditioning can be a worthwhile investment. To make sure you set up your new system correctly, it’s wise to contact an HVAC contractor.

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The total cost of replacing or installing air conditioning in your home will depend largely on the type of cooling system you choose. Some of the most popular types include window units, split systems, central systems and portable units. Of course, the cost to replace a central air conditioning unit will be much more than installing a simple window unit.

Central A/C: The average central air conditioner replacement cost is around $3,500, including installation. This cost will vary depending on the size of your home. This type of cooling system does require a duct system to be installed throughout the house, which will cost extra on top of the system itself. If you are installing new ductwork, it might be a good idea to set up central heating as well for an all-new HVAC system.

Split System: Split systems include both ductless mini-split systems and central air conditioning systems, for which components are installed both inside and outside the home (think those big metal cabinets in side yards). A mini-split air conditioning system is a great choice for homeowners who want central A/C but don’t already have ductwork installed. Split systems tend to be a slightly more affordable option than central A/C, though the cost will vary depending on the size of your home. Mini-split systems can be more energy-efficient than central systems, since air won’t be lost through ducts. You can also choose to cool only one room at a time, rather than the whole house. Mini-split systems do, however, require wall units to be installed throughout the home.

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Window Unit: For apartments or for single rooms, window unit air conditioners can be a good option. Well-suited for smaller spaces, window A/Cs tend to be an affordable option that you can purchase yourself, but you may need the help of a pro to get it installed correctly.

Portable Unit: This cooling system can be moved around the house so that you can bring it into the bedroom or living room as needed.Portable units can be purchased and used without the help of a professional so are a good option for those in a pinch or in need of something that allows for flexibility.

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The air conditioner cost is also affected by the size of the unit. Depending on the size of the space you need cooled, you might need a big or small air conditioner, and the larger you go, the more it’s going to cost. To determine the correct size for your home, you’ll need to know how many tons of cool air the space needs. In general, a 500-square-foot room needs about 1 ton of cool air.

Cooling systems are also measured in BTU, or British thermal units, which specify how much energy is needed to cool a room. For a single room, you’ll need a system with about 15,000 BTU, while a 2,500-square-foot home would need something with 34,000 BTU. Of course, the more BTU and tons of cool air the system can produce, the costlier the unit will be. You can refer to the cheat sheet below to figure out how much power you need in a cooling system for your home.

Square Footage to BTU to Tons of Cool Air:

• 700 to 1,000 square feet - 18,000 BTU - 1.5 tons
• 1,000 to 1,2000 square feet - 21,000 BTU - 1.5 to 2 tons
• 1,200 to 1,4000 square feet - 23,000 BTU - 2 tons
• 1,400 to 1,500 square feet - 24,000 BTU - 2 to 2.5 tons
• 1,500 to 2,000 square feet - 30,000 BTU - 2.5 tons
• 2,000 to 2,500 square feet - 34,000 BTU - 3 tons

Buying a cooling system with the proper amount of BTU will help ensure that your A/C is running efficiently. A system that has too few BTU for the space will constantly be running to try to cool the air, wasting energy and constantly making noise. A system with more power will be able to quickly cool the room and then shut off.

When choosing an air conditioner, you can also look at its energy-efficiency rating. Air conditioners have an EER, or energy efficiency rating. This number is calculated by dividing the unit’s BTUs by the wattage it uses per hour. In other words, the EER scores A/C units on how efficiently they use power to produce the same amount of cooling. A higher EER means the unit is more energy-efficient. Sometimes units are given a SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency ratings. Again, the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the air conditioner is. Besides helping the environment and lowering your energy bills, you might also be eligible for federal or state tax credits if you go with a more efficient model.

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The overall cost of your project will depend on whether you already have central air installed and whether you need to hire a contractor or not.

Ductwork: If you’re simply replacing a broken central air system and you already have a duct system set up, the process will be much simpler and costs will be similar to those mentioned above. If you’re installing a new central cooling system, however, you will need to factor in the cost of installing ductwork in your home, which can be in the thousands of dollars, but can vary widely based on the particulars of your home. This can be a worthwhile investment, as you’ll save in energy costs over the long run compared to a split system.

Still, if you’d rather avoid installing a new duct system, a split system is another route to central cooling. Contractors must be licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency in order to install a split system, as it involves handling refrigerant, which is a harmful chemical. In general, whenever you’re installing central air conditioning, you’ll need to hire a professional to complete that sort of technical work.

Labor Costs: Installing new air conditioning is tricky, so you should hire a professional for this project. Labor costs to install air conditioning are an average of $65 per hour, but could be more or less depending on local rates and how complex your project is. If you need an old A/C removed, expect to pay an additional $280 in labor and disposal fees. If you’re simply adding a portable air conditioning unit or a window unit, you might be able to install it yourself. But, as noted above, for split or central air conditioning units, you’ll need to contact a professional.

Related: Cost to Repair an Air Conditioner

Note: Costs are estimated at the U.S. national level. Variations depend on factors such as the quality of materials, type of products installed and labor costs. The typical range is assumed to be between the 20th and 80th percentiles. The high-end and low-end costs are the maximum and minimum, respectively. Costs assume that the homeowner manages the project and hires subcontractors as needed. They include a subcontractor markup of 10% for materials and labor. Costs can be higher if a general contractor is managing the project. All numbers are rounded.

Source: 2019 Houzz Remodel Costs Database