How much is the cost of a new air conditioner unit

In most places in the California, air conditioning is necessary during the Hottest months of the year. A/C Manufacturers are designing air conditioning units for quieter operation, stronger cooling capacity and higher efficiency. For the first time in history customers can choose from various models and options that fits  their Health, lifestyle and comfort needs. But with each new options comes at a cost making it difficult when choosing. So what is the cost of a new air conditioner unit ?

 

Air conditioner 101

The most important step when considering the cost of a new air conditioner unit is determining what size you need. A/C units are sized in BTUs, a trained service professional can determine the BTUs needed to cool each room in your home . An example: A one ton unit, will remove 12,000 BTUs (British thermal units) and a four ton unit will remove 48,000 BTUs. A smaller house will need less BTUs then a larger house to cool. The old way of measuring was 1 ton per 500-600 square ft. For example, a three and a half ton unit would cool 1750-2100 square ft this was taught to many, however is now the incorrect way to measure. There are many factors that come into play when measuring for BTU capacity. Like size of home, square feet of living space. Floor plan, layout, or style, one, two, or three-story construction type requirements, Forced air, steam, or hot water. For example, a two story is will naturally be cooler on the first story. It's not possible to calculate the tonnage by square ft alone. A trained professional in the HVAC industry with the proper experience is necessary to get the cost of a new air conditioner unit.

Hiring the right contractor, this is by far the most important part of the process. The proper installation of your system will determine the life expectancy of your system and the preservation of your factory warranty. A poor installation could cost you thousands of dollars in repair and energy waste. Homes that do not have central air, a new installation (Cut In) requires new electrical wires from your panel and in some cases you breaker panel may need to be upgraded. A duct design is required to keep the proper amount of air flow into each room. This all effects the cost of a new air conditioner unit.

Mandated by the EPA Air conditioning manufacturers have phased out the production air conditioning units using hyrdochlorofluorcarbon (HCFC) known as R-22. Forced by the EPA, manufacturers may no longer manufacture and companies may not install anything that contains R-22.

Where the costs add up

there are several factors that increase the cost of your air condition installation. You may need a new thermostat wire, for example, or the existing applications does not meet current code. Maybe your  Ductwork is in bad shape and you are losing conditioned air to the attic. Several issues like this are very common and no job is alike when figuring out the cost of a new air conditioner unit.

Efficiency rating

The efficiency of air conditioning units are rated by (AHRI) Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute. they provide a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER. The units SEER rating is measured by the cooling capacity during a typical cooling season divided by the total electric energy consumption during the same period. The higher the SEER rating the less energy it takes to run. New to California, all units sold must meet the minimum efficiency of 14 SEER. Some units can perform up to 27 SEER. The advantage of a higher SEER rating are lowered energy consumption which will save you money. It is it important to consult with a comfort adviser to verify cost of a new air conditioner unit and find the best one for your needs.

With more options then ever before it is now possible even lower the noise of your air conditioning unit. Low entry units run over 80 decibels on a hot day, which is very noticeable from inside the house. The leading manufacturers have the quietest, highest efficient models on the market for a premium price. For most customers it is an extra cost of a new air conditioner unit.

The cost of a new air conditioner unit is measured on information, lots of information. Directly associated with the contractor you hire, and what size or efficiency you need. You also have the choice to choose options that can help with your health, lifestyle and comfort.

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