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How much does air conditioner installation cost?
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Price guide
$150 - $19,000
low
$150
median
$5,000
high
$19,000
Last Updated on
The last thing you want during summer is a sweaty, uncomfortable home. Air conditioners are the perfect way to keep your home nice and cool while you enjoy the sunshine and maybe an ice cream or two. Installing an air conditioner is a tricky process that should be done by a professional so that you can cool down your home faster.
But how much does it cost to install air conditioning? The average air conditioner installation cost in the US is $15 per hour. This, of course, depends on the job they are tasked to complete. The average cost to install air conditioning in your home is around $5,000. This price varies depending on the size of the house, how many windows you have, and the type of air conditioner you’re planning to install.
Whether you need to install a split system, ducted, portable unit, or window units, or even repair the air conditioner you currently have, the prices may increase or decrease. This guide will be the first step to cooling your home by giving you information on air conditioning unit installation costs, just in time for summer!
Air conditioner installation and repair prices for different types of services
Air conditioning installation costs can vary from service to service. Some electricians are paid by the hour, but others charge based on the air conditioner brand, type, wattage, and other services added to the original job requested. For instance, the table below shows the difference in the cost of installing central air conditioning and window-type units.
Air conditioning service |
Price guide |
Air conditioning service |
Price guide |
Window units |
$150 – $750 |
Ducted system |
$9,000 – $19,000 |
Split systems |
$1,500 – $8,000 |
Portable unit |
$300 – $1,500 |
Air conditioning installation prices for different types of brands
If you require installing an air conditioner, but you’re not sure how much your brand of air conditioner will cost, here is a breakdown of the average price of each service:
Air conditioner brand |
Price guide |
Trane |
$5,800 – $14,000 |
Amana |
$2,800 – $5,900 |
Carrier |
$3,500 – $8,400 |
Lennox |
$4,700 – $10,700 |
Rheem |
$2,300 – $4,300 |
What factors affect air conditioner installation costs?
Many factors can affect the price of installing an air conditioner in your home. Depending on whether you’re installing an air conditioner in a domestic building or a commercial building, the hourly rate can vary. The type of air conditioner will also help determine the final cost of the installation. Certain split system air conditioner brands will increase the overall cost of installation due to specific parts, services, and maintenance. Here are some other factors that may affect the cost of your air conditioning installation:
Number of windows in the specified location
Type and size of the unit
Brand of air conditioner
Amount of cable ducting required
Amount of refrigeration piping and interconnecting cable used
Accessibility to air conditioner
Location
Other types of services that electricians can do
There are many other things that electricians, plumbers, and air conditioner installers can do for you while they’re preparing the air conditioner, some of which include:
Maintaining air conditioners
Checking refrigerant levels and recharging
Replacing circuit board and fuses
Replacing air filters
Resetting the thermostat and calibrating
Fixing leaks
Air conditioning service |
Price guide |
Air conditioning service |
Price guide |
Fixing a leak |
$200 – $1,500 |
Compressor replacement |
$1,900 |
Refrigerant recharge |
$250 – $750 |
Replacing drain pans |
$250 – $575 |
Condenser coil replacement |
$1,900 – $2,900 |
Flush drain line |
$75 – $250 |
Do I need to hire an air conditioner installer?
There are many different types of air conditioners, and sometimes you may think you can install them yourself. However, a licensed electrician is the safest and legal option for those who want to install an air conditioner in their home. Of course, a portable air conditioner can be installed by yourself. Still, while it may add cost to install air conditioning in a house, it’s best to hire a professional for the following installations and repairs:
Ducted system
Window units
Central cooling
Split system
Pipe repairs
What are some questions to ask an electrician?
Before you hire an electrician to install or repair an air conditioner in your home, there are a few questions that you need to ask to make sure you’re getting the best possible professional for the job.
Do they have a full Refrigeration & Air Conditioning license?
How many tradies will be present whilst the installation or repair takes place?
Do they have insurance?
What services do they provide?
Do I need a permit to have this air conditioner?
What is included in their service fees?
Before hiring a professional, be sure that all tradies present in your home are licensed. Some tradies are certified air conditioner installers, some may be plumbers with certified training in installation and repair, and some have training but no license. Be sure to confirm these before you hire, as your installation process needs to be legal and of the best quality.
Additional read: How much does air conditioner repair cost? |
Getting ready to hire someone to install or repair an air conditioner in your home
Getting ready to cool down your home? Let’s get started! Here are the things you’ll need to prepare for your listing. Explain your task, post your listing, review your offers, select the right person, and they’ll get your building cool!
Here are some things to include in your listing:
Location
Budget
Type of air conditioner
Size of air conditioner
Specific room / whole house
Type of insulation you have
Whether you need ductwork
Whether you need repairs or installation
The more information you include in this listing, the better your outcome and the more accurate your air conditioner installation cost will be. It makes it much easier for the electrician to help you out when they come. It’s also a good idea to have everything listed down, so they can refer to it later if needed.
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FAQs on air conditioner installation
Some ducted units require water to operate properly as they use water to cool the condenser.
Ducted and central air conditioners are a real energy hog. A window unit AC uses 500 to 1440 watts, while a 2.5-ton central system uses about 3500 watts. A floor fan uses only 100 watts on the highest speed, and ceiling fans use only 15 to 90 watts depending on speed and size.
Generally speaking, thermostats should be set 24°C–26°C during summer. Every 1°C lower can increase running costs by up to 15%.
It depends on the type of air conditioner you’re going to install. Typically, it takes a few hours to a whole day for an electrician to install an air conditioner.
It really depends on how often you maintain your air conditioner. The average life expectancy of an air conditioner is well over 10 years. Be sure to get your air conditioner checked up and tuned to increase its expectancy.
In order to keep your air conditioner at its fullest capacity, it’s safest to service it once a year. This allows the piping to stay clean, manages any leaks, and recalibrates the refrigeration settings.
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