Replacing your old and malfunctioning air conditioning unit is much better and safer than always having it repaired. But, many homeowners are hesitant to buy a new unit because of its cost. After all, a new unit costs more than repair charges.
AC unit costs depend of several factors: brand, area, type, and quality. More likely, it is the manufacturer that dictates the price of the unit. Each unit has been designed to fit a specific type of home, too, so no unit is equally priced.
The national average cost for AC units is $4,828. The national average already includes unit installation, but there could be additional charges depending on the size of your home, and the unit you need to cool an area.
If the area measures 700 to 1,000 square feet, the ideal unit size is 1.5 tons. This usually costs around $3000. The bigger the space, the bigger the unit size is needed. A 2-ton AC unit for 1,300 square feet costs between $3000 and $3500.
Meanwhile, an area that measures 1500 sq. ft. needs a unit size of 2.5 tons, which is priced at $4000. A 3-ton unit costs the same, while a 4-ton AC unit could cost up to $5000! The most expensive unit measures at 5 tons, which is a whopping $6000. This is, however, recommended for rooms of 5000 or more sq. ft.
As previously mentioned, the size of the area or the house where the unit is to be installed largely determines the cost of the air conditioning system. The types of AC units also become a factor whether they cost high or low.
For example, window AC units cost between $150 and $750. Mini-split AC units are priced between $1700 and $2100. High efficiency AC units are more expensive at $1200 to $2000, while swamp coolers can be as cheap as $350, or as pricey as $2000. The most expensive type is high velocity AC units, which cost between $4000 and $10,000.
While you can’t negotiate prices with manufacturers – unless they sell units at a special discounted price – your next recourse would be to look for energy-efficient AC units. This way, you can reduce your energy consumption.
Best Air Conditioning Brands and their Prices
To help you shop, here’s a list of the best and most common AC unit brands and their prices. Again, the price COULD vary in every state and area. But on average, these are the manufacturer’s prices:
Whirlpool: $2450
American Standard: $3700
Frigidaire: $3500
Carrier: $3600
Rheem: $2800
Gibson: $2800
Aire-Flo: $2100
Comfortmaker: $2150
Bryant: $2600
Goodman: $2500
Armstrong: $2300
Tempstar: $2100
York: $3100
Gibson: $2800
Payne: $1900
Lennox: $3800
Charges for Additional Features
Added features in your air conditioning system also mean additional costs. For instance, self-diagnosing AC units, or those with a zone-capable system are significantly pricier.
Although it seems these are unnecessary expenses, these features can save you energy costs in the long run. Contact a manufacturer in your area for a rough estimate of AC unit and installation costs.