HVAC – Handy Mechanical

How Much Should a New AC Unit Cost?

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.

Can an AC Refrigerant Leaks Increase Cooling Expenses?

The coolant or refrigerant plays a significant role in the proper functioning of your HVAC system. A small deviation in the normal refrigerant levels in your AC can result to higher electricity bills, system damage over time, as well as discomfort in your home.

The best way to combat refrigerant leaks and prevent your cooling expenses from soaring sky-high is to prevent the problem from happening. Regular inspection of the refrigerant levels will help you address potential problems before they get any worse. Following are some helpful tips:

Possible Refrigerant Leak Causes

There are numerous factors that can result to leaks in your air conditioning repair system’s coolant. Most common factors include corrosion, aging, and improper unit installation.

• Aging – As your equipment ages, normal wear and tear can take a toll on the piping. When it tears, the pipe will start to leak. The external unit that is exposed to the elements and other environmental contaminants can also experience rusting around the joints. This may also cause leaks.

• Corrosion – The copper tubing in your AC is also prone to corrosion. Formaldehyde or formic acid is often the cause. The substance is found in almost all households. It not only compromises the quality of indoor air. It also eats away the copper tubes in your indoor AC unit.

Formaldehyde or formic corrosion is capable of causing multiple leaks that often result to costly repairs or coil replacements. It is worth-mentioning that extensive rusting may be due to insufficient preventive maintenance. As a result, total replacement of expensive AC parts may be necessary.

Scheduling regular maintenance with a professional like Spartan Plumbing can help prevent the problem. You can also request them to replace your copper coils with aluminium coils that are corrosion-resistant.

• Improper AC Installation – Even if you have a new air conditioning equipment, it can still have a refrigerant leak if it was not properly installed. Any damaged part can also cause a leak.

Signs of Refrigerant Leaks

Complete unit replacement and expensive repairs can be avoided with early detection of a coolant leak. Signs of leaks include the following:

• Higher Energy Bill – If you notice a sudden spike in your cooling expenses, this may be due to a defective air conditioning unit. When your AC doesn’t provide sufficient cooling, the tendency is to adjust the thermostat. While this may help cool your home more quickly, it can increase your power consumption, further contributing to a higher energy bill.

• It Takes Longer to Cool Your Home – In summer, the coolant absorbs the indoor heat, then releases it outside. If it takes a longer time to cool your home than usual, it may mean a low refrigerant level.

• Vents Releasing Warm Air – Try putting your hand on the vents to see if the temperature of the released air is cool. If it is warm, it is a sign of a low refrigerant level.

• Ice Forming on the AC Coils – Low refrigerant levels will keep the indoor unit’s coils from absorbing a sufficient amount of heat, resulting to frozen coils. In most cases, you will only notice the problem once the ice starts to melt and drip on the floor.

• Unusual Sounds from Indoor Unit – If you hear hissing sounds in your indoor unit, it may be coming from rusted copper coils. Louder bubbling sounds may be a tell-tale sign of a more serious leakage.
Frozen coils may also be a sign of a bigger problem like a defective compressor. Call Spartan Plumbing right away to prevent further damage.

Fixing Refrigerant Leaks

Preventive maintenance is the best deterrent to refrigerant leaks, and subsequent replacement or repair expenses. A small AC refrigerant leak may be easy to repair. But, if the damage is extensive, it is best handled by a professional HVAC technician (see reviews for hvac).

Finding the Right HVAC Contactor to Hire

It is always better to have access to a reliable local HVAC contractor even when there is no pressing reason to have it than being in an emergency HVAC situation and not having anyone to call. Right?

Having said that, here are some tips on how to find the right contractor to hire:

• Do your research – You can search online for reliable HVAC contractors in your area. Be ready with information on your current HVAC system, as well as its maintenance history. This way, you can better appreciate your cooling and heating needs.

• Get referrals from family and friends – Asking for referrals from people who genuinely want to help is a good idea. Trusted friends and relatives would give you an honest account of their own experiences. Whether they hired the right or wrong contractor, it will definitely help you in narrowing down your short list. Also a good source of recommendations is your local HVAC trade organization.

• Check compliance with licensing requirements – Make sure that the HVAC contractor in your list has all the necessary permits and licenses to provide service in your area. These show that the contractor has the necessary expertise and qualifications to perform the task safely and properly. Professional and reputable HVAC companies would normally post their insurance and license information on their official website.

Unlicensed, uninsured and uncertified contractors are often not regulated. This means if anything goes wrong with the job, you may not have anyone to recover the damages from.

• Inquire about their service contract – Having a service contract with a reliable HVAC contractor will give you peace of mind, knowing that you are leaving your HVAC system in the hands of capable pros. The contract will help ensure that your equipment will receive the proper service it needs to prolong its useful life. Because the contract will outline the different services that the contractor will provide, you will know whether or not you are getting your money’s worth.

• Consider it a red flag if the contractor gives quotes over the phone – No two HVAC systems are exactly the same. Thus, the contractor must first come over to check your system. This way, proper diagnosis on your system can be made. It is therefore not a good idea to deal with a contractor who is quick to give a service quotation over the phone. Either the contractor lacks experience or he is just trying to skirt liability for his quoted services.

• Ask about tax credits/rebates – A new heating and cooling system installation may entitle you to state or federal tax credits and rebates. An experienced contractor may provide you with additional information. They would also prepare the necessary documentation that will help you enjoy the tax benefits at the end of the job.

Finding the right ac company for your HVAC system need not be difficult, if you know how, that is. Follow the tips provided in this post, and you can be sure to enjoy the services of your heating and cooling equipment for a long time.