Most houses can be retrofitted for AC in just a few days
You’ll need to install ductwork first if your home doesn’t have any to use central air
It costs about $3,800 to $7,500 to install central air
Ductless AC units are another option worth considering
For homeowners without the privilege of central air conditioning, the summer months can get pretty toasty. If you’ve had about all you can bear of window units and fans, it’s time to consider retrofitting AC in your home.
Ductwork or no ductwork, central air is within reach—and it’s maybe even a bit gentler on your wallet than you may think. Here’s what to do if you’re thinking about installing air conditioning in your home.
It costs between $3,800 and $7,500 to install central air. Costs vary depending on the size of your home and the type of air conditioning unit. When installing central air, it’s a good idea to consider updating your heating system at the same time, since it will be cheaper than doing it separately.
It typically takes between one and five days to install central air. The process is quicker if you already have ductwork in place.
If you don’t want to go to the trouble of installing ductwork throughout your home, you might consider a ductless AC or mini-split system. A ductless AC consists of an outdoor compressor and wall units mounted in rooms of your choosing. It’s a good choice for structures whose walls are too thin to support ductwork or for individual rooms that need extra cooling, such as a recent addition.
If you’re not ready to splurge for central air, other air conditioning options are available. Window units are a great choice for only cooling certain rooms, like bedrooms or offices. Ventless portable air conditioners are another option worth considering.
Mini split systems are often chosen for their small size and flexibility to cool individual zones of your home. They have an outdoor unit and an indoor unit (just like central air, only smaller in size) connected by a conduit made up of necessary cables and tubes.
Mini splits are one of the easiest cooling systems to install, and since they’re ductless, they don’t lose the energy you may waste through a system of ducts throughout an entire house. A ductless mini split system will last for about 20 years and cost between $1,200 and $17,000, depending on how many units you need.
When choosing an air conditioner, things to keep in mind include size, cost, Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). You should also decide between a mini-split system and a whole home central air system.
Size: The larger your home is, the larger the AC unit you’ll need to keep it cool throughout. Air conditioning units are measured in tons, which refers to the amount of heat they remove per hour.
Cost: Mini-split or ductless air conditioning units are more energy efficient, which results in lower utility bills, but they tend to be more expensive to install than central air.
SEER: The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio measures how efficient an air conditioning system is. Energy efficient system can help save you money. To further save on energy costs, you should get your air conditioner serviced, change the filters regularly, and utilize window and shade coverings to lower the temperature in your home.
Maintenance: No matter what kind of air conditioning system you choose, it’s a good idea to address any problems with your air conditioner as soon as they arise. Proper preventative maintenance can help to prolong your AC’s life for as long as possible.
In general, it’s not a good idea for homeowners to install central air themselves. The process of installing ductwork can be complicated and labor-intensive, so it’s best to get a heating and cooling company near you involved to discuss your options.
Air conditioning installation is often best left to a professional because it comes with a number of components that need to be wired properly in order to function. That said, installing a window unit air conditioner is something most handy DIYers can take care of themselves without a call to a local pro.
You can expect the cost of professional AC installation to be anywhere between $3,885 and $7,950. It all depends on the size and type of system you need installed.
Margaret Wack contributed to this article.
Many factors affect how much adding air conditioning will cost you, from the size of your home to the size, type, brand, and installation specifics of the system itself. Chances are, a new central air conditioning system for a 2,000-square-foot house will cost somewhere between $3,900 and $7,900 to install, with an average around $6,000.
The general rule of thumb for figuring out how much AC tonnage you need in your home is that for every 500 to 600 square feet of space you need to cool, you’ll need one ton of AC cooling power. So, a 1,000-square-foot home will need 2 tons of AC power.
