Cost of replacing air conditioning system – the air conditioning system helps keep the optimal temperature of the air, humidity, and other parameters of microclimate in the premises. If it doesn’t function properly, people may feel bad, as they inhale dirty air. That’s why it is important to make sure on-time technical AC maintenance and the replacement of elements of an air conditioning system. It is better to resort to specialized companies, not taking the situation into your hands.
What is an air conditioning system?
An air conditioning system is a set of elements, which are installed in a house to provide comfort for people living in it. It is responsible for optimal air parameters. Typically, equipment heats up the premises in the cold season and cools in the summertime. Modern air conditioning systems also have functions of filtering air that’s coming from the street, its ionization, purification from harmful substances and pathogenic microflora.
Among the main elements of an air conditioning system, there are split systems, inverters, compressors, air ducts, and thermostats. They differ in the way of installation, the number of units, where they are installed, and features of controls.
Do I need to replace an air conditioner?
Even the most reliable air conditioning system starts working with interruptions with time. Long-term exploitation affects the unit’s functionality, it may not cope with its tasks, not well enough cooling or heating the air in the premises. That’s why users start considering changing the air conditioner. And here is when they face a dilemma: should they buy a new split system or simply make repairs to the equipment that they have right now. There are several pros and cons of every decision.
Repairs vs replacement
Specialists tell that one should use an installed air conditioning system while it works effectively. Some breakages may surely occur at times but scheduled technical maintenance helps find them at an early stage and prevent more serious consequences.
One should consider that the average cost to replace central air unit varies between $1,500 and $7,000. It is possible to benefit from such a decision in a long perspective. And there are several criteria to consider before adopting a decision.
High electricity bills
Over time, worn-out air conditioning systems start to consume more electricity. When your electricity bills increase, you should consider changing an air conditioning system. Modern manufacturers make equipment that has A+++ energy efficiency class, although A and A+ classes have been previously considered the best. When you install such equipment, it is possible to reduce the bills by 30% a year. It is not hard to calculate that an investment in a new air conditioning system will recoup in several years.
System’s age
A split system has a limited exploitation term – 20 years. Even the most reliable systems start working worse after this time period and they need repairs. However, without on-time technical maintenance, air conditioners can stop functioning already within 15 years of service.
So, one should make a decision based not solely on the age of the system but its workability, too – the capability of creating and supporting the set temperature and purity of the air, preserving the stable level of usage of electric energy.
House temperature
Supporting a temperature regimen is a key indicator, which can tell about the quality of work of an air conditioning system. If the equipment cannot provide sufficient cooling/heating of the premises, it should be replaced.
Dust and noise in the house
Large volumes of dust in the premises and intensification of noises also should make you consider the replacement of an air conditioning system. It is impossible to talk about the normal functioning of a split system if, at night, dwellers cannot fall asleep because of the vibrations and audible noises, and if the air, even when an air conditioner turned to the max, is still dusty. These are the markers, signifying the malfunctions of a device. Sometimes, they can be eliminated by repairs. But in the worst-case scenario, the air conditioning system must be replaced.
AC replacement cost is about 13-17 thousand dollars (full renewal). Before the repairs, one should calculate the cost of the new spare parts and the work of a technician. If the total cost of replacing air conditioning system is over $13,000, then it is inexpedient to repair an old system.
The cost to replace an air conditioning system: DIY vs hiring a professional
Some people think that they can replace an air conditioning system with their own hands. So they go and buy necessary elements and do the installation on their own. They presume they can save on the cost to replace central air conditioning. In reality, their actions lead to bad consequences.
An amateur approach to the replacement of an air conditioning system may result in the purchase of a unit, which is not suitable for the building parameters. As a result, the system will not function to a hundred percent. Also, there is a risk of making mistakes during the installation. Cooperation with a professional team in Colorado gives you several advantages:
- Elaboration of a concept of an air conditioning system suitable for specific exploitation terms
- Making measurements and other technical works before the installation
- Correct installation of the equipment in accordance with the approved design and latest requirements
- Further technical maintenance of an air conditioning system and elimination of its failures.
These are the reasons why the cost of replacing air conditioning system will recoup in the future since the system won’t break down that frequently.
How much does an air conditioning system cost?
The cost to replace ac system depends on the equipment type, the number of installed inner and outer blocks. The standard prices for the elements are such:
- A central conditioner: $1,500-7,000
- A mini split system; $2,000-14,500
- Outer block under the window: $150-1,000
- Portable unit: $500-1,000
- Heating pumps: $2,000-8,000.
The cost of the equipment is also affected by the energy efficiency class, the heated area, ionization function, air filtration function, and others. When you make a choice, you have to consider the available budget. The specialists can pick the right solution based on the financial capabilities of every client.
It must be noted that one should pay for the work of professional technicians. But, as we’ve already mentioned, these costs are much better than the dubious saving on air conditioning system installation on your own.
Calculating the cost of air conditioning system replacement
Before you buy a new piece of equipment, it is important to calculate all expenses. The professional BHCAir Company in Colorado can help you make necessary calculations. A client receives the final quote, which would include the cost of new details, the price for their installation, payment for the work of specialists, as well as the cost of uninstalling and recycling the old elements. By the way – uninstalled pieces of an air conditioning system can be sold on a secondary market to get profit.
A new air conditioning system
The average cost of replacing an air conditioning unit varies from $1,500 to $14,000. We have already spoken about the components of the cost: it is made up of the cost of inner and outer blocks and other necessary nodes. To support the microclimate in large footages and in industrial complexes, one may need multiple conditioners, so the total cost would increase.
Professional work
When you contact specialized companies, which install air conditioning systems, you should be ready to pay for the work of qualified technicians as every skilled work shall be decently paid. Surely, you can find some dubious technicians, who tell, they would install an air conditioning system at a really low cost. But you won’t have any warranty working with them. Professional work includes the services of technicians with many-year hands-on experience and broad knowledge.
Installation and affordability
Additional factors affect the availability of the equipment. For instance, installing outer blocks of an air conditioning system on a many-story house requires the usage of climbing equipment. The cost of the installation will be higher in this case since it is now connected to the increased risk.
Uninstalling and disposal
It would seem that uninstalling old elements is the easiest part of work. But that is not the case in reality – it is necessary to uninstall and recycle the nodes and parts in order not to damage the entire system. So this must be done within enough time and carefully. Also, old equipment might be sold, so it is undesirable to damage it to avoid lowering the selling price.
Additional costs and considerations
Additional expenses may occur during the replacement of an air conditioning system (the price to replace ac unit inclusively). For instance, a condenser of a split system is responsible for the entire work of the system; without it, the system cannot properly function. There are also several other services, which must be mentioned separately.
Zoning
Zoning in the premises means territories, which will be served differently. There are zones of increased dustiness, which require more air filtration while other zones would be standard ones.
Insulation
Using this service, you insulate the piping, decreasing possible heat losses. Thanks to this, an air conditioning system will work more efficiently for heating, as in the process of passage of the air into the rooms, its temperature won’t decrease.
Installing thermostat
Installing a thermostat in an air conditioning system makes temperature control easier. The device can be set to cooling or heating. It is also capable of turning the equipment off or on when the set temperature point is reached.
Additions and upgrades
Adding any elements into an air conditioning system also leads to extra expenses. Think of what you really need before installing any of them.
Air ducts
These important elements help transport the air between the street and rooms, so pay utmost attention to their selection and installation.
Types of air conditioning system replacement
There are three types of services for the replacement of an air conditioning system:
- Replacing only some nodes of the system
- Full installation with extra functions
- Full installation with an air duct.
Replacing
The technicians who inspect your current air conditioning system shall decide, which elements must be replaced and which are kept.
Full installation with extra functions
This option presupposes the replacement of all elements, uninstalling the old system, and providing other services.
Full installation with an air duct
It includes changing the air ducts as well. The full ac replacement cost is $4-12 thousand.
Is there a faster way to do it?
If you wish to save on the cost of replacing central air unit, you can do it, uninstalling only blocks of the split system, keeping the copper and other piping intact. It is only possible if the compressor is fully workable and the pipes aren’t clogged with the flakes of the burnt oil.
Now you know how much to replace an air conditioning unit and how to do it.
