Warehouse Clubs: Membership-based stores like Costco and Sam's Club can have good deals on bulk purchases or specific models. Secondhand Markets: Platforms like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or OfferUp may have used air conditioners at lower prices.
Roughly speaking, the 'off-season' for the HVAC industry runs from March to May and hits again from September to November. These two periods avoid extreme seasonal temperatures, so the average HVAC company is less busy. This is a great time to get a great deal on a new HVAC unit.
Winter and Early Spring are King
The colder months, especially winter and early spring, are generally considered to be the most prudent times to go shopping for a new air conditioner. It's the best time to be in the market for a number of reasons. Let's take a look at some.
Give them a little time to come up with it, but normally the price you'll get back is the lowest price they are willing to do it for. It may not be the lowest price out of all the quotes you receive, but better contractors know their value and know their cost structure and won't give away their work.
The $5,000 rule is a rule of thumb in the HVAC industry to help homeowners decide whether HVAC repair or HVAC replacement makes more sense in the long run. The $5,000 rule: Multiply the age of your equipment by the estimated repair cost. If the number is more than $5,000, then you should consider replacing your unit.
Many HVAC companies offer financing to their customers to streamline the HVAC replacement process and paying for it. Banks and credit unions may approve you for a personal loan, home equity line of credit, or a home improvement loan where loan proceeds are used specifically to make the upgrades your home demands.
Federal Tax Credits
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 makes tax credits available on high-efficiency HVAC units through 2032. It allows you to deduct 30 percent of the purchase and installation costs and caps the amount you can write off: Air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, and water heaters max out at $600.
Your air conditioning system is one of the biggest culprits behind skyrocketing electric bills. When your air filter is dirty, refrigerant levels are low, your thermostat is faulty or you lack proper maintenance, your A/C system can end up using a lot more energy than it should.
It costs an average of $5,955 to install a new AC, but prices commonly range from $3,906 to $8,016, depending on the unit's size and type. A pro can provide an accurate quote based on your needs. The key to beating the heat this summer is running a good AC.
If your income is limited and you're looking for an air conditioner, the U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) might be able to assist. The largest program of its kind in the country, WAP helps limited-income households improve their energy efficiency and reduce their energy costs.
Another reason that installing a new AC is so expensive is that modern air conditioning equipment is more complex and specialized than ever. This means the AC technician installing your new system needs a specific set of costly tools to do their work and additional training to know how to use them.
Best AC Temperature Settings While You Are Home
As you consider the most comfortable room temperature for your lifestyle and family, keep in mind that for each degree that you set your thermostat above 72 degrees, you can save up to 3% on your energy bill.
On average, you can only expect about 15 years of reliable service from a central AC system. And that's only if you maintain your system well. So, if your home has an AC that's 20 years old or older, it's likely living on borrowed time. Here are all the reasons to replace your home's 20-year-old air conditioner.
Usually, it is a quick fix, but sometimes the failure can be caused by a much bigger problem. The most expensive part of an AC unit to replace and repair is the air compressor.
Use a local HVAC contractor with good reviews from your neighbors. The lower overhead means less markup. Unless you know how to install, you'll need them. If you know how to install, you know someone with a warehouse account and buying direct from the supply house is gonna be most frugal.
When you gather estimates, you can always negotiate the cost of the project with any contractor. Many general contractors are willing to negotiate their prices and terms if they're competing for a job.