For a wall-mounted split system air conditioner, installation costs generally range from $700 to $800 for a 2.5 to 3.5 kW unit and $800 to $1,000 for a 5 to 9 kW unit.
The electrical system in your house, and whether or not you need to add safety switches or replace the meter board. Installing a wall-hung split system air conditioner typically costs $700 to $800 for a 2.5 to 3.5 kW system and $800 to $1,000 for a 5 to 9 kW system.
3.5 Tons (42,000 BTUs): Suitable for homes ranging from 2,100 to 2,400 square feet. Installation cost ranges from $3,800 to $5,500. 4 Tons (48,000 BTUs): Suitable for homes ranging from 2,400 to 2,700 square feet. Installation cost ranges from $4,000 to $6,000.
For example, when considering what size air conditioner is needed for a 2,000 square foot home, you would likely choose a 3 or 3.5 ton unit, depending on the climate where you live.
However, the truth is an oversized system will not do a better job of cooling the house or provide any extra comfort over a properly sized unit. Air conditioner size is calculated in BTU (British Thermal Units) and tons, and measures how much heat the system can remove from the home in one hour.
A 3.5kW split system air conditioner is suited for larger rooms, such as master bedrooms or small living areas up to 28m². It provides more power, making it effective for spaces that require higher heating and cooling output.
An oversized conditioner will be overly efficient in that it will reach the desired room temperatures too fast, which results in shortened cooling cycles. The stop-start operation caused by these short cycles can put increased strain on the air conditioner, much like what happens when it is undersized.
Air conditioner installation cost in 2024 typically ranges between $1795 to $15,480 – including the unit itself. The costs vary depending on the type of system you choose. Split system costs less than ducted air conditioning. Supply and installation of a split-system air conditioner costs between $1795 and $4815.
HVAC Pro Cost
Most people pay $500 to $2,500 in labor for AC replacement.
The general rule in the industry is that once an A/C unit reaches 10-15 years, replacing the unit is usually a much better investment than putting money into an older system. If your system is at that threshold, it's usually wise to begin expecting, not wondering, when the system will fail.
Bear in mind that only licensed and qualified professionals are permitted to install split system air conditioners. Tradies, such as plumbers, gas fitters, and electricians, could perform the installation but need to be licensed to handle refrigerants as well as having regular qualifications to do the work.
Hiring Contractors. Labor costs of hiring a professional HVAC contractor are typically between $300 and $2,000 for a single-zone system, depending on the mounting location. Multi-zone systems can range between $700 and $3,000.
You can often install an air conditioner yourself, but whether it's a good idea is another matter. Here's what to consider before reaching for your toolbox.
Neither oversizing nor undersizing your AC unit is ideal. Both scenarios can lead to issues with efficiency, comfort, and longevity of the system. Oversizing: If your AC unit is too large for your home, it will cycle on and off frequently, leading to inefficient operation and increased energy bills.
If you prefer to choose your air conditioner size based on individual room sizes, there are a few more simplistic options: Small Room: A small bedroom or home office of between 100 and 300 sq. ft. will need between 5,000 and 6,000 BTU for cooling. Medium Room:A master bedroom or playroom of between 250 and 400 sq.
If your AC is too big, it will cool down your home too quickly, and the cycle will shut off before the drip pan is full. A less than full drip pan will not drain, which will cause that water to evaporate and recirculate inside your house, making it feel humid.
While a 34,000 BTU unit with an EER of 12 will use about 2800 watts (divide by 1000 to give the kW: 2.8), an AC unit that produces the same cooling with an EER of 8.5 will use about 4kW.
An oversized AC unit will cycle on and off too quickly, failing to properly dehumidify the air, leaving your home feeling clammy and uncomfortable. On the other hand, an air conditioning unit that is too small will struggle to cool your space effectively, running continuously and driving up energy costs.
Adjust the thermostat up a few degrees and settle for 76 degrees or 78 degrees inside your home.
So how much does a new HVAC system add to the value of a house? Installing a new HVAC system could increase your home's value by as much as $2,500-$3,000 or approximately 5-10% of the total value of your home.