Get Free AC Installation & Repair Quotes

We have a love-hate relationship with summer. Either we have fun under the sun, as they say, or we can’t wait for it to be over because it is just too hot.

Enter air conditioners, which are heaven-sent during particularly hot days.

Even outdoor enthusiasts find refuge in an air-conditioned room every now and them.

Factors Affecting the Cost of AC Installation Quotes

Knowing the different factors affecting the cost of AC installation quotes of contractors is important if you want to cut down on your overall expenses.

Type of Air Conditioner

Air conditioners come in different types, which we will dig into more later. These types have different methods of installations, so it is a given that certain types cost more to install than others.

Size of Air Conditioner

The bigger the space you want to cool, the bigger the unit required to efficiently cool it in terms of the tonnage. Bigger AC units generally cost more both in terms of the unit itself and the materials needed for installation.

However, you should not choose units that are lower than the recommended size for your home just to cut costs.

Units that are too small for your home must operate more to achieve the required coolness, while those that are too big can short cycle, or quickly cool your home then switch off. In both cases, expect a higher electrical consumption and issues with your AC early on.

Brand

Brands will not only determine the price of your AC unit but also the cost of installation. Here are the average price ranges of common AC unit brands:

Above $3,000 – Lennox, Trane, American Standard, and Carrier
Between $2,000 to $3,000 – Frigidaire, York, Amana, Heil, Rheem, Ruud, Gibson, Bryant, and Goodman
Below $2,000 – Whirlpool, Tempstar, Aire-Flo, Coleman, Comfortmaker, and Payne

Accessibility

Areas that are harder for a contractor to access, like higher floors, attics, or narrow spaces, mean higher labor costs.

Hard to reach areas may also cause additional delivery charges or cause your contractor to charge higher to compensate for transportation.

Warranty

AC units come with warranties covering parts and labor, and you can extend the standard warranty for a fee. However, manufacturers require that the installation is done according to their standards before they may honor your warranty claim, which often means more labor for a contractor.

Needed Ductwork

Certain types of AC require ducts that allow cold air to flow to other parts of your home. The bigger your home, the more materials needed.

And if you already have an existing ductwork installed, a contractor must check its condition, do the necessary repairs, and check its compatibility with your new unit.

Installing a Heating System at the Same Time

While it costs more to get a heating system and AC unit installed at the same time, you actually save compared to separate installations.

Tax Incentives and Rebates

Some areas offer incentives to homeowners who choose eco-friendly and high-efficiency units for their homes. Check with your community if they have such incentives; you can get a tax break of $300 to $500 if your unit meets the requirements.

Outdoor Unit Placement

If your unit comes with an outdoor condenser, it must be placed in a shady and well-ventilated area to work efficiently. Your contractor may need to build a shade or roof to prevent it from being exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods.

Compatibility with Your Electrical System

Not all AC units can be wired to your existing system, often because it cannot handle the added electrical load. As such, your contractor must upgrade the electrical wiring for your home to accommodate your AC unit.

Consultations and Inspections

If you are unsure of what AC size to get, you may need to consult a pro for it. Home inspections may also be needed before you can get your unit installed, especially if you have an old home and suspect that asbestos is present.

Any Add-ons

Aside from your AC unit, you may also choose to have related add-ons installed, like better insulation, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, etc. These will also add to your current installation costs, but they can be a cost-efficient investment for you.

Factors Affecting the Cost of AC Repair Quotes

HVAC units will eventually break down, AC units included, and the first option of a homeowner is to get it repaired. After all, repairs generally cost less than getting a replacement. It helps to know the different factors that affect the cost of your AC repair quote to gauge if you are facing a cheap or expensive repair.

Type of Refrigerant Used

Air conditioners use coolants or refrigerants known as Freon to produce cold air. Freon comes in two types: R-22 common to older units produced before 2005 and Puron or R410A.

The R-22 is slowly being phased out because of its harmful environmental effects, making it more difficult and costly to use. Due to the supply scarcity and the associated risks, topping up the Freon of a unit that uses R-22 costs more.

Over time, the Freon on your unit will run out, but you can only use the same kind of refrigerant in your unit. This means you cannot use R401A for an AC unit that uses R-22, and vice versa.

Kind of Repair Needed

There is no single method to fix all AC-related issues, so the repair methods will depend on the issue with your unit. Some fixes will only cost you $10, while others can give you a repair bill of $10,000.

Age and Frequency of Maintenance

The older your unit is, the more susceptible it is to break down, especially if in use for at least a decade. Also, well-maintained units are also often easier to repair, since any problems are detected early on before they get worse and require a more expensive fix.

Parts or Components Involved

Fixing an AC unit often involves replacing damaged components. Unless covered by warranty, you will pay for the replacement parts, and these may cost as little as $20 to over $1000. And if the repair quote is too expensive, getting a replacement AC unit may be a more economical option.

Unit Type, Size, and Efficiency

Units that are bigger in size and cover more square footage tend to cost more to repair than smaller ones. At the same time, those that have a higher SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, are generally cheaper to fix.

Time of Repair

We use our AC units the most from late spring to the entire summer season, so it is a headache when it conks out within this period, because not only do you have a broken unit but air condition contractors also charge more for installation and repairs at this time.

Service Call Rates

It is a norm for HVAC contractors to have a service call charge when they do repairs on a unit, and contractors will have different rates for it.

Available Warranty Coverage

If your unit is still covered by warranty, it means a free fix or spending minimal for it. But if the problem with your unit starts after your warranty expires or is considered void, you must pay entirely for it.

How Soon You Get It Fixed

Severe AC problems will not happen overnight; it starts as a minor issue that worsens the longer it remains unfixed. The sooner you address any issue, the easier it is to fix because you caught the problem before it got worse.

And if the problem with your unit is so bad that it must be repaired by an HVAC contractor asap, your contractor will charge you an additional emergency service fee.

Different Types of Air Conditioners

If you grew up knowing that AC units are either window or split-type units, the different types of air conditioners out on the market at present may overwhelm you.

To help you decide which one to get, we came up with an overview of the various types available and their pros and cons.

Window Air Conditioner

Among the most common, window AC units are perfect for those who only want to cool a specific room or a small house. It is named as such because it is mounted on a window. It is more compact on size, which limits its coverage and efficiency but makes it easy to transfer the unit to another room.

Central Air Conditioning System

Homeowners who want to cool more rooms in their home at the same time should think about getting a central AC system. It consists of a compressor and ductwork that distributes cold air to different parts of your home. This type is also perfect for larger structures because it can produce a large tonnage of cool air in a short time.

Because of the larger coverage involved, proper planning is required for a central AC system to run efficiently. This also means needing more materials and labor, which makes it generally the most expensive to install.

Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner

Often mistaken as a window AC, this type is literally mounted through a wall instead of a window. At first glance, the units look alike, but a through-the-wall unit require sleeves for additional support. It is also installed permanently due to an airtight seal that also prevents cold air from escaping. Warm air vents out only at the back, unlike window AC units that has side vents.

Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioning Systems

Suitable for retrofitted homes, it consists of an outdoor condenser/compressor and indoor handling unit. Instead of ducts, they are connected via conduits that have both refrigerant and power lines and are drilled into a hole. You can have one or up to four indoor handling units connected to a single outdoor condenser.

This type allows you to set the temperatures of each handling unit individually, allowing one room or zone to be colder than the rest, but this also means a decreased energy efficiency.

Package Terminal Air Conditioner

Also called PTAC, this type is also best for cooling larger spaces and comes in two types:

A single box or case contains the evaporator, either a water-cooled or air-cooled condenser, compressor, and expansion valve. A blower of high capacity then lets cool air flow through the connected ducts. This type of PTAC also falls under a central AC system.
Only the condenser and compressor are housed together. The cooled air is blown through individual rooms via individual units that contain the cooling coil and expansion valve, eliminating any need for ductwork.

PTAC units are not only capable of cooling but also heating, that is why many choose to install hybrid units.

“Swamp” or Evaporative Cooler

Instead of using Freon, this type only uses air and water for cooling. Swamp coolers are more environment-friendly due to the lack of Freon and less energy used but has limited cooling capacity.

This type is only recommended for hot and dry climates because the dry air will cause the much-needed evaporation required by the cooler to produce cooled air. And because it involves water, this type also acts as a humidifier at the same time, which is bad news for already humid places.

Portable Air Conditioner

All the components of a portable unit are contained in a single case. It absorbs warm air in the room or outside through an exhaust hose connected to a window and cools it down. Standalone units that are not connected to a window kit can be moved from one part of your home to another, which makes it literally portable.

Because of its small size, it can only cool spaces measuring less than 500 square feet. It is also known to operate noisily because of its parts being housed together.

Geothermal Heating and Cooling System

A recently developed technology, it works by making use of the ground temperature, which remains consistently at 55 degrees at 4 to 6 feet below the surface. Heating or cooling is done via piping systems, known as “earth loops” or simply “loops,” with geothermal coils that are connected to the ground. These coils get heat from your home and transfer it to the ground for cooling, and extract heat from the ground and transfer it to your home for heating.

Although it still runs on electricity, this type is classified as a heat pump and eliminates the need for fossil fuels, making it an environment-friendly option.

Cost of Services Offered by Air Condition Contractors

Installation and repairs are not the only services offered by contractors when it comes to air conditioners. In most states, an air condition contractor is licensed as a HVAC contractor and allows them to work on HVAC systems in general, that is why they also offer various HVAC services.

To give you a better idea, here is a list of services, including average costs, that these air condition contractors offer:

Central AC Unit Installation

It costs an average of $3,750 to $7,250 for a central AC unit installation, and here are some specific central AC unit installation costs:

$3,000 to $4,000 for a central AC system installation in a 1,200 square foot space
$3,000 to $6,000 for a 14 SEER AC unit installation
$3,700 to $9,000 for a 16 SEER AC unit installation
$3,800 to $5,000 for a 3-ton AC unit installation
$4,200 to $5,000 for a 4-ton AC unit installation

Window AC Unit Installation

Installing a window AC unit will only cost you between $127 to $425 on average due to its compact size and straightforward installation.

Swamp Cooler Installation

Installing a swamp cooler will cost you an average of $1,410 to $3,430, with the cost of a unit ranging from $40 to $2,300 and labor amounting to $70 per hour. Other materials may also be needed for the installation, so prepare to spend between $25 to $150 for it.

Furnace Installation

The cost of installing a furnace separately ranges from $2,530 to $6,100, regardless of type. On average, an electric furnace installation costs $1,950, a gas furnace installation costs $2,370, and an oil furnace installation costs $5,780.

The labor costs for a furnace installation is usually done per hour of work, with an HVAC contractor charging between $50 to $75 per hour on average. And if the contractor needs more manpower, each additional worker may charge up to $50 per hour.

And if an installation permit is required in your area, expect to add $50 to $150 for it.

Electric Furnace Installation

An electric furnace installation can cost between $1,220 to $6,240 on average, with labor typically ranging from $400 to $600. And if you are replacing an old furnace, its disposal will cost an additional $100.

Ceiling Fan Installation

Some homeowners choose to have a ceiling fan installed, and this costs between $140 to $360 for labor and the fan itself. The price of a ceiling fan ranges from $40 to $3,000, while labor typically ranges between $85 to $600.

Radiant Barrier or Batt and Roll Insulation Installation

Expect your insulation installation to cost between $1,020 to $2,370 on average.

A batt and roll insulation project costs an average of $170 to $420 to install, with the material measuring 535 square feat and costing $145 to $200.

A typical radiant barrier insulation project involving 1,500 square foot of material costs $300 to $500 to install. Note that a one-sided foil for such a project can cost between $150 to $375, while a dual-sided foil is more expensive at $225 to $750.

Heat Pump Installation

If you prefer to install a heat pump, either a geothermal or air-source type, expect its installation to cost an average of $4,070 to $7,160. Its installation is expensive because it is labor-intensive, averaging 15 hours to install, and involves the use of specialized equipment.

Geothermal Heating or Cooling System Installation

For a geothermal heat pump installation, it may cost you between $3,420 to $12,510 on average. You may also be required to get the soil professionally tested, which will cost around $1,300. And if permits are required, you may have to pay annually for it.

Ducts and Vents Installation

If your unit requires ducts and vents, such as in a central AC system, installing them will cost an average of $470 to $1,920 for basic installations, but a typical home installation costs between $3,000 to $5,000.

Attic Fan Installation

The cost of installing an attic fan ranges from $360 to $860 on average, depending on the type of fan being installed. Fan units have varying prices:

Gable – $75 to $300
Roof Vent or Ridge-Mounted – $75 to $400
Solar-Powered – $200 to $500
Whole House – $300 to $1,400

Contractors charge hourly for this task, ranging from $45 to $75 per hour on average, and electricians tasked to wire solar-powered fans charge between $65 to $85 per hour.

Thermostat Installation

Installing a thermostat costs between $110 to $250, with the unit priced between $15 to $300 and hourly labor rates ranging from $65 to $85 per hour.

Boiler Installation

On average, expect the cost of installing a boiler to fall between $3,410 to $7,650.

Gas Boiler Installation

Getting a gas boiler installed normally costs between $2,720 to $7,770 and depends on the efficiency style:

Standard – $2,500 to $5,000
High Efficiency – $6,000 to $9,000

If required, an installation permit will cost between $50 to $300. And if you choose a high efficiency unit, you may also get financial incentives ranging from $100 to $2,000, depending on your state.

Solar Panel Installation

Homeowners who want to install solar panels for their home should expect to pay between $16,250 to $30,520 on average. The cost will mainly depend on the total coverage of the solar panel installation.

Fireplace or Wood Stove Installation

Whether indoors or outdoors, the cost of installing a fireplace or wood stove for your home averages between $860 to $3,490.

For a fireplace, this cost covers work on:

Gas Line – $500 to $2,000
Ventilation – $200 to $3,000
Wiring – $150 to more than $300
Assembly and Customization – minimum of $600

Do note that outdoor fireplaces cost less to install.

For a wood stove, the total installation cost, excluding labor, normally consists of:

Chimney and Stovepipe Installation -$26 to $86
Wall Covering (non-combustible) – $9
Base Installation – depends on type and materials

Pellet Stove Installation

Getting a pellet stove installed costs an average of $1,030 to $3,110, with labor amounting to $250 to $600 on average.

Electric Baseboard and Wall Heater Installation

On average, the cost of installing an electric baseboard and wall heater will range from $400 to $1,180, with contractors charging between $75 to $250 per hour for labor.

Radiant Heating System Installation

Getting a radiant heating system installed in your home can cost between $1,770 to $5,810. Electric radiant systems will cost a minimum of $8 per square foot, while hydronic systems cost $6 per square foot at minimum.

Humidifier Installation

Installing a humidifier has an average cost of $390 to $720, with contractors usually charging between $50 to $70 per hour.

Weather Stripping Installation

The cost of installing weather stripping ranges from $120 to $390 and depends on materials used, as well as the total number of the doors and windows present.

The cost of weather stripping each door and window is:

Interior door – $94
Exterior door – $64
Window – $103

Here is a list of the most common weather stripping materials and their costs:

Felt – $2.78 for a 17-foot roll
Gasket – $3.57 for a 17-foot roll
Fin Seal – $4.93 for 17 feet
Tape – $7.87 for a 10-foot roll
V-Strip – $6.81 for a 17-foot roll
Door Sweep – $9.97 each
Magnetic – $20 per strip

Whole House Air Cleaner Installation

Installing an air cleaner or air purifier for the whole house will usually cost between $510 to $3,060, regardless of which type of purifier you get.

Refrigeration System Installation

To install a refrigeration system, expect it to cost between $200 to $690. And if plumbing work is necessary, plumbers charge $45 to $150 per hour on average for the related work.

Gas Pipe Installation and Repair

To run or install a new gas line, it costs an average of $250 to $800. This price range consists of labor that has an average hourly rate of $75 to $100 and materials that can range from $1 to $10 per linear foot.

Gas pipe repairs cost nearly the same per square foot, since its repair normally involves replacing damaged lines. You do need to pay for the removal of the damaged sections, which typically costs $6 to $7 per linear foot, as well as tests and other services.

AC Unit Repair

Repairing an AC unit costs between $160 to $540 on average, depending on the issue. Most repairs consist of replacing damaged components:

Replacement of:

Circuit board – $120 to $600
Relays or circuit breakers – $15 to $300
Thermostat – $60 to $470
Contactor or capacitor – $90 to $400
Home air compressor – $1,350 to $2,300
Evaporator coil – $650 to $1,200
Condensing unit fan motor – $100 to $700

Other related services:

Detection of refrigerant leak and its repair – $225 to $1,600
Recharging the refrigerant – $160 to $750
AC compressor repair hard start kit – $100 to $250

Window AC Repair

To repair a window AC, expect it to cost between $100 to $360 on average, with the repair or replacement cost per unit of each damaged component averaging:

Curtain frame – $43
Blower wheel – $71
Filter – $76
Thermostat – $103
Capacitor – $122
Compressor $128

Furnace Repair

Getting your furnace repaired will cost an average of $130 to $460, depending on the type:

Electric – less than $300
Natural Gas – between $125 to $1,200
Propane Gas – as much as $1,200

Fireplace or Wood Stove Repair

Repairs on your wood stove or fireplace have an average cost of $150 to $760, but the price range of specific repairs are:

Sweeping the chimney – $100 to $300
Leaks and repairing the crown – $150 to $300
Cracks – $175 to $3,000

Boiler Repair

The average cost of repairing a boiler ranges from $180 to $590, with contractors who charge hourly having an average rate of $60 to $80.

Common boiler issues, and their average repair costs, include:

Clanking noise – $100 to $250
Incorrect heating – $140 to $250
Gas or water leaks – $200 to $600
Higher energy consumption – $250 to $500
Not running – $200 to $2,000

Heat Pump Repair

To get your heat pump repaired, you may spend between $150 to $570 on average, depending on the components involved:

Temperature or thermostat – $150 to $700
Condenser – $0 (for DIY debris clearing) to $600
Ductwork – up to $1000+

Attic Fan Repair

The average cost of an attic fan repair ranges from $180 to $400, with contractors charging between $80 to $100 hourly for labor.

Your fan issue may also affect other structures of your home and will require repairs:

Roof – $340 to $1,250
Ceiling – $150 to $2,200
Wall – $50 to $1,250
Solar Panel – $200 to $1,100

Ceiling Fan Repair

Repairing a ceiling fan costs $85 to $190 on average, with issues mostly involving the fan blades, motor, and its electrical system.

Swamp Cooler Repair

To get your swamp cooler repaired, it will cost you around $100 to $290. Specific repair or part replacement, including their costs, include:

Cooler motor repair – $50 to $600
Water pump replacement – $15 to $480 for the unit and $0.50 to $1 per foot for the hose or pump tube
Float valve replacement – $5 to $16
Cooler pads or panels – $65 to $100
Belt replacement – $50 to $70, with labor included
Bearing replacement – $5 to $20
Swamp cooler cover – $20 to $50

Thermostat Repair

To repair a thermostat, expect it to cost between $100 to $280 on average. Different thermostat types also have different repair costs:

Dryer – $80 to $200
Oven – $100 to $200
Water Heater – $150 to $200
Refrigerator or Freezer – $200 to $400

Whole House Air Cleaner Repair

Repairing a whole house air cleaner or air purifier has an average cost of $130 to $440. Contractors also charge a house call fee of $50 and have an average hourly rate of $44.

Solar Panel Repair

The cost of a solar panel repair ranges from $180 to $1,060 on average, with contractors normally charging $100 per hour for labor. Common repairs include:

Fixing broken glass panels – $20 to $350, plus labor
Loose connections – $100 at minimum
Cracked panels – $100 to $400

Electric Baseboard or Wall Heater Repair

An electric baseboard or wall heater repair costs an average of $140 to $390, with hourly labor amounting to $65 to $85. Common issues and their typical repair costs are:

Blown fuse – $5 to $40 for a replacement breaker
Broken thermostat – $100 to $250
Faulty heating element – $20 to $40 for a replacement per element
Shorted limiter switch – $380 to $1,000

Humidifier Repair

A humidifier repair costs an average of $110 to $340, including the contractor’s hourly labor rate of $50 to $70. Repairing or replacing its parts normally costs:

Filter – $4
Evaporative pad – $6 to $25
Water and float valve – $15 to $30
Solenoid valve – $20 to $80
Humidifier tank – $20 to $300
Humidistat – $30 to $100
Fan – $30 to $155

Radiant Heating System Repair

To get your radiant heating system repaired, it costs an average of $190 to $690, with specific repairs costing an average of:

Peeling or cracked ceiling – $150 to $2,900
Sagging ceiling – $300 to $3,500
Broken wires – $550 to $2,200
Flooring heat absorption – $1,500 to $4,500
Tube leaks – $5,000 to $7,000

Refrigeration System Repair

Repairing a refrigeration system typically costs between $130 to $370, with common issues including:

Low refrigerant level – $100 to $300 for an inspection and less than $200 to re-charge Freon
Leaks – $225 or more
Compressor or evaporator – at least $1,000 to replace

Geothermal Heating or Cooling System Repair

To repair a geothermal heating or cooling system, it will cost an average of $170 to $720. The cost of repairing common issues are:

Ductwork repair – $30 to $50 per linear foot
Heat pump issues – $50 to $1,700
Loop leaks – $75 to $200
Hard water maintenance – $150 to $200
Cleaning ductwork – $250 to $500

Sheet Metal Fabrication

Repairing sheet metals will cost an average of $580 to $2,370. Contractors typically charge $35 per hour for basic repairs, and as much as $85 per hour for structural repairs.

Getting Quotes from AC Contractors Near You

Now that you are aware of the average costs of installation, repair, and other HVAC services, it is now time to get actual quotes from AC contractors near you.

But, did you know that we have a free service for that? When you fill out our form above, which will only take you a few minutes, you can already get as much as four free quotes from nearby contractors interested in working on your unit.

These contractors will contact you, not the other way around, and give you their quotes. And because they are aware of the competition, expect to get competitive offers from them.

After all, they know that the way to a potential client’s heart is through amazing offers.

We also have a no-obligation policy in place in case none of their quotes appeal to you. This means you are free to turn down all contractors who send in their quotes when you use our service.

Sounds great, doesn’t it?

So, fill out our form now and let’s find you a contractor to work on your AC installation or repair project!