If you’re shopping for a new air conditioner, then you may be wondering why nearly every company you call acts like the price of a central air conditioning unit is a matter of national security. There are basically 2 reasons air conditioning companies won’t give you even general information about prices of ac units over the phone... Reason #1 They want you to meet with a salesman who has been trained to base the price he offers you on how informed you are on the cost to install a new central air conditioning unit. Reason #2 The answer to exactly how much your new air conditioner will cost is… In my experience, Reason #1 is why most people find the process of buying a new air conditioner so frustrating, and Reason #2 is really just an excuse to justify Reason #1. Truthfully, there's no reason air conditioning companies can’t discuss ballpark ranges for prices on central air conditioning units with customers... as long as they make it clear what things are included in the basic price of installation, and what types of things would be an additional cost.

This blog post will give you an overview of the 3 variables that will dictate the cost of your new air conditioner, and roughly how much each one affects the price of the air conditioning unit you choose to install. The energy efficiency of a new air conditioner is referred to in different terms than the efficiency of a new furnace. While furnace efficiency is expressed in terms of a percentage, 80% efficient for example, the efficiency of a new AC unit is expressed using the less straightforward measurement known as the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER rating. (I know technical acronyms annoy me too!) The SEER ratings for air conditioning units start at 13 and go all the way up into the 20’s. Typically, the most popular models are rated between 13-17 SEER since most people choose to install single-stage air conditioners. Cost Implications of an AC Unit’s Efficiency: A 16 SEER air conditioner will usually cost between $1,200-$1,300 more than a 13 SEER unit (before accounting for any potential Xcel Energy rebates).

If you choose an air conditioner that has a SEER rating higher than 16, you’ll most likely get a unit that offers 2-stage cooling as well. You can expect to pay between $1,200 - $1,400 more for a 17 SEER AC unit that offers 2-stage cooling than you would for a 16 SEER model that is single-stage. A single-stage air conditioner is like flipping on a light switch, it’s either on or off. home ac repair pflugervilleWhen it turns on it’s all the way on at 100% of its capacity. 5 ton ac unit craigslistA 2-stage air conditioner starts up at about 2/3 of its full capacity, and will only ramp up to 100% when it’s hot enough outside that it requires 100% of the unit’s cooling capacity to keep your home comfortable. cost of 5 ton trane ac unit

(For more on the difference between single-stage and 2-stage cooling, check out the 2015 New Air Conditioner Cost Guide) Cost Implications of 2-Stage AC Units: If you’re already considering an ultra high efficiency air conditioner like a 16 SEER model, you can expect to pay between $1,200 - $1,400 more to install a 2-stage air conditioner that would come with a 17 SEER efficiency rating. When we talk about the size of an air conditioner, we refer to how many tons the unit is. And no, it does not mean that if you need a 3-ton air conditioner that the unit will weigh 6,000 pounds. It refers to how much cooling capacity the unit provides. I won’t delve into how to know what size air conditioner you need in this blog post since it’s covered in greater depth in the Air Conditioning 101 section of our website. But central air conditioning units come in 1/2 ton increments ranging from 1-ton all the way up to 5-tons. Special Note: I've met with customers who have worked themselves up into a giant ball of stress because they've gotten quotes from 2 or 3 companies, and each company told them they needed a different size air conditioning unit.

The size of the unit you need should not be your concern. Sizing the unit properly is the job of the company you choose to install your new air conditioner. If you are having a new furnace installed at the same time, you should ask for a written guarantee that states the new air conditioner will cool your house to at least 70 degrees when the temperature is 95 degrees outside. Any company that won't guarantee the cooling performance of your new AC unit when they are installing a new furnace for you at the same time should be crossed off your list. To give you some perspective, a small condo that is less than 1,000 s.f. might need a 1.5-ton AC unit, while a 4,000 s.f. home is likely to have a 5-ton AC unit. Cost Implications of an AC Unit's Size: As a general rule, the bigger your home the bigger your air conditioner will be. The bigger your air conditioner is, the more it will cost. Typically a 13 SEER air conditioner that is 3-tons in size might cost between $300 - $500 more than a 2-ton unit.

As you go up in size the difference in cost gets bigger. On average a 13 SEER air conditioner that is 5-tons in size will cost between $400 - $600 more than a 4-ton unit. Hopefully this will help give you a basic understanding of the industry jargon you’ll run into when shopping for a new air conditioner, and how these 3 variables will impact the cost to install a new central air conditioning unit in your home. If you’d like more in-depth information on how to choose the right air conditioner for your home, check out the Air Conditioning 101 section of our website or download the 2015 Central Air Conditioning Buyer’s Guide.How Much Does a New Central Air Conditioner Cost? Rebates and Discounts for Maximum Savings – Buy and install a Carrier AC and Furnace Package! Up to from Carrier Cool Cash on a new purchase. Up to from Xcel Energy or CenterPoint Energy. Up to by December 31, 2016. When you’re shopping for a new central air conditioning system in the Twin Cities, how much it will cost is an important factor in making your choice.

Whether it’s a brand new AC system added to your current gas furnace or a replacement for a failing or inefficient older unit, the purchase is an important investment. It’s impossible to give a total price quote on a website or over the phone, though. Only through an evaluation of your requirements and your home can an accurate price be quoted. As a leader in Minneapolis St. Paul home heating and cooling and a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, we want to help you understand all aspects of your investment in any HVAC system. Some of the factors that affect the purchase price include: More Lennox Products and Sales Carrier Air Conditioner Sales and Installation – Most reliable products with excellent warranties. Minnesota Carrier Dealer – Get the most reliable service from a Factory Authorized Dealer. 10-Year Extended AC Warranty – Best protection for your equipment. Which Manufacturer Offers the Best Value and Quality Several manufacturers make central air conditioners, and each has its own pricing strategy.

Some companies specialize in economy-priced equipment, while others manufactures only high-efficiency HVAC systems with the latest features and controls. All design and make central air conditioning systems in a wide range of prices, capacities, and features. As a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer based in Minneapolis and St. Paul, we offer the complete range of home cooling products from Carrier, America’s most trusted air conditioning company. In our free, no-obligation evaluations and estimates, we’ll show you all of your options and provide accurate price information. The choice is completely yours. What Model and Features to Choose Since all manufacturers offer a wide range of split air conditioner models, your choice will affect the total price. Each model has a unique set of features, warranties, control systems and more. In addition, the capacity of the system you choose is an important factor. Your representative from our highly rated Minnesota heating and air conditioning company will show you all of your options, explain the features of each model and answer all of your questions.

Instead of high-pressure sales strategies, we focus on giving you the information you need to make the best choice for you, your family and your home. An informed choice is always the best choice. What Efficiency Rating Is Right for You The initial price of your new or replacement unit is only part of its overall cost. Since your new system will last for many years, how much it costs to operate over those years is an important factor. The cooling efficiency is measured by the SEER rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the system is. Higher efficiency systems with SEER ratings as high as 21 cost more initially, but will save money over the long term by keeping your energy bills low. Our representative will help you estimate your energy costs over time for different systems, so you can make the best choice for yourself. How Installation Affects the Cost Installing your new central air conditioning system contributes to the total initial cost. In our free, no obligation estimates, we’ll accurately estimate installation costs and give you a complete quote without any hidden fees.

Having been the AC contractor of choice in Minnesota for over 20 years, we have the most experienced, efficient installation team that helps keep those prices as low as possible. Always keep in mind that installation costs are approximately the same, regardless of your choice of manufacturer and model. How to Qualify for Rebates and Discounts From time to time, HVAC manufacturers offer rebates for select products. Utility companies including Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy offer rebates on high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment to encourage customers to reduce energy consumption. As the leading HVAC contractor in the Twin Cities, we receive volume discounts from our suppliers and we pass the savings onto our customers. We have seasonal sales of our products to save our customers money. Contact us and we will help you qualify all available rebates and discounts. Leading Air Conditioning Contractor in Minneapolis St. Paul, MN Money-Saving 13-SEER Carrier Central AC Models

Minnesota’s summer heat is here and you need reliable, affordable air conditioning. No matter how tight your budget is, there’s an affordable Carrier 13-SEER system to match your home. You can choose from several model lines to find a new or replacement system that gives you legendary Carrier performance and reliability at a low initial cost that makes sense for both homeowners and rental property owners. Count on us to help you select exactly the right products. Carrier 16-SEER Central AC Models If you’re in the market for a new or replacement central AC system, you can save on its initial cost and continue saving on every month’s energy bill by choosing an affordable, high-efficiency 16-SEER model from Carrier. As a top-rated Factory Authorized Dealer, we can help you choose an efficient, quiet model that fits your budget, qualifies for rebates and saves money throughout the summer. These high-efficiency systems are among the most popular models we sell and install.

Besides low prices and high quality, we offer the best warranty coverage for all products we sell. Because factory warranties don’t cover labor costs, we provide additional warranty offers for labor in case your product needs to be repaired. In some cases, the labor can be expensive for a complicated repair job. With our extended warranty, you get peace of mind knowing that you have the best reliable home heating and cooling. For over 20 years, we have been the top choice for air conditioner sales and service for over 35,000 satisfied customers. That’s because we offer top-quality products from the best manufacturers at highly competitive pricing. Our experience and dedication to complete customer satisfaction, along with our highly trained installation and service technicians means true value. Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation and estimate. We’ll give you all of the information you need and help you make the best decision for your home and budget. That’s our promise to you.