Why Are Air Conditioners So Expensive? (Find Out Now!)

Depending on where you live, a functioning air conditioner can either be a convenient feature or an absolute necessity. Whatever the case, it’s important to know what to look for when buying one for your home.

Air conditioners are often a more costly purchase for your home because they are a long-term investment. The main aspects that factor into the overall cost of your air conditioning unit include it’s efficiency rating, cooling capacity, installation costs, and if you decide to include any additional features for your system.

Let’s take a closer look at what goes into buying an air conditioner, so you know what to look for when it comes time to buy one.

When purchasing an air conditioner, the very first thing you should look at is its energy efficiency. The efficiency of an air conditioner is measured by its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating.

These ratings range from 13 to 22, with higher ratings equating to better energy efficiency. However, higher ratings will also mean higher prices.

While this higher price tag may deter you from getting an AC unit with a high SEER rating, it’s important to remember these more efficient units will help you save on your monthly energy bills. In fact, high SEER-rated units can save you thousands of dollars over the life of the air conditioner. In many cases, it will end up paying for itself.

As you may have inferred, bigger air conditioners will inevitably cost more. One thing to note when it comes to AC units, however, is that its “size” doesn’t necessarily mean the dimensions of the unit itself.

Instead, it refers to the cooling capacity, which is how quickly the air conditioner can cool the space in an hour. This value is expressed in tons. When it comes to the tonnage value of your air conditioner, bigger is not always better. It’s important to find the perfect fit for your unique space. If it is…

Depending on where you live, what type of AC unit you purchase, and the contractors you hire to install it. When it comes to choosing a local HVAC company for your AC installation, don’t simply choose the cheapest one. This can result in a shoddy job that will cost you more down the road.

Instead, you should look for professionals with years of experience, a good reputation, maintenance services, and protective warranties. Many companies will also provide a free consultation, so you can get a better idea of how much you’ll be paying.

Window AC units come in all shapes and sizes, typically ranging in price from $150 to $500. A window air conditioner will have all its working parts inside the unit itself and functions by blowing cool air into the home while ejecting hot air out.

As the name suggests, they are installed in the window. They are best suited for cooling a single room. That said, larger window units may be able to cool a small home effectively, depending on the floorplan.

Pros:

Portable air conditioners are similar to window units in that they have all their parts inside the single unit. The difference lies in the fact that they are free-standing, so you can move them from room to room. Generally, these units cost between $250 to $500 on average. There are two main types of portable AC units: single-hose and double-hose.

Single-hose units will take air from inside the room and expel it outdoors to cool the space. Dual-hose units will pull air in from outside using one hose and exhaust air outdoors through the other.

Pros:

Central air conditioners are among the most common options for mid-size to large homes with multiple rooms that need to be cooled. On average, they cost between $3,000 to $7,400, installation included. This type of air conditioner uses a ducted system to distribute air throughout your home.

These units are comprised of an outdoor unit, which has a condenser and compressor, and an indoor unit with evaporator coils and air handler. They also have a refrigerant to remove any heat from inside your home.

Pros:

Typically, you can expect to pay between $3,200 and $10,500 to install a three-zone mini-split air conditioning unit. These types of ductless systems feature an outdoor unit with a compressor and condenser. They also will have one or more compact indoor units that are mounted to the wall and have air blowers.

These two units are connected through tubing instead of using the air ducts. To control airflow, you will need a remote control unless you pair it with smart technology. Since each room gets its own unit, this air conditioning is more expensive upfront, but it can also be more energy-efficient over time.

Pros:

Geothermal AC units are newer alternatives that work by using the earth for insulation. All year long, the temperature about four to six feet underground remain constant. These air conditioners take advantage of that consistency to cool your home more efficiently.

It does this by circulating water between your home, a pump, and the ground. This requires intensive work to set up and install. As such, they are much more expensive than other options, ranging from $18,000 to $30,000.

Pros:

Related Questions

What are some of the most common problems that occur with air conditioners?

Even the best AC units will fail you at one point or another. Some of the most common issues people face include the unit constantly running, not turning on at all, or blowing hot air. Other issues include refrigerant or water leaks, circuit breaker trips, strange odors, weird noises, and more.

What size air conditioner should I get for a 2,000 square foot home?

Typically, you will want a 3-ton air conditioner for a home ranging from 2,000 to 2,500 sq. ft. Remember, this does not refer to the weight of the actual unit. It is talking about the cooling capacity of the air conditioner.

Not all air conditioning units will cost you an arm and a leg, but you are looking at spending a decent amount of money for a high-quality one. Buying cheap will end up costing you more in the long run in the manner of maintenance costs and higher energy bills.

The good news is you can always research prices for your air conditioning unit beforehand, so you can get a better idea of how much you’ll be spending. Moreover, most HVAC installation specialists will also provide a free, accurate estimate to help you plan.