How Much Do HVAC Units Cost?

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning and has become a standard term in the residential construction and contracting industry. HVAC units are known more generally as the equipment that provides central heat and air conditioning. HVAC units are manufactured in a broad range of types, sizes and efficiencies, with cost ranging from $1,000 to several tens of thousands.

Calculating Size of HVAC Unit(s) Required

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is the efficiency rating system for residential air conditioners in the U.S. All new HVAC unis sold since 2006 must have a SEER rating of at least 13, and the most efficient models available have a SEER of 18 to 20. The size of the HVAC cooling unit needed is based on the climate of the area, the size of the area to be cooled, the condition of the ductwork and the SEER rating of the unit.

Cost of HVAC Units

As of 2007 typical 3-to-4-ton HVAC systems for a 2,000-to-3000 square feet cost $2,500 to $5,000. Large 5-ton-plus HVAC units can cost well over $10,000. This is just the cost for the HVAC system, not the cost of installation or duct work.

Installation and Ductwork

Unless you are building a new home or renovating an old home, you may already have adequate ductwork for the HVAC system. But if not, be prepared to spend between $10,000 and $20,000, depending on the size of the home. The cost of installing HVAC varies significantly, based on a number of factors, especially the design of the system (i.e., split or packaged) and how many units have to be installed, but will be at least $1,000 and may be $3,000 or more.

Heating Systems

Modern HVAC units operate on a heat pump system and can serve as both air conditioners in the summer and heaters in the winter. However, heat pumps do not operate efficiently below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so additional furnace heating units are installed for supplemental heating with residential HVAC systems in much of the U.S. These furnace units range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars for the largest top-quality models.

References

• Central-air-conditioner-and-refrigeration.com: Central Air Conditioner Prices -- How Much Does Central Air Cost?
• Cost Helper: Central Air Conditioner Cost
• This Old House; Adding Central Air; John Wagner
• Popular Mechanics; Buying A Central Air Conditioning System; Merle Henkenius; August 1998
• Consumer Energy Center: Central HVAC