A central air price covers the equipment and the work that connects it to your house. Equipment is easy to compare by model number. The work is where quotes drift apart.
The equipment
Central AC is an outdoor unit and a matching indoor coil on the furnace. A heat pump is the same pair, with an outdoor unit that also heats. Ductless means one outdoor unit and an indoor unit in each room. The quote should list model numbers, and the indoor and outdoor parts should be a matched set.
The work
A complete price includes these eight things.
- The line set, two copper lines between the indoor and outdoor units
- A shutoff at the outdoor unit, plus a new 240-volt circuit if you don't have one
- A condensate drain to a floor drain, outside or a small pump
- A pad, stand or wall brackets for the outdoor unit
- Thermostat wiring, or a remote for each room on a ductless system
- A load calculation, so the system is sized to your house
- The permit and inspection
- Startup, when we vacuum the lines and check the refrigerant charge
Our prices include all of that, plus taxes and rebate paperwork, in one number.
What costs extra
A panel upgrade costs extra when your panel has no room for the new circuit. So do duct changes past the furnace connection. If your furnace is near the end of its life, replacing it in the same visit costs less than doing it later.
Comparing two quotes
Put them side by side and mark each item above as included, left out or not mentioned. A lower total that skips the circuit and the permit is a smaller job. The price explorer shows typical prices for each system, and AC installation cost breaks prices down by efficiency.
To get a price for your house, send photos or schedule an in-home estimate. Financing options are available too.
Common questions
Why are two quotes for the same AC so far apart?
Usually they describe different jobs. One includes the circuit, permit and haul-away, and the other leaves them out or adds them later. Compare line by line before you compare totals.
Does a bigger house cost more?
Less than you'd think. The type of system and the work at your house move the price more than square footage does.