SAB Pick:

Central HVAC unit prices and installation

Whether you're building a new home or renovating an existing property, your choice of a central HVAC unit is an important one that will affect your energy bills.

  • Do you like this article?

Quality Services

Where do you need services?

Where do you need services?

Featured in

Central HVAC unit installation by lisafx on iStockphotoWhether you're building a new home or renovating an existing property, your choice of a central HVAC unit is an important one that will have an extensive effect on your energy bills. You'll discover a wide variety of central heat and air systems available on the market.

Get free quotes on central HVAC units today!

Before you choose the one you feel is right for your particular needs, familiarize yourself with how units are priced, operated and installed. With a better understanding of the system, you should be able to make a choice in systems that will adequately heat and cool your home without too heavy an impact on your budget.

A central HVAC system is a combination of separate heating and cooling units working together to provide a comfortable interior environment throughout the year. Most systems consist of a central AC unit and a furnace, with both components using the ducts running through your home to deliver warm or cool air and remove humidity from inside your home.

The cooling system usually includes a split system, with a compressor outside that pushes refrigerant through your home to cool the air and a coil that pulls heat from air drawn over it before dissipating the heat outdoors. The heating portion of the HVAC system is usually a gas furnace that converts natural gas into heat, and then forces it through the ducts of your home to provide warmth.

Because of the multi-unit nature of a central HVAC system, prices can differ widely by region or the size of your home. You can get an accurate HVAC estimate on the cost of the unit and to install it from an experienced HVAC contractor.

Once you hire a contractor, the contractor will come to your home and calculate your heating and cooling needs to get an idea of the capacity required for both the AC and the furnace. If you live in a mild climate, the contractor might recommend a heat pump instead, which is capable of doing both heating and cooling jobs at a significantly lower price.

Actual HVAC prices are based primarily on the capacity your home needs to handle both heating and cooling. The higher the capacity required for your home's systems, the higher the cost for the central HVAC system.

The price can also be affected by the efficiency of the parts used, as well as the need to alter or add ducts to older homes.

Units with greater efficiency cost less to run, but will be more expensive to install.

Installation of a new central HVAC system should be handled by a professional contractor, which will save you time and money. Professional installation ensures the system meets warranty requirements and any city codes. Most systems require the placement of the outdoor and indoor portions of the AC unit as well as installation of the furnace.

Connection to the ducts in your home is required along with connection to your home's electrical grid and the gas supply. In some cases, the ductwork itself will have to be installed or modified to handle the anticipated airflow of your new system. A mistake at any point in the installation process can lead to underperformance of the unit, removing any gains in savings you might otherwise see by doing it yourself.

A central HVAC system is an important part of your home. It can be an expensive add-on, so care should be taken to make certain you obtain a central HVAC solution that precisely meets your needs, avoiding waste on installation price as well as operating costs in the process. Connect with qualified contractors now.

Get your 3 free HVAC estimates!

Photo credit: lisafx on iStockphoto.