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Are you considering replacing your AC? When it comes to AC replacement, most people first want to know how much they can expect it to cost. The average cost for an AC installation is around $6,000, but the final expenses could range anywhere from around $3,000 to well over $12,000. It depends on the type of AC you’re installing, which HVAC company you choose and how much work is required. In this article, we’ll look at what a standard AC installation involves and some of the factors that can increase the complexity and thus the cost of the installation.
HVAC System Evaluation and Equipment Sizing
The initial step in the AC installation process is having a technician evaluate the HVAC system and the house. This involves checking the condition of the ductwork to determine if any modifications need to be made. In some situations, the ductwork isn’t properly designed or it may be the incorrect size for the new AC and needs to be adapted or completely replaced. If the ductwork is more than 25 to 30 years old or in poor condition, the technician will recommend replacing it to ensure the new AC works as well as it should.
You will also need to check the size and condition of the refrigerant lines when replacing an outdated or worn air conditioner. Older AC systems use either R-410a or R-22 (Freon) refrigerant, which are illegal to use in new systems. Depending on the type of refrigerant the new AC uses, the old refrigerant lines may not be the correct size and will need to be replaced. It’s not always necessary to replace the refrigerant lines if they’re the correct size and still in good condition, but it is recommended. By installing new lines, you can greatly reduce the chances of the system developing a leak.
Evaluating the house is necessary to determine its cooling needs and the size of the AC. Just going with the same size as the old system isn’t always a good idea, as many ACs are either undersized or oversized. Ideally, the technician will perform a Manual J cooling load calculation, so that they can accurately size the new system. This calculation takes into account factors like the climate zone, size of the house, level of insulation and number of windows and exterior doors to determine how many BTUs of cooling the AC needs to produce to work efficiently and effectively.
The final part of this process is the consultation. This involves explaining all the available options and helping the homeowner decide which AC they want to install.
Removal of Old Equipment
On installation day, the technicians will start by draining and capturing the refrigerant from the old system. This is a legal requirement under the EPA, and the technician can’t begin disconnecting and removing the old equipment until all of the refrigerant is drained. Capturing the refrigerant can take up to a few hours. In the meantime, the technicians can start doing other things like disconnecting the wiring, unhooking and removing the old blower and running the new refrigerant lines. Once the old system is drained, they will disconnect the refrigerant lines from the condenser unit and the evaporator coil.
Mounting and Installing Indoor and Outdoor Components
After the old equipment is out of the way, the next step is to bring in and mount the new units. This involves setting the condenser unit on the pad outside and installing the evaporator coil and blower in the air handler inside the house. If the condenser unit is to be mounted on the roof, this step will be more difficult and take additional time.
Connecting the Refrigerant Lines
The next step is to connect the copper refrigerant lines to the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. This step is fairly slow, as it involves brazing the supply line and return line to each of the coils. Brazing involves using extreme heat to essentially weld the copper line to the connection on the coil, and the process must be done in multiple stages with breaks in between to ensure neither the copper line nor the coil gets damaged. Once the lines are hooked up and inspected, the technician will then charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant.
Wiring the Electrical Connections
Another essential part of the process is wiring the blower and the outdoor unit and hooking them up to the home’s electrical system. The technician will also need to connect the thermostat to the HVAC control board. Depending on the condition of the existing wiring, the size of the AC and the amperage of the circuit it’s on, an electrician may need to run new wiring or switch out the existing circuit breaker.
Installing the Condensate Drain Lines
All AC systems require a condensate drain system to capture and remove all of the condensation that forms on the evaporator coil. If the existing condensate drain pipes are in good condition, the technician must connect the pipe from the air handler to the bottom of the drain pan. Otherwise, they’ll need to install new pipes and run them to an appropriate location to drain the water. The easiest option is to run the pipes to a floor drain if there’s one nearby, but the condensate drain system can also connect to the home’s drain system. The pipes can also be run outside if needed.
Rebuilding the Air Handler
Some HVAC systems have an access panel on the air handler, allowing a technician to more easily access the evaporator coil and blower. If the air handler doesn’t have an access panel, the technician will need to cut a hole in it or sometimes completely take it apart to remove the old components and install the new ones. In this case, they’ll need to rebuild or seal the air handler once everything is installed.
Testing and Calibrating
The final step is testing and calibrating the new system to make sure it’s operating within the manufacturer’s specified parameters. This process can involve adjusting the blower speed to make sure it moves the correct air volume. Another important step is measuring the temperature drop, which is the difference in the current temperature in the house and the temperature of the conditioned air the system is putting out. This ensures that the AC is cooling as well as it should. For example, the temperature shouldn’t drop more than it’s supposed to, which could cause the evaporator coil to freeze up frequently.
How Long Does a Standard AC Installation Take?
Despite all the steps involved, experienced technicians can perform a full AC installation or replacement within eight hours. However, if the technicians encounter unforeseen issues, the process could take longer. For example, if your ductwork needs to be replaced, the removal and replacement could require at least another day or two.
Contact Our Team for Seamless AC Installation
For dependable, trustworthy HVAC installation services in the Statesville, NC, area, look to the team at Evergreen Heating & Air LLC. We offer quality AC options from trusted brands like Goodman, Amana, Lennox, Daikin and Mitsubishi and will ensure you get the right option for your home and family. We also offer financing on approved credit.
To set up a consultation for your AC replacement or to schedule an appointment for any other cooling or heating service, contact us today.
(704) 449-3454