Consideration #3: Ductwork
Ductwork is a significant factor in installation costs. If your house has old ductwork or no ductwork at all, it’s a labor-intensive process to install new ducts. Ductwork installation requires intensive custom work that can require multiple days of work. If your house is already ducted, then installation will be much more economical. Additionally, lack of ductwork is often the reason homeowners decide to go with a ductless mini-split. Many times, it’s simply more economical to avoid ducting.
Consideration #4: Type of System
Going along with the ductwork consideration of #3, the type of system you choose has a huge impact on your price. A traditional AC system will vary in price from a ductless system. Ductless systems are great in a number of situations, like when your home isn’t ducted, as we already mentioned, or if you need to cool an addition, an ADU, or your home has baseboard heating. These systems are generally much more inexpensive to install and they’re often quicker, too. Central AC is more expensive but it has benefits like the ability to cool the entire house at once. If you’re not sure which type of system is best for your home, our experienced technicians will outline the pros and cons of each.
Consideration #5: Efficiency
All air conditioners have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating, which measures the efficiency of the unit. SEER ratings range from 13-20, with the higher end providing more energy efficiency. A higher efficiency model costs more upfront but will cost less to operate over time. There’s a balance to deciding the best SEER level for your home, depending on budget, projected usage, how long you plan to stay in your home, and more.