Air conditioning systems are essential to any home, creating a comfortable environment regardless of the changing seasons. Unfortunately, they can also be quite expensive, and maintaining an AC unit can be a headache if you aren’t prepared for it. In addition, if your unit is running poorly, you not only affect your future repair costs but risk further damage to your system, resulting in a costly replacement. Here are all the costs associated with your AC unit:

Air Conditioning Costs: Calculating Every Element

Unit Cost – $2,000-13,000

Unit cost covers the cost of internal components and the external shell that houses them. The quality of these components will vary depending on the manufacturer you choose, and cheaper components will be easier to replace, but more prone to issues. More expensive units, on the other hand, have a higher initial cost but will last longer. The style of your AC system will also drastically affect the cost of your unit. For example, Central Air units cost anywhere from $2500-7,000. Mini-split units can go anywhere from $1500-8,000, and hybrid/dual fuel systems are as much as $13,000-36,000. 

Installation Expenses – $1,200-4,000

Installation expenses depend on square footage, power efficiency, and lastly, style and size of your unit. The larger and more complex the unit, the more expensive it will be to install. Central Air installations start at around $2,000, Ductless units are cheaper with an average cost of $1,200, and lastly, dual fuel or hybrid systems start at $2,500 but has an average of around $4,000. 

Utility Bills – $250-390 a month

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios and is a general standard for determining the efficiency of your unit. This number is determined by the cooling output of your AC unit over a cooling season, divided by your energy use in WATT/Hour. If your SEER rating is too low, you will need to inspect your unit and it’s location to see why it’s running poorly. Aspects such as location, size of the space, preferred temperature, weather spikes, fuel type and size of your unit will drastically impact your utility costs.

Maintenance Costs – $75-6,400

Regardless of what type of AC system you have, they will break down, requiring professional services. In general, it is highly advised that you service your AC unit as soon as possible as small problems can grow more severe if ignored. Here are common maintenance costs and their associated prices:

• Leaks—around $500 to $1,300

• Drainage issues—$100 to $800

• Replacement parts—$600 up to $1,200

• Freezing over—$250 to $1,300

• Fan issues—$400 to $700

• Clogged filters—$75 and up to $200

• Electrical concerns—$100 to $400

Hire 24/7 Air Conditioning Services

A well-chosen air conditioning system will not only boast the comfort of your home but minimize future costs. Although it may be more attractive initially, lower initial costs will result in higher utility bills, repair, and maintenance expenses. Conversely, higher initial install and unit price will result in a unit that has lower utility bills, repair, and maintenance costs, so it’s essential to balance these considerations when choosing your system. Luckily, Fix-it 24/7 technicians are always available, 24 hours a day, to help you. We will ensure that your AC unit runs smoothly and help you repair and maintain your system to keep your costs low. So give us a call today to put your home in excellent hands.