Phoenix, AZ, is one of the many desert cities where having a reliable air conditioner is not only important for your comfort but also for your overall well-being. So, even if you feel concerned about the average cost of a new AC unit, you ought to replace an unreliable air conditioner ASAP.
According to the CDC, extremely high temperatures can cause sickness or even fatalities in vulnerable populations, as the CDC has found that the body has trouble self-regulating when temperatures are too hot. So, with Phoenix temperatures reaching an average of 104-106 degrees in June through August, your air conditioner can literally be a lifesaver.
If your AC unit is more than 15 years old and needs constant repairs, it is time for you to replace it. To determine how much your new HVAC unit may cost, Phoenix’s reliable air conditioner installation service provider presents the following guide on how air conditioners work and three factors that affect the cost of installing a new one.
How Does an Air Conditioner Work?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the way that air conditioners function is similar to refrigerators in that they draw heat from an interior space and push it into a warmer exterior. Air conditioners utilize an indoor and outdoor component. Where the indoor unit uses evaporator coils to cool down the interior air, the outdoor component uses a condenser coil to release the hot air from your home to the outside.
Inside, warm air flows over the refrigerant-filled coils; the liquid changes to a gas as it absorbs heat. The compressor then puts high pressure on the gas to change it back to a liquid and restart the process. Constant repairs for any of these components (or if your air conditioner is more than 15 years old) means that you need to replace it.
Top 3 Factors That Affect the Cost of a New AC Unit
Here are the three most significant factors that affect the average cost of a new AC unit.
1. SEER Rating
SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. Manufacturers use this scale to measure how well an AC unit functions during each season (and how efficiently it uses fuel). All new air conditioners must have a SEER rating of 13 to 27 according to US governmental standards.
More energy-efficient units with higher SEER ratings cost more than those with lower SEER ratings. However, units with higher ratings pay themselves off in the long run because of how much they save homeowners on energy bills. These air conditioners use less energy for the cooling process and utilize better technology to lessen the time it takes to cool air.
2. Size and Type of Unit
The bigger the unit, the more expensive it will be. For example, different unit types (like ductless mini-split units) sell at a lower price point than central AC. Furthermore, larger houses require bigger and more expensive units.
Though you may think that a smaller unit will save you money even if you have a large house, undersized units are more likely to malfunction because they need to run constantly to produce enough cold air. Likewise, units that are too big don’t dehumidify air properly and cool inconsistently. So, you have to consider the square feet of your house when considering the correct unit size, even if you don’t want to pay for it.
3. Cost of Labor
Though you may want to pay for installation services from a less-expensive HVAC installation company, these businesses are often much less experienced. Their staff is unlikely to go through the same intensive training process that companies like 1st Choice Mechanical require for their new hires. These companies may also use lower-quality parts for installation.
Furthermore, if an AC technician installs your unit incorrectly, the lower installation cost won’t be worth the money you will pay later for repairs and extra servicing. Some manufacturers will also nullify your warranty because of poor installation practices. That means even if your unit fails in the warranty period, you cannot replace it under warranty terms.
Looking for High-Quality AC Installation Services in Phoenix, AZ?
If you want to know more about the average cost of a new AC unit and figure out how much a new air conditioner will cost for you, contact 1st Choice Mechanical. We are Phoenix, AZ’s premier AC maintenance service with a five-star rating, a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee, and a two-year service warranty. Invest in a company that employs highly-trained HVAC technicians by contacting 1st Choice Mechanical at 623-887-8613 today.
