Getting Central Air...

budafam

DIS Veteran
Joined
Feb 23, 2009
Messages
3,399
We were planning on getting central air next summer for our home. DH knows someone who can do the charging and he can do all the duct work so really, all we have to do is shell out the money for the system. Someone told me that they are going to be discontinuing the type of system they're using in 2011 so in fall, there are going to be some major discounts.

Just wondering if anyone has ever gotten one installed, what the price was (even with installation)... I wouldn't mind the extra tax credit for this year as well :) TIA!
 
We had everything set up for our central air. We just needed the compressor and installation. The quote I got was for $2200 but I live in a place with a low cost of living.
 
All in all we spent about $10K. That included the cost of upgrading our electrical system (I want to say from 110 to 220 but I really don't know what I'm talking about) and burying the lines underground (roughly 250 ft from house to pole.) 3500 sq ft house, top of the line unit. And the irony is I hate it - I am in sweatpants and sweatshirt all summer because my husband keeps the house too cold. Ahhhh, First World problems.
 
We just central air in the spring. The duct work was already their since we have forced air. Our basement is finished so they did have to spend a little more time doing the electrical and such and they had to make a few cuts to the drywalled ceiling. Our house is 2000 suare feet plus another 1000 sqaure feet in the basement. The total cost was $2500, but we paid in cash which saved us a few hundred dollars.
 

We just central air in the spring. The duct work was already their since we have forced air. Our basement is finished so they did have to spend a little more time doing the electrical and such and they had to make a few cuts to the drywalled ceiling. Our house is 2000 suare feet plus another 1000 sqaure feet in the basement. The total cost was $2500, but we paid in cash which saved us a few hundred dollars.

Wow, that seems so cheap! We have forced air too and our house is only 1100 sq. ft. (not including the basement). Sounds good though! Thanks!
 
My mom had it installed in her ranch style home which has electric heat and thus no ductwork at all, it was $5000.00.
 
OP. Thanks for asking this question.

While I already have central air, the unit most likely should be replaced. We are not sure how old the unit is but at least over 25 years old. After reading the replies maybe Ionce I go back to work in September, I should call around and get some quotes. Could definitely use the tax credit and some savings in my electric bill!
 
We just had both furnace and a/c installed. Our house is 1200 sq feet. We are in MI. Our furnace (a 2 stage 95% efficiency) was $2967. The a/c (2 ton 16 SEER) was $2663 for a total of $5978 (we also got the fancy air filter). We didn't have any ducting that had to be done.

In case anyone was wondering about energy usage (which I was). Before we were running 2 window units 24/7. Last July our electric/gas bill was $198. This month with the central air set at usually 74deg - our bill was $211. I was very happy because our house is totally comfortable now!! =)
 
Just got AC fully installed this week. We had some ductwork completed already but they needed to complete two new ducts/and registers. We also got a compressor.

We had to get an electrician to come in an create an outlet outside $300

The total with the two new ductwork, compressor, installation, materials, parts was about $4100.00

This is a renovated Cape Cod with a full basement and converted upstairs bedroom.

Previously we had 6 window units going. We haven't received our first bill yet --sort of dreading it.
 
:) DH and I bought a new unit after Katrina. Obviously we live along the Gulf Coast and air conditioning is a must. I think we spent close to $6000.00. New duct work, ac unit, venting, etc. We also now have a local maintenance program with an ac/ heating co. That is about $175 a year but it pays for two full services each year and we do not pay extra for call out, only parts. We have already used this once after 7 p.m. So it saved us about $100 in the first couple months.

One interesting fact DH and I learned...we had flood insurance so we lucked out with Katrina...when the adjuster was here, DH asked what qualified for coverage in size. The guy told him it was air conditioned space/ sq footage. The light bulb went off with DH and he showed the guy our air conditioned garage ( lady had daycare out there one time). That got us another 400 feet of covered space and more money, which really helped. So of course we kept our air conditioned garage. :)
 
My mom had it installed in her ranch style home which has electric heat and thus no ductwork at all, it was $5000.00.

This is similar to ours too! The only difference is we have an add on of a gargage with a room above (master bedroom suite), so ductwork had to be run through the attic and up into the new addition. We kept our electric baseboard heat, though we don't use it anymore as our AC included a heat pump. But it's nice to still use the baseboard in individual rooms if a room gets too chilly for the grandkids. Adding the AC and heatpump was one of the best improvements we've done (and we've done alot).
 
Thanks to everyone for the replies. DH called the guy tonight and set up an appointment for Wednesday to just go through the house and give us a rough estimate. He said since we have a one story ranch (with basement) that he could do it throughout the basement and put vents in the floors which would be cheaper and easier to do. With DH willing to do a lot of the work, I'm sure hoping we can get this done before next summer!

We have had 2 window ac units running a lot this summer. (one is almost constantly going)... our last bill was only up $20 from normal. I'm sure that wasn't right and I'm dreading our next one. I can't imagine having 6 going! Yikes! :eek:
 
How ironic, I was just discussing this with a friend (via Facebook) tonight. We were looking into a new air conditioner and she asked if we have heating ducts (which we do). She then suggested we may want to consider central air. Maybe we should look into it NOW...tell me more about this tax credit? :goodvibes
 
I installed a new central air system for my father inlaw about 5 years ago.
I also replaced my parents A/C system last year.

I am just handy around the house and had no experience with A/C systems before.

I did some research and found that the system are actually pretty simple.

I purchased the systems from http://www.alpinehomeair.com/

The website has a lot of information on doing it yourself.

Also you need to know that the compressor (the unit that sits outside) comes pre-charged with refrigerant that is good for a 50' distance from the compressor to your furnace and the coils (the coils are the A/C part that sits on top of the furnace).

Once the system is installed and all the connections are made, you will need someone to come "pull a vacuum" or "evacuate the system". This removes all air and contamination, it also confirms that you have no leaks. Once this is done then you open the valves on the compressor and the refrigerant flows out to the rest of the system.

Here are question that will help decide:
1. Can you (or your friend) solder copper pipes (it is called "sweating copper"). The refrigerant lines are copper and need to be soldered.

2. You will need an electrician to hook up the electrical. (I did this myself but 220v can kill in a second).

3. The equipment can be heavy and will need two people to install. Can you lift 50 lbs?

Chris
 















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