The Price Tag of a Cool Home: Exploring the Costs of a New Air Conditioner

Air conditioning does more than keep your house cool in the summer. It improves air quality. What you breathe is obviously going to impact your health. Dust, pet dander, and allergens are everywhere and an air conditioning unit cleans them out of the air.



There are many different varieties of air conditioners that differ in size and features. An HVAC contractor Santa Rosa can install a system that provides heating and ventilation as well as cooling. This is the cream of the crop option but they are expensive to have installed.

HVAC Contractor Santa Rosa

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. These systems provide everything you need in terms of clean air at a comfortable temperature. Installation is extensive as it involves putting in ductwork throughout your home for moving air. The cost varies depending on where you live and the quality and features of the components of your system.

The square footage of your home also plays a role as bigger compressors and fans are necessary for larger homes as is more ductwork. In an average Santa Rosa home with a size between 1500 and 3000 square feet, the installation of an HVAC system will cost between $5,530 and $13,055.

Types of HVAC Systems

Like any other kind of mechanical system, there are several types of HVAC. The features and the way they work vary as does the installation price.

AC and Furnace Split System

One of the most popular types of HVAC systems is a system that pairs a furnace with a central air conditioning unit. You can choose a natural gas, oil, or electric furnace. Installation prices range from $6,100 to $14,000 with $10,600 being the average cost.

AC and Boiler Split System

Forced hot air is an efficient heating system and an HVAC contractor Santa Rosa will install an ac and boiler split system if you choose that type of heating. The boiler produces steam which is forced into radiators or baseboards throughout your home. The bigger your house, the bigger the boiler you will need and the higher the cost. An ac boiler split system will cost between $6,700 and $14,800 to install. The average price is $10,800.

AC and Furnace Mini-Split System

Some houses that are old or on the small side may not have much room for extensive ductwork. A mini-split system can use a furnace to provide heat through ducts but the ac runs from an outside compressor and individual indoor units in each room. These are called heads and they reduce the size of the ductwork required. A mini-split ac and furnace system runs between $5,100 and $21,000 with an average cost of $7,800 to install.

Air Handler and Heat Pump System

An efficient type of HVAC system that is becoming more popular is the air handler and heat pump type. An outdoor unit contains an evaporator, a refrigerant coil, a condenser, and a compressor. Air is drawn into the unit and cooled or heated as necessary. It is then blown through the ducts into your house.

One big advantage of this type of system is the lower cost to operate. An average home uses 50% less electricity with an air handler and heat pump system according to the Department of Energy.

Installation costs for this type of system range from $3,300 to $8,700 with an average price of $6,000, making it a good choice for the budget-conscious.

Duel-Fuel Furnace and Heat Pump System

People who live in cold climates may want to have a duel-fuel furnace and heat pump system installed. This type of system uses a heat pump to circulate warm or cool air, depending on the weather. If the temperature drops, the furnace comes on automatically to warm the air to a comfortable level. The costs for installing a duel-fuel furnace and heat pump system range from $6,000 to $11,000. The average cost is $8,500, making it less expensive than some of the more common systems.

An HVAC system is an efficient way to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. An added bonus is that it will provide you with clean air that is good for your health. Contact Next Level HVAC in the Santa Rosa area for expert service, installation, and customer care.

NOTE: Prices in this article are generalized estimates based on polls and surveys and may not be true to your individual situation. For a true estimate please contact Next Level HVAC.