Homeowner’s Central AC Replacement Guide
Key takeaways:
• Replacing a home AC unit isn’t hard if you do your homework.
• Central air conditioner replacement costs range from $8,800 for a base unit to $20,000+ for a high-efficiency AC unit. Labor costs will vary greatly.
• Finding the right HVAC installer is key to your future comfort.
By Anne Fonda with Expert review by Chelsea Hudson, Product Manager, Ducted Variable Speed Outdoor
Whether your air conditioning system went belly up or you recently read our blog on 8 Warning Signs That You Need to Replace Your Air Conditioner and came here next, you’re smart to be doing some research about AC replacement.
Whether this is your first time buying a new AC unit or it’s been 15 years since you last did it, our guide to AC system replacement can help you make an informed decision.
In this guide, we’ll cover questions to ask yourself (and an HVAC company) related to:
Ready? Let’s get started.
What SEER2 rating do I need?
An air conditioner's Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER2) measures its cooling efficiency over an entire cooling season, in a range of temperatures from 65°F to 104°F. You’ll want a higher SEER2 rating on your new central air conditioner if you live in a hot and humid climate. If you live in an area with short, mild summers, you could likely opt for a unit with a lower SEER2 rating.
Discuss with your American Standard dealer what a good SEER2 rating is for your home and climate.
What EER2 rating do I need?
An air conditioner’s Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER2) also measures cooling efficiency, but under a specific set of conditions. EER2 measures efficiency at the peak cooling need when the outdoor temperature is 95°F, the indoor temperature is 80°F, and the humidity is 50%.
If you live in a hot and dry climate like the desert Southwest, or a hot and humid climate like parts of the Southeast, you’ll want to get an AC unit with a higher EER2 rating for better comfort.
Do I need a single-stage, multi-speed, or variable-speed air conditioner?
This depends a lot on your climate, your budget, and how humid your climate is. Some highlights about each type of air conditioning system:
• Single-stage units are either on or off. They run at 100% capacity and then shut down when they reach the set temperature. This can lead to uneven temperatures and poor humidity control. All that starting up and shutting down can use a lot of energy, increasing the cost of operation.
• A multi-speed system has several speeds to provide more continuous cooling and better humidity control than a single-stage unit.
• A variable-speed system can operate anywhere between 30-100% capacity. Operating for longer periods at lower speeds is more energy-efficient and can provide you with precise cooling and superior humidity control.
“Just like a car that can speed up or slow down as needed, HVAC systems with more speeds or stages can fine-tune your home’s comfort while using less energy. The more options your system has, the better it can match your needs and help keep energy bills in check.”
- Chelsea Hudson, Product Manager, Variable Speed Ducted Outdoor
What size air conditioner do I need?
Again, this depends. The size of your home, the layout, how well insulated it is, and more can affect what size cooling system you need. While there are square footage tables that can give you a ballpark idea, the best way to get the proper sizing is to work with a trusted HVAC professional who performs a load calculation.
“Beware of dealers who don’t perform load calculations and rely either on very basic rules of thumb or just want to replace your system with whatever you currently have. Those are usually signs that you should find a better dealer.”
- Mark Woodruff, Senior Product Manager, Ducted Outdoors
Do I need AC zoning?
That depends. An HVAC zoning system is designed to help provide even heating and cooling to every corner of your home, and can allow you to set different temperatures for different zones.
If you have a two-story home or a large home with rooms that are far from your central HVAC system, a zoned system can be especially helpful. Many two-story homes suffer from the cold downstairs, hot upstairs syndrome. HVAC zoning can solve the problem and help save energy at the same time.
“An HVAC zoning system divides the home into various zones so that they can be either heated or cooled separately. Each zone is controlled by its own thermostat, so homeowners can adjust the temperature in each area independently. This allows homeowners to save energy by only heating the areas of the home that need it at any given time.”
- Michael Morey, Product Management Leader, Hardware
Learn more about whether a zoned HVAC system is right for you.
The cost to replace an AC unit will vary greatly depending upon the unit’s efficiency, cooling capacity in tons, number of speeds, where you live, local labor costs, and much more. A ballpark figure for your air conditioner replacement cost is between $8,500 for a base unit and $25,000+ for a premium variable speed communicating system.
In addition, you may choose (or be advised to) replace the indoor and outdoor units at the same time. So, your furnace and AC replacement cost would include the cost of a compatible furnace.
“My advice to anyone who may have an aging system that requires frequent repairs is to consider replacing the whole system versus just one component. Typically, with an older system, the technology has become obsolete, and new parts are not completely compatible with older systems.”
-Kimberly Sexton, Senior Systems Engineer, Trane Technologies
Let’s face it. Few homeowners have enough cash in the bank to pay for a new HVAC system. That’s where HVAC financing comes in. You can finance the cost of a new air conditioner or a whole new HVAC system. Read our blog on the best way to finance an HVAC system to review your options.
Select American Standard dealers offer 0% HVAC financing that can help you afford the HVAC system you need now, and spread the cost out over several years.
This is a really important question, because proper installation is one of the most important steps in your central air conditioner replacement journey. Improper sizing or improper installation will set you up for failure – you won’t get the comfort you deserve, and you may have early repair costs or even early system failure.
Locating the right HVAC contractor starts with getting multiple estimates from companies that friends and family recommend. Do your research on these companies before scheduling estimates. Things to look for:
- Licensed and insured
- NATE certified
- Good reviews
- In business for at least 5 years
- Responsiveness
Get some more tips on how to find the best HVAC service near you.
Work with an HVAC company you can trust
American Standard Customer Care Dealers are committed to making AC replacement and ongoing maintenance a worry-free experience for you. Contact your local dealer today to get started.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
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