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As you consider installing a central air system in your 1200 sq ft house, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons of such an investment. Take into account not just the initial purchase and installation costs, but also ongoing maintenance expenses. Remember, your budget should accommodate not only immediate costs but also future expenditures that will ensure the system operates efficiently for years to come. You’ll love how a central air conditioning system can keep your 1200 sq ft house refreshingly cool, even on the hottest summer days! Understanding how these systems work is crucial to determining the cost and efficiency for your home. Ductless mini split air conditioners are similar in construction to window versions but with no window required.
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These are a little bit less common in homes and generally cost more—up to double the cost of a split system. This is not a good DIY project and should be done by a licensed professional to ensure it is done correctly. Some areas require permits to install central air or to modify your HVAC system, so a pro is always recommended. While there is lots of HVAC maintenance you can DIY, installing a new unit is a job best left to the pros. As a general rule of thumb, when a project requires work with electrical systems, plumbing, or gas lines, you should not attempt the job yourself. However, better brands usually come with a longer lifespan and ROI, better warranties, and smarter technology built in to fully control your home’s temperature.
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A single stage cooling system will turn on at full capacity, when the temperature inside your home will rise above what you have pre-set on the thermostat. A Conventional central AC system can only work in one mode – cooling. In the last decade, a new type of Central AC system is becoming increasingly popular – a Central Heat Pump (also known as Reversed Cycle Air Conditioner). Having poor insulation will have a direct impact on both the short and long term cost of your central AC.
What size air conditioner do I need?
It really helps other visitors to estimate the cost of a new HVAC unit. In 2021, all major HVAC manufacturers including the big ones Carrier/Bryant, Trane/American Standard, Lennox and Rheem/Ruud, announced price increases of around 15% for the equipment. Failing to perform regular AC maintenance may void the manufacturer's warranty. Installing a new high-efficiency AC unit with a high SEER rating provides a return on investment (ROI) of 70% to 85%.
Air Conditioner Unit Costs by Brand
A standard SEER may be sufficient in cooler climates where you only need AC a few times a summer. In hot climates, you may need a very high SEER to help keep your energy costs down with the extra use. Below are the average costs for 3-ton units of varying efficiency amounts. The unit size can be influenced by various outside factors, including how much sun your home gets, how much insulation you have, and the age and type of your ducts. Most homes need between 3 and 3.5 tons, with some larger homes needing 4 or more.
Cost to replace HVAC system by unit
Finding the right system size is important to keeping your utility bills reasonable. A system that’s too small will have to work too hard to cool the space, but a system that’s too big may waste electricity, driving your energy costs up. In general, you’ll need about 20 BTUs for every square foot of interior space, though homes in sunny, warm climates may require more. Here are some basic load calculations for common single-room or whole-home sizes.
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What Factors Affect HVAC Replacement Cost?
Central air conditioning is designed to cool every room in your home simultaneously. However, if you only need to spot cool or cool specific rooms, consider a window unit. They can cool very large, open spaces, but they cannot cool multiple rooms from one unit. In addition, most window units are not designed to stay in the window year-round. This means you have ongoing maintenance and costs in removing and replacing them.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Central Air?
A window AC unit costs $300 to $1,100 with installation or $150 to $800 for the unit alone. Window air conditioner prices depend on the size, brand, efficiency, and features. Ductless mini-split AC installation costs $3,000 to $10,000 on average, depending on the number of zones, BTU size, SEER rating, and brand. A ductless AC system features an outdoor condenser that supports up to five indoor air handlers, also called "zones". The table below shows the AC unit costs from some of the best air conditioning brands on the market.
Labor Cost to Install a Central AC Unit

Remember, while these costs might seem high initially, they’re an investment in your home’s comfort and healthiness – making them well worth considering. Prices of each system will be added together, and you will see an indicator of how many systems are priced. If you have a lot of poorly insulated windows, poor wall insulation, etc, your HVAC system load will be higher than a tightly-insulated home, requiring larger BTU load.
Because most ducts are 12×6 inches or 10×8 inches, even in a relatively small 2×4-foot closet, they take up just 4 of the 64 available cubic feet. Some cooling contractors might suggest using “flex duct” (a small, inexpensive flexible hose) instead of rigid square ducts. But avoid flex duct in active closet spaces — it doesn’t stand up well to wear and tear and is easily punctured. A “package system” gangs the condenser, which cools the refrigerant and exhausts warm air, with the fan-and-coil system, which cools and blows the air. Usilla said he does not recommend the average homeowner attempt to DIY their HVAC install—not just because it can be a complicated process, but also because of the liability involved.
In some cases, you may need a qualified HVAC tech to come out for a pre-installation evaluation. The table below shows common home sizes and the typical central AC unit cost. Remember, homes with vaulted ceilings may need a unit with more output, which could increase costs.
The cost of an Amana central air conditioner averages $3,600 to $6,000 for a 3-ton unit. Amana is an American company that has been making household appliances since the 1930s. This includes air conditioners in a range of different SEER ratings. Unlike central air, which cools your entire home, a window AC unit is installed in one room and is responsible for cooling that room only. Window AC units are most commonly used in bedrooms in homes that do not have ductwork or in homes that only need cooling for a short period of time each year. They range in price from about $150 for units for small rooms to $600 for units for large rooms.
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Second, you will waste money on operating it more to keep up with the cooling demand. First, because so much air escapes, you will need a bigger, more powerful AC unit, which will cost a lot more. Most HVAC contractors partner with an electrician, so you will most likely not need to look for one.
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