If you're tired of trying to stay cool with window air conditioners, it's probably time to upgrade to a central air unit. You'll be able to keep your whole house at a comfortable temperature, and the cost may not be as much as you imagine. Different factors affect the price of a new air conditioning system whether you're installing one for the first time or upgrading an old unit. Here's a look at some of these factors.

Capacity Of The Air Conditioner

Air conditioners are sized in tons, which reflects the amount of hot air they can remove from your home in an hour. You want just the right size, because one that is too small or too large will not cool down your house properly. An HVAC contractor calculates the size you need by taking into account the square footage of your home, the amount of insulation it has, and the climate in your area. While you'll pay more for a larger unit, you'll pay less in operating costs by purchasing the right size so it runs efficiently.

Installation Of Ducts

If your home already has a furnace with ducts in place, you can save a lot of money on your AC installation by hooking into the ducts you already have. Otherwise, the contractor needs to install new ducts to deliver the air throughout your house. You can get metal ducts, spiral plastic ducts, and ones made from fiberboard. Metal ducts cost more, but they are the most durable, the least susceptible to mold growth, and the easiest to clean. You can save money on your initial installation with spiral plastic ducts, but these are easier for rodents to destroy, so if you tend to get mice in the winter, you may need to replace the ducts if a mouse chews through them. Even a small hole will allow cool air to escape before it comes out the vents in your home, and that makes it hard for your air conditioner to keep your house cool. Therefore, it's probably worth paying more for durable ducts.

New Electrical Connections

Another expense you'll need to take on when you install a central air conditioner for the first time is new wiring. You'll need new wiring that goes to the unit and a new breaker for your electrical panel. If you're simply replacing your current central air conditioner with a new one, then you can probably eliminate the expense of new wiring and new ducts, which will save quite a bit of money, maybe even about half of what you would pay if you're installing a new system for the first time. While you're looking at an expense of a few thousand dollars to have central air conditioning installed, you'll probably think it's worth it during the hot and humid summer months.

If you want the lowest price on your air conditioning system so it will fit your budget, try to find sales rather than skimp on quality of installation and equipment. Spring and summer are busy months for the AC industry, so you may find discounts during the cooler months of the year when contractors aren't as busy. For more information, contact Peterson Oil.