A central air conditioning unit acts like a refrigerator that keeps your entire house cool in sweltering summers. With global warming on the rise, the demand for home and office air conditioning is likely to increase further. The share of air conditioning in household electricity consumption was more than 20% in the US in 2018.
In other words, as it is one of the highest power-consuming elements in your house, you need to pay careful attention to the air conditioning. Knowing how your central air conditioning works will help you determine its cost as well as hire the right air conditioning services in Florida.
Central air conditioning is one of the most popular types of air conditioner units. If you are thinking about how much it will cost to replace central air conditioning in Florida, this post should help.
Let’s first understand what central air conditioning is and how it works.
A. How a Central Air Conditioning System Works
Central air conditioning has been a popular choice in the US for quite some time now. It usually comprises a condenser unit, an air handler with a blower, and ducts with fins carrying the cooled air into your house.
The condenser is often found outside the house, while the air handler is placed in the attic or basement, hidden away from visible areas of the house. While the condenser provides you with cooled air, the air handler blows the cooled air through the ducts into different rooms and draws out hot air.
The thermostat located in your house will recognize the change in the temperature, sending a signal to the air handler. As soon as the air handler receives the signal, it will start working.
The hot air gets drawn into the air handler after it passes through an air filter. As the clean air passes through the evaporator coil, it loses moisture and heat. While the condenser dissipates the heat that escaped from the cooled air, the blower starts providing the cooled air into your house.
Most central air conditioning units are durable. However, over time it will start losing its efficiency, resulting in a higher energy bill. If your central air conditioning unit is considerably old, you need to replace it with a new one by procuring the best air conditioning services in Florida.
B. Understanding the Cost of Replacing Central Air Conditioning in Florida
You can get a ballpark figure of how much it will cost to replace central air conditioning in Florida from the Web. However, the actual cost will vary depending on a variety of factors.
1. Size of the Unit
The size of your AC unit, measured in tons, will be the primary factor determining the cost of replacement. Usually, most households in the US have central AC units ranging between the size of three to five tons. The bigger the size of the AC unit, the more the replacement will cost.
2. Energy-Efficiency
As is the case with any energy-efficient appliances like a refrigerator or an oven, an energy-efficient AC unit will be expensive. However, you will have to pay lower energy costs in the long run. So, you can either pay higher one-time costs and lower recurring energy costs or lower one-time costs and higher recurring energy costs.
3. Type of Cooling
Most older versions of central air conditioners have a single-speed cooling system. Known as single-stage ACs, these units either stay on or off. Unfortunately, these models are not as energy-efficient as the newer models with variable-speed compressors.
If you are replacing your old unit with a variable-speed AC, the installation and unit costs will be higher. However, you will get lower energy bills and better dehumidification. Plus, your home will have even cooling in every room.
4. The Air Conditioning Services in Florida You Hire
Finally, the cost of AC replacement will also depend on which air conditioning services in Florida you hire. You will also have to take into account your location. Both factors will affect the labor costs, delivery charges, and any additional taxes or costs involved in replacing your AC.
It is often better to hire an experienced, skilled, and professional AC installation and service provider in your area. The service provider should also have a proven track record, and the required licenses and certifications.
At any cost, avoid hiring the cheapest contractor. If the installation isn’t per the code or isn’t durable, you will have to spend more money on re-installation and repair. Always work with a trusted service provider.
Your service provider will also provide you with a more accurate estimate after a home visit. Make sure to get a detailed breakdown of the overall cost, including the cost of AC unit, labor, delivery, and applicable taxes.
Conclusion
A central air conditioner is an excellent alternative to keep your house cool during the scorching summer heat. However, when replacing your old central AC unit with a new one, you will need to trade carefully. You should know how the system works and the factors affecting the replacement cost. Hopefully, this post will help you make an informed decision when replacing your central AC unit.
Call the Best Air Conditioning Team in Florida
When it comes to air conditioning services in Florida, Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration is your best option. From honest and upfront pricing to same-day and 24/7 service, you can enjoy a ton of benefits when you hire us. Give us a call on (561) 782-2779 to schedule an appointment to find out how we can help.
