The price of the best central air conditioner comes down to two main factors: the cost of the base unit, listed above, and the cost of installation. In our lineup, we have only covered the cost of the base unit and an estimate of the price range required for a basic installation.
You won’t know the exact cost of the entire HVAC installation until you seek quotes from authorized contractors who can install your selected AC unit. Getting quotes from a handful of local contractors will give you a better idea of the exact installation cost because many variables come into play, such as the size of your home, the location of your home, and its current infrastructure. On top of that, there will be a figure for the servicing contract afterward.
The price of the base unit might be bumped up by features such as a high SEER rating, brand reputation, size, and smart features. You should expect higher-end air conditioning brands to cost more to install due to all of the premium parts required. If you consider that the installation will cost somewhere between $2,000 and $6,000 and add on the base unit, you’ll soon have a better idea of the overall cost of your central air conditioning unit.
Remember that any ductwork or a gas furnace replacement will bump up the costs further, as will a multi-zone system.