Central Air Conditioner Costs In South Jersey

If you are thinking about replacing your Air Conditioning system, the first thing you think about is the cost. It makes sense! Replacing a cooling system is expensive, and it is a decision that will impact your home comfort and energy bills for 10 to 20+ years. Air conditioning equipment costs vary based on efficiency, brand, and type of system. 

The Central Air Conditioner you choose will also have a large impact on your long-term financial savings, especially since electricity costs more than gas dollars and cents wise. Like a furnace, you have different options, based on efficiency and size, that make the costs of an A/C system vary in our area.

As a homeowner, you will want to look to the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of central air conditioners when shopping for a new HVAC system.

So what’s a good SEER rating to look for? Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER stands for a measure that determines energy efficiency and how efficiently an air conditioner converts electricity into cooling power over a cooling season. Higher SEER ratings mean the air conditioning unit is among the options for efficient systems. As ratings increase to a higher SEER, the more efficient the unit is in terms of how much energy it takes to cool your home to a preferred constant indoor temperature.

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Here are some of the most common Central Air Conditioning options and costs:

• Average South Jersey 2–3 bedroom home: 

Size: 2.5-ton / 30,000 BTU
Efficiency: 13-SEER2
Cost: $6,570 – $7,000 (including installation)

• Average South Jersey 2–3 bedroom home: 

Size: 2.5-ton / 30,000 BTU
Efficiency: 14-SEER2
Cost: $7,160 to $8,260 (including installation)

• Average South Jersey 2–3 bedroom home: 

Size: 2.5-ton / 30,000 BTU
Efficiency: 19-SEER2
Cost: $8,445 to $10,080 (including installation)

• Average South Jersey 4–5 bedroom home: 

Size: 3.5-ton / 42,000 BTU
Efficiency: 13-SEER2
Cost: $7,414 to $8,000 (including installation)

• Average South Jersey 4–5 bedroom home: 

Size: 3.5-ton / 42,000 BTU
Efficiency: 16 SEER2
Cost: $8,785 to $10,450 (including installation)

Now, once again, efficiency plays a big part in the cost of your energy bills over the lifespan of your AC system. When going from a 10 SEER A/C which was the standard in 2005 to a 16 SEER unit A/C now [which is about the middle of the road option], you can expect to save roughly 68% in energy savings per year or $240 per year. Over the life expectancy of this unit, about 15-20 years, you can expect to save $3,600 to $4,800 total.

That’s a pretty significant difference in the cost of operation over the lifespan of your AC. Not to mention that the more efficient unit is likely providing better comfort around your space. 

The Cost Of A Condenser Change Out

If your condenser is not working properly and it is time to replace, luckily, it’s not as expensive as the whole air conditioning system, but still makes a dent in the wallet. Replacing an A/C condenser only starts at $4,500 and goes up depending on the difficulty of the installation. This is one of the main components of your HVAC system, and something that you cannot keep the space cool without. 

You may have leaking, overheating parts, or it simply stops running. There are instances where we could replace the part, and the condenser works just fine. For example, an A/C coil replacement cost usually starts at $2,000, while maybe a smaller part like the fan motor costs between $200-$800. 

If there is a problem with the condenser, we recommend having a professional look at it and make a recommendation. If your A/C system is on the older side (10+ years), we would recommend considering a replacement. Your A/C system may be at the end of the road anyway, and it’s best to move on and upgrade the system. 

If you would like to speak to a Comfort Consultant directly, give us a call at (609) 390-3907, or contact us online. Someone can chat with you on the phone about your choices, or better yet, come take a look at your situation and give you some options about the best way to keep your space comfortable. 

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Do You Have Questions? 

I know we just threw a lot of numbers at you, with varying ranges of cost. We certainly hope it helps, but if you have any questions, we would be happy to answer them. Give us a call at (609) 390-3907, or contact us online. Helping people stay comfortable and cozy, no matter if they are at home, or at work, is our specialty!