How Much Does An HVAC System Installation Cost?
Installing a good HVAC system in your home will ensure your comfort and can save you from paying unnecessary medical, insurance, repair, and energy costs. For instance, a properly functioning HVAC system can shield your loved ones from weather-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heatstroke, pneumonia, and more. By keeping indoor temperatures optimum, your HVAC system can also prevent freezing and bursting of pipes, and hence, protect your home from water damage. Typically, HVAC installation cost varies depending on different factors, including the ones discussed in this article.
How Much Does An HVAC System Installation Cost?
Table of Contents
- 1 How Much Does An HVAC System Installation Cost?
- 2 Average Cost To Install A Heating System In New York
- 3 How Much Does It Cost To Install Central Air Conditioning In NY?
- 4 Call Hart Home Comfort For Your HVAC Installation Requirements
In general, the cost of installing an HVAC system varies across the board based on specific factors. For instance, a ducted system requires a ductwork network, which would add to your installation cost if your home does not already have HVAC ductwork. On the other hand, a ductless system eliminates the need to install a ducted network, meaning they’re generally less expensive to install, but generally cost more to purchase.
Factors That Influence The Installation Of An HVAC System
As mentioned above, the average cost of installing an HVAC system in New York depends on the factors that are included in the installation. These factors include:
- the complexity of the installation
- the square footage of the house
- number of HVAC zones
- type of HVAC system
- heating and cooling capability of the system
- the efficiency of the system
- accessories
- and more
HVAC contractors usually charge the cost of installation per square foot, meaning, installing an HVAC system in a bigger house will cost more. If they have to divide it into different HVAC zones, this will cost even more considering the additional duct dampers needed to redirect air to different zones. The SEER and AFUE rating of an HVAC system can also influence the cost. A highly efficient system will cost more and vice versa. For example, the SEER rating of an air conditioner typically ranges from 13 to 28, and the cost increases with efficiency, as reported by the Air conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). Additional HVAC accessories such as UV lights, indoor air purifiers, whole-house humidifiers, and dehumidification systems typically drive up the cost of the HVAC installation.
Average Cost To Install A Heating System In New York
The following is a detailed discussion on the costs of installing different heating systems in New York.
What Is The Cost Of Installing A New Boiler?
About 9 million households in the US use boilers for home heating. One advantage of boilers is that they provide reliable, stable heat to keep your house warm, although this depends, of course, on the efficiency of the unit. The cost of installing a boiler in your house basically depends on the square footage of your home, with smaller homes costing less than bigger ones. In New York, the cost of installing a boiler ranges from $6,000 to $15,000, with the cost of labor alone falling between $1,500 to $3,500 depending on the HVAC contractor you hire.
Factors That Influence Boiler Installation Cost
Below are other factors that may affect the cost of installing a new boiler:
- Location: The size of the boiler you choose for your home should take the climate of your region into consideration. That’s why the cost varies by location. Additionally, this cost also varies from one state to another.
- Size: Bigger houses typically require larger boiler units for efficient heating and vice versa. The cost of installing bigger boiler units is also higher than that of installing smaller ones. Specifically, larger units require more labor and infrastructure, factors that add more to the cost. Take note that installing an oversized boiler will increase your heating costs unnecessarily and cause discomfort in your home. As such, ask a qualified HVAC contractor to determine the suitable BTU for your home, and hence, the right boiler size.
- Type Of Boiler: Common types of boilers include system boilers, conventional boilers, and combination boilers. Generally, combi boilers are less expensive than conventional boilers. They also provide different efficiencies.
- Fuel Type: When calculating residential boiler prices, it is also prudent to consider the cost of fuel. Examples of fuels used in boiler units include, among others, heating oil, gas, and electricity. The costs of these fuels fluctuate with seasons and market forces, and hence, put this in mind when choosing the type of fuel for your boiler.
- Special Features: If you’re switching from one boiler or fuel type to another, the HVAC contractor will have to make some modifications and upgrades to your home during installation. Other features such as ductwork, tanks, valves, and electric cables may be required depending on the type of boiler being installed. All these factors will increase the cost of installation.
What Is The Cost To Install A Furnace?
The average cost of installing a furnace in New York is $4,500 to $7,000. This cost varies from one HVAC contractor to another as well as the square footage of the house.
Factors That Influence Furnace Installation Cost
Here is a look at other factors that influence the cost of installing a furnace.
- Furnace Installation Complexity: On average, it takes about 4 to 8 hours to install a furnace in a residential building. However, more time may be necessary in case there are some complexities involved, such as HVAC ductwork, gas lines, and electrical wiring modifications. An HVAC contractor is likely to charge you more in case of such complexities during installation.
- Furnace Energy Source: The type of fuel used in the furnace can also influence the installation costs directly. For instance, while electrically powered furnaces are typically cheaper to install, the long-term energy costs are usually high. Gas furnaces are also cheaper compared to oil furnaces. However, heating oil burns hotter than natural gas, meaning that it costs far less in the long run.
- Size Of The Furnace: The cost of installing a furnace increases with the furnace size. Therefore, you should ask a professional HVAC contractor to perform a Manual J, or HVAC load calculation, for your home to choose the right furnace size. This is because, while an undersized furnace will not provide sufficient heating, an oversized one will dry up all the humidity in your home and hike up heating costs.
- Furnace Efficiency: High-efficiency furnaces are generally more expensive in terms of starting costs. The good news is that they significantly lower your long-term energy costs. An experienced HVAC contractor can help you choose an energy-efficient furnace AFUE rating, depending on the size of your home as well as your heating needs.
How Much Does It Cost To Install Central Air Conditioning In NY?
Below, we discuss the typical costs involved in the installation of specific cooling systems in New York.
Installing AC In A House That Has Ductwork And An Existing Furnace
As mentioned earlier, additional features such as the need to install HVAC ductwork contribute to the increase of the installation costs of an HVAC system. This means that if you already have ductwork and a furnace in place, you will likely save on the installation costs of the central air conditioning system installation. Even better, HVAC contractors will have an easier time installing a central air conditioner in a home with existing ductwork and a furnace.
Nevertheless, the condition of the ductwork and furnace may also affect the costs when it comes to a forced-air air conditioning system. For instance, if the ductwork is old and worn-out, refurbishment or replacement will be necessary to maintain high efficiency in the central air conditioner.
The furnace may also need servicing in case it is not in perfect working condition. In cases where the furnace is working perfectly, you will save a lot on the installation costs.
Factors That Influence Central Air Conditioner Installation Cost
Here is a look at some of the factors that influence the installation costs of a central air conditioner:
- Type Of Air Conditioner: Air conditioning systems come in different shapes, sizes, and functionality. For instance, some systems provide single-speed air conditioning while other supply air at variable speeds. The type of system you choose will directly influence the costs of installation.
- Air Conditioner Size: Larger air conditioning systems tend to be more expensive since they supply air within the wider square footage.
- AC Efficiency: An air conditioner with a high SEER rating will typically cost more when it comes to installation. One of the benefits of such a system is that it will save long-term energy costs due to its high efficiency.
- HVAC Installation & Labor Rates: Different HVAC contractors charge varying installation fees depending on the air conditioner size and the complexities involved, among other factors. To significantly lower your installation costs without compromising the quality of the AC installation, the experts at Hart Home Comfort in NY can get the job done.
- HVAC Ductwork Condition: As mentioned earlier, installing a central air conditioner in a house with existing ductwork is generally cheaper, unless the ductwork needs replacement or renovation. This means that if the HVAC team has to install everything, including the ductwork, from scratch, you will incur more on your HVAC system install costs.
- Additional HVAC Equipment: If you want additional accessories, such as whole-house dehumidifiers or air purifiers, added to your central air conditioning system, your installation cost will increase.
- HVAC Zones: If different parts of your home have varying heating and cooling requirements, you will need an HVAC zoning system to ensure that the system supplies air according to the need. Depending on the number of zones created, you will need to have dampers installed, and this will increase the installation cost.
Installing Central AC In A House Heated With A Boiler
Here, we discuss the typical costs that come with installing a central air conditioning system in a house that has a boiler but lacks HVAC ductwork. Without ductwork in place, the cost of installing a central AC system will range from $7,000 to $17,500, an amount significantly higher than what you will possibly incur if you had existing ductwork in place. Usually, in such a house, the HVAC installation team will have to construct ductwork from scratch. The project may also involve tearing down and rebuilding walls and ceilings to create room for the ductwork.
Depending on the design and layout of your house, there may be no room for ductwork. Most older houses are made of plaster walls that are difficult to modify, and as such, installing ductwork in such houses can be challenging. Even if the HVAC contractors manage to install the ductwork, it will likely compromise the structural integrity of your home considering the modification of different parts of the house. To avoid this, go for a ductless air conditioning system, which will not only keep the installation costs low but also maintain the structural integrity of your house, especially if you live in an older, historic home.
Ductless Air Conditioning In Specific Rooms To Cool Room by Room
At times, a specific room in your house may have special heating and cooling requirements. For instance, a newly-built sunroom will tend to be hotter in the summer than the rest in the home, and hence, zoned cooling will be necessary. A ductless air conditioner can enable you to control the temperature in that room without modifying the structure of your home or constructing ducts. Single-zone ductless mini-split systems are particularly useful when it comes to providing supplemental heating or cooling in specific rooms. By heating and cooling specific rooms on-demand, you can greatly lower your energy costs, a quality that makes ductless zoned systems more efficient.
Ductless For The Entire Home – Multi-Head Install
If you want to cool or heat different rooms independently using a ductless set-up, a multi-zone ductless HVAC system makes that possible. In this system, a single compressor manages up to 8 indoor air handlers that control the flow of air to different rooms/zones. You can set different temperatures on the thermostats to ensure that each room is heated or cooled to certain temperatures. Even better, you can turn off heating or cooling in unoccupied rooms to save on your energy costs. Multi-zone ductless HVAC systems are typically suitable for homes with at least 2 floors, older homes that don’t have ductwork, and other configurations. The cost of installing such systems ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 in New York.
Conclusion
To determine the cost of installing an HVAC system in your home, consider all the factors discussed in this article. A professional HVAC contractor can also help you come up with an accurate cost estimate based on the size of your home, the size of the HVAC system, and your expected heating and cooling needs. At Hart Home Comfort, we install, replace, and maintain all types of HVAC systems for households in New York and beyond.
Call Hart Home Comfort For Your HVAC Installation Requirements
When you need excellent HVAC services in Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Queens, New York, do not hesitate to contact Hart Home Comfort. We have highly trained and professionally certified technicians for all your heating and cooling needs, including HVAC installations, boiler replacements, AC tune-ups, furnace upgrades, ductless, and more. Each of our skilled techs is highly knowledgeable and experienced to service any HVAC make and model correctly.
Hart Home Comfort offers the most competitive cooling and heating service rates in the area. Our maintenance services are guaranteed to help improve your comfort, indoor air quality, and energy efficiency. We can also recommend the best HVAC repair or HVAC replacement options while remaining on budget. Our work comes with a guarantee because your satisfaction is essential to us. Book your next air conditioner maintenance or service appointment with Hart Home Comfort today. We provide free, in-home estimates.
For any questions about what Hart Home Comfort can do for you, give us a call today. Click here to contact us now or call us at (631) 667-3200 to find out more!