How much does central AC cost?
So how much does central AC cost?
Depending on a few variables, it costs about $5,500 to install an energy efficient Lennox air conditioner. If you’re replacing an older, inefficient air conditioner, Lennox estimates that you’ll save 38% or about $1,830 over 15-years. Financing an AC installation would cost about $60 a month (5.75%, 10-year term) or less than $50 a month after accounting for the energy savings. Learn more about AC installation in Portland or air conditioning in Bend.
Article at a glance:
Financing: How much to finance an ac installation?
(3.5 minutes to read)
Got questions?
Please give us a call at 541.330.8767 or self-schedule an appointment to install AC in Portland or AC in Bend, Oregon.
What would increase or decrease the cost of AC?
Efficiency
Lower efficiency air conditioners cost less upfront, but you pay more over time on your energy bills. AC efficiency is measured by what’s called the SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). We often find older air conditioners with an efficiency rating of 10 SEER. HVAC companies in Oregon cannot legally install a new AC rated at less than 13 SEER.
Here at GreenSavers, we install air conditioners with a minimum efficiency of 14 SEER. We also install more efficient systems in the 16 SEER range. Clients who want even more efficient heating and cooling typically install a heat pump or ductless heat pump, which can achieve a rating of more than 25 SEER.
Size
What’s the most expensive part of a new air conditioner? It’s the copper piping. Smaller air conditioners require less copper and hence cost less upfront. Because smaller ACs also cost less to operate than larger ACs, we try to install the smallest system that will deliver the cooling that you want.
Electrical
To meet code requirements here in Oregon, we almost always have to update the electrical panel to safely deliver the electricity required. This is especially true for someone who doesn’t already have an air conditioner. When replacing an existing air conditioner, it’s possible but unlikely that no electrical updates would be required.
Ducts
Ducts deliver the cool air from an AC system to the rooms in a home. We often find ducts with gaps, leaks, and unusual configurations. To make sure that a new AC system effectively delivers cool air, we often have to update the ductwork to address any issues that we find.
What incentives are available for central AC?
The Energy Trust of Oregon offers a $250 incentive for central air conditioners rated at 15 SEER or higher.
How much energy would I save?
Of course the answer is that it depends, but for a typical air conditioner replacing an older 10 SEER model, Lennox estimates that you’d save about 38% on energy bills each year. Here’s how much that would save you over time:
5-year savings: $610
10-year savings: $1,220
15-year savings: $1,830
How much to finance an AC installation?
We work closely with six different lending partners. All have strengths that suit different clients. A client considering an AC installation would typically finance through Craft3 or Advantis. It’s worth mentioning that we help clients choose the best lending option and start the paperwork required.
Here’s an example of one financing option offered by Advantis. At a glance:
Maximum amount: $25,000
Rate: 5.75%
Term: 10-years (no prepayment penalty)
Using this loan to pay for a $5,500 AC installation would cost about $60 a month. If you’re replacing an older air conditioner (see previous section), you could subtract your estimated energy savings so that you net cost per month would be about $50 a month.
Learn More About Air Conditioning
Start by visiting our air conditioning resource pages for homeowners in Portland or Bend, Oregon. You can also keep reading our latest blog articles about energy efficient home cooling.
