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How Much Does it Cost to Install an Air Conditioner?

How Much Does it Cost to Install an Air Conditioner?

Depending on the AC system chosen for your home, air conditioner prices can range between approximately $4,275 and $5,900, with an average price of $5,390* (before applicable taxes). The exact cost of an air conditioner will depend on several factors including the size and output of the air conditioning system, size and layout of your home, as well as the condition of your home’s existing insulation and ductwork.

Air conditioners can keep your home cool and free of excess humidity during warmer months. The Home Depot offers a full range of central air conditioners and ductless air conditioners available for installation.

*The average price of $4,275 is based on Ontario pricing for the model of Trane XR13 on a 2-tonn and 1500 sq. ft. home tax excluded.

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Central Air Conditioner Prices

Central Air Conditioner Prices

Central air conditioners range in cost from approximately $7,950 in the low range to $14,500 in the high range, with an average installed cost of $9,450 (before applicable taxes).

Central Air Conditioner Cost

Central air conditioners are designed to serve an entire home and come in a range of sizes. They consist of outdoor and indoor components, working with a furnace or air handler to distribute cooled air to your home via ductwork.

Average cost: $9,450

Approximate cost range: $7,950 to $14,500

Our estimate includes:

  • Central Air Conditioner unit 
  • Standard Installation materials and labour Standard warranty (5 years parts/1 year labour)  
  • Removal of the old unit (disposal fees extra)
Brand
 Model
 Average Cost (2-ton unit) Approx. Cost Range (2-ton unit)
Trane®
 XL16I $7,450 $6,900 - $8,500
Trane®
 XR13 $5,390 $4,500 - $6,550
RunTru®
 4A4C3
 $3,995 $3,500 - $5,500
Comfortmaker®
 C4A3
 $3,995
 $3,500 - $5,500

All costs based on Ontario pricing and exclude applicable taxes. Costs shown are for illustrative purposes only and may not apply to all situations. Average Cost represents the average installation cost for a 2-ton Central Air Conditioning unit in a 1,500 square-foot home. During your free in-home consultation, a Home Depot Installer will recommend the most appropriate HVAC system options, based on the size of your home as well as other unique factors.

Ductless Air Conditioner Costs

Ductless Air Conditioner Costs

Ductless air conditioners range in cost from approximately $4,250 in the low range to $6,500 in the high range, with an average installed cost of $4,950 (before applicable taxes), for ductless systems with 1 indoor and 1 outdoor unit.

Ductless Air Conditioner Prices

Ductless, or “mini-split,” air conditioners are designed to serve single rooms and small spaces. They consist of an indoor and outdoor unit, cooling the air and distributing it directly to your home without the need for ductwork or any additional delivery systems such as a furnace or air handler.

Additional indoor units can also be installed to allow a ductless system to serve more than one room at a time.

Average cost: $4,950

Approximate cost range: $4,250 to $6,500

Our estimate includes:

  • Ductless Air Conditioner (indoor and outdoor unit)
  • Standard Installation materials and labour
  • Standard warranty (5 years parts/1 year labour)
  • Removal of the old unit (disposal fees extra)
Brand
 Model
 Average Cost (12,000 BTU) Approx. Cost Range (2-ton unit)
Trane®
 4MXW25
 $4,400 $3,900-$5,500
Trane®
 4MXW38
 $6,500 $5,400-$7,500
Trane®
 4MXW85
 *Available for multi-head unit installations only; for more information on pricing, request a consultation
  
Runtru®
 M4THS2312 
 $4,250
 $3,750-$5,500

All costs based on Ontario pricing and exclude applicable taxes. Costs shown are for illustrative purposes only and may not apply to all situations. Average Cost represents average installation cost for a Ductless Air Conditioning system with a single indoor head unit. During your free in-home consultation, a Home Depot Installer will recommend the most appropriate HVAC system options, based on the size of your home as well as other unique factors

What is BTU and What Does it Mean for my Air Conditioner?

“BTU” stands for “British Thermal Unit”, which is used to measure thermal energy output. It takes 1 BTU to change the temperature of a pound of water at sea level by 1 degree Fahrenheit.

An air conditioner’s BTU rating reflects its overall cooling capacity. The amount of BTUs required depends on the size and layout of the space to be cooled, as well as the condition of your home’s insulation and/or ductwork.

Other factors unique to your home, such as ceiling height, the amount of sunlight or shade it receives and the number of people living in it, also need to be considered to help determine the correct size and capacity of air conditioner.

Adding Central Air Conditioning Without Existing Ductwork

A central air system is most easily installed in a home during construction, before the drywall has gone up. For that same reason, retrofitting a central air system into a home is a much larger job than simply replacing the heating or cooling unit, since it requires building an entire network of air ducts into a finished home.

Done properly, a skilled HVAC Installer should be able to carry out this job in a minimally invasive way. For instance, ducts can be installed to run through the attic, crawlspaces and closets, rather than having to tear down walls.

During your free, in-home consultation, a Home Depot Installer will be able to determine whether and where you need to add ductwork and provide a detailed cost estimate for the work involved.

Multi-Unit Ductless Air Conditioners

Multi-Unit Ductless Air Conditioners

By connecting the outdoor unit to more than one indoor unit, ductless air conditioners can be set up to serve multiple rooms in your home. Depending on your needs, installing a multi-unit ductless system may be a cost-effective, less intrusive alternative to retrofitting your home with ductwork.

The cost of a multi-head ductless air conditioning system will depend on the number of additional indoor units installed and the required BTU output to adequately serve your home.

During your free, in-home consultation, a Home Depot Installer can help you determine whether a multi-head ductless air conditioning system is right for your home and provide a detailed cost estimate for the recommended work.

Portable and Window Air Conditioner Costs

Portable and Window Air Conditioner Costs

Portable, window and through-the-wall air conditioners are small, single-room units that can be purchased in-store or online. They’re a great choice for those with smaller units and apartments or those who are on a tighter budget when it comes to air conditioner costs.

How to Choose an Air Conditioner

9 Factors That Affect Air Conditioner Prices:

Type of AC unit

A Home Depot Installer will help you determine whether you need a central or ductless air conditioner and the price associated with both options.

Size of AC unit

Central air conditioners are available in sizes ranging from 1.5-5 tons. A Home Depot Installer will determine the correct size for your home’s square footage.

Efficiency rating

The most efficient AC units carry a higher up-front cost, but they can save money over time by consuming less energy. SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings of 13-14 are standard, while 16 and higher are considered high efficiency.

Brand name

The Home Depot carries a variety of top air conditioner brands, including Trane®, Ameristar®, GE® and Comfortmaker®, to match your needs and budget.

Amount of work required

Factors unique to your home, such as the location of the unit and general state of repair, could affect the overall air conditioner installation cost.

Ductwork

Most air conditioner installations only require minor adjustments to ductwork to fit the new AC equipment; however, the Installer will assess your ductwork to determine whether additional repair or replacement work is needed.

System upgrades

Your Installer may recommend additional equipment, such as a smart thermostat or HVAC zoning system, to help control temperatures more precisely and boost your new air conditioner’s performance.

Your Location

Air conditioner prices may vary from one region to the next.

Warranty

Extended warranties of 10 years, for both parts and labour, can be purchased from a Home Depot Installer, over and above the standard 5-year parts/1-year labour coverage for air conditioners.

Energy Efficiency: What Does SEER Mean?

Energy Efficiency: What Does SEER Mean?

Air conditioners are now more energy efficient than ever before. Look for the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating to compare their performance. 13-14 SEER is now considered standard efficiency for a central air conditioner, with many available systems rated at 16 SEER or even over 20. By comparison, it was common just a decade ago for people to own units with SEER ratings of 10 or lower.

The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the air conditioner. While the most efficient air conditioners typically carry a premium up-front cost, they can save money on hydro since they don’t have to work as hard to do the same job as a less-efficient unit.

Ductless air conditioners are often more energy efficient than central air conditioners, with many carrying SEER ratings in the low-20s or higher. This is largely because they deliver cooled air directly to the room, so none is lost through leaks in ductwork.

Can I Save Money by Installing an Air Conditioner Myself?

All central and ductless air conditioners require professional installation.

Air conditioner installation is a complex job that includes electrical work and refrigeration. It requires the skill and expertise of a licensed HVAC technician. Home Depot Installers are trusted professionals, dedicated to matching the right air conditioner for your needs.

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