How Long Does It Take to Replace an Air Conditioner - Draft Control Heating & Cooling (2024)

FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Replace an Air Conditioner - Draft Control Heating & Cooling? ›

Barring unusual circ*mstances, a standard air conditioning replacement can take as little as a few hours, maybe as much as 8-10 hours if the job is rough (odd ductwork, retrofitting, small space for installation, etc.).

On average, it will take between 4 to 8 hours to replace an air conditioner. If you are replacing both your furnace and air conditioning unit at the same time, then the job will take between 8 to 14 hours.

If both units are approaching the end of their lifespans, replacing both may be more cost-effective. If your AC unit is at the end of its life, and your furnace is only a few years old and performing well, it might make more sense to only replace the AC unit.

In fact, most units only need to be recharged once every two to five years – and sometimes even longer than that. The main exception to this rule is if there's a leak in the system, which will cause the refrigerant level to drop over time.

The Answer Is Seldom A Simple One

It entails removing and disposing of any remaining refrigerant, disconnecting and removing the old compressor, installing the new one with proper fittings, and recharging with refrigerant. Add it all up and it typically takes four to six hours.

If your furnace and AC units are several years old and starting to show signs of wear, it may be more cost-effective to replace them both at the same time. This way, you can take advantage of discounts for buying two units at once, and you won't have to pay for two separate installations.

An existing ductwork can save you a lot of money and time. Be it metal or synthetic, the duct provides a basic framework to install central air. According to our team of professionals, a house that is sized 2000 square feet may take up to two to three days for fully functioning Central air.

Maintaining Energy Efficiency

This means that both parts of the system are meant to work together so that they provide the optimum efficiency and performance in your home. If you just replace one part of the HVAC system, then you are most likely not getting the target efficiency and performance out of the product.

Here are the average life expectancies of different HVAC systems: Air conditioners and heat pumps: 10 to 15 years. Furnaces and boilers: 15 to 20 years. Geothermal: 30 years.

In most instances, the Department of Energy says many air conditioners last for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it's well past the midpoint. It's wise to start preparing for air conditioning installation before it goes out so you aren't roasting while you're waiting for a new one.

How many years does Freon last in a air conditioner? ›

Theoretically, Freon can last forever. It is not burned up like fuel. When an air conditioning system is in top shape, the refrigerant will be continually recycled within a closed system, to cool your home. However, as the AC tubing ages and wears out, it tends to develop leaks in the system.

The short answer is that your AC compressor and refrigerant should last about 12-15 years. Learning what crucial components, and how to maintain the compressor, can keep your AC running efficiently for its entire lifespan.

Expect to pay around $300 on average, or between $200 and $500* to add freon to your AC unit. Part of understanding air conditioning (AC) costs is understanding how refrigerant works. Freon is a refrigerant brand, but it's become a generic name for the important substance your AC uses to cool your home.

Your air conditioner compressor should last the whole lifespan of your air conditioner, about twelve years or more if you choose a ClimateCare air conditioner. However, it might not last that long if your air conditioner is too small for the space it's cooling, or if you don't keep your air conditioner well-maintained.

An AC compressor is expensive to replace because it takes at least four hours to complete, and replacement parts are among the most expensive parts of the air conditioner. In many cases, replacing the entire air conditioning system is more cost-effective than just the compressor.

If, on inspection, you hear chattering, whining, squealing, chirping, or rattling sounds coming from the AC compressor, it is time for AC service. Sometimes the commotion only erupts when you engage the AC switch. Some noises remain constant. Compressor noises result from either a faulty clutch or a seizing shaft.

If you're worried about not having heat while the installation is in progress, the good news is that most replacements won't take more than a day. On average, home heating companies can complete the installation in about four to eight hours, depending on the size of your house.

Newer furnaces and air conditioners are much more efficient and will end up saving you big time on your gas and electric bills. The typical lifespan of a furnace is 14-20 years and an air conditioner usually lasts 10-12 years.

A new HVAC system is simply new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Does New HVAC Increase Home Value? We often receive the query, 'does new HVAC add value to home', and though there are a few factors to consider, the answer is that yes, generally it does. It can increase your home's value by up to 10%.

No matter how you phrase it, the simple answer is… YES! If you have a gas furnace, then you can replace just your air conditioner. However, there are some key benefits to replacing both your AC and furnace at the same time.