Homeowners want their houses to be comfortable at any point in the year and often turn to centralized air and heat as a solution. Heating and cooling for every part of the house is a popular amenity in the United States. But if you renovate a home that doesn’t have it, or you are thinking about upgrading the entire system and ductwork in your home, the costs make plenty of research worthwhile.

The installation of central heat or air, or even just the air if you already have the heating aspect taken care of, is not an easy process, especially for an inexperienced installer. It can be a costly undertaking, which is why it’s a good idea for you to have some basic knowledge of how it all works and how installation services are priced to ensure you get the best deal.

By far the most important thing for you to do is to hire the right people. Make sure to compare and contrast the professionals in your area.

Here are some other cost concerns you should consider:

The Basic Costs

The installation of central heat and/or central air is by no means a cheap undertaking. There are a lot of factors that go into the price, such as the structure of your house, the caliber of the unit that you purchase, and several other underlying circumstances that can either decrease or increase the price. But you’re most likely looking at expenses that will run you at the very least a couple thousand dollars for central air and much higher for both heating and air. One of the benefits of centralized heating and air conditioning is the efficiency, so you ideally will save money in the long run. But you should be prepared for the formidable costs up front.

 

The Ducts

One of the major factors influencing the costs of the job is whether or not your house comes equipped with ducts through which the air and heat can pass. If you already have central heat, the ducts are in place and the price of installing central air is drastically lowered. However, if you don’t have ducts, the extra costs of installing them, which requires workers to really delve into the nooks and crannies of your house, can be substantial. Ductless heating and cooling systems are another options are less costly than installing ducts, but some homeowners don’t like the look of the wall units that need to be installed in each room.

 

The Electrical

A centralized system can save money on your electric bills in the long run. But your electric panel must be able to support a new breaker to install, for example, a new air-conditioning system. Otherwise, an electrician may be needed, which can end up adding significant costs.

 

Again, the benefits far outweigh the downsides of central air and heat, as long as you’re prepared for the initial costs. Just remember to hire an experienced professional to walk you through the process.

 

About the Author

In the home and commercial construction trade for over thirty years, Bilox Wells helps property owners and renters find and hire home service professionals at Find Home Pro.