You’ve just purchased your first home in Bozeman—congratulations! Whether you’re building from the ground up or remodeling to make it the house of your dreams, you’ll need to consider air conditioning installation at some point. Air conditioning is no longer considered a luxury as it was several decades ago. To stay cool on the hottest Montana days, you’ll need an air conditioning unit tailored to your home’s specific cooling needs and designed for durability. In this quick guide, we’ll outline what’s involved with a basic A/C unit installation, costs, and what you should consider before hiring a technician to install an air conditioner.
It’s crucial to note that this is not a DIY guide. Air conditioning installation should always be done by a licensed professional. Our goal is to give you a brief overview of what to expect with a Bozeman air conditioning installation so you can make informed decisions about your HVAC system. We believe in arming our customers with the best information possible so they feel confident in their home care choices.
Quick Guide to Bozeman Air Conditioning Installation
What’s Involved in Air Conditioning Installation
The process of air conditioning installation can be broken down into four stages: the initial visit, the check-in with the installation team, the actual system installation, and the final cleanup and walk-through.
Initial Visit
During the initial visit, a Home Comfort Adviser will review your existing air conditioning system. Or, if you are currently in the building stage, they will go over what type of A/C unit would best suit the needs of the home’s floor plan. They will collect necessary information about your home and personal cooling needs to provide the most accurate estimate possible. The in-home assessment we provide includes a heat gain/loss calculation based on your specific home, measurements of the existing system, and a compatibility check on what types of equipment can be used to serve you. After the visit, you will be provided with estimates for one or more options to choose from. Once you agree on the estimate and installation proposal, you will schedule a time for an installation team to set up the new air conditioner in your home.
Installation Team Check-In
When the installation team arrives to install your air conditioning unit, they will share and review the job information with you. This way, you can see the full details of the job including equipment information and any special instructions given by you to the estimator. After taking a few moments to review the job information and sign off on the process, the installation team will start laying down drop cloths and other protective equipment to keep your home safe and clean. They will also turn off the gas supply and electrical circuits connected to the existing HVAC system.
System Installation
Air conditioning installation is a very involved process, so only trained professionals should install an A/C unit. For an air conditioning replacement, your installation team will remove the existing air conditioner (if applicable), safely reclaim and recycle any refrigerant, and prepare the area for the new air conditioner unit. Preparing the area may include leveling the ground and replacing the pad the unit will be set on. Then, the new unit is installed, which includes installing new indoor evaporator coils, placing new copper refrigerant lines, setting up the new air conditioner condenser, etc. On average, air conditioner system installation takes about eight hours in total.
Final Cleanup/Walk-through
After installation is complete, the team will remove any old equipment, clean up the work area, restore power and gas to the unit, and ensure your home is spotless after they leave. As a TRANE and Mitsubishi Dealer, we do a factor “Start Up” of your new equipment to validate the proper operation, refrigerant levels, and expected performance, which includes testing and adjusting fan speeds and refrigerant levels if instructed. Your installers will also walk you through the work completed and go over any special instructions, safety, maintenance, etc. After this, signatures and payments are collected.
Air Conditioning Installation Costs
The total price of air conditioning installation varies depending on the project. On average, installing a new air conditioner will cost roughly between $5,000 and $15,000. A variety of factors go into the price of an installation project but typically include the following:
- New vs Replacement – An entirely new air conditioning system requiring ductwork will typically cost more than only replacing the air conditioning unit.
- Comfort Level – Everyone has different levels of desired cooling comfort for their home. Whether you rarely turn on the A/C or love the constant cool, your ideal comfort level will contribute to the type of air conditioner unit you choose and how many rooms you need cool air to flow to.
- Home Efficiency – If your home is efficiently designed, it may already do a great job naturally staying cool in the hotter months. However, if you have poor insulation and lots of natural light, you may need a more robust air conditioner to keep your home cool.
- Desired Efficiency – Air conditioners with high energy efficiency typically cost more upfront, but they can save you more money on your utility bills in the long run.
- Noise Level – Different A/C unit models have different levels of noise they put out, so you will want to choose a system that fits your desired level of quiet.
- Choice of System – Depending on your system of choice, a central A/C unit may cost between $5,000 and $13,000. The system you choose depends on your budget and home’s needs.
- Square Footage – Your home’s size will determine the size of the air conditioning unit you need for it. Larger homes need more powerful systems to cool the entire home. An HVAC professional can help you determine which size of air conditioning unit best fits your home’s size by providing an ACCA-approved load calculation.
- Consideration of Heating – An alternative to a standard air conditioner is a heat pump. With a heat pump, you can heat and cool your home. As you plan for efficiency and reducing your carbon footprint, a heat pump can help improve your home’s comfort and efficiency.
- Labor – The amount of work involved in installing your new system contributes to the specific price of your project.
Yea Top-Notch Bozeman AC Installation
To see what your air conditioning installation options are, reach out to our team of Bozeman HVAC professionals. At Mountain Heating & Cooling, our technicians are well-versed in A/C installation. Each technician goes through rigorous training before stepping foot into your home. We understand that air conditioning is a significant investment in your home’s value, so we go above and beyond to make sure you are well informed on what your options are so you can make educated, confident choices. To get an estimate, schedule an appointment with our team today.