Average Cost of a New Heating and Cooling System in Louisville, KY

HVAC unit replacement is one of the most important investments you have to make when you choose to live in a house. If you’re planning to replace an HVAC system in the near future, you must decide which type of HVAC equipment you want to use for your heating or cooling system, HVAC unit size, energy efficiency, and more. Choose a heat pump, geothermal heat pump, air conditioner, electric furnace, gas furnace, boiler, or ductless HVAC units!

You might be wondering about the average cost to replace and cost to install a new HVAC system. The new HVAC unit heating and cooling system average cost you’ll pay will vary based on a few different factors. A quick chat with a technician can help you find the right new heating or cooling system (and explain some of the contributing factors for your HVAC replacement costs).

The average HVAC system costs are hefty, but working with a qualified HVAC contractor helps ensure that you get the right new heating system or cooling system in your home at affordable HVAC installation costs. Work with an HVAC professional at Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to learn the price of the average HVAC replacement as well as the cost to replace HVAC system units at your home.

HVAC Unit Choices When Buying a HVAC Systems

When purchasing a residential HVAC unit, there is a wide array of options to consider. HVAC systems are generally more versatile than people think, and you shouldn’t be afraid to try something new even though you’re used to your existing HVAC system. Choosing the right type of HVAC unit can be complicated and can get expensive if done incorrectly.

Split systems are more common than packaged units and may be more suitable for a variety of applications. Split systems use indoor air handlers that hold the air blower and evaporator coles, as well as separate outdoor equipment, which is the heat pump or air conditioning unit. In comparison, packaged units have all HVAC system components in one cabinet.

• A furnace’s job is to heat your home and keep it warm during the winter. The furnace converts a fuel source into heat which is used to generate hot air for the inside of your home. Warmed air from the furnace then travels through air ducts and distributes itself throughout the house.
  
  
• Air conditioners work by transferring the heat from inside your home to the outside air. Air conditioning systems consist of three primary parts: an outdoor unit (AC), an indoor unit, and a refrigerant line that connects the two. The process begins in the outdoor unit, which houses the compressor, condenser, and evaporator coils. Heat from inside the house is gathered by the evaporator coil and transferred to the outside air when cooling system use is needed.
  
  
• A heat pump is a mechanical HVAC system that can heat or cool as needed, depending on the season. When acting as the home’s cooling system, it functions similarly to an air conditioning unit. Unlike air conditioners that work only when cooling the air inside your house, a heat pump can reverse operation and heat the air during heating months.
  
  
• A geothermal heat pump uses a series of ground loop pipes to pull in and circulate heat energy to heat air in your home, and can also function as a cooling system. The heat pump relies on nature’s ambient temperature for efficient heating or cooling inside.
  
  
• Ductless HVAC systems use indoor air handlers connecting to an outdoor AC unit or heat pump to keep your home at the perfect temperature. By removing the need for ductwork, each room can be handled by a separate air handler that brings air in from outside. These completely customizable units that can be installed in any room, delivering personalized heating and cooling like a zoning system.

Elements Impacting HVAC System Costs

HVAC installation costs and replacement cost are unique to each home. The average HVAC replacement project is a large investment, but it can pay off in the long run, especially if the choices you make help you save money. Home heating and cooling systems are customized for each homeowner’s budget and comfort needs, and some factors that impact the cost to replace an existing HVAC system are as follows.

HVAC System Choice

The type of heating system or air conditioner you choose for HVAC installation will impact the HVAC replacement cost you’ll pay.

• If you look at the costs of electricity and natural gas, you’ll find a system that uses natural gas is cheaper in the long run. Gas furnaces can actually be cheaper when it comes to heating costs due to the price of gas versus electricity, but the initial investment can be more expensive.
  
  
• Heat pumps have a more expensive HVAC system cost than a gas furnace or air conditioner, but over a shorter period of time, the HVAC system will pay for itself, helping you save money on ongoing heating and cooling costs.
  
  
• Heat pumps are more efficient than other types of HVAC systems, so you end up saving money on your electric bills after you’ve set up the system.
  
  
• Geothermal heat pump systems command high average costs initially to install, but their performance easily outweighs their price. The cost is higher because of the ground loop, which must be trenched in and buried below the ground. Thanks to its superior performance capabilities, a geothermal heat pump system will make up for this extra installation cost with its long-term benefits.
  
  
• Ductless HVAC systems are more efficient than others, but their installation costs are higher. If you don’t have the space for them on your walls, it might be more affordable to replace an HVAC system with an air conditioner or furnace.

Correct Size for Your Home

To properly heat or cool your living space, you need to have an HVAC unit that is the right fit.. If you don’t have the right heating or cooling system installed, it can be uncomfortable and will end up costing you more. While calculating heating and cooling loads is somewhat technical, any HVAC professional can help you out with this.

With the help of Manual J, HVAC contractors can conduct a load calculation that will determine the right size for a new HVAC system. A properly sized HVAC system not only delivers optimal heating and cooling for the entire square foot area of the house but also contributes to long-term energy savings. If a unit isn’t sized correctly, it will not perform correctly — it won’t heat and cool spaces adequately, leading to issues like undue stress on units and breakdowns.

Efficiency Ratings

When replacing an existing system, people should consider the energy efficiency of any new HVAC unit they consider for purchase. The efficiency of an HVAC unit is rated by AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency), HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor, and SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio). The more efficient a system is, the less you will spend on electricity or fuel and heating and cooling costs, but  HVAC installation cost for more efficient unit tends to be higher.

Fuel Source Selection

Many homes in Louisville are all-electric, and electricity is accessible in pretty much all area homes. While air conditioners and heat pumps only use electricity, you may have more fuel source options when it comes to a heating system.

You can choose whether to have a gas furnace or an electric furnace, depending on which fuel source is available in your area. Gas furnaces are widely available and offer significant cost savings over time. If you decide to go for a gas furnace installation, be prepared for a few added costs associated with the new fuel source if you do not already have gas lines in your home, as an HVAC professional will need to install these, too.

Should Indoor and Outdoor HVAC Units Be Upgraded at the Same Time?

Air conditioning units and furnaces are the backbone of today’s most sophisticated HVAC systems. They’re expensive to replace individually, but a difference in performance and energy efficiency can be highly noticeable when they’re mismatched.

Replacing just one alone is not a good option. Installing mismatched HVAC units can severely affect your system’s ability to operate at peak efficiency — reducing how efficient your new system is right out the gate. Operating lower energy efficiency ratings than you may expect means you’ll pay more money on your monthly bills.

When you replace both systems together, you save time and money with HVAC contractors. Doing everything together limits visits and labor costs.

HVAC Installation in Louisville

If you’re due for a new HVAC system, call Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today for more information. Our HVAC contractors are happy to provide you with a quote for the HVAC installation cost you’ll pay when replacing your entire HVAC system or just one heating or AC unit.