How do I choose an air conditioner?

Close-up of air conditioning unit.

The Importance of AC

Here in Louisiana, home of Cajun cooking and Mardi gras, having working air conditioning is pretty important. When we say things are hot here in Louisiana, we’re not always referring to the Cajun food and parties. Professional ac installation is just as vital and with the cost of that work, you want it done right – just like the jambalaya. 

Two things that are essential to a homeowner here are professional ac installation and maintenance. So we tend to leave the job to professionals with AC installation experience and knowledge. Before you get to the ac installation part though, there are things that a homeowner has to decide on, like the budget. Meanwhile, if it’s time for you to schedule your ac installation in Norco and New Orleans, LA you can reach out to the pros at Cajun Comfort by calling 985-764-8191.

How much does it cost to install central air conditioning?   

Yes, to have a working air conditioner during a Louisiana summer is a blessing, so when it quits working, it becomes a major issue. It is important for a homeowner to stay within their budget and get their home cooling now for their own comfort. However, you should consider if you are to ever sell your home, you want to make an investment now with your ac installation that will give you a good ROI too. 

In other words, cheapest is not necessarily the best in the long run. But then, you’ve got to do what you can, which is understandable. The general ac installation estimate for a New Orleans, Louisiana home can average from a low cost of $2500 and upward to $3500 or more. There are several factors that determine the cost of ac installation such as: 

  1. Cost of materials – the AC unit, duct work, registers, return vents, etc. 
  2. Labor cost by professional, certified, and licensed technicians. 
  3. Project preparation of the exterior and interior areas and surfaces for components and machinery
  4. Cleanup and disposal fees.

What this general ac installation quote doesn’t include are the following: 

  1. Permits required by the City of New Orleans. 
  2. Inspection and/or building fees.
  3. Sales tax on the materials and supplies used. 
  4. General contractor fees paid to the City of New Orleans.

What size AC unit do I need?

When getting a new ac installation, you need to choose an air conditioner that is the right size. There are several factors to be considered in determining the right size. 

  • The roof type on your home
  • The ceiling height
  • The number of windows
  • The type of insulation in your home

The manufacturer’s guidelines for choosing the right size are generic in nature, so these factors we’ve listed are not necessarily incorporated into their recommendations. So, what size of unit do you need for your ac installation? You should know upfront, this is not referring to the physical size of the unit, but the tonnage of the AC unit. The tons of an HVAC unit is used to evaluate the amount of heat it removes in one hour. 

For instance, a typical HVAC unit is one ton, which can cool 12,000 BTU per hour. BTU is a measurement of heat. So, you need to know the square footage of your home and choose a unit for your ac installation that can cool that area within one hour. 

Get the square footage of a room – this is done by multiplying the length by the width. Now multiply that by 25 BTU. A room that is 15’ long x 12’ wide is 180 square feet. You would need 4500 BTU minimum to have ample cooling. If you were going with a window ac unit in a bedroom that is 300 square foot in size, you need an ac installation of a unit with no less than 5000 BTUs.

Which AC brand is best?

The major factor for most homeowners when getting ac installation done is the total cost. However, the level of each brand is something to consider as well. Some brands are known for having longer lifespans with little technical service needed. Some brands will have a longer warranty or better SEER rating (energy efficiency). Not all ac installation companies will offer all brands either, as some have specialized certification with certain brands. The most common brand names are, in alphabetical order: 

  • American Standard Air Conditioners
  • Carrier Air Conditioners
  • Goodman Central Air Conditioners
  • Lennox HVAC Units
  • Rheem Air Conditioners
  • Ruud Central Air Conditioners
  • Trane Central AC Units
  • York AC Units

How long do AC units last?

The life of an air conditioning unit can vary with different factors involved such as the brand name and level of that brand purchased, the ac installation, routine maintenance such as changing the AC filter, and if you’re following recommended professional inspections. With all these things taken care of, you can get up to 15 years from your ac installation. If any of these factors are overlooked or not done on a routine schedule, you could get less than 10 years. 

Hand pressing the button on a thermostat.

The Money Saving Question – Can you install central air yourself?

Well, you can certainly buy an HVAC system yourself and you can set it all up, including the wiring, the connections, and the ductwork. Where you’re going to have ac installation problems is getting the refrigerant needed to charge the unit. 

Due to EPA laws, refrigerant is only sold to certified and licensed ac professionals. Besides the refrigerant factor of your ac installation, a professional service can offer you maintenance contracts which will include routine schedule checkups and inspections. With that, any small issues your ac unit has can be caught and taken care of before it becomes a major problem. If you find yourself in need of help with ac installation in Norco and New Orleans, LA, call the Cajun Comfort team at 985-764-8191 to schedule your service.