Columbus Ohio Homeowner Costs for New Heating and Cooling Systems

Heating and cooling costs are affected by multiple factors, just like HVAC installation costs. When you buy a new HVAC system, the cost to install the new HVAC unit is impacted by a number of elements, including the fuel type, heating or cooling load of the house, types of HVAC systems, and many other things. New HVAC system cost is highly personal, making it difficult for HVAC companies to share a new heating and cooling system average cost for curious potential buyers.

The only way to know your installation cost when you replace an HVAC system is to ask an HVAC contractor for an estimate. Buckeye Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is happy to give you a price for HVAC system installation, installing a new residential HVAC unit in place of the old one for HVAC unit replacement.

Below, learn more about the different elements that go into the cost to replace HVAC equipment. If you have any questions, an HVAC professional on our team will be happy to assist you. Give us a call when you’re ready to replace HVAC equipment at home.

HVAC System Options

If you need to replace HVAC system equipment, there are many HVAC units to choose from. It helps to learn a little bit about each HVAC system so you can decide what’s right for your home.

HVAC systems typically are split systems or packaged systems. Split systems have both indoor and outdoor equipment. The outdoor air conditioner or heat pump is connected to the indoor air handler or furnace. In a packaged system, all of this HVAC equipment is kept inside one HVAC unit.

Here are the different types of HVAC systems you can choose for HVAC installation:

A central air conditioner is the most popular type of cooling system. Air conditioners work by pumping refrigerant through a series of coils. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the air and then expels it outdoors, leaving your home cool and comfortable.
A heat pump is a type of HVAC system that uses electricity to move heat from one place to another. In the summer, the pump moves heat out of your home to help cool it down using the same process as an air conditioning unit. In the winter, it reverses the process and moves heat into your home from the outdoor air.
A geothermal heat pump (GHP) is an HVAC system that uses the earth’s natural thermal energy to heat and cool your home. It relies on an underground piping system that uses the constant temperature of the earth to either heat or cool your home. A geothermal heat pump is extremely energy efficient, as they can be three times or more efficient than the average HVAC replacement choice.
There are three types of furnaces are gas furnaces, electric furnaces, and oil furnaces, though some homeowners do use propane furnaces. Gas furnaces are the most popular, as they offer efficient heating with low HVAC costs. Electric furnaces are a good option for those who have concerns about installing a gas line in their home, as they don’t require one.
Ductless HVAC systems, also known as mini-splits, are growing in popularity. They’re a great option for homes without air ducts, homes where ductwork installation isn’t possible, or when rooms in your home need different levels of heating and cooling. A ductless HVAC system has two parts: an indoor air handler that sits on the wall or in a ceiling and an outdoor unit that’s mounted on the ground or on the roof. The two units are connected by piping and wires that run through the walls or ceilings. Ductless systems are more efficient than other types of HVAC systems, and they can be used as a zoning system to provide different levels of heating and cooling to different parts of your home.

Elements That Impact HVAC System Costs

When it’s time to pursue HVAC unit replacement, there are many decisions you’ll have to make. Your choices regarding the new HVAC system will have a direct effect on the cost to replace your existing system. Overall, replacing your air conditioner or furnace will cost several thousands of dollars.

As you explore the options for a heating or cooling system, read below to see how your choices play into the average HVAC replacement cost you’ll pay.

Types of HVAC Units

Whether you choose an air conditioner, heat pump, electric furnace, ductless HVAC unit, or geothermal heat pump, each of these different HVAC systems comes with a unique installation cost.

An electric furnace has a lower average cost than gas furnace options. But if you want to save money over the years, switching to a gas furnace is your best choice. This is because gas heating tends to be more efficient and use less gas than the electricity consumed by an electric furnace.
Installation costs for a heat pump will be higher than the cost to install air conditioners or furnaces. However, the heat pump operates as a heating or cooling system and can effectively replace both units while providing more energy-efficient operation.
A geothermal heat pump system is the best HVAC replacement cost if you want to conserve energy. Unlike most HVAC systems, a ground loop is necessary for operation, and this component is quite costly to install.
If you’re faced with paying for ductwork installation for an air conditioner or furnace, a ductless HVAC system may be a better choice for you. While these HVAC systems can have higher HVAC installation costs, overall, they are more affordable than buying a new unit and installing ducts.
Replacing both HVAC units will have a higher average cost than replacing the HVAC units one at a time.

HVAC Unit Size

The heating or cooling load is a key factor that HVAC companies must consider when sizing an HVAC unit for a home. Heating and cooling loads are calculated by tallying up the square foot of all occupied rooms in a home and using this information along with many other factors, including the number of people living in the space, construction materials, the room’s desired comfort level, and so much more.

If your new HVAC unit is not the proper size, the new system could underperform or overwork itself, leading to increased breakdowns and costly maintenance. In order to avoid these issues, always hire a professional HVAC contractor when you need to replace your current heating and cooling system.

HVAC System Efficiency

When shopping for a new HVAC system, there are many terms to be aware of, especially when it comes to energy efficiency. For example, the SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures air conditioner efficiency and the cooling efficiency of a heat pump. The AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating measures furnace efficiency. HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) shares a heat pump’s heating efficiency.

Investing in an efficient HVAC system can reduce the heating and cooling costs you pay each month, so you save money in the long run. However, efficient HVAC systems typically have much higher HVAC installation costs than standard efficiency HVAC units.

Fuel Sources

Although some Columbus homes may rely on electric heat and air conditioning, the fuel source in your area could be one of many. Your furnace can be fueled by propane, natural gas, electricity, or even oil—and all of these options have unique pros and cons when it comes to cost and safety. When deciding on a new furnace for your home, you’ll need to carefully weigh your options for fuel source. Use of one fuel may lower heating and cooling costs, but the need for its installation can increase your HVAC replacement costs.

Do Indoor and Outdoor HVAC Units Need to Be Replaced Together?

You can either replace your furnace and air conditioning unit together or just one unit. Replacing the furnace and AC unit system together is a smart choice because it will save time and money with a single appointment with an HVAC contractor. The other option is replacing only the air handling unit, but if you choose to only replace one of them, it might not be as practical as you’d think. This creates an unmatched system.

Having an unmatched HVAC system may hurt the performance of your new heating and cooling system. Problems such as mismatched parts and efficiency ratings can make it harder for your new HVAC system to perform optimally.

HVAC Installation in Columbus

A new HVAC system may be just what you need for optimal comfort inside your Columbus area home. To learn how much HVAC installation costs, call Buckeye Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today and ask for a free estimate on HVAC system replacement.