A new air conditioner is one of the larger costs in a home. It helps to slow down, look at the numbers and understand what you are paying for. The price depends on the type of system, the size of your home, the condition of your ducts and the work needed to fit it all together.
Robconverted Heating & Air is a referral service. We connect homeowners in Kent and the Kent area with independent local providers who handle the installation. The provider you choose does the work, writes up the quote and answers your questions. You can compare two or three options, ask what each line covers and take your time. Nothing is pushed, and the final decision stays with you.
Repair or Replace? Start With the Math
Most people reach this page after a repair bill that stung. Before you choose, set the numbers side by side.
A common rule of thumb: if a repair costs close to half the price of a new system, and the unit is past 12 to 15 years old, replacement deserves a hard look. If the unit is younger and the fix is small, repair often wins. Ask a provider to price both paths in writing. Compare, then decide.
Signs Your AC May Be Near the End
No single sign settles it. Several together tell a story.
- Repairs are getting more frequent
- Energy bills climb while your use stays the same
- Some rooms stay warm while others feel fine
- The system is loud, or it turns on and off in short bursts
- It uses an older refrigerant that is getting harder to find
- You see rust, or damp smells near the outdoor unit
In a long wet season, moss and damp can wear on outdoor units and cabinets. Mention that to the provider so they can check for it.
Cooling System Types in Plain Terms
The type you pick shapes the price more than any other choice.
- Central split system: an outdoor unit plus an indoor coil. Common in homes with ducts.
- Heat pump: cools in summer and heats in cooler months. It suits mild climates well and can handle heating and cooling with one system.
- Ductless mini-split: wall-mounted units with no ducts. A handy option for older craftsman houses or additions where ducts are hard to run.
- Packaged unit: all parts in one outdoor cabinet. Less common, but you may see it in some townhomes.
Ask the provider why they lean toward one type. A fair answer talks about your home, not just their habits.
Why Sizing Drives Price and Comfort
Bigger is not better. An oversized unit cools fast, shuts off early and leaves the air clammy. An undersized one runs nonstop and still falls short.
A careful provider measures your home, checks windows, insulation and duct condition, then runs a load calculation. Be wary of a quote that only copies the size of your old unit. Homes change. Insulation gets added. Windows get swapped. The old size may no longer fit.
What an Installation Usually Includes
A complete quote should list each piece. Typical items:
- Removal and disposal of the old equipment
- A new outdoor unit and indoor coil
- A pad or stand, plus line set connections
- Electrical hookup and a disconnect
- Thermostat and condensate drain work
- Startup testing and a walkthrough
- Permits, where your area requires them
If a line is missing, ask about it. Missing lines are where surprise charges tend to hide.
Where You Can Help and Where a Pro Is Needed
You can safely do a few things. Clear plants and debris from around the outdoor unit. Replace the filter. Take photos of the data labels on your current equipment. Note which rooms run warm. Gather a few months of energy bills.
Leave the rest to a qualified provider: refrigerant handling, electrical connections, gas lines and sizing. These need special tools and training. Mistakes can be unsafe or can hurt your warranty.
Matching the System to Your Home
A new outdoor unit works well only when the indoor parts and ducts suit it. In a crawl space, ask the provider to check duct sealing and insulation, since leaks there waste cooled air. In wood-frame homes, ask how lines will be routed and how finished surfaces will be protected. In older homes, ask whether the electrical panel can handle the added load.
Sometimes a new system also points to a new furnace or air handler. If heating and cooling share a blower, a mismatch can hurt both. Ask for the pros and cons of replacing both together versus one at a time.
Efficiency in Plain Terms
You will see a rating called SEER2. A higher number means less power for the same cooling. It also means a higher price up front.
In a mild climate, the air conditioner may only run for a few months a year. That stretches out the payback on a very high rating, so a mid-range unit may be the practical pick. Ask the provider to estimate yearly running costs for two options so you can weigh them. Ask about utility rebates too, since they vary by area.
Comparing Written Quotes
Gather two or three. Each quote in writing should show brand, model, size, warranty terms and total price. Line them up side by side. Do not only look at the bottom number. A lower price might leave out disposal, permits or duct work.
No pressure, no obligation. A fair provider will give you time to think.
Questions to Ask the Provider
- Did you run a load calculation, and can I see it?
- Is the quote for the full system or only the outdoor unit?
- What does the labor warranty cover, and for how long?
- Are permits and disposal included in the price?
- Will the ducts be checked or sealed?
- What is the payment schedule?
- Can you price two options at different levels?
Timing Your Project
If your AC failed during a heat spell, you may feel rushed. Still, ask for a written quote first. If you need emergency AC repair while you compare replacement options, some providers may offer a short-term fix. If the situation is not urgent, spring and fall often have more open schedules. Many providers can respond quickly, but availability varies.
What's Included
Old Unit Removal
The provider disconnects and hauls away your old equipment, and the quote should say who handles disposal.
New Equipment
Outdoor unit, indoor coil and line set, matched to your home's size and ducts.
Hookup and Controls
Electrical connections, drain work and a thermostat set up to run the new system.
Testing and Walkthrough
Startup checks, then a walkthrough of settings, filters and warranty paperwork.
What Drives the Price
These are typical U.S. ranges. Your price depends on system type, home size, duct condition and local rules. Ask each provider for a written quote and compare line by line.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central AC replacement | $4,500 – $12,500 | Varies by size, brand and efficiency rating |
| Heat pump system | $5,500 – $14,000 | Cools and heats; often costs more up front |
| Ductless mini-split (one zone) | $3,000 – $6,500 | Each added zone raises the total |
| Duct repair or sealing | $500 – $2,500 | Depends on access, such as a crawl space |
| Thermostat upgrade | $150 – $600 | Smart models cost more to fit and set up |
| Permit and disposal | $100 – $800 | Rules and fees differ by area |
How It Works
Call or Request
Request a callback to check provider availability, or send the estimate request form if you prefer.
Share Your Situation
Describe your home, your current unit and what has gone wrong with it.
Compare Written Quotes
A local provider reviews the job and gives you a quote in writing to compare.
Decide at Your Pace
Pick a provider, ask for changes or walk away. There is no obligation.
Why Call Robconverted Heating & Air
Compare, Then Decide
Providers in our network share written quotes, so you can weigh options at your own pace.
Local Providers
You are matched with independent providers who work near you.
Plain Numbers
We explain what drives price so quotes make sense before you agree to anything.
No Pressure
Requesting an estimate carries no obligation, and every choice stays with you.
Other Services
Need ac installation & replacement services in Kent?
- Reach independent local HVAC providers
- Compare written quotes before you decide
- No obligation to hire anyone
- Simple next steps
AC Installation & Replacement Services FAQ
How do I know if I should replace my AC or repair it?
Look at age, repair history and cost. If the unit is over 12 to 15 years old and the fix costs near half a new system, replacement may be wiser.
How much does a new air conditioner cost to install?
Typical U.S. prices run from about $4,500 to $12,500 for central AC. Size, brand, ducts and local permit rules change the total, so get written quotes from two or three providers.
Can I install a new AC unit myself?
Most of the job needs a trained provider. Refrigerant, electrical and sizing work require special tools and skill. You can help by clearing space, changing filters and gathering your energy bills.
Get in touch
Tell us what your heating or cooling system is doing. Request an estimate and a provider in our network can follow up with a written quote.
No obligation