Below you will find a short guide to the major HVAC systems for homes. You can get information you need from this guide to help determine your best options for heating and cooling.
Central Air conditioning system: Equipment and Installation Cost
Central air conditioning systems are very popular for cooling homes in tandem with a furnace. Their prices are reasonable and their high energy-efficiency ratings can lower your cooling cost.
The cost for a professional installation of a central air conditioner in Ontario is from $3,500 to $6,000. The size of the unit is a major factor, as well as efficiency ratings (SEER of 14 to 25).
It is critical to install the right size of air conditioning system. A contractor can arrange for a load calculation to determine the best size based on your home and cooling needs. This ensures that your unit will run at optimum performance and comfort for your family.
Heat Pump: Equipment and Installation Cost
Heat pumps gained popularity in the recent years because of their high energy efficiency and new technologies for colder climates.
Installing a heat pump is a lot similar to a central air conditioning unit. The average price of a heat pump installation is from $4,100 to $7,000. The price depends on factors such as the type and brand of equipment, necessary permits, and labor costs.
A good contractor can recommend the right type of heat pump for your home based on your current heating system and usage.
Furnaces: Equipment and Installation Cost
The average price for the purchase and installation of a new furnace is $3,500 to $6,000.
A furnace can last 15 years but homeowners should also consider the size of the furnace, frequency of break downs, safety, and quality of its performance. It makes sense to replace a furnace earlier if it is not working properly.
Each home is different and several factors affect the size of the furnace you need such as air flow, number of windows, insulation, and your needs.
To get the right size of equipment, make sure to work with a reputable contractor to evaluate your heat loss and airflow and recommend the best equipment for your home.
Furnaces are gas, oil, and electric. The average cost to replace and install an oil furnace price t is $3,500 to $5,400 while a gas furnace would cost around $2,500 to $5,000.
Cost of a Ductless Mini-Split System
A ductless mini-split or split system is a cooling and heating system with models that work as an air conditioner with a heating function.
Ductless air conditioning systems cool parts of the home without installing ductwork. Ductless heating systems can supplement an existing heating system in milder climates. Because the climate in Canada can be extremely cold, it is not advisable to use it as a primary heating system as they don’t usually work for temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius.
In Ontario, ductless split systems and air conditioners would generally cost from $2,500 to $3,000 but go as high as over $5,000 per unit depending on the brand, the output rating, and location.
In determining the price of a ductless system, you need to consider the following:
- How many outdoor units are required – for large homes, 2 or more units may be needed. When cooling several rooms that are far apart, additional outdoor units are needed.
- How many heads (indoor) are required – one head can be installed per room to be cooled.
When it comes to the price of a ductless system, two factors need to be considered:
- How many outdoor units are needed— bigger homes will need several units for efficient cooling. If several areas are far apart, you will need multiple outdoor units.
- How many indoor units are needed – A head or indoor unit is installed in each room or area that needs cooling.
The cost of a ductless system is more or less the same as a central air conditioner. However, a ductless mini-split or heat pump can be a good alternative to cool or heat a home without ductwork. For instance, if you are building a home addition and the ductwork is a problem, ductless systems can be ideal options to consider.
A complete ductless system installation could cost from $6,100 to $8,500 in total. For large systems with accessories, the total bill can reach $10,000.
Reasons why ductless systems are expensive
Ductless mini-split or split systems are expensive since they cool bigger spaces than a window unit. Unlike central air conditioners, they cannot use ductwork or blower systems for a forced-air heating system to cool the space so sophisticated technology is needed.
Some or their sophisticated features include smart sensors, Wi-Fi connectivity, remote climate control, and room sensors that automatically activate the system when someone occupies the room.
Ductless systems with heating also have built-in heating elements which increase the price.