How Much Does It Cost to Replace an HVAC Unit in Vero Beach, Florida?

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Nobody wants to spend a Florida summer sitting in front of a plug-in fan. Between the heat and humidity, staying cool means having the right air conditioner. However, every AC system is a complex machine made of several interconnected parts, and an issue with your fan or compressor can switch things from “breezy” to “boiling” in a hurry. 

If you’ve been staring at a rattling HVAC and asking yourself “How much does it cost to replace an HVAC unit?”, then we’ve got you covered. As Vero Beach Expert HVAC contractors, we know a thing or two about how to pick the best model.

The Short Answer

The short answer is that you can expect to pay between $5,000 on the low end, and $15,000 on the high end for a professional HVAC installation in Vero Beach, FL. 

That’s a wide margin, as there are a LOT of compounding factors that can impact how much you end up paying. Not all AC and HVAC units are created alike, and you often get the best value by picking the one that best fits your living space. 

While the cost of replacing HVAC systems has decreased due to smaller models, homeowners should expect to pay between $3 and $7 per square foot of cooled area for a new installation. Granted, there are plenty of opportunities to be tactical about your cooling priorities and save some money.

Which HVAC System Is Right for My Vero Beach Home?

As mentioned above, your HVAC unit replacement cost can vary significantly based on the unit. A massive, two-story behemoth of an air conditioner is going to cost more than a compact window-mounted unit. It might surprise you to see how much these costs differ! 

Portable AC Units

Any deep dive into "How much does it cost to replace an HVAC unit?" should always start with the portable ones. 

If you’re looking to cool specific rooms on a budget, a portable AC system can be a great place to start. True to their name, these units feature wheels that let them move around the house. While they can only cool one room at a time, this is often fine for studio apartments or low-occupancy spaces. Costs tend to fall on the lowest end of the spectrum, with the average unit running between $200 and $500. 

Window Mounted AC Units

For smaller spaces or naturally breezy homes, a window AC unit can often fulfill the same role as a centralized air conditioner for a fraction of the price. These air conditioners sit outside a window and cycle hot air out of the house while pumping cold air in.

While window units might be popular for DIY projects, remember that a professional installation is almost always more affordable than calling for repairs on an uncertain home project. 

For a reliable window mount, you can expect to pay between $300 and $1,300, with higher efficiency units on the more expensive side of that range.

Central Air Conditioning

This is the most popular choice of HVAC system for Florida homeowners. A central system uses full ducts to cycle hot air from a building while pumping cool air through the rooms. If a house doesn’t already have compatible ducts, installing a central unit often means doing additional ductwork, which can significantly increase your installation cost.

When properly maintained, a central AC can provide reliable cooling for more than a decade. Like fancy computers, you can often upgrade these systems when parts fail instead of replacing HVAC wholesale. HVAC system upgrade pricing is almost always more affordable than a new unit, too! 

Although they can have higher price tags, central AC systems pay for themselves in the long run. Expect to pay between $3,500 and $7,500 for a new central unit. If you need additional ductwork, increase your budgeted HVAC unit installation cost by another $1,500 to $4,500, depending on the size and floorplan of your house. 

Ductless Split Units

These units are perfect for homes that don’t quite have the floorplan for a centralized AC system. They’re valuable for people who want to keep their houses consistently cool but can’t install house-wide ductwork.

If you only need to cool specific parts of the house, a ductless split AC system allows you to pick and choose which rooms get full coverage. 

Mini-split systems use both an outdoor condenser and several indoor units to keep a home cool. The exact price can vary widely depending on how much coverage you need — ranging from $2,000 to $14,000. 

Whole-House Fans

Given the Vero Beach humidity, these may not always be a practical option. If you live in an area with manageable humidity, a whole-house fan can provide many of the same benefits as a central AC unit for a fraction of the cost.

These fans work by pulling in cool morning air and circulating it through the day. While it won’t be as effective as a designated air conditioner, it’s much easier to install and tends to be more affordable. 

The exact pricing on a whole-house fan installation in Vero Beach will vary based on where you mount it. Special features like variable speeds, shutters, and designated insulation will increase the price further. All in all, expect to pay between $900 and $3,600 for an installation, with better features pushing the fan towards the high range. 

Bates Air & Heat LLC Is Here for Your HVAC Installation in Vero Beach

As you can see, “How much does it cost to replace an HVAC unit?” is a question with a lot of answers!

Once you know what kind of HVAC replacement makes sense, it’s time to call the pros! 

It can be tempting to DIY your new unit to reduce HVAC replacement expenses, but that doesn’t guarantee that your system will function properly or stay well-maintained.

Call the professionals at Bates Air & Heat LLC for an affordable, headache-free HVAC installation! Book an appointment for replacing your HVAC today by going online or calling 772-837-5109.