Why is my air conditioner leaking water?
An air conditioner leaking inside the house is a common problem. It could indicate that the air filter is dirty. Or, one of the following may be the culprit:
- Clogged condensate drain line
- Leaky, damaged, cracked or rusted drain pan
- Dirty or broken coils
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Broken condensate pump
- Not enough refrigerant
- Disconnected drain line
If your AC is leaking, contact a repair service to find out what the problem is — and how much it will cost to fix it.
Can I install central air myself?
While you may be able to do some preparation work for central air installation, you should hire a licensed contractor to complete the project and handle the air conditioning refrigerants.
Also, unless you have the proper credentials, you risk making common mistakes when installing central air. This may include installing the wrong-size furnace, improperly installing ductwork and exhaust systems, and incorrectly managing drainage.
To ensure your central air is installed correctly, contact the best HVAC pros near you and start getting free estimates today.
Does central air add value to a home?
A central air unit or HVAC system may add value to your home. Or, if you’re in the process of selling your home, it may help you close a sale.
The Remodeling Impact report found that 20% of realtors have suggested that home sellers replace their HVAC before attempting to sell their homes, and 7% said this project did help close a sale.
Talk with an expert to figure out if adding an HVAC system is a good idea for your home. And contact the best HVAC pros near you to get free estimates so you’ll know how much this project will cost you.
Is it worth it to install central air?
Depending on where you live, it might be worth it to install central air. Central air makes your house comfortable on hot summer days. And although it’s hard to predict if adding central air will increase your home’s value, prospective homebuyers will certainly notice if it’s missing.
Another advantage of central air is that it can help dehumidify your home. Not only will it make your home more comfortable and enjoyable, but it can also help prevent mold from growing or spreading.
Contact the best HVAC contractors near you to learn more about the central air installation process and to start receiving free estimates.
What types of appliances can a professional install?
There are a number of different appliances that professionals can install for you, including:
- Washers and dryers. These machines are heavy and very sensitive to being level and balanced, and also require hookups to water, electricity and sometimes gas or propane.
- Cooking ranges. Your range may use propane or gas, which is a hookup job best left to the pros.
- Microwaves. You may want to have your microwave be an undermount or in-mounted unit, which a pro can install and make it look seamless.
- Refrigerators. These are heavy and often require a water hookup.
- And more!
Reach out to an appliance installation service, and find out if they can install your appliance. Often, it’s helpful to provide the brand and model of the appliance you’re trying to set up.
How much does it cost to install appliances?
Installing a new appliance costs $125, on average. However, homeowners should expect to pay within the range of $120 to $150.
For less complex appliance installations, you may pay a low-end cost ranging between $65 and $100. On the other hand, more complex appliances like laundry machines, ranges and other items can cost between $175 and $326 to install. Ask whichever appliance installation service you hire to give you a price quote, if possible.
Should you tip appliance installers?
You can tip appliance installers if you feel their service has gone above and beyond. A standard tip is between $10 and $20.
Reasons you might consider tipping include a very pleasant customer service demeanor, having to carry a heavy appliance up or down the stairs, working in inclement weather, taking care not to make a mess and other acts of care and consideration. You are not obligated to leave a tip — but one is always appreciated.
What are the advantages of hiring an appliance installer?
There are several perks to having a professional install your appliances, including:
- Hiring a pro saves you time and money. If it breaks down, the service person who sold and installed the machine can fulfill its warranty. However, this warranty could be void if you install it incorrectly.
- It will work reliably. Many appliances like ranges and laundry machines rely on being on level surfaces as well as having potentially dangerous hookups installed correctly.
- You can get repair and maintenance support. If something isn’t working or you want advice, you can call up your installer and ask if they can help you troubleshoot or repair it.
How much will it cost me to replace my air conditioner?
If your AC system is in need of replacement, the national average air conditioner installation costs range from $2,930 to $3,670. Costs can vary greatly depending on whether you are replacing a wall or window unit or a central air system. A central air system is connected to ductwork that runs throughout your house and pumps cooled air into your various rooms via vents and registers. A central air conditioning system is far more costly than wall or window units. Selecting a central AC system that has a high seasonal energy-efficiency ratio (SEER) will likely lower both your carbon footprint and your utility bill. The type of AC system you select, where you live in the country, and the regional costs of HVAC work, duct removal and replacement, and ductwork repairs that are needed are some of the main factors that affect the cost of new air conditioner installation. Here are some examples of average costs for installing forced-air systems.
- Install Lennox 16 SEER single-stage AC unit: $5,743
- Removing and disposing of the old furnace, moving and reconnecting the water heater, and installing a 3.5-ton gas furnace. The job took 18 hours of labor.
- Installation of a new 14 SEER single-range cooling system: $4,000-$6,000
- Installation of a new 16 SEER two-range cooling system: $6,000-$8,000
- Installation of a new 20 SEER variable capacity cooling system: $8,000-$12,000
How many years does HVAC last?
The number of years an HVAC system lasts depend on the type and brand of components that make up your system. The lifespan of an air conditioner averages between 15 and 20 years. The life expectancy of a tankless water heater is approximately 20 years, while a storage water heater is closer to 10-15 years. Ducts may need replacing within 10-15 years. Your equipment will have a longer life if you have regular tuneups and maintenance to keep everything in good working order. If you’re having repair problems and your HVAC system is over 10 years old, it’s a good time to consider the costs and benefits of repairing vs. replacing. Energystar.gov provides the following tips to help you decide whether to repair or replace:
- Your HVAC system needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are increasing.
- Your cooling or heating equipment is less efficient.
- Rooms in your home are too hot or too cold.
- Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old.
- Replacing your system with an Energy Star-certified unit could save up to 20 percent on your heating and cooling bills.
- Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old.
- You may choose to replace your system with an Energy Star-certified furnace (which is 15 percent more efficient than a conventional furnace) or an Energy Star-certified boiler (which is 5 percent more efficient).
- Your home has humidity problems.
- Your home has excessive dust.
- Leaky ducts can pull particles and air from attics, crawl spaces and basements and distribute them throughout your house. Sealing your ducts may be a solution.
- Your heating or cooling system is noisy.
- You could have an undersized duct system or a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.
- Your score on the Home Energy Yardstick is below five.
- That means your home energy use is above average and you're probably paying too much for your utilities.