By Anne Fonda with expert review by Mark Woodruff, Senior Product Manager, Ducted Outdoor

In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose the right HVAC system, get advice from the pros, find out what’s included in Trane HVAC installation, and more.  

Find your local Trane dealer for a full range of HVAC installation services.

You’ve made the decision that it’s time for HVAC replacement. Either your system is old and failing and costing you more in repairs each year and you’re taking a proactive approach, or your air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace failed, and you need to make decisions in a hurry.

Not to worry. Even if you’re on a compressed time frame, we can help you make informed decisions about your residential HVAC installation. We’ve pulled together some basic information you need to know when it’s time to install a new HVAC system.

Ready? Let’s get started.

Not all HVAC equipment is created equal. Just like you would compare SUVs from different manufacturers, compare HVAC brands for quality, reliability, efficiency, warranties, and more. Your new HVAC system should last 15 years or so, so you want to make sure you’re making a worthwhile investment.

We may be biased, but there’s a reason we’ve earned America’s Most Trusted® HVAC Brand for 11 years in a row.

HVAC pros can help you decide if central AC installation is all you need, or if replacing the entire heating and cooling system at once would be more cost-effective. Here’s what some of our experts have to say. 

While you shouldn’t let the cost of HVAC installation be the deciding factor when purchasing a new HVAC system, you should understand that there are many ways to reduce the cost to install HVAC components.

Ask about rebates for energy-efficient HVAC systems, including manufacturers’ rebates and utility rebates. Explore your HVAC financing options to make the expense more manageable.  

View savings and offers

A new central air conditioner or HVAC system is only as good as the installation. The most energy-efficient HVAC system will fail to meet its potential and advertised efficiency ratings if it’s improperly installed or improperly sized to begin with. Proper sizing and installation is key to your comfort. 

That’s why it is so important to choose the right HVAC contractor. Rest assured, Trane dealers are experienced HVAC professionals with the training and knowledge you need to get the right system for your home.  

In addition to helping with diagnostics, our Technician App provides field teams with precise, step-by-step installation and testing directions to ensure your installation is done right.

Once your HVAC installers arrive on site, expect installation to take 2-8 hours. It depends on whether you’re having just an AC unit installed or you’re replacing the whole split system. It can take longer than five hours if the installation is especially complex or if problems are uncovered during installation. 

Installing new ductwork will lengthen your total installation time as well. 

HVAC installations should only be performed by a trained and licensed HVAC technician. While you might be able to buy an air conditioner or furnace online at an HVAC supply house, installation of HVAC units is a job for professionals.  

This is for your safety and for warranty purposes. Only HVAC technicians are certified to handle HVAC refrigerants. They also have experience safely working with natural gas lines. 

Our dealers are very thorough, from doing an in-home assessment to helping you choose the right central air conditioner, to installation, to follow-up maintenance. 

• Home assessment 
• Ductwork assessment 
• Discussion with you about hot spots/cold spots, problem areas 
• Load calculation 
• Recommendations and help choosing new HVAC equipment 

• Removal of old air conditioning system (and responsible disposal) 
• Electrical connections work as needed 
• Installation of new AC unit and evaporator coil 
• Flushing or replacement of refrigerant lines 
• New thermostat 
• Installing accessories you choose, such as a whole-house humidifier or air cleaner 
• System testing 
• Final inspection 
• Every installation is done according to local and state codes and regulations 

Many of the same things listed above, with a few additions to account for installing a new furnace or air handler. 

• Home assessment 
• Ductwork assessment 
• Discussion with you about hot spots/cold spots, indoor air quality, and problem areas 
• Load calculation 
• Recommendations and help choosing new heating and air conditioning equipment 

• Removal of old equipment (and responsible disposal) 
• Electrical work as needed 
• Retrofitting if needed 
• Installation of new AC unit and evaporator coil 
• Installation of new gas furnace or air handler 
• New thermostat 
• Installing accessories you choose, such as a whole-house humidifier or air cleaner 
• System testing 
• Final inspection 
• Every installation is done according to state and local building codes and regulations 

It depends. There are a lot of variables that go into HVAC replacement cost, including the energy efficiency of the unit(s), the heating or cooling capacity, whether you need ductwork upgrades, and much more. The best way to get a firm dollar figure is to get multiple quotes from trusted HVAC companies in your area. 

However, we can give you some ballpark figures. 

Your dealer will decide if your system is a candidate for partial replacement. It’s not always possible. If it is, central AC replacement costs with Trane can range from $8,500 on the low end to $25,000 on the high end. Your actual cost may be higher or lower depending on local labor costs, the size of the unit, the efficiency of the unit, local and state sales tax, and more. 

A full HVAC replacement, where you’re getting a new air conditioner and replacing the furnace or air handler at the same time, will include the cost of the furnace or air handler.  It can be cheaper to replace both units at the same time than to replace them two years apart.  

The best way to get an accurate price for HVAC system installation is to get multiple quotes from HVAC companies in your area.  

Depending on how old your ductwork is and the HVAC system you’re installing, an HVAC company may also recommend replacing some or all of the ductwork. This is not the case for every HVAC installation, by any means. If it’s necessary in your case, your ductwork installation cost will vary widely based on the type of ducts, the size and layout of your home, zoning, and much more.  

Most certainly. Today’s central air conditioners, gas furnaces, and air handlers are all much more energy efficient than units manufactured 15-20 years ago. According to ENERGY STAR®, a new AC installation when you’re replacing a unit that’s at least 10 years old could save you up to 20% on cooling costs.  

Installing an HVAC system where you replace both the AC unit and the furnace at the same time can save you even more. Your total savings will depend on the SEER2 and AFUE ratings of the units as well as how many heating and cooling stages your new system has. 

And again, the system must be properly installed to ensure optimal performance. 

Anne Fonda, Content Writer

LinkedIn

A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.

Expert review by Eric Weiss, Training Manager I, Residential HVAC Services