How Long Does it Take to Replace an Air Conditioner?

Your air conditioner just stopped working and it is unrepairable. You need a replacement fast! How long will it take to replace your air conditioner so you can get back to relaxing in cool air? The length of time will vary depending on the size of your air conditioning unit and your home, where it is installed, and of course who you hire.

Our HVAC pros explain the AC replacement process.

Getting Your AC Replaced

Your air conditioner should be able to be replaced in less than a day and should take the technicians anywhere from 4 to 8 hours. Of course, the time depends on a few factors, including:

The Size of the Unit

A smaller unit can be installed much faster than a larger one, plus, the size and shape of your home will play a role in what size of an air conditioner that you will need.

The total volume of your home is also a factor, especially if it has higher ceilings. You will need a larger air conditioner to cool all that extra air than a home with lower ceilings.

Number of Units

If your home requires more than one AC unit, this will obviously impact the duration of the installation.

Related: How to Pay for a New AC

The Type of AC

The type of air conditioner that is installed will depend on the layout of your home. Central air conditioners come in two different types: split air conditioners and packaged air conditioner units. The difference between these two systems is how they are structured.

Split Air Conditioners

A split air conditioner consists of two separate units—a condensing unit and an evaporative coil. The two units are joined by copper tubing that transfers refrigerant from one unit to the other. The condenser unit is located outside of your home and the coil is inside.

Advantages include:

• Enhanced efficiency with SEER values well into the 20s
• They can be installed in closets, attics, garages, etc.
• They are less expensive to fix and easier to maintain.
• They are usually quieter

Packaged Air Conditioners

A packaged air conditioner has both a condenser and coil together in a single unit. It contains the same components as a split air conditioner but takes up less space.

Packaged air conditioning systems are:

• Smaller and more compact than a split air conditioner system.
• Used where there isn’t enough room for a larger split AC unit.
• Installed on your roof.
• Usually less efficient because of their smaller size and SEER sizes only up to 14.

Further Reading: What Should I Look for in a New AC Unit? 

Type of Installation

Generally, there are two different types of air conditioning: a changeout and a full system replacement. They each have their own timeframe of completion.

Changeout

If you are replacing your existing air conditioner with a new one, this is considered a changeout. All of the other equipment will remain the same, and the ductwork is in place and intact.

A changeout is much faster to complete than a full system replacement.

Full System Replacement

When replacing a full system, your HVAC technician will be replacing or installing ductwork and rewiring the thermostat. This process can take much longer than a simple changeout and can take anywhere from three to five days. While the unit itself will be replaced in one day, replacing the ductwork can take four days depending on how extensive the project is.

The Location

If an air conditioning unit needs to be installed in a basement or crawlspace, it will take more time than an install in an easy-to-work-in basement.

Trust Super Heat & Air for Your AC Installation

Don’t take chances with your air conditioner installation, especially in this heat! Hire a licensed and certified professional company like Super Heat & Air to ensure that your AC install is done right the first time!

Don’t waste your money—when you need a new AC installed, call on the pros at Super Heat & Air!

Contact us today—(813) 355-0288, and don’t forget about our Super Fast Guarantee!