Search thousands of topics on CostHelper

BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children  cars  consumer electronics health & personal care home & garden personal finance  pets  schools small business sports weddings
CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Electrical, HVAC & Energy Efficiency > Room Air Conditioner

Room Air Conditioner Cost


How Much Does a Room Air Conditioner Cost?

 
low costLow: $100-$300average costMedium: $240-$600high costHigh: $400-$760

On sweltering days, life indoors can be a bit more bearable if there's an air conditioner extracting heat and moisture from a room and replacing it with cool and dehumidified air. Whatever system is used, it must have room to push hot air outside and blow cooler air inside.

Typical costs:

  • A window-mounted room air conditioner that can cool a space of 150-300 square feet typically costs $100-$300. A larger window-mounted room air conditioner that can cool a space of 450-1,000 square feet closts $300-$800. Generally, extra-quiet, energy-efficient models with remote controls are at the upper end of the price ranges. Extras such as extension kits to fill unused space in non-standard-sized windows, supporting platforms or other installation hardware can add $35-$100.
  • Through-the-wall room air conditioners cost $240-$600 to cool 150-400 square feet, and $300-$1,500 or more for chilling larger areas. Most appliance stores will arrange for installation for an additional $175-$200. The extra-quiet, energy-efficient models with remote controls and/or heaters get the top prices.
  • Portable residential room air conditioners cost $400-$650 for cooling up to 450 square feet (about 18x22-feet); portable commercial-grade air conditioners that cool larger areas cost $2,500-$7,000 or more.
Related articles: Ductless Air Conditioner, Central Air Conditioner, Screen Door

What should be included:
  • For any type of air conditioner, it's important to carefully calculate how much cooling power is needed. Sun exposure, ceiling height and amount of wall insulation should all be considered. If the unit is too large for the space it wastes energy and won't properly de-humidify the indoor air; too small and it won't cool the space properly and could break down or wear out from overuse. If cooling several rooms, it's better to buy several small units than one large one.
  • Window air conditioners are usually a fairly easy do-it-yourself installation and are mainly used to cool an apartment or one or two rooms. They are self-contained units with the hot end sitting outside the window and the cooling end inside. Most modern models are relatively quiet, but there is still some noise from the compressor. They block the view through the window and must either be removed and stored elsewhere during the cooler months or protected against the winter weather.
  • A through-the-wall unit functions like a window model, but is permanently mounted in place. The noisy compressor is outside of the wall, muffling the sound; the view through the window is clear; and security is better because the unit cannot be easily removed to gain access to the house. The unit is held in place with a metal device called an air conditioner sleeve; it and the hole in the wall require either an extremely high level of do-it-yourself skill or professional installation. It may be difficult or impossible to install an air conditioner in a brick or masonry wall.
  • Portable air conditioners require no installation for the unit, but must be vented through a window, a wall or a drop ceiling. Typically exhaust hoses are 4-7 feet long; making the exhaust hose any longer cuts the cooling power. These units collect water as they dehumidify the air, so either a bucket must be manually emptied or a drain line must be added to the back of the unit. Portable air conditioners are versatile and convenient, and can be used in workshops, garages, RVs, boats or other small spaces. ThisOldHouse provides a video of how to install a portable air conditioner[1] .
Additional costs:
  • If a window or wall has dry rot or other damage, carpentry or other repairs may be required before an air conditioner can be installed. The cost will depend on the extent of the problem.
Discounts:
  • Save as much as 15-25 percent by buying during off-season store sales, in the cool months before the summer heat hits.
  • Energy Star provides buying advice[2] for choosing an energy-efficient room air conditioner with the right capacity based on the room's size.
Shopping for a room air conditioner:
  • When considering a particular model, be sure it matches with the electrical outlet where you plan to plug it in; some smaller air conditioners run on standard 120-volt household circuits, while others may need a dedicated circuit or a 240V outlet.
post Post   Comments (2)  
CostHelper News


7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013


7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013

‣ All CostHelper Blog Posts


What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Air Conditioning Window Unit - Labor to install
Amount: $135.00
Posted by: Tim C. in SF Eastbay Area, CA.Posted: August 26th, 2014 02:08PM
Bracket from Home Depot specifically for installation plus a piece of plywood painted white to cover remaining opening was installed with owners new a/c unit. Parts and materials $45 and labor of $90.00
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Room Air Conditioners
Amount: $125.00
Posted by: Jeffrey Kinkade in OSHKOSH, WI.Posted: August 5th, 2010 05:08PM
Type: 5300 BTUManufacturer: GE
Model: AET05LM
My landlord is charging me $50.00/mo for using it during the summer months, May 15-Sept 15. My room is about 12x12. I live in Wisconsin, so the unit is only in use less than 50% of the time. I feel I am getting ripped off. The power is in his name, so I have no way of knowing the actual cost. Thanks
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


 

Comment On Your Experience With a Room Air Conditioner
 
Subject:  *
Amount Spent:  *
Type: Manufacturer: 
Model:   
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.
 



External Resources:
  1.  www.thisoldhouse.com/heating-cooling/21017273/how-to-install-a-portable-air-condit...
  2.  www.energystar.gov/products/heating_cooling/air_conditioning_room
More Home and Garden Topics
Check Out All Costs for Home and Garden How Much Does a Kitchen Remodeling Cost? How Much Does a Propane Tank Cost? How Much Does a Plumber Cost?

Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com

 
Today's Featured Cost Articles

About CostHelper
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit
Paid: 147.00
Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
-nervouschomper
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Paid: 150.00
I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
-Gregory Richardson
Interpreter Cost
Dat
Paid: 495.00
This is how much I am paying... [more]
-Calista Christian
Dental Admission Test Cost
Shingrix
Paid: 48.00
... [more]
-Not that BB
Shingles Vaccine Cost
Skin prick allergy test
Paid: 573.00
Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]
-D’s mom
Allergy Testing Cost
Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat
Paid: 0.00
13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more]
-Terrimarie
Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost