Depending on your home’s size, layout, and current AC set-up, it can cost anywhere from almost $3,300 to as much as $7,900 for a new AC unit in the Miami area. These are averages. The actual cost will vary from one Florida AC installer to another.

There may be additional fees involved in a new AC installation. If your electricals are old and need replacing, that can drive up the costs. You may need to repair or add new ducts. You might have to create additional zones.

There’s no way to avoid paying thousands for a new AC unit, but you can save some money with a little careful planning and research. Our guide to saving money on a new AC helps point you in the right direction.

Don’t Purchase an Undersized or Oversized System

While researching and pricing your new AC, people often make a few mistakes. The biggest is thinking that a bigger system will cool your home faster and therefore need to run less often. Are you expecting to save money by getting a system designed for 2,000 square feet when your home is only 1,200 square feet? You’re not alone, this is a common misconception.

What happens is that the AC does cool your home faster, but then it shuts off quickly. You get uneven cooling, a unit that has controls turning off and on more often which wears down the components faster. Plus, you get higher humidity levels because the system doesn’t have time to properly remove humidity. You can end up with mold and mildew issues.

Another mistake is to purchase the smallest size possible in order to save money. If you have 1,500 square feet and purchase a system for a 1,000-square-foot home, you can just turn down the thermostat a bit and save money on a cheaper AC system.

This also doesn’t work. To cool the home effectively, the system will have to run longer, so it’s going to drive up your electricity bills and wear out faster. You’ll end up having to purchase a new AC system long before you expected to need one. As a result, you haven’t saved any money.

You’ll save money in the long run by working with a professional Florida AC installer. Your home’s square footage needs to be carefully calculated, and then the number of windows, amount of shade trees, ceiling heights, and openness of the floor plan all must be weighed to determine the best AC system for your home.

Discuss the Price Points Between ACs With Higher SEER Ratings

SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. It’s a calculation of the AC unit’s cooling output (measured in hourly BTU) over a season divided by the energy input. A higher number is better. Starting in January 2023, SEER2 ratings came into effect and AC units in Florida must meet the 14.3 (SEER 15) minimum for units under 45,000 BTU or less or 13.8 SEER2 (14.5 SEER) for units 45,000 or higher.

An AC professional will also look at the SEER ratings of systems and explain them to you. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the system is. A higher SEER may cost more at the time of installation, but you’ll have lower electricity bills, so you save money every time it runs.

Have Your Ducts Inspected or Installed

Are you replacing an existing AC system? Make sure the ducts are inspected first. If there are cracks, holes, or rusted areas, the air ducts must be restored or replaced. If you’re putting in your home’s first central AC system, ducts need to be installed.

You should have them professionally cleaned, too, just in case there are any dead animals, mold issues, or clogs in your existing system. If you don’t do this, your new system isn’t going to run efficiently and may cause unexpected odors.

Consider Making Some Home Improvements

An effective AC system will keep your home cooler if it’s sealed well. Adding insulation and replacing doors and windows can make a big difference. Some of these measures might be things you can do independently if you have the tools and skills.

There are simple measures that can help boost your new AC’s efficiency. Add honeycomb blinds to help trap the cool air in the home while also keeping the sun from heating a room. Add shade trees to limit the sun’s impact on certain areas of your home when the sun is high in the sky.

Have you considered adding solar panels to your roof? They can reduce your electricity bills, which makes it easier to afford a new AC system in the long run.

Check for State and Federal Rebates and Tax Incentives

Take advantage of rebates from state electricity companies and federal tax incentives. Qualifying air conditioning systems with the appropriate ENERGY STAR rating qualify homeowners for a federal tax credit of up to $600. Pairing a new AC installation with attic insulation upgrades can pair these tax credits giving you up to $3,200 in tax credits each year.

Florida Power & Light (FPL) customers also qualify for an instant rebate of $150 when the new AC system is 15.2 SEER2 or greater. If you pair the AC tax credit and FPL instant rebate, that’s a total of $750 off your new AC system, making it much easier to pay for or finance a new system.

Aim for Off-Season Installations

When possible, try to arrange a new AC install for the off-season. The demand for AC repairs and replacements is less common in the winter months, and you might encounter end-of-season sales that help you save money.

Check for New Customer Coupons

If you’re working with a company for the first time, ask if they have coupons or new customer specials. You might qualify for a discount when you become a customer. For example, All Year Cooling offers same-day installs of new AC units to new customers.

Work With a Licensed Florida AC Specialist

The best way to save money on a new central AC system in Florida is by working with a licensed specialist. All Year Cooling is licensed and has 50 years of experience in air conditioning installations, repairs, and maintenance. We know all about the tax incentives and rebates and provide the paperwork you need to qualify for them.

Plus, we work with several financing companies with low-interest rates and special financing plans for up to 60 months. If you don’t qualify with one of those lenders, we also have in-house financing plans that do not require a minimum credit score. Some of the incentives available with our financing partners include:

Cost-free repairs and replacements caused by failures due to normal wear and tear are included.
You receive an instant decision.
A new smart thermostat is included in the installation.
No down payment is required.

All Year Cooling’s customers have one more way to save money. Refer your friends and family to our AC installation and repair services. When they work with us, you get $50 in cash. Our Cool Cash Rewards Club is free to all customers.