There are a lot of great things about living in a city the size of Toronto – variety can be a good thing when you’re looking for a place to dinner but not so much when you have home services you need performed. One area that has seen a lot of concern recently is finding a quality central AC installer in Toronto.
Whether you got a bargain basement deal on your current AC or paid top end prices, the unfortunate fact of the matter is that eventually these air conditioners need to be replaced. Proper maintenance can prolong that life span, but an AC unit reaching about 15 years old is likely going to need to be changed out sooner rather than later.
You can become a virtual HVAC expert by learning about the basics of central AC replacement in Toronto, nearly all of which is included with further reading:
Average central air conditioner cost in Toronto (including installation):
$4,250 – $5,250
As a homeowner it’s always nice to know an average cost for a Toronto central air installation and work from there regarding special features and how energy efficient you want the unit to be. $4,250 is very much a base price for a small central AC with a very simple installation in a house that won’t exceed 1500 square feet.
Price is a very important factor but it’s also important that a homeowner takes everything into account with that cost to get the true value. The longer the warranty, the lower the annual cost really is. A high efficiency AC that cuts costs on utility bills will also subsequently have a lower yearly price and could eventually start to pay itself off. These are important factors to consider when evaluating the overall price of the unit.
While the height of government kick backs for purchasing energy efficient appliances may have subsided a bit, there are still a variety of options to explore here. In addition, these Toronto AC purchases often don’t need to be paid for up front with a variety of financing options and other incentives available.
Higher than average
Slightly above-average price range, which may be due to factors like a more complicated installation, or purchasing a top-of-the-line unit or premium brand.
Typical price range: $4,250 – $5,250
The average price range for a typical high-efficiency unit with a typical installation from an established, fully licensed & insured local HVAC contractor. Prices will vary within this range based on installation factors, brand & model, unit size/BTU output & efficiency, among other things.
Lower than average
Below-market pricing; be careful if the price is exceptionally low. The lower the price is below average, the higher likelihood that you may receive a more hastily done installation, low-end or used components, limited labour warranty coverage & ongoing support, or the company may be less established or lacking in insurance and/or licensing & certification.
Toronto by the numbers
Population: 2.8 million
Average Temp. (Summer): 20.9 degrees Celsius
Average Temp. (Winter): -4.7 degrees Celsius
Top Brands by Price Tier
Low – $2,900+ Goodman, York, American Standard
Mid – $3,500+ Amana, Bryant, KeepRite, Napoleon, Ruud
Premium – $4,500+ Lennox, Carrier, Trane, Rheem
Rebates available: Yes
What to look for when choosing a heating & air conditioning contractor
People often fret over the brand of furnace to buy, but choosing the best contractor in Toronto is every bit as important. Not only is the quality of the workmanship and installation crucial to the furnace’s lifespan, the company you choose will be relied on for future servicing and warranty coverage.
Always choose an established company that has:
- Good, independently-verified feedback
- A solid track record and no outstanding disputes
- Verified insurance, licenses, and certifications
- Experienced staff, with manufacturer training
- Registered to offer rebates
Checking all of these things is difficult and time-consuming.
That’s why we’ve already done it for you!
Learn more about our independent local HVAC contractor Certification program, designed to help you get a reliable heating system at a fair price, from reputable local dealers.
Who Are Our Top Toronto Air Conditioner Contractors?
About City Home Comfort:
- Established, with a great track record
- Amazing feedback from verified customers
- Fully licensed, bonded, and insured
- Experienced and well-trained staff
- 24-hour emergency service
Current Promo
Get a $6500 Rebate when buying a Bosch IDS BOVA 20.5 SEER Heat Pump paired with a Bosch BGH96 High-Efficiency Furnace.
Purchasing a High-Efficiency Central Air Conditioner in Toronto
EFFICIENCY RATING & LONG-TERM VALUE
As one of the most telling indicators of an air conditioning unit’s efficiency, you should always pay close attention to the SEER (or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Entry-level models will often offer SEER ratings ranging from 13 to 18, whereas their premium tier counterparts can range up to 21. Effectively, this rating will give you a good idea of how much cooling is able to be produced per amount of energy spent.
Another factor in keeping an eye for is whether or not the air conditioner you’re interested in is ENERGY STAR certified. Not only does this certification promise that the unit in question is highly efficient, but it also guarantees that its operation will have less of an impact on the environment. Although an air conditioner with a higher SEER rating might cost you more money up front, you’ll undoubtedly notice that over time this unit will save you more money.
FEATURES SPOTLIGHT: FAN BLADES
Two questions that a lot of Canadian homeowners first consider when looking to purchase a new air conditioning system are:
- How efficient is this system?
- How quiet will this unit be able to operate?
A number of brands have been able to kill two birds with one stone when answering these questions, and that’s thanks to innovative new fan blade designs. The smallest adjustment to a high-functioning feature such as the fan blade can make an incredible difference in terms of performance. By attempting to produce them with a variety of different materials as well as making minute alterations to the shape and size of the fan blades, HVAC manufacturers have been able to improve overall efficiency while drastically reducing sound production.
During the humid summer months in Toronto, one of the last things you’ll want is an air conditioner that’s too loud. Few things are more grating on the nerves than a cooling system that you can hear bumbling, grunting, and chunking all night long. Swept air blades are able to more productively deliver comfortably cool air while simultaneously contributing to dehumidification, all the while remaining whisper quiet.
Keep SEER ratings high and decibel levels low with a modern air conditioner that places emphasis on good design.
WARRANTY
Altogether you aren’t able to expect as comprehensive as a warranty coverage with a new air conditioner as you with a new furnace; however, many brands make it their business to keep their customers covered. You should be certain to invest in a system that is covered with at least 10 years of internal components warranty, as this tends to be one commonality amongst mid-range competitors.
Otherwise, certain manufacturers offer an additional replacement warranty should your unit experience issues with vital parts, such as the compressor – this is premium coverage. Always make sure to register your products after purchase to activate your warranty, as this is your responsibility.
In addition, ensure your HVAC contractor that you buy the unit and who performs the installation also provides at least 1 or 2 years of labour warranty.
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Purchasing a Central Air Conditioner in Toronto
Some people would say “why is the contractor more important than the actual AC” and it’s because the HVAC installer can help you pick the proper air conditioner unit. Even if you know nothing about what an AC is, a quality company can help you decide the size of air conditioner that is needed, what features work best for your specific home, other upgrades you can/should make (new windows, insulation upgrade) and overall just guide you through the buying process.
The major purchase points you and your chosen Toronto HVAC installer will discuss are size and energy efficiency. Central AC units range in size from 1.5 tons to 5 tons which may not seem like a big difference, but having an air conditioner that is too small will obviously cause your unit to run much more frequently (higher energy bills, lower life span).
Some consumers take the ‘bigger is better’ approach to their central AC but that actually has the negative effects of not taking the moisture out of a room because of what is called a short cycle.
The major thing homeowners need to know about energy efficiency is the SEER Rating. This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio which is calculated by dividing the total number of BTUs of heat removed from the air by the total amount of energy required to do that.
A good SEER rating is considered anything 14 or higher with the average number in Toronto being 18 and the highest levels reaching up to 23.
Is the Toronto HVAC Contractor the Most Important Part of the Purchase?
One thing to know about prices of HVAC units is that a lot of those costs come in the name of the brand. Goodman or York for example might be considered lower end manufacturers while Trane, Lennox, or Rheem are the names that almost everybody in Canada is familiar with.
One thing to note though is that regardless of the brand, almost half of the expected life span of your new AC unit comes on how properly it was installed. Selecting the proper Toronto HVAC installer is an often overlooked aspect of the buying experience as people focus on price, brand name, installation timelines, etc.
The main thing that homeowners fail to understand is that your air condition installer in Toronto is not just initially setting up the unit, but also doing repairs and scheduled maintenance often for the life of your warranty. The best contractors:
- Have searchable and verified feedback that can be found online
- Have a solid word of mouth reputation with no outstanding disputes
- Provide verified insurance, licenses, and certifications
- Have an experienced staff
- Participate in manufacturer training and are registered with name brands
Finding the right contractor can be a headache, but we’ve taken a bulk of the work out of it for you with our HVAC Contractor Certification Program. This is a list of local Toronto HVAC contractors with mostly positive feedback in regards to professionalism, price, and the overall experience.
Installation
One of the most important factors in ensuring that your new air conditioner has a long and efficient life is a proper installation. Contact a licensed and experienced HVAC technician to install your own unit to avoid any issues later down the line. A majority of technicians and HVAC companies will offer labour warranty as well as additional maintenance coverage to provide you with complete assurance.
Financing Options and Incentives
When looking to purchase a new, high-efficiency air conditioner, be certain to see what sort of financing and incentive options are available. Many of Toronto’s top distributors of heating and cooling systems will offer financing options including monthly payments, payment deferral promotions and leasing options.
Although it might feel as though there are too many options available in a large city like Toronto, you should take advantage of this to see what types of offers are available from the wealth of HVAC providers. Spend some time researching which companies are able to offer the best deals, warranties, financing options, and incentives.
Government Rebates Available
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) offer is able to offer rebates when you purchase a furnace with an air conditioner or a tankless water heater. Additionally, through the Heating and Cooling Incentive Program, there may be other rebates available for purchasing an ENERGY STAR-certified cooling system.
Deals Available
Current Promo for Atlas Care Heating + Air Conditioning + Plumbing + Electrical:
Up to $2,500 off Select Home Comfort Systems + Financing Available
$0 Diagnostic Fee With Completed Repair
Current Promo for City Home Comfort:
Get a $6500 Rebate when buying a Bosch IDS BOVA 20.5 SEER Heat Pump paired with a Bosch BGH96 High-Efficiency Furnace.
More About Toronto
Home to many of Canada’s driving cultural forces, Toronto is the most populated city in Canada. Located on Lake Ontario, Toronto reaches both ends of the spectrum with icy winters as well as uncomfortably humid summers.
The city of big business and an incredibly diverse population, Toronto is a popular tourist destination, with over 25 million visiting every year. The 6ix is the center of Canada’s burgeoning arts scene, hosting the Toronto International Film Festival, North by North East, as well as the TD Toronto Jazz Festival. Additionally, Toronto is home to some of the country’s most avid sports fans, who are able to cheer for the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, Raptors, and Toronto FC.
Toronto City Information
Home to many of Canada’s driving cultural forces, Toronto is the most populated city in Canada. Located on Lake Ontario, Toronto reaches both ends of the spectrum with icy winters as well as uncomfortably humid summers.
The city of big business and an incredibly diverse population, Toronto is a popular tourist destination, with over 25 million visiting every year. The 6ix is the center of Canada’s burgeoning arts scene, hosting the Toronto International Film Festival, North by North East, as well as the TD Toronto Jazz Festival. Additionally, Toronto is home to some of the country’s most avid sports fans, who are able to cheer for the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, Raptors, and Toronto FC.
