Central Air Conditioners in Calgary – Prices, Deals & Free Quotes

When buying a central air conditioner for your home in Calgary, you should consider multiple factors. It is a big-ticket item, so you’ll want to do your research. Consider things like your budget, energy-efficiency, air conditioner brands and models, your cooling requirements, and your space. We’ve put together an overview of key factors to research to help you make an informed decision you can feel good about.

Central air conditioners in Calgary are a must-have item. While most homeowners know that an AC keeps the property cool, they are also vital for ‘conditioning’ the air which means removing the humidity for a pleasant – and safe – living experience.

A central AC can work very hard during extremely warm temperatures, and thus years and years of that wear and tear means that the air-conditioner does have a life span. A low-quality AC might struggle to provide 10 years of cooling, while others can work an extra decade past their 15 year life span with no problems.

Eventually though, your Calgary central AC will need to be replaced at some point. While the task of replacing these types of top end units may seem overwhelming at first, it’s really not that bad once you have all the information you need to know – which coincidentally can be found right here.

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Average central air conditioner cost in Calgary (including installation):

$3,200 – $6,000

When you are researching the cost of a new central air conditioning system, you can expect to pay an average of $3,200 – $6,000. The brand, model, and features, efficiency or SEER rating you choose will impact the final cost.

To get the best price and value, get quotes from three different HVAC companies so you can compare. Find out their cost to install as well as the labour warranty they offer on their work. A reputable HVAC contractor should warranty their work for at least one year.

While it should never be the deciding factor in what type of new central AC to install in your Calgary home, there’s no denying that finances are always going to be important. Most homeowners should budget at least $4,000 – $5,000 for a new Calgary central AC installation but that is not a firm price, as size, brand, features, SEER Rating, and difficulty of labor will all have their affects on the bottom line in cost.

Since there are so many variables to consider even the term ‘average cost’ can be a bit misleading. What we recommend is to get at minimum three different quotes for comparison.

Getting a variety of estimates helps the homeowner come to a consensus on the scope of the work that is needed, as well as an approximate cost and timeline. It’s important that you are comparing apples to apples in these quotes as well, making sure they include parts, labor, and also warranty.

How to Choose a Reputable HVAC Contractor

You could get a dozen quotes from different AC contractors in Calgary, but eventually you’re going to have to decide on which company to go with. While the actual installation may take less than a week, in reality you’ll be working with this contractor for the next 10-15 years for maintenance and repairs.

It’s an important consideration when it comes to choosing a reputable HVAC contractor in terms of how long they have been in business. Established companies offer a sound peace of mind because you know they are going to be around for the life of your air-conditioner unit. At the same time we have to let new companies break into the industry at times too, just do your homework on the history and the goals of the business and its ownership group.

Regardless of years in service, quality HVAC contractors:

• Have positive feedback that is also independently verified
• Have a solid track record with minimal outstanding disputes
• Have insurance, licenses, and certifications that are up to date and verified
• Have experienced contractors and brand-specific training
• Are registered with brands to offer rebates

Why those are all important qualities to have, how do you possibly go about verifying all that information? The answer is you don’t – because we’ve done it for you with out independent local HVAC certification program.

Looking at the Specific AC Units Themselves

Aside from price, the two main features that are most important in a Calgary central AC purchase are a) size and b) energy efficiency. Air conditioners are sized between 1.5 and 5 tons and the reason it’s important to have a properly sized unit is because too small will run almost constantly and drive energy prices up while too large will short cycle and not properly dehumidify the room.

To calculate the tonnage needed to cool your home, multiply the square footage being cooled by 25, and divide that by 12,000. That will give you a base point, but an experienced HVAC contractor can fine tune the size needed based on various factors such as high ceilings, juxtaposition to the sun, etc.

As far as energy efficiency the main thing to look for is SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). SEER is cooling output divided by the energy it uses so the higher the number the better. The common range for Calgary central AC SEER ratings is 13-20 with the average about 18.

Who Are Our Top Calgary Air Conditioner Contractors?

Purchasing a High-Efficiency Central Air Conditioner in Calgary

The first thing to consider when you start researching your new central air conditioner purchase in Calgary is energy efficiency. While energy-efficient models can seem more expensive initially, an high-efficiency central A/C can contribute to long-term savings on your monthly energy bills. All central air conditioner models in Canada have a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) sticker from 13-20+. The average Calgary consumer will find that an A/C unit up to 18 SEER offers a good degree of energy-efficiency.

Efficiency is more than just the SEER number. You need the right sized air conditioner for your space. If the unit is too large, the A/C can’t remove the humidity properly, and you will notice that your home feels damp. If the unit is too small, your A/C will constantly run which will cost you more each month and wear down the cooling system faster. Contact a licensed HVAC contractor to assess what A/C unit you need to cool your home efficiently.

Deals Available

Government Rebates Available

Add government rebates to the list of energy-efficient air conditioner savings that can keep the total cost of your new cooling system down.

Your licensed HVAC distributor is a good resource if you are unsure about which rebates you are eligible for. They can help you find and understand what rebates are available to you and how you can apply for them.

Something else to remember is that certain rebates may still be available for the purchase of energy efficient AC in Calgary. There are not as many of these government programs in operation as there were in the past 5-10 years, but you can check out an updated list here.

However the Federal government is offering up to $5,000 for energy-efficient home upgrades, including HVAC improvements. Learn more on our rebates page.

Popular Central Air Conditioner Brands

Lennox, KeepRite, Goodman, Trane, and Carrier continue to be popular brands that Calgary homeowners focus on when researching a new, high-efficiency central A/C unit. These central air conditioner manufacturers are well-established and back their central A/C models up with long-term warranties.

Choose from one of their many ENERGY STAR® central A/C models that match your home cooling requirements. Look for options like Lennox’s range of A/C types (Single Stage, Two Stage, Variable Speed, and Multi-Stage) or KeepRite’s Smart Sense™ technology that provides cooling, heating, and humidity control.

Installation

Installation of your new central air conditioner is one of the most important factors in your purchase. You want to find a professional, certified HVAC contractor in Calgary so whenever possible, ask for references.

Installation costs are dependent on multiple factors such as any upgrades you may need like wires, vents, safety codes, etc., access, and the quality of the indoor coil. For the indoor coil, make sure you get a high-quality coil. Low-grade coils can fit poorly and affect your air conditioner’s efficiency, ultimately costing you more in the long run.

HVAC Installation in Calgary Including Building Permits

A lot of things about purchasing new HVAC units in Calgary goes back to getting multiple quotes initially. Those estimates are very important when it comes to installation, because obviously different fittings have varying degrees of difficulty. A replacement installation should be very straightforward, but new homes or upgrading to central air could have higher labor costs depending on the home layout.

HVAC installations in Calgary all require a permit, whether they are in new buildings or renovations. In order for the specifications of the permit to be fulfilled, a post-installation inspection must also be signed off on. 

Financing Options

High efficiency air conditioners are a major household purchase. Thankfully, there are many financing options in Calgary that can ease the financial stress. So that you can comfortably afford your new, high-efficiency air conditioner unit.

These typically allow you to spread the cost over several years with manageable monthly or bi-weekly payments. Our local contractor partners list above offer financing options and can provide additional details and rates.

About Air Conditioning in Calgary

With average summer temperatures reaching about 23 degrees Celsius and peak temperatures of 30 degrees or more in July and August, a high-efficiency central air conditioner can help Calgary homeowners stay cool and comfortable while controlling their summer energy costs.

Reputable and licensed HVAC contractors local to the Calgary and surrounding area can assist you with maintaining your existing energy-efficient A/C unit or selecting and installing a new one.

Finally, make sure to take advantage of the free quotes that many contractors offer and make sure to know the size and energy efficiency rating you need for your specific property. The rest will fall into line after combing out those details.

General City Information

With average summer temperatures reaching about 23 degrees Celsius and peak temperatures of 30 degrees or more in July and August, a high-efficiency central air conditioner can help Calgary homeowners stay cool and comfortable while controlling their summer energy costs. Reputable and licensed HVAC contractors local to the Calgary and surrounding area can assist you with maintaining your existing energy-efficient A/C unit or selecting and installing a new one.

Calgary & Surrounding Areas

Airdrie, Okotoks, High River

Popular Neighbourhoods

Thorncliffe, Beltlin, Altador, Killarney, Glamorgan, Signal Hill, Arbour Lake. Saddle Ridge, Taradale, Martindale, Falconridge, Evergreen, Tuscany, Saddle Ridge, McKenzie Lake, Monterey Park, Pineridge, Marlborough, Acadia, Lake Bonavista, Shawnessy, Whitehorn, McKenzie Towne, Bridlewood, Edgemont, Panorama Hills, Coventry Hills, Huntington Hills, Sundance, Cranston, Altadore, Bowness, Varsity
Glenbrook