1.5 Ton HVAC Install Cost

[upstech76]

I recently finished out by bonus room(above my garage!) and would like to install a 1.5 ton HVAC to heat/cool this room. Room is a 14x20 and is well insulated. My neighbor has a 1.5 Goodman unit that performs well with a similar sized room. I already have the lineset, electrical for both the inside unit and compressor, gas line, and all ductwork installed. The unit will be located in the attic which has a full-size door off the bonus room. What should I expect to pay for a unit to be installed? Installation should be fairly easy as everything is prepped and ready for the install.

 

[Jim greengo]

Pictures?

 

[99LeCouch]

Depends on location and style of equipment being installed. Ducted mini-split? Regular heat pump? Furnace and A/C? Single-stage, two-stage, modulating?

All that will play a role in how much installation will be.

 

[aunsafe2015]

I recently finished out by bonus room(above my garage!) and would like to install a 1.5 ton HVAC to heat/cool this room. Room is a 14x20 and is well insulated. My neighbor has a 1.5 Goodman unit that performs well with a similar sized room. I already have the lineset, electrical for both the inside unit and compressor, gas line, and all ductwork installed. The unit will be located in the attic which has a full-size door off the bonus room. What should I expect to pay for a unit to be installed? Installation should be fairly easy as everything is prepped and ready for the install.

Sounds perfect for a mini split. Though if you sized the linesets for a typical ducted system the linesets may not be the right size for a mini.

 

[upstech76]

Pictures?

Pictures of what? Its a typical 3BR house with a bonus room above the garage!

Depends on location and style of equipment being installed. Ducted mini-split? Regular heat pump? Furnace and A/C? Single-stage, two-stage, modulating?

All that will play a role in how much installation will be.

While a mini split may be a good option, with everything I've already put into place I'm just looking for a typical builder grade (Goodman) 1.5 HVAC with a gas furnace. I can buy the unit and compressor online for ~$1600 but wasn't sure what I'd expect to pay for installation. In my mind, all that is needed is physcally set the unit in place, sweat in the lineset and wire everything up.

 

[JackDiddly]

Most contractors make their profit on the actual mark-up of equipment itself so you will probably be shocked by the comparison your giving for ordering it online yourself. Your location will also add to the equation. What kind of duct-work will be needed and how much? If it is an attic installation putting in a 90+ efficient over an 80 will require a little more and will change the cost. If the lineset was already run, was there a provision for the low voltage that will be necessary between the indoor and outdoor unit or is it something that can still be accessed? There are far too many variables involved to simply ballpark it online with any deal of accuracy. Your best bet is to get a few of your local HVAC techs out to give you a bid and compare for yourself. YMMV

sorry it says you already installed duct-work just re-read, but still I would recommend getting a few bids.

 

[upstech76]

Most contractors make their profit on the actual mark-up of equipment itself so you will probably be shocked by the comparison your giving for ordering it online yourself. Your location will also add to the equation. What kind of duct-work will be needed and how much? If it is an attic installation putting in a 90+ efficient over an 80 will require a little more and will change the cost. If the lineset was already run, was there a provision for the low voltage that will be necessary between the indoor and outdoor unit or is it something that can still be accessed? There are far too many variables involved to simply ballpark it online with any deal of accuracy. Your best bet is to get a few of your local HVAC techs out to give you a bid and compare for yourself. YMMV

sorry it says you already installed duct-work just re-read, but still I would recommend getting a few bids.

Appreciate the feedback. The low voltage wire is also already in place. The builder that originally built my home did everything but the unit itself and the ductwork. I installed the ductwork when I finished the bonus room. I'll reach out to a couple of installers this week and get some bids to complete the work.

 

[Jim greengo]

Pictures of what? Its a typical 3BR house with a bonus room above the garage!



While a mini split may be a good option, with everything I've already put into place I'm just looking for a typical builder grade (Goodman) 1.5 HVAC with a gas furnace. I can buy the unit and compressor online for ~$1600 but wasn't sure what I'd expect to pay for installation. In my mind, all that is needed is physcally set the unit in place, sweat in the lineset and wire everything up.

Of where unit will be installed,what has to be gone around etc.
Anybody who gives you an estimate without know the conditions is out of there mind.

 

[Jim greengo]

Pictures of what? Its a typical 3BR house with a bonus room above the garage!



While a mini split may be a good option, with everything I've already put into place I'm just looking for a typical builder grade (Goodman) 1.5 HVAC with a gas furnace. I can buy the unit and compressor online for ~$1600 but wasn't sure what I'd expect to pay for installation. In my mind, all that is needed is physcally set the unit in place, sweat in the lineset and wire everything up.

How did you already install the duct work if you dont have the furnace installed?

 

[redneckcharlie]

Is there a reason why you don’t complete the install yourself? The one issue you may encounter is getting an HVAC installer or company to warranty the install due to them not doing the rough-in work. If your mind set is that they’ll do the install for a very discounted rate and supply the equipment you may get lucky and find a contractor that is hard up. I doubt it though, there’s no upside in that scenario. Your best bet is to contact your builder and see if they’ll give you a break and do it.

 

[finn]

1 1/2 ton seems way oversized for such a small space. Did you calculate the requirements or are you basing this on what your neighbor guessed for sizing?

 

[yeldogt]

That's only 280sf ? What's the insulation? location?

Bonus rooms tend to need a bit more because they are open all the way around .... but, I agree 1.5 seems like a lot.

I have a 20 x 22 one story addition -- lots of glass w a 12k mini. I did the 12k because we use the room often with many people .... so greater load. 9k would have been plenty.

The problem I see is the goodman will be single stage -- and no one makes a small enough heater (gas) for such a small space.

 

[danski0224]

$7,422.81

 

[Jim greengo]

$7,422.81

 

[Jackfre]

Install a 9kbtu mini-split and you will be comfortable. Install a 1.5 ton anything and it will not work well.

 

[danski0224]

That's only 280sf ? What's the insulation? location?

Bonus rooms tend to need a bit more because they are open all the way around .... but, I agree 1.5 seems like a lot.

I have a 20 x 22 one story addition -- lots of glass w a 12k mini. I did the 12k because we use the room often with many people .... so greater load. 9k would have been plenty.

The problem I see is the goodman will be single stage -- and no one makes a small enough heater (gas) for such a small space.

If this "bonus room" has ceiling on rafter construction, which usually includes improperly installed insulation at no extra charge, every bit of those 1.5 tons of cooling will be needed.

Not to mention whatever "ductwork" has been installed.

 

[danski0224]

Install a 9kbtu mini-split and you will be comfortable. Install a 1.5 ton anything and it will not work well.

If the ceiling and knee walls are not properly insulated, the mini-split won't work worth a ****, either.

Too many unknowns.

And odds are, the installing contractor will be on the hook for the deficiencies installed by the homeowner.

 

[strutaeng]

Do you have any windows? Maybe you don't like the looks of a window AC, but that will only set you back like $500 and you can install it yourself.

1.5 ton for that small of a room seems way oversized! That's something like 5.35 tons per 1,000 sq ft! LOL

A mini-split is another option, but will be a lot more than window AC. They now have inverter window ACs that are quite and more energy efficient than before.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/LG-Elec...Wi-Fi-Enabled-and-Remote-LW1517IVSM/303947186

 

[yeldogt]

If this "bonus room" has ceiling on rafter construction, which usually includes improperly installed insulation at no extra charge, every bit of those 1.5 tons of cooling will be needed.

Not to mention whatever "ductwork" has been installed.

That's why I asked about insulation ... Bonus rooms require proper detailing.

18k BTU is a lot for under 300sf. my last project - all spray w 3000 sf was 36k BTU cooling.

Spray foam being the best ....

 

[danski0224]

That's why I asked about insulation ... Bonus rooms require proper detailing.

18k BTU is a lot for under 300sf. my last project - all spray w 3000 sf was 36k BTU cooling.

Spray foam being the best ....

Everything requires proper detailing.

I have yet to see a properly insulated bonus room, or properly insulated knee walls or skylight tunnels.

Then there are the open chases I have found in attics.

Most of these DIY HVAC threads are pointless and too much info is left out.

 

[Jackfre]

The OP says well insulated.

 

[danski0224]

That's good to know

 

[dcg9381]

I installed a 2 ton Daikin mini-split for about $1400 all-in. That's DIY.
Estimates on "installed" mini-split systems in my are doubled or tripled that amount. Anywhere from $3k-4.5k.

 

[240sxguy]

2.5 ton a/c system installed at my house onto my existing furnace is 3k all in. I am having the condenser relocated, so that may have added to the cost. Most other estimates were about 1k more.

 

[justinjoyal]

Nowhere near enough info to even guesstimate.

1.5T for that space seems like a lot.

 

[brownbagg]

$7,422.81

you forgot travel time

 

[kj_mustang]

Nowhere near enough info to even guesstimate.

1.5T for that space seems like a lot.

Absolutely, without a Manual J calc you are just wasting time and money.

 

[danski0224]

you forgot travel time

Nah.

That'll be included in with all of the extras...