HVAC System Replacement Cost (Updated For 2023)

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Saturday, November 11th, 2023

HVAC System Replacement Cost (Updated For 2023)

One of the most common questions we get related to heating and cooling systems is, “how much does it cost to replace an HVAC system?”

While it would be relatively easy to provide a quick price range based on a wide variety of factors, we’ll outline here many of the factors that contribute to HVAC system cost so you’ll have a better idea of how much your replacement HVAC system may cost.

DIRECT REPLACEMENT

For this article, we’ll focus primarily on a direct replacement which would be functionally the same as your old HVAC system. Expect considerably higher overall costs if you’re considering changing system types – for example, going from a heat pump with electric backup to a gas furnace.

HVAC SYSTEM TYPES

There are a few different types of heating and cooling systems with the most common being heat pump + electric, or air conditioning with natural gas, or propane furnaces. When it comes to evaluating the replacement cost, there is minimal difference among these common types. Alternative types such as gas or oil-fired boilers or geothermal systems are considerably more expensive.

TYPICAL HVAC SYSTEM PRICES

To simplify some of the HVAC choices, which also drives the cost, we categories HVAC systems into three feature groups:

Basic HVAC Systems

Basic HVAC systems have the lowest cost but also have the lowest efficiency and the least features. With a basic unit you can expect a single speed fan and a minimum of 14 SEER efficiency rating.

Better HVAC Systems

This mid-tier of HVAC replacement systems could have a two speed fan, allowing the fan to run on low when conditions are mild (saving electricity). Overall efficiency is also more common in this bracket as 15-20 SEER units are available.

Premium HVAC Systems

The best, most efficient, HVAC units feature variable speed fans which are able to adjust fan speeds based on the system demand, and also are available up to 24 SEER.

System Size vs. Cost

Its important to get the HVAC unit sized appropriately for your home. The cooling needs for your home will drive the system size (and therefore the cost). If your home is older, has poor insulation, or lots of windows, the heating and cooling needs would be greater than a more efficient home.

You’ll commonly see system sizes referred to in tons, which simply refers to the cooling capacity where 1 ton = 12,000 BTU.

Your home may also have multiple zones, which is a separate HVAC system for different parts of your home.

*The prices in the chart above include materials and equipment only and excludes labor. See below for more details about labor & installation costs.

INSTALLATION VARIABLES

When looking at HVAC cost, the cost of the equipment is only part of the story. What makes quoting HVAC systems particularly difficult are the wide variety of factors that go into an HVAC system’s installation.

Here are just a few of the big items we’ll need to consider when quoting your specific installation:

What is the overall design scope?

Does a new system require any changes to framing, ducts, wiring, or plumbing?

Based on the design scope, time, and cost associated with engineering and permits.

Accessibility (ease of access lowers the installation time and cost). In some cases, cranes or scaffolding are needed and that can greatly increase the installation cost.

Carpentry and finish work

SIMPLIFYING THE COMPLEXITIES

At James River Air, we’re experts in heating and cooling systems. First and foremost, we want to make sure you’re comfortable in your home year-round. Having a heating and cooling system that is designed and installed properly is critical for year-round comfort. The age and construction of your home will factor into the size and type of HVAC system that will provide optimum comfort.

Schedule a free in-home consultation to have one of our HVAC professionals evaluate your home’s specific HVAC needs.

BOLT ON ITEMS & UPGRADES

Your existing system may already have some of these upgrades, and you may choose to keep, eliminate or add any of these options during your system replacement.

Whole-Home Air Purification – specialty filters can purify air to eliminate pollution, allergens, and in some cases even harmful viruses or bacteria. Ask one of our experts about options for whole-home air purification. Prices for whole-home air purification range from $500 to $1200

Humidification – During the winter months the humidity is generally lower and your heating system can contribute even further to dry indoor air. Having the proper humidity level in your home leads to comfort and can even save you money. Indoor humidity makes the air feel warmer so you may be able to lower your thermostat 1-2 degrees. Prices for humidification systems range from $900 to $3000

Dehumidification – While air conditioning systems provide some level of dehumidification, our hot and humid summers put a lot of pressure on an air conditioning system. An added dehumidification system will help your air conditioner run more effectively by reducing the humidity level in your home. Prices for dehumidification systems range from $2800-$5200

As you can see, there are many factors that go into the cost of and HVAC system replacement. Our goals is to provide professional consultation and guidance so you’ll end up with the optimal system that adds to your year-round comfort while also meeting your budget.

For service in the greater Richmond, Virginia area, contact our team today. You’ll be glad you did.

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Categories : Cooling, Heating

Register for Richmond SPCA’s 21st Dog Jog – 3.25.23

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Tuesday, March 7th, 2023

The community is invited to join in on the family-and-pet-friendly fun at the Richmond SPCA’s 21th Annual Dog Jog and 5K Run, happening in-person Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Richmond SPCA, Robins-Starr Humane Center, 2519 Hermitage Rd.

James River Air Conditioning is a proud sponsor of the 21th Annual Dog Jog and 5K, benefiting nearly 4,000 homeless animals in the Richmond SPCA’s care each year.

James River Air has been a long-time supporter of the Richmond SPCA and the critical care the nonprofit provides for our furry, four-legged friends. In addition to saving the lives of hundreds of homeless dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies each year and adopting them into lasting, loving homes, the Richmond SPCA provides extensive veterinary medical treatment and behavioral rehabilitation to dogs and cats in their shelter and operates the community’s first and only full-service, low-cost veterinary hospital for the pets of people of modest means, among numerous other life-saving programs and services.

Along with the return of the Richmond SPCA’s in-person Dog Jog & 5K Run, and in 2021 and 2022, the event raised more than $156,000 to benefit the Richmond SPCA’s work in the community. Help us top that number this year by donating now, buy a raffle ticket, or starting a fundraiser! 

Please visit Richmond SPCA’s website for more details (Event hashtag: #DogJog)

Register Here
Donate Here
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Benefits of Regular HVAC Maintenance

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Monday, February 27th, 2023

Here at James River Air Conditioning, we believe regular HVAC maintenance is especially important for the longevity and safety of your home comfort system(s)! Routine check-ups can save you money in the long run. Here are James River Air’s top 5 benefits of regular HVAC maintenance: 

Improved Energy Efficiency

Maintaining regular maintenance on your HVAC system can help it operate more efficiently in several ways. Cleaning and replacing filters, lubricating moving parts, checking refrigerate levels, and cleaning the coils are a few ways our professional technicians can help to ensure your system is running as efficiently as possible.

Longer Lifespan

By keeping your HVAC system well-maintained, you can help extend its lifespan. The average life expectancy of a heat pump is about 10-15 years. Routine maintenance will help prevent wear and tear. Over time parts of your system can become worn down due to normal usage. Regular maintenance will help catch and address these issues before it could become a major problem.

Improved Air Quality

A well-maintained system circulates air throughout the building, which helps to remove stagnant air that can harbor pollutants. A well-maintained HVAC system ensures proper ventilation and air circulation, improving overall air quality. Additionally, HVAC systems can regulate indoor humidity levels in your home. This helps prevent growth of mold and mildew. Maintaining proper humidity levels always helps contribute to reducing the spread of airborne viruses and bacteria.

Fewer Breakdowns

With regular HVAC maintenance, you will experience fewer breakdowns! Our professional technicians can help catch the small problems before they turn into serious issues or replacements. During our routine maintenance visits, our technicians inspect all aspects of your unit. They could find worn-out or faulty parts that could potentially cause issues in the future.

Lower Utility Bills

Did you know a well-maintained system can help lower your utility bills? Well, it can! A clean and functioning system means your system will not have to work has hard to heat or cool your home. The easiest and most effective way to help lower your utility bills are to change your filters! A dirty or clogged HVAC filter will reduce the lifespan of your system and increase your utility bills.

Overall, routine HVAC maintenance is a small investment that will pay off in a big way. It will help save you money in the long run, improve your comfort and air quality, prevent breakdowns, and increase the lifespan of your unit. Call James River Air today or book online to schedule or sign up for our Preventive Maintenance program and save 30% on future repairs! 804-358-9333.

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Happy Valentine’s Day from Your Home Comfort System – 5 Tips to Show Your HVAC System Love

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Tuesday, February 14th, 2023

As your home comfort system, I’ve worked extremely hard this past winter to ensure you, my homeowner, is warm and comfortable. I can not wait for Spring so I can get a break! Before Summer rolls around and I need to keep you cool and comfortable.

If you’re wondering how you can show your home comfort system love on this Valentine’s Day, here are my top 5 tips. A happy home comfort system = a happy and comfortable homeowner.

Change My Filters!

Nobody wants to breathe dirty, dusty air. Not even me! It makes it harder for me to pump air. Not to mention the air I'm putting out is dirty!

Clean Me!

One of the hardest things for me to do is work efficiently while being covered in grime, dust, leaves, etc. Sometimes critters can create habitats in my area. Gross! Build up around my unit can create less airflow which makes it harder for me to work! Though you and I both don’t like it, I have to use more electricity to be efficient which raises your electricity bill! Sorry ☹ I know we both don’t want this, so it’s a good idea to check outside of my unit to make sure everything is clean and running smoothly.

Install an Air Purification System

Before we all start suffering from allergies, install an air purification system. With this installed, I can help get rid of any allergens, germs or mold that is in the air.

Keep Your Vents Open

An easy way to show me love today is by keeping the vents open your house. Even in unused rooms! When you close your vents, it’s messed with my balance and pressure. It’s making it harder for me to heat your home.

Schedule Annual Preventive Maintenance

To truly ensure your home comfort system is working at peak efficiency, call the professionals at James River Air. 804-358-9333. Our expert technicians will ensure your system is ready to keep you and your home warm and comfortable!

Schedule Here
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Mission Tomorrow 10.26.22 – 10.27.22

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Friday, October 28th, 2022

RICHMOND, Va. (JRAC) – October 26 – 27th, James River Air Conditioning had the opportunity to sponsor and participate in Mission Tomorrow presented by the ChamberRVA in partnership with Junior Achievement of Central Virginia. 

“Eight grade is such a critical year for students as they are deciding on coursework pathways for their high school years and beyond.” ChamberRVA says about the event. 

Mission Tomorrow is an event where every Richmond area 8th grader is bused to the RIR Raceway Complex to learn about the trades – HVAC, Electrical, Medical, Public, Safety, Heavy Equipment, etc., 

A team from James River Air was able to work our booth, meet the kids, and share great opportunities for joining the trades. The 8th graders were a great bunch, and it was very gratifying to share information about our business in a fun, interactive, interesting setting to over 7,000 Richmond area students. 
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Technician Job Fair – Saturday, April 2, 2022

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Wednesday, May 11th, 2022

HVAC Technician / Plumber / Electrician Job Fair

When: Saturday, May 14, 2022

Time: 11 AM – 2 PM

Where: 1905 Westmoreland Street. Richmond, VA. 23230

BEST BENEFITS. BEST PAY. BEST LIFE.

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Our team has numerous openings for new associates in the skilled trades, including HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical. To meet increasing demand for workers, we are hosting a job fair to connect area job-seekers with quickly growing career options within these infrastructure-critical fields.

Among the benefits being offered to new hires by James River Air:

  • Paid training and education for all new associates
  • Excellent income potential and benefits, including health, dental, vision, paid time off, 401k, short – and long-term disability, and much more.
  • Skilled trade roles are in high demand across the country and are a rewarding career path.

According to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, the HVAC service market is growing — it’s predicted to “create 13% more HVAC mechanic and installer jobs from 2018 – 2028.”

Newly-inaugurated Governor Youngkin has pledged that reinvigorating job growth, developing talent, and training workers would be part of his policy initiatives. James River Air is doing its part to support workforce development by promoting training and career opportunities in these fast-growing sectors.

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Earth Day Tips – 4.22.22

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Friday, April 22nd, 2022

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection, restore damaged ecosystems, and to live a more sustainable life. In honor of Earth Day, James River Air Conditioning would like to share a few tips on how you can reduce your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions through small improvements to your HVAC system. 

4 Tips to make your HVAC system more eco-friendly:

  • Change your filters – When was the last time you changed your air filters? If it’s been a month or more, we recommend checking them. You should change your filters every three months.
  • Clean debris, grass, and leaves from around the outdoor unit to ensure you are not restricting airflow. 
  • Inspect your ductwork – If you find any leaks in your ductwork, seal them off. Leaky duct work can be very problematic for HVAC efficiency. 
  • Inspect the insulation in your attic – If you have not checked your attic insultation, it is a great time to check and evaluate if your attic insulation is air-sealed. Without attic insulation, you cannot save money or energy.

These 4 tips are perfect for participating in Earth Day. Not only are these small changes better for our environment, but they can also help reduce your energy bills. While these Earth Day solutions are simple DIY tasks you can complete yourself, your system might require a more professional touch. Please call us today to schedule your spring HVAC tune-up or click the button below!

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James River Air Gives Back: Register for the Richmond’s SPCA’s 20th Annual Dog Jog & 5K Run – 3.26.22

By
Tuesday, March 15th, 2022

The community is invited to join in on the family-and-pet-friendly fun at the Richmond SPCA’s 20th Annual Dog Jog and 5K Run, happening in-person Saturday, March 26, 2022, at the Richmond SPCA, Robins-Starr Humane Center, 2519 Hermitage Rd.

James River Air Conditioning is a proud sponsor of the 20th Annual Dog Jog and 5K, benefiting nearly 4,000 homeless animals in the Richmond SPCA’s care each year.

James River Air has been a long-time supporter of the Richmond SPCA and the critical care the nonprofit provides for our furry, four-legged friends. In addition to saving the lives of hundreds of homeless dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies each year and adopting them into lasting, loving homes, the Richmond SPCA provides extensive veterinary medical treatment and behavioral rehabilitation to dogs and cats in their shelter and operates the community’s first and only full-service, low-cost veterinary hospital for the pets of people of modest means, among numerous other life-saving programs and services.

Along with the return of the Richmond SPCA’s in-person Dog Jog & 5K Run, and in 2021, the event raised more than $156,000 to benefit the Richmond SPCA’s work in the community. Help us top that number this year by donating now, buy a raffle ticket, or starting a fundraiser! 

Please visit Richmond SPCA’s website for more details (Event hashtag: #DogJog)

Register Here
Donate Here
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Top Warning Signs Your Crawl Space Is Impairing Indoor Air Quality & Energy Efficiency

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Thursday, March 3rd, 2022

Is Your Crawl Space Impairing Indoor Air Quality & Energy Efficiency?

Do you notice any of the following unusual sights or smells emanating from your home’s crawl space? (i.e. the narrow, unfinished area that resides under the base of your house)

  • A gross, musty odor
  • Humid air, discolored walls, or standing water
  • Condensation
  • Foundation cracks or rotted wood
  • Feeling a draft or noticed sagging in the floors
  • Pest (ants, spiders, beetles, etc.) or rodent (mice, rats, snakes, etc.) infestation

If you notice any of the above unusual sights or smells, these are all warning signs your crawl space may be compromised. 

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As we head into the damp spring season, and as more homes change hands in a fast-moving housing market, James River Air Conditioning, has advice on how to secure your crawl space – whether you’ve been in your home for years, or you have a new-to-you home. Many homeowners likely never think about the crawl space, but it can be a major contributor to poor air quality and overall home energy efficiency. Nearly 50% of the air you breathe in your home originates from your crawl space. 

The crawl space is the home’s foundation. It’s where electrical conduit, water lines, and other utilities are housed. Traditional crawl spaces are a leading source of high humidity, and thus, mold, and microbiological growth, which causes poor air quality and can be linked to asthma, allergies, and other health issues. On the energy side, homeowners can reduce energy bills by up to 15% by controlling air leakage in crawl spaces, allowing HVAC systems and ducts to perform more efficiency.

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So what can homeowners do to secure their crawl space?

Protecting, cleaning, and sealing the crawl space, and adding vapor barriers and dehumidifiers are a home’s best defense. The benefits of vapor barriers and dehumidifiers in crawl spaces include:

  • Improved air quality
  • Eliminates insect and pest infestation
  • Increased healthy living conditions
  • Prevents mold, mildew and rot issues
  • Hinders structural damage
  • Increased energy efficiency

Homeowners can schedule a FREE inspection of their homes crawl space with James River Air by calling 1-800-COMFORT or click the link below to set up your free inspection. Visit James River Air’s Blog for more tips for saving energy on your HVAC system!

 

Schedule Here
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High Energy Bill Tips

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Tuesday, January 25th, 2022

James River Air’s 5 LOW- or NO-COST Things You Can Do Now To Increase HVAC Efficiency And Save Money Later.

More Than Half of Household Energy Use Comes from Heating and Cooling. 

Around this time of year, many of us take a look at our energy bill and ask: Why is it SO high? What can I do to lower my bill and improve home energy efficiency without sacrificing comfort?

Per the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Winter Fuels Outlook 2021 report, U.S. households that primarily heat with electricity can expect to spend 6% more than they spent last winter, on average.

And according to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling accounts for nearly HALF of a typical home’s energy usage. With HVAC energy consumption tied to the weather and seasonal fluctuations, it’s no wonder that Central Virginians are seeing sky-high energy bills this time of year.

So what can you do to maximize the efficiency of your home’s HVAC system, especially when temps are dropping and ice and snow are in the forecast? With proper care and maintenance, you can winterize your HVAC and ensure it’s running optimally. James River Air Conditioning has five no- or low-cost tips for saving energy in the winter so you don’t have to pay big bucks later on repairs or replacements.

  1. Make sure your air filter is clean – check it monthly and replace it regularly.
  2. Sub-freezing outside? Don’t crank the thermostat up to compensate; leave it at the same temperature you normally have it set. (The ideal winter thermostat temperature is 68 degrees.)
  3. Prevent HVAC unit damage by keeping snow or ice build-up off of your unit. Keep the unit clear with a soft brush or broom. (Never try to pick ice off with a sharp tool of any kind!)
  4. Check your exterior heating vents – snow or ice buildup can not only block but damage vents.
  5. Schedule annual preventive maintenance to ensure your HVAC system is running smoothly!

If you need help with your home energy bill, relief programs and services are available. Details from Dominion Energy: Energy Assistance | Virginia | Dominion Energy

 

 

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The requested date and time is subject to change and all online bookings will be confirmed by a phone call.