How long does it take to replace a compressor in an ac unit

How long does it take to replace a compressor in an ac unit

Between 4 and 8 Hours

On average, it will take between 4 to 8 hours to replace an air conditioner. If you are replacing both your furnace and air conditioning unit at the same time, then the job will take between 8 to 14 hours. The length of time will vary depending on the size of the unit and your home, the location it’s installed, and the company you hire. If you are looking for the best air conditioning installer in the Ottawa region, contact the experts at Draft Control today.

How Long Does It Take to Replace an Air Conditioner: 4 – 8 Hours

You should be able to replace an air conditioner in less than a day. The average installation time is usually somewhere between 4 and 8 hours. The time that it actually takes will depend on a few different factors.

The Size of the Unit Will Affect the Time It Takes to Replace an Air Conditioner


A smaller unit can be installed faster than a larger, bulkier one
. The size and shape of your home will play a big part in the size of air conditioner you will need. A smaller home will require a smaller air conditioning unit than a much larger home. It is not only the square footage that determines the size you need though, but the total volume of your home. For example, a home with higher ceilings will require a larger air conditioner than one of the same square footage with lower ceilings.

The number of units required to cool your home will also affect the installation time
. A larger home that requires more than one unit will have a longer installation time than a smaller home with only one unit being installed.

How long does it take to replace a compressor in an ac unit

If you need multiple units, the installation time will increase

The Type of A/C You Choose Will Affect the Time It Takes to Replace an Air Conditioner

The type of air conditioner that you choose usually depends on the layout of your home. Central air conditioners come in two different types: split air conditioners and packaged air conditioners. The difference between the two is how they are structured.

Split Air Conditioners:
A split air conditioner is made up of two separate units, a condensing unit and an evaporative coil. Sometimes these two parts are referred to as the condenser and the coil. The two units are joined by a set of copper tubing that transfers refrigerant from one to the other. The condenser is located outside of your home and the coil is found inside.

The advantages of a split air conditioner include:

  • They can be very efficient with SEER values well into the 20s
  • They can be located in closets, attics, garages, etc.
  • They are easier and less expensive to fix and maintain
  • They are usually quieter

Packaged Air Conditioning System: A packaged air conditioner has both its condenser and coil together in one single unit. It contains the same components as a split air conditioner.

Packaged air conditioning systems are:

  • Smaller and more compact than a split air conditioner
  • Used where there isn’t enough room for a larger split unit
  • Installed on your roof
  • Often less efficient because of their smaller size with SEER sizes only up to 14

The split and packaged air conditioning systems differ in how ​they are structured

The Type of Installation Affects the Time It Takes to Replace an Air Conditioner

There are two different types of air conditioning installations: a changeout and a full system replacement.

Changeout: A changeout means that you are replacing your existing air conditioner with a new one. All of the other equipment is going to remain the same. In this situation, all of the ductwork is in place and is intact; it doesn’t need to be installed or repaired. A changeout is much faster than a full system replacement and can be completed in less than a day.

Full System Replacement: A full system replacement means that your HVAC professional will be replacing or installing your ductwork and rewiring your thermostats. This process will take much longer than a simple changeout. A full system repair is going to take anywhere from 3 to 5 days. The changeout of the old unit will still just take one day, but replacing the ductwork can take up to four days depending on how extensive it is.

The Location of the Air Conditioner Will Affect the Time It Takes to Replace an Air Conditioner

The location of the installation will also affect the time it takes, but you can’t always change the location. For example, a unit that needs to be installed in a low basement or crawl space will take more time than one in a modern easy-to-work-in basement.

How long does it take to replace a compressor in an ac unit

Your installation will go faster if it is being done in an easy to access location

Steps Draft Control Will Take To Install Your Air Conditioner

Personally Assign You a Trained Technician: When you choose to hire Draft Control for your A/C installation, we will send a personally assigned technician to your home to carry out the installation. Our technician is committed to you alone during that installation and will not be called away to another call.

Initial Walkthrough: Upon arrival, we will do a thorough walkthrough of your home and of the installation area, explaining what we are going to do.

Progress Updates: We will give you updates on our progress throughout the day. You can be assured that we are there for one thing, and one thing alone: to install your air conditioner. We don’t take shortcuts, and our installations are of the highest quality just like you deserve.

Post Installation Checklist: Once the job is finished, we will go over a post-installation checklist with you to confirm that we have precisely completed the job and that we have exceeded your expectations.

How long does it take to replace a compressor in an ac unit

Trust Draft Control to Replace an Air Conditioner

Don’t take chances with your air conditioner installation. Hiring a professional company like Draft Control will ensure that the installation is done in a timely manner and only needs to be done once.  Hiring an inexperienced person to do the job can waste your time and money. If you need your air conditioner replaced, contact Draft Control today.

“Excellent service at less than half the price I was being quoted by other companies. I highly recommend!”
– Gillian Kirkland

How long does it take to replace a compressor in an ac unit

Financing Available!

Great news, Draft Control now offers financing through EcoHome Financial. If you know that you need to a new air conditioner and furnace and want to replace HVAC system, but you weren’t sure how you were going to do it financially, we can help. Contact Draft Control to learn more.

We Even Offer a Military Discount!

Draft Control is proud to offer a 10% discount on select services and sales to our military personnel. Contact us today to learn more.

How long does it take to replace a compressor in an ac unit

How long does it take to replace a compressor in an ac unit

Is it worth replacing compressor on AC unit?

The compressor is an expensive item to replace. Because dead compressors usually happen in old air conditioners, it's more cost-effective to start over with a new AC rather than pay to put a new compressor into a system that's already wasting power and a few years from the junk heap.

How much does it cost to replace an AC compressor?

Generally, the cost of a home AC compressor is around $1,200. The cost to replace it ranges between $800 and $2,800. The labor and material make up around 50 percent of the final bill. The cost of its parts ranges from $450 to $1,500.

Are AC compressors easy to replace?

Typically, replacing a compressor should be done by a professional, but you can perform this task at home if you are competent working with your hands. Doing the job yourself can also save you a decent amount of money.

Why is it so expensive to replace AC compressor?

Why is a compressor so expensive to replace? Replacing a compressor is costly for two reasons: The part itself is expensive. The job is time-consuming (requires 4+ hours)