How Long Does It Take to Replace an AC Unit? 5 Factors That Impact the Timeline
Cool things take time
Highlights
Most single-family home AC replacement jobs take four to eight hours, but this varies based on home size and other factors.
If the HVAC installer has to go to a hard-to-reach area, like your roof, it will take them more time to replace the AC.
Just replacing a broken unit requires significantly less time than overhauling your entire central air system.
Air conditioners aren't meant to last forever. Whether they're humble window units or large and complicated central air systems, there comes a time when replacement is inevitable. But when it's a summer scorcher and you need to call a local HVAC company to overhaul everything, how long does it take to replace an AC unit? For most homeowners, it’ll take four to eight hours before you’re back in cooled bliss, but the time can vary. Here are the factors that go into your AC replacement timeline.
Air Conditioner Size
The size of the air conditioner is one of the biggest factors in how long it will take to replace. A compact unit will come in and out much faster than a huge, bulky unit that requires more technicians to transport and work on.
Number of AC Units
If your home is large enough to need multiple units, AC replacement will take substantially longer than if you only need one unit. The average AC replacement takes four to eight hours, so replacing two units may take at least eight and up to sixteen hours to replace over the course of a couple of days.
Type of Air Conditioner
There are several kinds of air conditioners and HVAC systems. The best one for your home depends on your home’s size and layout, your home's age, upfront costs, ongoing maintenance costs, and your household's overall HVAC needs based on the local climate and medical needs of household members.
| AC Type | Average Installation Time |
|---|---|
| Window | One hour |
| Split (central air) | Four to eight hours |
| Mini-split | Four to six hours |
| Packaged | Four to six hours |
Window AC Units
You or a pro can finish window AC replacement in as little as one hour since window units don't require structural changes. All you need to do is bracket the unit into the window frame and caulk it. This job may not even require a pro, but if you have any hesitation or trouble lifting things around 50 pounds, a pro will be happy to get it done lickety-split.
Split Air Conditioners
Split air conditioners are a type of central air system. Replacing a split air conditioner can take four to eight hours. Sometimes, the pros will need an entire day, depending on the size of your home and how remote the installation site is.
Mini-Split Air Conditioners
Mini-splits have elements of both central air systems and window units. A window unit is restricted to just one room, but mini splits can heat and cool the entire home or a specific zone. Replacing a mini-split system takes one to three hours on average. Installation needs four to six hours if you have multiple zones that require more indoor AC units.
Packaged Air Conditioning Systems
Packaged air conditioning systems are central air systems that keep the condenser and coil together on the roof. Because of their small size, they're a good fit for small homes that may not have room for a split air conditioner.
Replacing a packaged air conditioner takes at least four to six hours. While they are smaller than split air conditioners, accessing the roof requires additional diligence and time. Getting the unit onto your roof safely also requires significantly more time than transporting AC units at ground level.
Location of the Air Conditioner
Installing a system in a simple location, like your backyard, is going to take significantly less time than getting on and off your roof to replace a packaged air conditioner system. Even when replacing window units, having to lug one up the stairs is going to add more time to the replacement job compared to installing a unit on the ground floor. Plus, pros need to pay extra attention when a window unit faces outside and could fall one or more stories.
The harder it is for a pro to reach the replacement site, the longer the AC replacement will take.
Type of Replacement
Are you replacing a broken unit or opting for a full system replacement?
A changeout, where you replace your broken air conditioner with a new one, keeps all of the other equipment and ductwork intact. But if you opt for a full system replacement because of old, leaky ducts or if you opt for a ductless system, it can take two to three days or longer, depending on the size and layout of your home.
In most cases, a changeout is finished in less than one day. A full system replacement can mean suffering from sweltering temperatures for a few more days. Plan accordingly if your local HVAC company recommends replacing the entire system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Central air systems need ductwork to function. It takes at least two days to install ducts in an average single-family home, and it can take far longer for large homes. Even if smaller homes don’t need as much ductwork, the layout also affects duct installation timelines. Too many hard-to-reach areas will cause the job to take longer, whereas ductless mini-splits and window AC units can be installed in just two to six hours.
The average life span of an HVAC system is 15 to 20 years. Even if your old air conditioner is still functional, it isn't as energy-efficient as a newer system (especially one with an Energy Star designation). Older HVAC systems aren't as efficient, and the 10-year mark is when you should start making full system replacement plans. Twenty years in, that plan should be well underway rather than waiting for the unit to die.