Central ac

50-200k, depending on the size of the apt.

central ac is useless

and fedders window ac or big thing sticking out of every room is classy?

HVAC system cost me $8500 plus tax to replace.
General cost for a 3 to 3.5 ton unit ranging 1200 to 2400 sq ft.
Furnace,evaporator coil, and condenser with labor.

Have no idea on costs for ducting and every job would be different.

After some 10 apartments in nyc, this is my first with central air.

central ac is awesome

replace is one thing - install is another

My friend installed central air in his 1400-sf apt. The contract cost was 25k, but due to a slow as molasses approval process, it delayed his construction by many months. The real cost was probably considerably more. If he had to do it over, he would not have installed central air.

>replace is one thing - install is another

Without a doubt. The unit(s) are the cheapest part. THe engineering and the ducting is where the money is.
I'd do it much quicker in a loft than a standard multiroom apartment.

Central air makes a huge difference - it is quiet and unobtrusive visually.

The unit itself is only a portion of the cost. The ductwork and associated work can cost a lot. You will most likely have to drop some ceilings to accommodate the ducts - frequently hallways are the best choice. You'll also need to give up a window or cut into the exterior wall for venting. (An unused maids room makes an ideal equipment room) Finally, you may need to bring additional power up to your apartment to handle the increased load (figure 2,000 a floor to bring up new service)

Thank you all for your comments. It's really helpful. I do believe in central a/c because we have really noisy through the wall units now that need to be replaced every 5 years or so. The apartment in question is approximately 2200 square feet. ba294, That's quite a huge range. What factors are affecting that range? How long does a typical central a/c unit last? Again, any input would be greatly appreciated.

I gave you a wide range since it could be a 10,000sqf apt
If you go with typical brand installation, it would cost you anywhere from 50k-70k.
Like someone had said, replacing is dirt cheap, installing a whole new central AC with engineering, ducting, drywall, ceiling, etc will cost quite a bit.

There are also various types of AC system and the cheapest way to go is to have each room with its own unit with thermostat. This requires almost no engineering work, no ducting, no ceiling drop, etc.
The only downside is having to change the filter on every room few times a year. Also, venting/access unit is large in size (though flushed to the wall) and may be an eye sore.

typical central air system last almost forever. You may need to do a minor repair from every 5-10years but nothing much other than regular filter change.

Central system also provides AC and Heat, fyi

BA294 - I think the system you are talking about in each room is not considered central air, nor is it as quiet or unobtrusive as an all apartment ducted system

And Miles - the point is the compressor and air handler are just one small piece of the puzzle. The cost of them may be a quarter or less of the cost of putting in ductwork, electrical etc. They last many years, but as noted above replacing just the mechanicals is probably less than 10,000

Bear in mind central air needs yearly tube ups, topping off fluids, etc. You can handle changing the filters yourself (you will find the air in New York is dirtier than you expect, so monthly is likely once you see the color of a used filter) but you should have a yearly startup by the A/C company to troubleshoot. Companies try to put you on a yearly plan for about 3,500, but that isn't really necessary if you have the system started and checked in the spring. And yes, they can have problems, and it is no fun trying to get a repairman in on short notice if you are not on the yearly plan...

But there is nothing like the result. Your apartment is quiet, cool, and you have no ugly window or wall units. If you do a really nice job you will only have small supply slots and no visible vents.

I believe they are considered central air (though it doesn't have a central system). It has a simple duct system from the vent/access unit, which works like a loop. Air blows out from the ceiling and sucked in from the vent/access unit with a filter. They are as quiet and completely unobstructed as they are flushed to the wall. You may be thinking of a unit built on the window wall with a access panel enclosed with filter, pipes and radiator.

ba294, are you talking about a split system? The kind with the boxes hanging from the wall in each room, with a separate unit outside? Typical brand is Mitsubishi's Mr. Slim... no ductwork required, and no closet required for the equipment, but the downside is having 3' wide boxes hanging from the wall. On the other hand, they're highly efficient and require a lot less labor to install than a conventional forced air system.

I disagree that central air systems require yearly tune-ups. Anybody paying $3500/year for a maintenance contract should have their head examined. The owner can easily change the filter as needed, and neither the compressor nor the condenser require any fluids to be topped off on a periodic basis -- the refrigerant is held in a closed system. Air conditioners work the same was as your refrigerator, and I don't know of anybody who has yearly refrigerator tune-ups.

flarf, no, it has air outlets in the ceiling and vent/filter on the wall which ducts to the ceiling outlet. Everything is flushed against the wall. To put into simple words, instead of having one central system in the utility room which ducts to the air outlet, this one has central system in every room. This minimizes any engineering work (electrical, plumb, drywalls, etc) and involves very minor duct work which loops like the letter "C"

I would never pay $3500/year for its maintenance. You just need to change the filter twice a year. No need to top the liquid. Just need to check for any leaks.
Like flarf said, do you check your refrigerator, laundry, gas, etc on a yearly basis for any leaks?

I had my true central AC (with utility room) for over 8 years without a hitch. Just once a year filter change.

Have heard nothing but great things about the Mitsubishi slims

To everyone who has contributed to this thread thank you very, very much. This is great information.