{"id":17834,"date":"2024-09-17T01:18:21","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T08:18:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=17834"},"modified":"2026-03-23T06:10:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T13:10:54","slug":"how-much-value-does-central-air-add-to-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-much-value-does-central-air-add-to-home\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Value Does Central Air Add to Your Home?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you still use window units or fans to keep your home comfortable, you might feel left out in the cold. Recent data shows that almost 90% of homes nationwide use air conditioning<\/a> and 97% of new homes use central air<\/a>. Researchers predict the AC market will grow more than 5% by 2029<\/a>, thanks to higher temperatures and humidity worldwide and the changing view of AC as a utility rather than a luxury.<\/p>\n

With these different factors in the mix, you might wonder if it\u2019s time for an icy upgrade. How much does installing central air cost \u2014 and how much value does central air add to your home at resale?<\/p>\n

While some analysts previously found that homes with air conditioning sold for 2.5% more nationwide<\/a> than homes without it, more recent assessments consider replacing the HVAC an \u201cinvisible improvement,\u201d which many buyers simply assume is in good working order and for which they\u2019ll rarely pay extra. That said, if it involves smart technology or energy efficiency<\/a>, buyers could consider this a perk.<\/p>\n

Overall, premiums vary by location, and where you live also determines whether buyers expect it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\n \"homelight\n <\/div>\n \n

Partner With a Top Local Agent Who Knows What Buyers Want<\/h3>\n

If you’re selling a house without central air, consulting with a top agent who knows what buyers want in your market can help ensure that the improvements you make are worth the investment.<\/p>\n \n

\n Find a Top Agent<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cDoes it add value? Yes. If they don\u2019t have it, and a client asks if they should put it in prior to listing the house, I unequivocally 100% say no. Don\u2019t waste the money,\u201d says Michael Whitney<\/a>, a top-selling real estate agent serving Portsmouth and Rockingham County, New Hampshire, who works with over 79% more single-family homes than the average area agent.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt adds to the salability more than it adds to the value,\u201d adds Bob Sophiea<\/a>, a top-selling agent in the Lexington, Kentucky, area who is also a historic home and luxury home specialist.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to help evaluate whether installing central air conditioning boosts your \u201ccool factor\u201d enough at resale to warrant the expense.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How much value does central air add to your home at resale \u2014 and how much does installing central air cost?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":48164,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[320,234],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17834","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-add-value","category-home-improvement"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow Much Value Does Central Air Add to Your Home?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How much value does central air add to your home at resale \u2014 and how much does installing central air cost?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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