NORTH MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) - Even with an indoor temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit Marylouise Plant say she's comfortable without air conditioning, but her husband Jim is miserable.

"He says, 'Oh, I cannot sleep'," says Plant.

On Thursday, employees from Northside Heating, Cooling & Refrigeration visited the couple's home to install central air. Plant says the job is a surprise for her husband when he returns home later in the day.

"We have debated this for years," she says.

The price of adding central air conditioning to a home can vary widely. Most simple jobs for an average-size home start between $2,400 and $3,000. The cost goes up significantly if a home doesn't already have ductwork and a forced air heating system.

Most of the cost for central air installation comes with the condensing unit that sits outside the home. There is also the cost of pipes and other equipment that connect to a home's furnace. Experts say when pricing a system, make sure the quote includes the cost of labor.

Jerry Roof, co-owner of Northside, says he looks at several factors when quoting a job, including "the age of the house, insulation, size of the house, and if it's single or two story."

Marylouise Plant was surprised by the affordable cost of her central air system.

"I was totally amazed," she says. "I thought it would be one or two thousand dollars more than it was."

Plant says this will be the last day the temperature inside her home reaches the mid-80s.

Reported by Jon Mills in North Muskegon