How Much Does Central AC Installation Cost?
Replacing a split-system central AC (outdoor condenser plus matching indoor coil) on existing ductwork and wiring, including labor and removal of the old unit; typical figure is Angi's national average.
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 ton (18,000 BTU)HomeGuide $2,000–$5,000; Fixr $3,650–$6,250 | $2,000 | $6,250 |
| 2 ton (24,000 BTU)HomeGuide $2,500–$5,500; Fixr $4,250–$7,500 | $2,500 | $7,500 |
| 2.5 ton (30,000 BTU)HomeGuide $2,700–$6,000; Fixr $4,500–$8,000 | $2,700 | $8,000 |
| 3 ton (36,000 BTU)HomeGuide $3,000–$6,500; Fixr $5,000–$9,150 | $3,000 | $9,150 |
| 3.5 ton (42,000 BTU)HomeGuide $3,100–$7,000; Fixr $5,450–$9,700 | $3,100 | $9,700 |
| 4 ton (48,000 BTU)HomeGuide $3,500–$7,500; Fixr $6,950–$11,600 | $3,500 | $11,600 |
| 5 ton (60,000 BTU)HomeGuide $4,000–$8,000; Fixr $7,800–$14,000 | $4,000 | $14,000 |
Prices installed. Sources: [1], [3]
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Replace AC only, existing ducts and electricalAngi typical range | $3,911 | $8,067 |
| Replace 3-ton AC, ducts in good shapeFixr | $5,500 | $10,000 |
| Add central AC to an existing furnace and ductsHomeGuide $3,000–$5,000; Fixr $5,050–$10,700 (3–3.5 ton) | $3,000 | $10,700 |
| Replace AC and gas furnace togetherHomeGuide | $5,000 | $11,000 |
| Air-source heat pump instead of ACHomeGuide $4,000–$8,000; Fixr $3,625–$10,800 | $3,625 | $10,800 |
| Replacement with partial or full new ductworkFixr | $7,500 | $16,000 |
Prices installed. Sources: [1], [2], [3]
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Permit, replacementOften included in the contractor's bid | $100 | $250 |
| Permit, new install with ductwork | $250 | $1,500 |
| Remove and dispose of old unitIncludes refrigerant recovery | $25 | $200 |
| New refrigerant line set | $200 | $650 |
| New 240-volt circuit | $100 | $150 |
| Condensate drain line by a plumber (if not included) | $180 | $500 |
| Condenser pad | $40 | $250 |
| Thermostat | $140 | $350 |
Prices each. Sources: [1], [2]
Installing or replacing central air costs about $2,500 to $10,000 for a typical split system on existing ductwork, with national averages of $4,700 [1], $5,989 [2] and $8,750 [3] depending on the source. Size, efficiency and ductwork drive most of the spread: a straight swap of a small, minimum-efficiency unit is at the low end, and a large high-SEER2 system with new ducts can top $16,000 [3]. The federal 25C tax credit no longer applies to systems installed in 2026 [4].
Why the three big cost guides disagree
HomeGuide, Angi and Fixr all publish national ranges, and they don’t agree. For a 3-ton system, HomeGuide puts the installed price at $3,000–$6,500 [1], while Fixr’s mid-efficiency range is $5,000–$9,150 [3]. Some of the gap comes from what each one includes. Fixr’s low-end example is a 3-ton, 14 SEER change-out on existing ducts at $3,750, and its high end is a new 21 SEER system with 300 feet of new ducts at $18,000 [3]. HomeGuide’s ranges lean toward a basic replacement [1].
Where the two overlap is the most realistic quote range for a mid-efficiency replacement:
| Size | HomeGuide [1] | Fixr [3] | Where they overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton | $2,500–$5,500 | $4,250–$7,500 | $4,250–$5,500 |
| 2.5 ton | $2,700–$6,000 | $4,500–$8,000 | $4,500–$6,000 |
| 3 ton | $3,000–$6,500 | $5,000–$9,150 | $5,000–$6,500 |
| 3.5 ton | $3,100–$7,000 | $5,450–$9,700 | $5,450–$7,000 |
| 4 ton | $3,500–$7,500 | $6,950–$11,600 | $6,950–$7,500 |
| 5 ton | $4,000–$8,000 | $7,800–$14,000 | $7,800–$8,000 |
If a bid falls well below the overlap, ask what’s left out (coil, line set, permit, haul-away). If it’s well above, ask whether it includes duct work or a premium-efficiency unit.
Replacing an existing unit vs. installing new central air
Replacement on existing ducts is the cheapest scenario. Angi’s typical range for a replacement where the ductwork and electrical are already in place is $3,911–$8,067 [2], and Fixr puts a 3-ton replacement with ducts in good shape at $5,500–$10,000 [3].
Adding AC to a home that already has a furnace and ducts means the blower and ductwork are already there; only the condenser, coil, line set and electrical are new. HomeGuide prices this at $3,000–$5,000 [1]; Fixr puts a 3- to 3.5-ton add-on at $5,050–$10,700 [3].
Installing central air in a home without ducts is the expensive case. New ductwork alone runs $2,400–$6,600 per HomeGuide [1] or $3,600–$9,500 per Fixr [3], and Fixr estimates a 3-ton retrofit with new ducts in a 2,000 sq ft home at about $8,650–$20,200 [3]. At that price, a ductless mini-split ($3,000–$10,000 installed [1]) is worth pricing too.
AC only vs. AC plus furnace or air handler
A central AC is two halves: the outdoor condenser and an indoor evaporator coil that sits on top of a furnace or inside an air handler. Replacing the AC and a gas furnace together costs $5,000–$11,000 [1], compared with $2,000–$5,400 for a furnace alone [1].
The refrigerant change makes the “AC only” question harder than it used to be. Trane advises replacing the outdoor unit and the indoor coil together, because the coil must be compatible with the refrigerant, and an out-of-warranty condenser alone can cost $4,000 or more [8]. If the furnace or air handler is near the end of its life, replacing it in the same visit avoids paying for a second install a few years later.
SEER2 ratings: what the minimum is and what more costs
Since January 1, 2023, efficiency is rated in SEER2. The federal minimum for a split-system air conditioner depends on where you live [5]:
| Region | Under 45,000 BTU (under ~3.75 ton) | 45,000 BTU and up |
|---|---|---|
| North | 13.4 SEER2 | 13.4 SEER2 |
| Southeast | 14.3 SEER2 | 13.8 SEER2 |
| Southwest | 14.3 SEER2 | 13.8 SEER2 |
Split-system heat pumps have a single national minimum of 14.3 SEER2 [5].
Higher efficiency costs more up front. Fixr’s unit-only prices for a 3-ton condenser show the curve [3]:
| Efficiency (SEER / SEER2) | 3-ton unit only [3] |
|---|---|
| 14 / 13.4 | $1,725–$3,600 |
| 16 / 15.3 | $2,875–$6,000 |
| 18 / 17.2 | $4,100–$7,800 |
| 21 / 20 | $6,325–$10,800 |
Angi notes that the highest-SEER models often cost three to four times as much as lower-efficiency ones [2]. Whether the premium pays back depends on your cooling hours and electric rate, and without the federal credit it now takes longer to recover.
The refrigerant change: R-454B and R-32
EPA rules limit new residential AC and heat pump systems to refrigerants with a global warming potential under 700, starting January 1, 2025. The exception is systems where all specified components were manufactured or imported before that date [6]. That is why most new equipment now ships with R-454B or R-32 instead of R-410A. Carrier lists R-454B’s GWP at 466 versus 2,088 for R-410A, and says R-454B cannot be used as a direct replacement in an existing R-410A system [7].
What this meant for prices in 2025–2026:
- Refrigerant cost spiked. Honeywell added a 42% surcharge on R-454B orders from February 15, 2025, on top of a $4-per-pound increase in April, and contractors reported paying more than $500 per cylinder [9]. ACHR News reported refrigerant prices up 40% between January and June 2025 [10].
- Equipment cost more. One HVAC retailer reported R-454B systems priced 10–20% above the R-410A models they replaced, with lead times of 4 to 10 weeks in 2025 [12].
- More price increases are coming. Carrier told investors in late October 2026 that it plans an 8% increase on residential equipment toward the end of Q4 2026, driven mainly by tariffs and metal costs [11].
In practice, the refrigerant switch pushes you toward replacing the condenser and coil together, and toward replacing the furnace or air handler too if it’s old.
Heat pump instead of AC
An air-source heat pump cools exactly like an AC and also heats. Installed prices overlap with central AC: $4,000–$8,000 per HomeGuide [1] and $3,625–$10,800 per Fixr [3]. If your furnace is also due for replacement, a heat pump (often paired with a smaller furnace as backup in cold climates) can replace both jobs. Heat pumps carry a higher federal minimum in the North (14.3 SEER2 vs. 13.4 for AC-only) [5], so compare like-for-like efficiency when you get bids.
Labor, permits and incidentals
Labor makes up 40% to 60% of the total installed cost [1]. Angi puts replacement labor at $500–$2,500 [2]. Fixr quotes $75–$250 per hour and $1,250–$3,000 for a split-system installation [3]. Permits for a replacement typically run $100–$250, and most contractors include them in the bid [1]. Small add-ons are listed in the table above. Budget for a new line set ($200–$650 [1]), since many contractors replace it when they change refrigerants.
Location matters too. Angi’s average installation prices range from $4,000 in Green Bay and $4,150 in Miami to $7,000 in New York and $7,900 in San Francisco [2].
The 25C tax credit ended in 2025
Under the 2025 budget law (Public Law 119-21), the IRS says the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C) “will not be allowed for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025” [4]. A central AC or heat pump installed in 2026 doesn’t qualify, no matter how efficient it is. Some cost guides still say the credit runs through 2032 [2]; that information is out of date. State and utility rebates are still worth checking.
Worked example: replacing a 3.5-ton AC in a 2,000 sq ft Southeast home
Take a 2,000 sq ft house in Georgia with sound ductwork and a 15-year-old R-410A system.
- Size. At 1 ton per 500–600 sq ft [2], the house needs about 3.3 to 4 tons. Say the load calculation confirms 3.5 tons (42,000 BTU).
- Minimum efficiency. Below 45,000 BTU in the Southeast, the floor is 14.3 SEER2 [5].
- Base price. HomeGuide’s 3.5-ton range is $3,100–$7,000 [1] and Fixr’s is $5,450–$9,700 [3]. A realistic mid-efficiency quote falls where they overlap: about $5,450–$7,000.
- Scope. Because the new unit uses R-454B, the bid should include a matching indoor coil [7][8]. If the line set is replaced too, add $200–$650 [1]. The permit ($100–$250) is usually already in the bid [1].
- Tax credit. Installed in 2026, the system earns no 25C credit [4].
- Timing. If the contractor passes along Carrier’s planned 8% equipment increase [11], and equipment is 40–60% of the job [1], the bump works out to roughly $175–$335 on this job by our calculation. Whether and how much of that reaches you depends on the brand, the distributor and the contractor.
Likely total: about $5,650–$7,650 with a new line set, or $5,450–$7,000 without one, before any local rebate.
Ways to save
- Get three itemized bids and compare them against the overlap table above, line by line (condenser, coil, line set, permit, haul-away).
- Book in spring or fall. Angi reports savings of 10% to 15% off peak season [2].
- Buy the efficiency your climate needs. In the North, a 13.4 SEER2 unit is legal [5], and the jump to about 17 SEER2 roughly doubles the 3-ton unit price [3]. In hot climates the higher-efficiency unit pays back faster.
- Ask about leftover R-410A equipment. Systems made before 2025 can still be installed legally [6] and may be discounted, but plan for refrigerant service costs over the system’s life.
- Look for state and utility rebates now that the federal credit is gone [4].
What drives the price
- Capacity (tonnage)Each step up in size raises the equipment price; a 5-ton system costs roughly 1.6 to 2.2 times what a 1.5-ton system does across the two sources we compared.
- Efficiency (SEER2)Units above the federal minimum cost more up front. On a 3-ton unit, Fixr's unit-only prices roughly double between 13.4 and 17.2 SEER2.
- Existing ductwork and wiringA straight swap on sound ducts is the cheapest job; adding or replacing ducts can add several thousand dollars.
- Refrigerant generationNew R-454B and R-32 systems require a matching indoor coil, so the indoor side is usually replaced too, and R-454B pricing rose sharply in 2025.
- AC only vs. full systemReplacing the furnace or air handler at the same time costs more in total but avoids a second labor bill and mismatched equipment.
- Location and seasonLabor rates vary widely by metro, and booking in spring or fall instead of peak summer can lower the price.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get the federal 25C tax credit for a new central air conditioner?
No, not for a system installed in 2026. Under the 2025 budget law (Public Law 119-21), the IRS says the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit is not allowed for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025. [4] Check for state or utility rebates instead.
What size central AC do I need?
A common rule of thumb is about 1 ton of cooling per 500 to 600 square feet of living space [2], but a contractor should confirm with a load calculation, because insulation, windows and climate change the answer.
Can I replace just the outdoor unit?
Usually not on an older R-410A system. R-454B cannot be used as a direct replacement in R-410A equipment [7], and Trane recommends replacing the outdoor unit and indoor coil together, noting a new coil plus labor can cost about as much as a new unit. [8]
Can contractors still install R-410A air conditioners?
Only systems whose specified components were all manufactured or imported before January 1, 2025. New residential AC systems otherwise must use a refrigerant under 700 GWP, such as R-454B or R-32. [6]
Is it cheaper to replace the AC and furnace at the same time?
The total is higher ($5,000–$11,000 for AC plus gas furnace [1]), but you pay for one installation instead of two, and an aging furnace or air handler often has to be swapped anyway to match a new A2L coil.
Sources
- HomeGuide, “How Much Does AC Replacement Cost?.” Installed cost by tonnage, home size and SEER; AC + furnace; permits; removal; labor share. Accessed November 9, 2026.
- Angi, “How Much Does AC Replacement Cost? [2026 Data].” National average, typical replacement range, labor, city averages, sizing rule of thumb. Accessed November 9, 2026.
- Fixr, “Cost to Install Central Air.” Installed cost by tonnage, unit price by SEER/SEER2, ductwork scenarios, heat pump comparison (page updated Aug 29, 2025). Accessed November 9, 2026.
- Internal Revenue Service, “FAQs for modification of sections 25C, 25D, 25E, 30C, 30D, 45L, 45W, and 179D under Public Law 119-21 (OBBB).” 25C not allowed for property placed in service after Dec 31, 2025. Accessed November 9, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Energy, “2023 Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps: FAQ.” Regional SEER2 minimums for split AC and heat pumps. Accessed November 9, 2026.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Technology Transitions HFC Restrictions by Sector.” 700 GWP limit for residential AC from Jan 1, 2025; exception for pre-2025 components. Accessed November 9, 2026.
- Carrier, “What is R-454B Refrigerant?.” R-454B GWP 466 vs. 2,088 for R-410A; not a drop-in replacement. Accessed November 9, 2026.
- Trane, “What Does AC Condenser Replacement Cost?.” Out-of-warranty condenser $4,000+; replace outdoor unit and indoor coil together. Accessed November 9, 2026.
- ACHR News, “Honeywell Announces 42% Surcharge on R-454B.” April 2025 refrigerant surcharge; contractor-reported cylinder prices. Accessed November 9, 2026.
- ACHR News, “Inflation, Tariffs & Incentives: What Every HVAC Contractor Should Be Telling Customers.” Refrigerant prices up 40% since January 2025 (June 2025 article). Accessed November 9, 2026.
- ACHR News, “Carrier Residential HVAC Rebounds but Price Hikes Loom.” 8% residential equipment price increase toward end of Q4 2026. Accessed November 9, 2026.
- The Furnace Outlet, “How the R-454B Shortage Is Impacting HVAC Prices and Lead Times in 2025.” Archived copy (original page removed). Retailer: R-454B systems 10–20% above R-410A predecessors; 4–10 week lead times in 2025. Accessed November 9, 2026.