The average cost to install central air is $2,500 to $7,500, depending on the size (tons), brand, and efficiency rating (SEER). New central AC unit prices are $1,000 to $5,000, plus $1,000 to $2,500 for labor to install. Show
Cost to install central airHome size (square feet)AC unit tonsTotal cost installed1,0001.5 – 2$2,000 – $5,5001,2002 – 2.5$2,500 – $6,0001,5002.5 – 3$2,700 – $6,5001,6003 – 3.5$3,000 – $7,0001,8003 – 4$3,000 – $7,5002,0003.5 – 4.5$3,100 – $7,8002,2004 – 5$3,500 – $8,0002,5004.5 – 5$3,700 – $8,0003,0005+$4,000 – $8,500 Table of contents[hide][show]
Central air installation cost calculatorThe following table shows the average cost to install or replace a central AC unit. Central air installation cost calculatorNational average cost$4,700Minimum cost$1,100Maximum cost$15,000Average cost range$2,500 to $7,500 Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members. Find top-rated AC installers in your city. View Pros New AC unit cost by sizeAC units are sized in tons. One ton of cooling capacity equals 12,000 British Thermal Units (BTU). One ton of air conditioning cools 450 to 600 square feet on average, depending on the home's layout, insulation, and local climate. AC unit cost by tonsReplacing a 3 to 5-ton AC unit costs $3,000 to $8,000 for a 1,500 to 2,500 square foot home. AC unit cost by tonsTonnageBTUsAC unit pricesAC cost installed1.5 tons18,000 BTU$1,000 – $3,800$2,000 – $5,0002 tons24,000 BTU$1,200 – $4,000$2,500 – $5,5002.5 tons30,000 BTU$1,500 – $4,500$2,700 – $6,0003 tons36,000 BTU$1,700 – $5,000$3,000 – $6,5003.5 tons42,000 BTU$1,800 – $5,200$3,100 – $7,0004 tons48,000 BTU$2,000 – $5,500$3,500 – $7,5005 tons60,000 BTU$2,500 – $6,000$4,000 – $8,000 Whole-house AC cost per square footInstalling central air for a 1,200 square foot house costs $2,500 to $6,000. Installing central air for a 2,000 square foot home costs $3,100 to $7,800 or more. Homes over 3,000 square feet may require two condenser units. Return to top Central air conditioner pricesCentral air conditioner prices are $1,000 to $8,500 for the unit alone, depending on the size, brand, and efficiency. Large systems with high SEER ratings or AC units from top brands cost the most. Air conditioner prices by SEER ratingAir conditioners have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating of 13 to 26. AC units with a higher SEER rating cost more upfront but are more efficient and reduce long-term energy costs. Air conditioner prices by SEER ratingSEEREfficiencyAC unit pricesTotal cost installed13 – 14 SEERStandard efficiency$1,000 – $4,200$2,500 – $6,00015 – 16 SEERHigh efficiency$1,500 – $5,700$3,000 – $7,50017 – 18 SEERHigh efficiency$1,800 – $6,100$3,500 – $8,60019 – 21 SEERVery high efficiency$2,500 – $7,500$4,000 – $10,00022 – 26 SEERMaximum efficiency$3,700 – $8,500$6,000 – $11,000
Central AC unit prices by brandCentral AC unit prices by brandBrandSEERAC unit pricesTotal cost installedAire-Flo13 – 14$1,000 – $2,000$2,400 – $4,500Amana13 – 24$1,300 – $4,500$3,000 – $7,500American Standard13 – 20$1,500 – $4,300$3,800 – $8,000Armstrong13 – 20$1,100 – $2,500$3,000 – $4,600Bryant13 – 20$1,400 – $3,500$2,500 – $6,800Carrier13 – 24$2,500 – $5,800$4,700 – $8,700Coleman13 – 20$1,300 – $3,500$2,500 – $5,000Comfortmaker13 – 19$1,300 – $3,000$2,800 – $5,800Frigidaire13 – 20$1,300 – $3,000$2,500 – $4,800Goodman14 – 24$1,200 – $3,000$3,200 – $5,000Heil13 – 19$1,400 – $3,000$2,800 – $4,800Lennox13 – 26$1,600 – $5,600$5,300 – $9,000Payne13 – 17$1,000 – $1,800$2,500 – $3,900Rheem / Ruud13 – 20$1,800 – $5,500$3,600 – $8,500Tempstar13 – 19$1,300 – $3,000$2,600 – $5,200Trane14 – 22$1,600 – $5,800$4,000 – $9,000York13 – 21$1,400 – $4,700$3,500 – $8,000 Return to top Air conditioner replacement cost by typeAir conditioner replacement cost by typeAC typeAC unit priceTotal cost installedCentral air conditioner$1,000 – $5,000$2,500 – $7,500Central air conditioner and ductwork$3,400 – $9,000$6,000 – $12,000Ductless mini-split AC system$1,500 – $8,000$3,000 – $10,000Window AC unit$150 – $800$300 – $1,100Portable AC unit*$200 – $900$200 – $900HVAC system (furnace and AC)$2,400 – $5,600$4,800 – $9,400Air-source heat pump$2,000 – $4,000$4,000 – $8,000Geothermal heat pump$2,500 – $8,000$15,000 – $35,000 *No installation required. Get free estimates from AC companies near you. View Pros Central air system types and speedsCentral air conditioning systems come in two types:
Central AC units come with different compressors:
Ductless mini-split air conditioning costDuctless mini-split AC installation costs $3,000 to $10,000 on average, depending on the number of zones, BTU size, SEER rating, and brand. A ductless AC system features an outdoor condenser that supports up to five indoor air handlers, also called "zones". Window or portable AC unitA window AC unit costs $300 to $1,100 with installation or $150 to $800 for the unit alone. Window air conditioner prices depend on the size, brand, efficiency, and features. A portable AC unit costs $200 to $900 and does not require installation. A portable unit uses a hose to vent hot air outside through a window, wall, ceiling, or door. HVAC replacement – central heat and air unitThe cost for HVAC replacement depends on whether the home has a furnace or heat pump:
Return to top Home AC unit and system installation cost factorsThe labor cost to install central air conditioning is $1,000 to $2,500 or more, depending on if it includes new ductwork. Labor makes up 40% to 60% of the total installation cost. New AC unit cost to install - chartHome AC unit and system cost to installFactorAverage costNew AC unit$1,000 – $5,000Labor cost to install AC$1,500 – $2,500Ductwork installation*$1,400 – $6,600Total cost to install$2,500 – $14,100 *May not be required. The following factors affect the cost to install a central AC unit:
Compare quotes from AC installation services today. View Pros Cost to add central air conditioning to an existing furnaceAdding air conditioning to an existing furnace costs $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the home size and the new AC unit's SEER rating. Adding central AC to a forced-air system may require other upgrades:
Install ductwork for central airThe average cost to install ductwork for central air is $2,400 to $6,600 to retrofit a home without existing ducts. Replacing HVAC ductwork costs $1,400 to $5,600, depending on the home's size. Cost to install ductwork for central airInstall typeCost per linear footAverage costNew duct installation / retrofit$40 – $65$2,400 – $6,600Ductwork replacement$25 – $55$1,400 – $5,600
Additional costs to put in central air
Return to top Frequently asked questionsWhat size air conditioner do I need?An air conditioner needs 16 to 30 BTUs per square foot of living space on average. Hire a licensed HVAC contractor to perform a Manual J Load calculation and determine the home's ideal AC size. A Manual J Load calculation considers factors like:
The following table shows the recommended AC size in tons based on the home's square footage and climate zone: AC unit size calculatorAC sizeZone 1Zone 2Zone 3Zone 4Zone 51.5 Tons600 – 900 sf600 – 950 sf600 – 1000 sf700 – 1050 sf700 – 1100 sf2 Tons900 – 1200 sf950 – 1250 sf1000 – 1300 sf1050 – 1350 sf1100 – 1400 sf2.5 Tons1200 – 1500 sf1250 – 1550 sf1300 – 1600 sf1350 – 1600 sf1400 – 1650 sf3 Tons1500 – 1800 sf1500 – 1850 sf1600 – 1900 sf1600 – 2000 sf1650 – 2100 sf3.5 Tons1800 – 2100 sf1850 – 2150 sf1900 – 2200 sf2000 – 2250 sf2100 – 2300 sf4 Tons2100 – 2400 sf2150 – 2500 sf2200 – 2600 sf2250 – 2700 sf2300 – 2700 sf5 Tons2400 – 3000 sf2500 – 3100 sf2600 – 3200 sf2750 – 3300 sf2700 – 3300 sf Do not buy a cooling system that is too small or too large for the home:
Does central air increase home value? Is central air worth it?Installing central air conditioning increases a home's resale value by 2% to 10%, depending on the location. Central air is a good investment in warm climates but provides less value in regions with mild summer weather. Replacing an existing central air system maintains but does not increase the home's value. Installing a new high-efficiency AC unit with a high SEER rating provides a return on investment (ROI) of 70% to 85%. How much does central air conditioning cost to run?The cost to run central air conditioning is $80 to $200 per month on average, depending on the AC unit's BTU size, SEER rating, and local utility rates. Air conditioning cost to runAC typeMonthly cost to runCentral air conditioning$80 – $200Ductless mini-split AC$30 – $150Window AC unit$12 – $120 *Running 8 hours per day.
How long do AC units last?An air conditioner lasts 12 to 15 years if correctly sized for the home and properly maintained. An AC unit's lifespan depends on the quality, environment, and usage. Improperly sized air conditioners or units located in areas with extreme heat typically have a shorter lifespan. Signs an air conditioner needs to be replaced:
How long is an average air conditioner warranty?An air conditioner warranty lasts 10 to 15 years if the product is registered within 60 days of installation. Coverage timeframes for individual parts vary from 5 to 20 years, depending on the brand. Standard AC warranties cover equipment malfunctions but typically do not cover labor. An AC tune-up costs $70 to $200. Failing to perform regular AC maintenance may void the manufacturer's warranty. How long does it take to install a central AC unit?Installing a central AC unit takes 1 to 2 days on average if using the existing ductwork. AC installations requiring new ductwork take 3 to 5 days or more, depending on the home's size, age, duct type, and crew size. What is the difference between a heat pump and an air conditioner?An air conditioner can cool but cannot heat. A heat pump can cool in the same way but can also reverse itself to provide heat instead when needed. Air conditioners are typically paired with a furnace to heat the home during cold months. Still have questions? Ask an AC pro. View Pros Return to top Getting AC unit replacement quotes and estimatesBefore hiring an AC company near you, be sure to:
Questions to ask AC installers
Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted pros: Get free estimates + 5 Sources
Millions of people ask HomeGuide for cost estimates every year. We track the estimates they get from local companies, then we share those prices with you. What size AC do I need for 1200 sq ft?If you have a 1,200-square-foot home, you'd need a two-ton unit. A 2,400-square-foot home would need a four-ton unit. Again, there are 2.5-ton and 3.5-ton units in case your square footage doesn't work out perfectly for a two- or three-ton unit, for instance.
Can I just replace my outside AC unit?The simple answer is No. When replacing the outside AC unit in your home, HVAC experts recommend that you also replace the indoor unit. While this is entirely your decision, failure to replace both can cause issues such as reduced efficiency, regular failures, and increased cooling costs.
How long should my AC unit last?While every unit is different, and every homeowner has a different understanding of when their central air conditioner is broken beyond repair, it's fair to say that, with proper maintenance and care, you can expect a good 15 to 20 years of cooling from a new high efficiency air conditioning system.
Which is better carrier or Trane?In the comparison of Carrier Vs. Trane air conditioner in terms of energy efficiency, Trane finds its superiority over the latter one. All the models belonging to the three tiers produced by Trane are more energy-efficient than that in Carrier.
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