AC Replacement Cost: $3,887 to $8,073 (HomeAdvisor 2024)
AC replacement costs $3,887 to $8,073 in HomeAdvisor's guide updated June 2026, an average of $5,978.
Fixr's 2025 central air average is $8,750, and a new compressor alone runs $1,800 to $2,800 (HomeGuide). The federal 25C credit ended with 2025 installs.
Key numbers
- $4,700 to $6,5001.5 tons (18,000 BTU)HomeGuide, installed (July 2025)
- $5,000 to $6,8002 tons (24,000 BTU)HomeGuide, installed (July 2025)
- $5,400 to $7,2002.5 tons (30,000 BTU)HomeGuide, installed (July 2025)
Know your system's size and age? Call the heating and AC line for a replacement price that lists the tonnage and SEER2 rating.
How much does AC replacement cost by tonnage
| Size | HomeGuide, installed (July 2025) | Fixr, installed (Aug 2025) | HomeAdvisor, unit only (June 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 tons (18,000 BTU) | $4,700 to $6,500 | $3,650 to $6,250 | $1,300 to $4,000 |
| 2 tons (24,000 BTU) | $5,000 to $6,800 | $4,250 to $7,500 | $1,500 to $5,000 |
| 2.5 tons (30,000 BTU) | $5,400 to $7,200 | $4,500 to $8,000 | Not listed |
| 3 tons (36,000 BTU) | $5,800 to $7,800 | $5,000 to $9,150 | $2,000 to $5,500 |
| 3.5 tons (42,000 BTU) | $6,200 to $8,300 | $5,450 to $9,700 | Not listed |
| 4 tons (48,000 BTU) | $6,500 to $8,800 | $6,950 to $11,600 | $2,600 to $6,200 |
| 5 tons (60,000 BTU) | $7,000 to $9,500+ | $7,800 to $14,000 | $2,800 to $6,800 |
Central AC with existing ductwork. HomeAdvisor's column is the unit price before installation.
AC replacement cost is the installed price to remove an old central air conditioner and put in a new one, usually priced by tonnage and efficiency. HomeAdvisor's national average, from its 2024 data, is $5,978.
HomeAdvisor puts the 2024 average AC installation at $5,978, with most jobs between $3,887 and $8,073. Fixr's August 2025 national average for central air is higher at $8,750, typically $5,800 to $14,400. HomeGuide prices a standard replacement for a 2,000 square foot home at $5,000 to $8,300, mid-range at $8,300 to $12,500 and high-end at $12,500 to $14,000 or more, all without ductwork.
Central air conditioning cost by SEER2 rating
Higher efficiency costs more up front. Since 2023, ratings use SEER2, which the DOE says is not directly comparable to the old SEER number. HomeGuide's installed prices by rating:
| SEER2 rating | HomeGuide, installed |
|---|---|
| Up to 13.4 (old 13 to 14 SEER) | $5,300 to $7,900 |
| 14.0 to 14.7 (old 15 to 16) | $6,700 to $9,300 |
| 15.0 to 17.2 (old 17 to 18) | $7,500 to $10,600 |
| 16.5 to 18.5 (old 19 to 21) | $9,100 to $12,200 |
| Up to 25.8 (old 22 to 26) | $11,400 to $17,300+ |
HomeGuide AC installation guide, July 2025, without ductwork.
Fixr prices a 3 ton unit alone (before labor) at $1,725 to $3,600 at 13.4 SEER2 and $6,325 to $10,800 at 20 SEER2.
SEER2 minimums by region: the 2023 DOE standard
A new split-system AC installed in the South must meet a higher SEER2 floor than one in the North. The DOE's January 1, 2023 standard sets 13.4 SEER2 nationwide and 14.3 SEER2 in the Southeast and Southwest for units under 45,000 Btu/h. For our six states:
| State | DOE region | Split AC minimum | Enforced by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona, California, Nevada | Southwest | 14.3 SEER2 under 45,000 Btu/h; 13.8 at 45,000 and up; plus an EER2 minimum | Installation date |
| Florida, Texas | Southeast | 14.3 SEER2 under 45,000 Btu/h; 13.8 at 45,000 and up | Installation date |
| Colorado (not on either southern list) | North | 13.4 SEER2 | Manufacture date |
DOE 2023 central AC standards FAQ, Oct 2022. Heat pumps: 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2 nationwide.
In the Southeast and Southwest the rule follows the installation date, so a contractor cannot install a noncompliant split AC there after January 1, 2023. In the Southwest the outdoor unit must also meet an EER2 minimum (11.7 or 9.8 under 45,000 Btu/h, depending on SEER2). That covers Phoenix, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
AC compressor replacement cost
Signs, warranty terms and when a compressor is worth replacing are on AC compressor repair.
A new compressor costs $1,800 to $2,800 in HomeGuide's compressor guide, a $2,300 national average, and HomeAdvisor lists $1,200 to $2,800. HomeGuide says an older R-22 system can exceed $5,000, and that replacing only the compressor makes the most sense on a unit under about 8 years old and still under warranty.
| System size | HomeGuide, parts and labor (Aug 2025) |
|---|---|
| 1.5 tons | $1,500 to $2,000 |
| 2 to 2.5 tons | $1,800 to $2,200 |
| 3 to 3.5 tons | $2,000 to $2,600 |
| 4 to 4.5 tons | $2,200 to $2,800 |
| 5+ tons | $2,500 to $3,500+ |
Most compressor swaps take 4 to 8 hours.
What else goes in an AC installation quote
- Ductwork. HomeGuide puts duct replacement at $1,400 to $5,600 or more and central AC with ductwork at $9,000 to $16,000. Fixr lists $5,500 to $10,000 with existing ducts left in place.
- Permit. $100 to $250 for a replacement and $250 to $1,500 for a new install with ductwork, per HomeGuide.
- Labor. HomeAdvisor puts installation labor at $300 to $1,600 over 4 to 8 hours.
- Removal. Fixr lists $150 to $250 to haul away the old unit; ask whether it is in the quote.
- Electrical. Ask whether the new system needs any electrical work; if the panel is full or old, see electrical panel upgrade.
AC only, or the whole heating and cooling system?
This page prices the air conditioner alone. If the furnace is also near the end of its life, a matched replacement is a different quote: Angi's July 2026 average for a furnace and AC together is $7,500, typically $5,000 to $12,500. Prices by system type, home size and ductwork, and when to replace both at once, are on HVAC system replacement cost. A heat pump replaces both; see heat pump installation cost.
How long does an AC last
| Source | AC lifespan |
|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor (June 2026) | 15 to 20 years; consider replacing at 15+ |
| HomeGuide install guide (July 2025) | 15 to 20 years; consider replacing past 10 to 12 |
| HomeGuide repair guide (Aug 2025) | 12 to 15 years if maintained |
| Fixr (Aug 2025) | 10 to 20 years, 15 on average; warranty 5 to 15 years |
Published estimates.
Is there a tax credit for a new AC in 2026
No federal credit for systems installed in 2026. The IRS says the 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit applied to improvements made through December 31, 2025. It had allowed up to $600 for a qualifying central AC and up to $2,000 a year for a heat pump. Ask your electric utility whether it offers a rebate before you sign.
Which refrigerant will a new AC use
Most new systems use a lower-GWP refrigerant. EPA's Technology Transitions rule caps new residential AC and heat pump systems installed from January 1, 2025 at a GWP of 700, unless every component was made or imported before that date. EPA lists R-410A at 2,088, R-454B at 465 and R-32 at 675. Copeland calls R-454B and R-32 mildly flammable A2L refrigerants that need A2L-rated service tools, so ask the installer which one your system uses.
Comparing quotes for a new AC? Call the heating and AC line and ask for the tonnage, SEER2 rating, refrigerant and what is included.
AC installation near me: getting a fair quote
- Ask how they sized it. The quote should name the tonnage. HomeGuide pairs a 2,000 square foot home with 3.5 to 4.5 tons; your home's insulation and windows change that.
- Get the model numbers. Indoor coil and outdoor unit, with the SEER2 rating of the matched pair.
- Ask what happens to the ducts. Reused, sealed or replaced, priced as separate lines.
- Ask about the permit. Who pulls it and whether it is in the price.
- Ask for the license number and proof of insurance. Check the license with your state board. Texas regulates AC contractors through TDLR.
If the system just needs a part, AC repair lists the common fixes, and mini split installation covers homes without ducts. AC replacement sits with other big-ticket jobs on home repair costs; the HVAC repair hub covers heating.
Calls go to an independent company that serves your area and takes this kind of job. Ask for its license number and proof of insurance yourself. How calls work.
More heating and cooling guides
AC installation by city
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to replace a central AC unit?
HomeAdvisor's 2024 average is $5,978, typically $3,887 to $8,073. Fixr's 2025 average is $8,750, and HomeGuide puts a standard replacement for a 2,000 square foot home at $5,000 to $8,300 without ductwork.
How much does a 3 ton AC unit cost installed?
HomeGuide puts a 3 ton AC at $5,800 to $7,800 installed, and Fixr at $5,000 to $9,150. HomeAdvisor lists the unit alone at $2,000 to $5,500.
How much does an AC compressor replacement cost?
HomeGuide says $1,800 to $2,800, a $2,300 average, and more than $5,000 on an older R-22 system. HomeAdvisor lists $1,200 to $2,800.
What is the minimum SEER2 for a new AC?
The DOE's 2023 standard is 13.4 SEER2 in the North and 14.3 SEER2 in the Southeast and Southwest for split systems under 45,000 Btu/h. Arizona, California and Nevada also have an EER2 minimum.
Is there a tax credit for a new air conditioner in 2026?
No federal credit. The IRS says the 25C credit covered improvements made through December 31, 2025. Ask your utility about rebates.
How long does a central air conditioner last?
HomeAdvisor and HomeGuide put it at 15 to 20 years; Fixr says 10 to 20, about 15 on average.
How much does a new air conditioner cost?
HomeAdvisor's June 2026 update puts a new central AC at $3,887 to $8,073 installed, $5,978 on average. By size, HomeGuide prices a 3 ton system at $5,800 to $7,800 installed.
Ready to price a new AC? Call the heating and AC line with your home's square footage and the age of the system you have now.
- 1Call the line
- 2It rings a local company
- 3They give you the price
Before you book
- License numberAsk for it, then check it with the state board.
- Written priceGet the visit fee and the job price in writing before work starts.
- Proof of insuranceAsk for the certificate, especially for roof, tree and electrical work.
Sources (13)
- HomeAdvisor: How Much Does AC Installation Cost? (2026-06-17)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a New AC Unit Cost to Install? (2026) (2025-07-25)
- Fixr: Central Air Conditioner Installation Cost (2025-08-29)
- HomeGuide: AC Compressor Replacement Cost (2026) (2025-08-04)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a New HVAC System Cost? (2026) (2025-08-27)
- DOE: 2023 Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps FAQ (2022-10-05)
- IRS: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (2026-04-28)
- EPA: Technology Transitions Sector Tables (2026-08-28)
- EPA: Technology Transitions GWP Reference Table (2026-04-02)
- Copeland: A2L Refrigerant Fundamentals (checked 2026-10-11)
- HomeAdvisor: How much does a heat pump cost in 2026? (2026-06-19)
- HomeAdvisor: How much does furnace replacement cost in 2026? (2026-06-17)
- Angi: How Much Does a New Furnace and AC Cost? [2026 Data] (2026-07-09)
Talk to an HVAC tech who serves your area
Have the address, the system type (furnace, boiler, heat pump or central air), the brand and age if you know them, and what it is doing. The company will quote its service call fee before anyone is sent.
Free call to an independent company in your area that takes this kind of work.