- Kenneth Carpenter
New AC Unit Cost in 2024 From An Actual AC Company
A new outdoor AC unit installation costs the average homeowner $3,460 to $4,760 for a basic outdoor air conditioner replacement.
Stop Overpaying For A New HVAC System
How Much Does A New AC Unit Cost?
When an AC unit stops working, a lot of times, it can be sudden and unexpected, and you have to make a quick decision. No one wants to overpay for a new AC unit. If you are a homeowner looking for a reasonable AC unit price, you came to the right place. A new AC unit cost the average homeowner between $3,596.69 to $4,742.71 in the US. One of the best things about this article is everything you find is our prices at Atlas AC Repair.
| Outdoor AC Unit Tonnage | Electric AC Unit Cost 14 SEER | Heat Pump AC Unit Cost 14 SEER |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Ton | $3,596.69 | $3,808.56 |
| 2.5 Ton | $3,893.63 | $4,110.31 |
| 3 Ton | $3,957.83 | $3,988.33 |
| 3.5 Ton | $4,380.33 | $4,343.42 |
| 4 Ton | $4,659.25 | $4,363.91 |
| 5 Ton | $5,190.53 | $4,742.71 |
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What's Included In The Outdoor Air Conditioner Replacement
Remove and install a new outdoor AC unit/condenser
- Removal & disposal of the current outdoor condenser
- Acid flush line set to accommodate new refrigerant
- Install a new condenser pad to keep everything level
- Install a new condenser to city code
- Install disconnect & whip, proper max circuit protection fuses, and locking caps.
- Calibrate system to manufacture standards
- 10-year parts warranty & 2-year labor warranty
The Bigger The AC Unit, The More Costly
You might be asking, why is there more than a 1,000 dollar difference in pricing when it comes to the tonnage of an air conditioner? To lay a little groundwork before answering the question. The tonnage of an air conditioner refers to the cooling compacity of an AC. It can also be translated into BTUs. For example, 1 ton equals 12,000 BTUs or 4 tons would be equivalent to 48,000 BTUs. Simply put, a 5 ton AC unit delivers twice the cooling of a 2.5 ton AC unit, this ends up driving up the cost because a 5 ton is a larger system. Even though the labor cost increase is very minimal, the increase in pricing comes from the larger air conditioner equipment needed. Anything larger than a 7.5 ton unit is considered a commercial unit.
Here is a quick recap for “how much is central air to install.” A 2-ton AC unit cost is going to run around $3,596.69 to $3,808.56. A 2.5-ton AC unit cost is going to be about $3,893.63 to $4,110.31 installed. A 3-ton AC unit cost runs homeowner around $3,957.83 to $3,988.33. When it comes to a 3.5-ton AC unit cost, you will pay around $4,343.42 to $4,380.33. A 4-ton AC unit cost $4,363.91 to $4,659.25 on average. When it comes to a 5-ton AC unit cost, you will see pricing around $4,742.71 to $5,190.53.
New AC Unit Cost Recap
Most Cost Effective AC Unit Brand?
Depending on the brand you are looking for, a new air conditioner cost can vary as much as $1,000.00. If you are asking, “How much is a new AC unit?” and are looking to get the best deal, you’ll probably want to consider a Goodman or York unit for around $3,535.15. A new AC unit cost for some of the more well-known better brands, like Carrier or Trane, is going to cost about $3,957.83.
| Air Conditioner Brand | 3 Ton 14.3 SEER AC Unit Cost | 3 Ton 14.3 SEER Heat Pump Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lennox | $4,217.36 | $4,258.72 |
| American | $4,155.72 | $4,194.62 |
| Trane | $4,116.14 | $4,147.86 |
| Carrier | $3,957.83 | $3,988.33 |
| Bryant | $3,874.72 | $3,904.57 |
| Rheem | $3,843.05 | $3,872.67 |
| Ruud | $3,807.43 | $3,836.77 |
| Amana | $3,737.95 | $3,758.23 |
| HEIL | $3,659.13 | $3,717.28 |
| Payne | $3,618.59 | $3,675.52 |
| York | $3,577.27 | $3,589.49 |
| Goodman | $3,535.15 | $3,499.96 |
All Brands Explained
Why Each HVAC Company Charges Different Rates
For a quick disclaimer, take the above pricing with a grain of salt. The cost of a new AC unit installation falls more in line with national averages based on equipment cost. However, the biggest contributor to how much a new air conditioner unit replacement cost is the air conditioning contractor. Pricing will vary from contractor to contractor. Some companies spend lots of money on marketing and salesmen, making their overhead a lot higher than an air conditioning contractor who doesn’t spend money that way. So, you could experience a cost difference of 30% from the contractor or contractor. The above pricing is based on a fair company that is not overcharging for a new AC unit replacement. If an HVAC company is presenting pricing that is much higher than what is in this article, I would go back to work for more bids.
How To Get A Good Deal
Another reason an air conditioning company might not be cost-competitive for every brand is because of its purchasing power. An example of this is, here at Atlas AC Repair we use Carrier as our primary brand for AC replacements. Since we run so much volume through them, we get special pricing we pass to our customers. The downside to this is we don’t run a lot of volume through other brands, which, in turn, we don’t get the same discounts. We can install a new Carrier AC unit cheaper than we can install a Goodman AC unit. If you have a specific brand in mind you want for your home, I recommend finding an air conditioning company that focuses on that brand. This will help to keep the new AC unit replacement cost as low as possible without sacrificing quality.
AC Unit Cost Breakout
Many homeowners are unaware of how much goes into a changeout when it comes to the detailed cost of replacing an AC unit. The reason why a basic 3-ton AC unit costs $3,957.83 to replace is a combination of equipment, other materials, and labor. There is simply no shortcut in all the steps. If the installation team does not acid flush the line set, it could damage the equipment. The same goes for installing the wrong system or not correctly calibrating the system. It is always the best practice to take your time to find the right contractor.
| 3 Ton 14 Seer AC Unit | Equipment | Labor | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove Indoor Furnace & Outdoor AC Unit | $250.00 | $250.00 | |
| Set New Outdoor AC Unit | $2,819.25 | $250.00 | $3,069.25 |
| Flush & Reconnect Line Set | $75.00 | $100.00 | $175.00 |
| Install New Filter Drier and Locking Cap | $38.58 | $175.00 | $213.58 |
| Calibrate & Commission System | $250.00 | $250.00 | |
| Total | $2,932.83 | $1,025.00 | $3,957.83 |
What needs to be included in new AC installation
- Pump Down The System
- Remove Outdoor AC Unit
- Acid Flushing Line Set
- Replace Disconnect & WhipÂ
- Install Max Circuit Protection Fuses
- Install New Outdoor AC Unit
- Reconnect Line Set
- Install New Filter Drier
- Install Locking Caps
- Calibrate The System
- Commission The System
- Complete City Permit & City Inspection (If Needed)
- Includes 10-year parts warranty & 2 year labor warranty
New AC Unit Cost By Seer
There is a huge cost difference for high efficiency. How much an air conditioner costs to replace can vary about $6,000.00 depending on the efficiency of the AC. A new 14 Seer AC unit installed costs about $3,957.83 while a 22 Seer AC unit costs roughly $10,597.78.
| 2 Ton | 3 Ton | 4 Ton | 5 Ton | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14.3 SEER | $3,596.69 | $3,957.83 | $4,659.25 | $5,190.53 |
| 15.5 SEER | $3,875.97 | $4,164.89 | $4,623.94 | $5,152.01 |
| 16.5 SEER | $6,299.81 | $6,543.78 | $7,302.98 | $7,444.05 |
| 18 SEER | $7,657.29 | $8,325.41 | $8,800.52 | $8,885.59 |
| 22 SEER | $9,365.09 | $10,597.78 | $11,018.31 | $11,496.62 |
How Much Does Higher SEER Save You?
Buying a high Seer air conditioner will help with the electric bill but many homeowners are unaware that it might not pay for itself.
- 3-Ton AC Unit Power Savings
- 10 Seer to 14.3 Seer: $1,583 (5-Year Savings)
- 10 Seer to 16 Seer: $1,919 (5-Year Savings)
- 10 Seer to 17.5 Seer: $2,132 (5-Year Savings)
- 10 Seer to 22 Seer: $2,689 (5-Year Savings)
Will A New Air Conditioner ROI?
If a return on investment is one of your priorities when weighing your options, the results might surprise you. When going from a 3-ton 10 Seer AC system to a 3-ton 14.3 Seer system, you are going to save on average $316.60 per year, which will ROI by year 12. A 16-seer system is going to save you around $383.80 per year, ROIing in year 16. A 22-seer unit will have even longer payback, saving around $537.80 a year with an ROI of 20 years. It is easy to see just because it has a system with a high Seer rating, it doesn’t always mean it is going to pay for itself in a reasonable amount of time.
Other Considerations For Higher Seer
If you have solar in your home or are planning on getting solar in the future, it makes sense to use a high Seer rated AC unit. You will get a big reduction in power usage along with a lot lower amp draw on start-up. The significant savings are going to come from the reduced number of solar panels and batteries. This will help to offset the cost of a high Seer system.
If you are environmentally conscious, it’s definitely going to make sense to go with the higher Seer option. The higher Seer options will help to lower your environmental footprint. There are also high Seer options available that are not included on the chart.
What Are The Difference In More Stages?
Single Stage Delivers Little Control
- A single-stage AC unit operates at 100%; there is not an in-between. Because it runs 100%, the runtime is very short. It runs all out, hits the set temperature quickly, then shuts off. This is a good thing, right? Not necessarily, this creates a couple of problems when you compared to the multi-stage AC units.
- A lot of times, what happens with a single-stage air conditioning unit is there can be a temperature discrepancy throughout your home. Some rooms can be much warmer or cooler than other rooms. This is because your air conditioner is reaching its set temperature too fast and does not allow the air to be evenly distributed.
- There is also a similar problem with humidity. Single-stage air conditioning systems are not always able to regulate the humidity in your home due to the short-run cycle. If you have expensive furniture or art, the high humidity levels can damage your valuables. Even though a new single-stage AC is the most cost-effective air conditioner unit, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best fit for you.Â
The number of stages you have on your AC unit has a big impact on temperature consistency, humidity, and energy use. The more stages you have, the more control you have for the air quality in your home.
2 Stage Delivers Some Control
- A two-stage AC unit has 2 operating speeds. A lot of times the first stage operates around 65% compacity. The second stage operates a 100% compacity. When a 2 stage AC cools your home, it starts off with the first stage at 65%. If the first stage is not able to cool your home, it kicks up to the second stage at 100%. The 2-stage run time is longer than the single stage. This is going to do a much better job removing humidity and evening out the temperature in each room. This is a good option if you have a 2-story home. A new two-stage air conditioner is a good mid-range cost and quality air conditioning unit that works well for many people with larger homes. How much does an AC unit cost for a 16 Seer 2 stage air conditioner? It is going to run around $6,299.81.
Variable Speed Delivers Total Control
- 5 Speed and variable speed AC operate at multiple different outputs. These are designed to run all the time at the lowest speed. Once the lowest speed can satisfy the indoor temperature, it moves to the next stages until it hits temperature then starts stepping back down through the stages. It can control your house’s temperature within 1 degree. Because it runs for a long time on the lowest stage you can set the humidity desired levels. These AC systems work great for large homes, homes with high ceilings, and homes with lots of rooms. These systems will also protect your artwork and expensive furniture along with keeping your electric bill low. A new variable speed air conditioner is going to cost the most out of all your options but it is by far going to deliver the highest air quality, control, and energy efficiency available on the market.
SEER Cost Recap
How much a new air conditioner can range from $3,596.69 to $11,496.62, depending on the Seer rating you are looking for. A 14-seer AC unit costs the average homeowner around $3,596.69 to $5,190.53, depending on the air conditioner tonnage you need. A 16-seer AC unit cost has become one of the most common air conditioners because most utilities offer a rebate for 16-seer and up. A 16-seer 2-stage AC unit costs around $6,299.81 to $7,444.05 for a new replacement. A variable-speed AC unit is going to run from $9,365.09 to $11,496.62 to replace.
Cost Of An Air Conditioner Unit Per US Region
Depending on where you live in the US, an outside AC unit cost can vary as much as a few hundred dollars. An air conditioning unit cost will average around $3,439.13 for northern states and $3,808.56 is the average for southern states.
Size and SEER rating can vary.
Temperature differences between regions change the size of the air conditioner you need for your home. If you live up north, you don’t need to run your air conditioner that much. Regulations allow you to buy a lower SEER system in this region, and the AC unit doesn’t have to be as big as the ones down south.Â
We use our air conditioners a lot in the southeastern and southwestern regions. We are regulated to use higher-efficiency AC systems, and the AC units have to be significantly larger to handle the demand.
Regional Outdoor Streight Cool AC Unit Replacement Price
| Size of Unit | Southern New Electric AC Unit Cost | Northern New Electric AC Unit Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Ton | $3,808.56 | $3,439.13 |
| 2.5 Ton | $4,110.31 | $3,711.61 |
| 3 Ton | $3,988.33 | $3,601.46 |
| 3.5 Ton | $4,343.42 | $3,922.10 |
| 4 Ton | $4,363.91 | $3,940.61 |
| 5Ton | $4,742.71 | $4,282.67 |
Calculations are made for home air conditioners by designing for the outdoor to indoor temperature splits. For example, Texas needs a 20 to 25-degree temperature split, meaning that if it is 95 degrees outside, the air conditioner will keep your home around 75 degrees inside. In a state like Minnesota, where the summer highs are only around 85 degrees, the home only needs a 10-degree split. A 20-degree split will require a larger, more costly air conditioner than a 10-degree split. So, AC unit replacement costs will vary slightly per region of the US.
AC Unit Cost By Region
Usually, you will pay a little less for an air conditioner replacement in the northern states simply because the AC unit doesn’t have to be as big as what is required in the southern US.
The Northern region of the US will typically use a straight electric AC system. Heat pumps do not work well in areas that routinely reach below zero temperatures. The Northern region uses special furnaces that better handle the cold, and these types of oil furnaces pair best with a straight electric AC unit.
- The Southeast is the only region ideal for a heat pump AC system. Here we experience moderate to high levels of humidity, and we have mild winters. Such an environment is ideal for a heat pump, one of the most energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. We can also use a straight electric air conditioner without a problem.
- The Southwest usually uses an electric AC unit to cool a home, primarily due to low humidity. Many people who use specialized air handlers to add moisture back into the air find electric AC units commonly pair better with indoor air handlers. If you live in the coastal area of the Southwest with higher humidity, you can get away with using a heat pump AC system.
Heat Pump vs. Electric Air Conditioning
As we touched on before, a new outdoor heat pump AC unit is one of the most efficient systems on the market. The biggest problem with a heat pump is that it does not play well with furnace types other than those compatible with the outdoor heat pump AC unit, which is bad news for those that live in a dryer climate where particular air handlers/furnaces are needed. It heats more efficiently than an electric and gas system because a heat pump uses the outdoor ambient temperature and converts it to heat. It pushes the heat to the indoor furnace to distribute to the home. It does not use combustion or very much electricity to warm a home. Once temperatures drop below -10 degrees, a heat pump starts running into problems trying to create heat with that low of an ambient temperature. It has emergency heat strips that help to pick up the slack, but at the end of the day, it is just not designed to work in that cold of a temperature. The cost of a new heat pump AC unit is a little more than an electric air conditioner, but you will make up the difference in savings.
New electric air conditioners play well with different furnaces. This type of AC unit works well with the specialty air handler/furnaces needed for dry climates and the gas and oil furnaces needed up north. Overall, an electric AC unit is a much more diverse AC unit. The ideal application for it is in the northern and southwestern states in the US. The cost of a new electric air conditioner is more cost-effective than a heat pump and performs better in the northern states.
Heat Pump VS. Straight Cool
What is the difference between a heat pump and an electric outdoor air conditioner system?
If you’re looking for a quick top-level explanation of the differences in AC unit types we can start with a straight cool AC unit. A straight cool air conditioner unit matches up with both gas or straight elected HVAC systems, it also only runs when you are cooling your home and it does not run when heating your home. A heat pump runs all year round because it is used to both heat and cool your home. The AC unit type is also a factor when answering how much is a new AC unit. A heat pump AC unit is going to cost slightly more than a straight cool AC unit because it runs year-round.Â
Heat Pump AC Unit
If you are interested in a heat pump air conditioner unit for your home, we can go through some of the pros and cons of this AC system. The pros are it’s the most energy-efficient way to heat your home in the winter and are one of the most popular AC units on the mark. The cons are it runs year-round, making its life expectancy a few years less than an electric HVAC unit; however, the energy-saving does offsets the air conditioner replacement cost. A heat pump also does not perform that well in temperatures under 32 degrees because the condenser converts the outdoor ambient temperature into heat for the home. Emergency heat strips can be added to help with this problem.
Straight Cool AC Unit
An outdoor electric AC unit usually is paired with an indoor electric or gas furnace. When comparing the pros and cons of an electric air conditioner unit, you really need to put the infuses on the furnace. A straight electric indoor air handler is the most energy-inefficient way to heat your home, and if you are planning to live in your home for more than 5 years, this route usually doesn’t make sense. A gas furnace costs more to operate than a heat pump but has a longer life expectancy. The rule of thumb when budgeting for an AC replacement cost is to use like for like because changing the system type will most likely double the installation price.
What System Type Do You Have
If you are wondering what system type you have there are a few things you can do to find out. When your heater is running and if the outdoor HVAC unit is running that means you have a heat pump. If your heater is running and your outdoor AC unit stays off, that means you have an electric air conditioner unit.
Best Add-Ons To Consider
How much does it cost to replace a central air conditioning unit might change based on how many add-ons you need for your new AC. There are few things you may want to consider depending on the age of the home to the upgrading your thermostat. From ductwork to thermostats there are plenty of options available to increase your systems efficiency.Â
| Add-On | Cost |
|---|---|
| Install New Basic Thermostat | $75 |
| Install New Programmable Thermostat | $400 |
| Run New Low Volt Thermostat Line | $250 |
| New Condenser Pad | $140 |
| Install New Line Set - Single Story Home | $575 |
| Install New Line Set - Two Story Home | $700 |
| New Line Set Cover | $70 |
| Install New Surge Protector | $110 |
Install Basic Thermostat
- The basic thermostat that we offer our customers is a Vive thermostat. In our experience, Vive is one of the most reliable and accurate thermostats that are budget-friendly. There are a lot of other good brands out there, I would recommend talking to your contractor to see what they prefer. A basic thermostat is not going to work for the higher-end variable speed air conditioner units, in that case, you are going to need a programmable thermostat that can community to the air conditioner. One problem that happens to thermostats over time is they lose their accuracy. You can have a tech recalibrate it or you can replace it with a new one. If you are buying a single-stage AC unit and you have a thermostat over 10 years old, I would consider replacing it with a basic thermostat. This will help to keep the temperature in your home is a lot more in line with what the thermostat is telling you. A new basic thermostat is going to be the most cost-effective option available.
Install Programmable Thermostat
- A good programmable thermostat we use for our customers is a Honeywell Pro thermostat. The areas these thermostats excel at is once they are fully set up you can forget about it. You don’t have to remember to switch it from AC to heat or turn the air down before you everyone goes to bed. It does it all for you. This also helps with energy savings because if everyone leaves the house during the week to go to work and school you can have the thermostat automatically adjust the temperature when no one is home, saving you money. If you are looking to get a multi or variable-speed air conditioner unit, a thermostat like this should be included in the pricing. The cost of a new Honeywell Pro is a good mid-range programmable thermostat.
Run New Low Volt Thermostat Line
- It is not very often we need to run a new thermostat line but, in some cases, it is required. If you have a single-stage air conditioner unit right now but you want to upgrade to the high efficient variable speed air conditioner, a new low volt line will need to run. The reason is so the thermostat can properly communicate to the AC unit. So, if you have a single-stage air conditioning unit and you’re looking to upgrade to multi or variable, I would plan on upgrading the low volt line.
New Condenser Pad
- The condenser pad is what the air conditioner unit sits on outside. A new condenser pad is not always required for a new air conditioning unit installation. A lot of times the one you have now will work just fine. In some cases, it makes sense to replace the condenser pad. If the existing pad is cracked, it needs to be replaced to keep the air conditioner system from getting unlevel in the future. If your existing air conditioning unit is unlevel now, I would go ahead and replace it to make sure the contractor properly levels the pad. This will prevent a lot of repairs in the future. The cost of a new condenser pad is pretty reasonable, and many companies include it in their pricing.
Install a New Line Set
- How much does it cost to install central air may change a little if you need a new line set. A line set is what caries the freon back and forth between the furnace and the air conditioner unit. A new line set for your air conditioner system falls under the same line of thinking as your condenser pad. In most cases, it is not required, the line set you have now should work just fine. Many older air conditioner systems use a smaller diameter line set than the new AC units. In this situation, you have to replace the line set to accommodate the new air conditioner unit. The cost can vary based on how far the line set run is, that’s why we included two-story pricing.
New Line Set Cover
- A line set cover is what covers the line set from the elements. A new line set cover should not affect how much an air conditioning unit should run by a homeowner. Some cities require to replace the cover at the time of a new ac unit installation, even if what you have now is in good condition. In other scenarios, if you looking to keep your home as classy as possible, you might consider a new cover for your line set.
Install Surge Protector
- Surge protectors work great for preventing damage to your air conditioner system when there are power irregularities. It can protect your system from lightning surges and other power surges from the utility company. This can help to reduce the number of repairs you might have in the future and help the system to last longer. The cost of a new surge protector can be worth it at the end of the day because it will help prevent a power surge from taking out your AC unit. We tell our customers that many AC repairs can be prevented when you have a surge protector on your air conditioner.
How To Get The Best Deal!
You might be asking, how much does air conditioning cost? Does it really cost that much? Am I being overcharged?
There is a couple of basic things you can look at to see if a company is going to have high pricing. Most HVAC companies overspend on marketing which in turn drives up the overall cost of an AC unit replacement. Many companies will spend 20% of their revenue on marketing. That means instead of spending $3,500 on an AC unit installation, you are now spending $4,200. You can partially avoid this by not using ads, like Google ads, or 3rd party directories, like Home Advisor and Angie’s List. Companies that use these methods most certainly drive up the price. Another simple thing you can look at is, do they have a salesman? A salesman is going to drive up the cost by another 10%. So if you don’t find the right company you can end up spending $4,500 for an AC unit replacement that should have only cost $3,500 once you factor in the salesman and marketing cost.Â
12 Things Every Homeowner Should Know Before Buying a New AC
The HVAC industry still operates like the wild west, and many homeowners are left to fend for themselves. Atlas AC created the AC Buyers Guide to prevent homeowners from being exploited by untrustworthy AC companies.
Use this guide to help you select the best AC Company for your next AC Replacement.
