AC Installation Cost in 2026: Complete Pricing Guide for Our 12 Service Areas
Prices last reviewed October 2026.
A fully installed central air conditioner costs between $4,500 and $11,000 in 2026 for most single family homes in the cities we serve. The average homeowner pays around $7,200 for a mid efficiency 3 ton system, installed with a manufacturer warranty and permits pulled.
Price moves with home size, SEER2 rating, brand, and the local labor market. Coastal and Bay Area California markets run the highest. Florida and Utah sit closer to the national average.
AC Installation Cost By System Size
| System Size | Home Size (typical) | Installed Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 ton | Under 1,000 sq ft | $3,800 to $6,200 |
| 2 ton | 1,000 to 1,400 sq ft | $4,500 to $7,500 |
| 2.5 ton | 1,400 to 1,800 sq ft | $5,100 to $8,500 |
| 3 ton | 1,800 to 2,200 sq ft | $5,800 to $9,500 |
| 3.5 ton | 2,200 to 2,600 sq ft | $6,500 to $10,200 |
| 4 ton | 2,600 to 3,200 sq ft | $7,200 to $11,000 |
| 5 ton | 3,200 to 4,000 sq ft | $8,000 to $12,500 |
AC Installation Cost By City
| City | 2 Ton Installed (avg) | 3 Ton Installed (avg) | 4 Ton Installed (avg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville, FL | $5,200 | $6,800 | $8,500 |
| Orlando, FL | $5,000 | $6,500 | $8,200 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $5,500 | $7,200 | $8,900 |
| Fresno, CA | $5,600 | $7,300 | $9,000 |
| San Jose, CA | $7,200 | $9,500 | $11,500 |
| Gilroy, CA | $6,800 | $8,800 | $10,800 |
| Spring Valley, CA | $5,400 | $7,100 | $8,800 |
| San Bernardino, CA | $5,300 | $6,900 | $8,600 |
| Redding, CA | $5,500 | $7,200 | $8,900 |
| Richmond, CA | $7,000 | $9,200 | $11,200 |
| Washington, UT | $5,000 | $6,400 | $8,000 |
| Magna, UT | $5,100 | $6,500 | $8,100 |
Brands We Install and How That Affects Pricing
We install all major brands. Each has a different price to quality trade off.
- Goodman and Rheem: best value tier. A full 5 ton high efficiency system lands in the $5,800 to $8,500 range installed.
- Carrier, Bryant and American Standard: mid premium. Typically $1,000 to $1,800 more than the value tier for comparable efficiency.
- Trane and Lennox: premium. Often $1,500 to $3,000 more than the value tier, often with better warranties.
- Daikin: premium inverter specialist. Strong in heat pumps and mini splits. The 12 year parts warranty is industry leading.
What a Complete AC Installation Quote Should Include
Two quotes with the same bottom line can cover very different work. A complete quote lists each of these, so you can compare like with like:
- The outdoor unit and the matching indoor coil, with brand, model and efficiency rating (SEER2).
- Removal and disposal of the old system and its refrigerant.
- The line set, the electrical disconnect and the wiring to the unit.
- A new pad or stand for the outdoor unit, if needed.
- The permit and the inspection.
- A new thermostat or the compatibility of your current one.
- Refrigerant charge, a startup test and a measured airflow check.
- Manufacturer warranty registration.
What Changes the Price of a New Air Conditioner
- Size. The right size comes from a load calculation of your home, not from the size of the old unit. Bigger costs more and cycles badly.
- Efficiency. Moving up a SEER2 tier typically adds roughly $1,000 to $3,000 on a 3 ton system, and pays back faster in long, hot cooling seasons.
- Ducts. Replacing more than about 50 feet of ductwork commonly adds $900 to $3,500, and sealing leaky ducts costs less but often matters as much as the equipment.
- Electrical. An older panel may need a new circuit or an upgrade.
- Access. Attic installs, long line sets and tight locations add labor.
- Brand and features. Variable speed and two stage systems cost more and run quieter.
How Long an Installation Takes
Most straightforward replacements finish in one to two days. Adding ducts, a panel upgrade or moving the equipment to a new spot takes longer.
Ask for the schedule in writing, including who is on site and what happens if the weather or a permit inspection causes a delay.
Warranty: What to Ask For
- The manufacturer parts warranty, how long it lasts and whether it needs to be registered to get the full term.
- The labor warranty, in writing, including how long it lasts and who stands behind it.
- What voids the warranty, such as skipped maintenance or a non-matching coil.
- Who you call if something fails, and how fast they answer.
Repair or Replace? Two Rules of Thumb
If your system is working but old, these two checks help. See the AC repair pricing guide for what common repairs cost.
- The 50 percent rule. If a repair quote is more than half the cost of a new system, replacement is usually the better value.
- The $5,000 rule. Multiply the age of the system in years by the repair quote. If the result is over $5,000, lean toward replacement.
- Other signals. Rising bills, uneven rooms and a system that still uses the older R-22 refrigerant all point toward replacing.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
- How did you decide on this size? Can I see the calculation?
- Is the permit included, and who pulls it?
- Does the price include the thermostat, the pad, the line set and disposal of the old unit?
- What would make the price change after work starts?
- What does each warranty cover, in writing?
- Will you test and seal the ducts, or only replace the equipment?
- Can I see the schedule and the name of the installer who will be on site?
Financing and Rebates
Financing is available, subject to credit approval. The federal tax credit for central air ended after 2025.
Utility rebates exist in some areas and change often, so we tell you what is open for your address. See our California rebates and rules guide and the local installation pages.
How much does a new air conditioner cost?
Most installed systems cost $4,500 to $11,000 in our service areas in 2026, depending on size, efficiency, ducts and the local market. The table above shows each city.
How do I know what size AC I need?
A proper size comes from a load calculation of your home: floor area, layout, windows, insulation and sun. Oversizing cycles the system, and undersizing never catches up.
Does a higher SEER2 rating always pay off?
It pays back faster where the cooling season is long, as in Florida, the Central Valley and southwest Utah. In mild climates, a mid efficiency model is often the better value.
Do I need a permit to replace my air conditioner?
In most places yes, and the contractor should pull it. Skipping it can cause problems with insurance and when you sell the home.
Should I replace my furnace at the same time?
If both are old, replacing them together is worth pricing, since the indoor coil and the furnace work as a pair. A heat pump can also replace both.
These are typical ranges across our service areas. Your price depends on your equipment, your home and what the technician finds, so we explain the repair or the options and give you the price before any work begins.