How much does a new AC or full system cost to install?
Prices and facts checked July 22, 2026.
A new central AC runs roughly $5,500 to $12,000 installed for a typical home, and a full system with a new furnace or air handler can reach $8,000 to $16,000 or more. Four things move the number: the size in tons, the SEER2 efficiency rating, the condition of your existing ductwork, and the brand. Get two to three itemized quotes, and make sure they sized the unit to your home with a load calculation, not to whatever was there before.
National installed cost ranges
Installed, including labor and a standard permit. Ductwork repairs and difficult access add to these.
| Job | Typical installed range |
|---|---|
| Central AC condenser + coil | $5,500 to $12,000Size and SEER2 rating drive the spread. |
| AC + furnace (full system) | $8,000 to $16,000+Higher efficiency and variable-speed at the top. |
| Heat pump system | $6,000 to $18,000Cold-climate and multi-zone at the top. |
| Ductless mini-split (per zone) | $3,000 to $6,000 |
| New or replacement ductwork | $1,500 to $6,000Only when existing ducts are undersized or leaking. |
National ranges from HomeAdvisor and Angi cost guides (2024), Fixr (2023), and 2025 to 2026 contractor pricing, cross-checked 2026-07-08. Emergency and after-hours calls run higher. These are planning ranges, not a quote for your job.
What moves the price
- Size (tonnage): a bigger home needs more capacity, but bigger is not better. An oversized unit short-cycles, cools unevenly, and wears out early. A good installer runs a load calculation.
- Efficiency (SEER2): higher-efficiency units cost more upfront and less to run. In a hot climate the payback is faster; in a mild one, a mid-range SEER2 is often the smarter spend.
- Ductwork: if your ducts are leaky or undersized, a new unit underperforms. A quote that ignores obviously bad ducts is a red flag.
- Brand and features: variable-speed and communicating systems cost more and can be worth it, but only if the installer sizes and commissions them correctly.
How to read a replacement quote
- It should name the equipment (brand, model, tonnage, SEER2), not just say 'new AC system.'
- It should mention a load calculation or at least how they sized it. 'Same as your old one' is not sizing.
- It should state the permit, the warranty on parts and on labor, and what is not included.
- Get two to three of these before you sign. A replacement is a five-figure decision and deserves comparison.
Common questions
How much does it cost to replace an AC unit?
Roughly $5,500 to $12,000 installed for a central AC condenser and coil, and $8,000 to $16,000 or more for a full system with a new furnace or air handler. Size, SEER2 efficiency, ductwork condition, and brand set where you land. Get two to three itemized quotes.
Is a higher SEER2 rating worth the extra cost?
In a hot, high-use climate, yes: the lower power bills pay back the premium faster. In a mild climate, a mid-range SEER2 unit often makes more sense than the top tier. Ask the installer for the estimated annual operating cost at each rating.
Should I replace the ductwork when I replace the AC?
Only if the ducts are leaking or undersized. A new high-efficiency unit cannot deliver its rating through bad ducts. A good installer inspects the ducts and tells you honestly; a quote that never mentions them is worth a second opinion.
Keep going
Sources
- HomeAdvisor / Angi installation cost guides (2024) (central AC, full system, heat pump, ductwork ranges)
- US Department of Energy, central air conditioning (sizing and efficiency, accessed 2026-07-22)
- ENERGY STAR, heating and cooling (SEER2 efficiency guidance)