Central AC replacement cost calculator
National range: $3,450–$8,000 for a 3-ton central AC. Prices as of 2026-07, wages May 2025.
Estimate the installed cost range for a new central air conditioner by size and SEER2 at your ZIP code, and check a quote.
Before you decide
- Central AC prices vary more than the other jobs here: get at least three quotes.
- Since 2023, new units are rated in SEER2. The federal minimum for a split system is SEER2 13.4 in the North and 14.3 in the Southeast and Southwest (13.8 for 4 tons and up). The Standard choice uses the minimum for your state (10 CFR 430.32(c), U.S. Department of Energy, via eCFR).
Disclosure: we may earn a commission if you request quotes through this link. It does not change our estimate. More.
How we estimate · Sources and dates
Cost data: NREL, Residential Efficiency Measures Database 2024 (OEDI submission 8336), licensed CC BY 4.0. We changed it: prices are uplifted to today with BLS PPI, localised with BLS OEWS wages, and rounded. NREL does not endorse this site.
Cross-checks and like-for-like anchors: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Updated Buildings Sector Appliance and Equipment Costs and Efficiencies (2023).