The cost of replacing an HVAC system typically ranges from $6,224 to $11,434. This HVAC replacement cost depends on your home's size, the system type, and installation requirements.
Air Conditioner SEER Ratings
The SEER rating for indoor and outdoor AC units should be the same to ensure maximum efficiency. Replacing the outside unit only will likely mean that you'll have a mismatched system and all of its associated problems.
Average New AC Unit Costs
The average cost of installing a new central air conditioner in 2024, including equipment and labor costs, is $5,750 for a 3-ton unit in a 2,000-square-foot home. On average, a new AC unit cost will fall between $3,300 and $7,800.
However, figuring out estimated AC prices for a 2,000-square-foot home can be tricky. On average, a new AC unit for a house will cost around $5,000, but prices can vary quite a bit. Costs for air conditioning in a home that is 2,000 square feet can range from as little as $2,000 to as much as $15,000.
Better pricing: Since there's less demand for HVAC system replacement in spring and fall, your HVAC contractor might even offer their own savings incentives.
Generally, the average cost to replace an HVAC system can run anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the customers' needs. We know that putting that much money down on anything can be daunting, but for a system as crucial as an HVAC unit, you can never be too safe.
On average, it will take between 4 to 8 hours to replace an air conditioner. If you are replacing both your furnace and air conditioning unit at the same time, then the job will take between 8 to 14 hours.
HVAC Pro Cost
Most people pay $500 to $2,500 in labor for AC replacement.
While every unit is different, and every homeowner has a different understanding of when their central air conditioner is broken beyond repair, it's fair to say that, with proper maintenance and care, you can expect a good 15 to 20 years of cooling from a new high efficiency air conditioning system.
Does homeowners insurance cover air conditioner replacement? If your air conditioner is damaged or destroyed due to a covered peril, such as lightning or a windstorm, your homeowners insurance policy may pay to repair or replace the unit, up to your coverage limit and minus your homeowners insurance deductible.
Usually, it is a quick fix, but sometimes the failure can be caused by a much bigger problem. The most expensive part of an AC unit to replace and repair is the air compressor.
In some situations, replacing only the inside unit for central air may be possible — but it's rare. If your outside unit is relatively new, energy-efficient and working well, replacing the inside unit might work — especially if both units are compatible in terms of SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2) ratings.
If you have to pay for labor and the compressor, chances are you're going to need to replace the entire outside unit because it would cost slightly more than replacing the compressor.
Well we typically recommend that you should not. The reason is that mismatched indoor and outdoor units that are not designed to be 100% compatible lead to several issues.
The average cost to replace just the outdoor AC unit is around $6,000, but the price could be as low as $4,000 or as high as $15,000 to $20,000.
3.5 Tons (42,000 BTUs): Suitable for homes ranging from 2,100 to 2,400 square feet. Installation cost ranges from $3,800 to $5,500. 4 Tons (48,000 BTUs): Suitable for homes ranging from 2,400 to 2,700 square feet. Installation cost ranges from $4,000 to $6,000.
A 3 Ton AC unit is a type of air conditioner system that has the ability to cool up to approximately 1,500 to 2,500 square feet of living space, although there are many other factors that contribute to determine the size/tonnage of your AC needs.
The cost of a 4-ton AC unit typically ranges between $4,000 to $5,500. However, this price can vary depending on factors such as the brand, model, energy efficiency rating (SEER), and additional features like advanced filtration systems or smart thermostats.
The average cost of an HVAC service call is about $100 to $250, depending on the problem. The total hourly rate for an HVAC technician ranges from $65 to $150+ per hour, with additional parts costing anywhere from $40 to over $1000.
Another reason that installing a new AC is so expensive is that modern air conditioning equipment is more complex and specialized than ever. This means the AC technician installing your new system needs a specific set of costly tools to do their work and additional training to know how to use them.
Replacing a HVAC system can involve one or both, and it makes a difference, price-wise. According to HomeGuide.com, the average cost to replace the HVAC units is $5,000 to $11,000; to replace the units with ductwork runs between $7,000 and $16,000 in total.
If you have an electric furnace (electric air handler) and need to replace the AC/heat pump, then you will almost certainly need to do a full system replacement.
Depending on the system, the average HVAC lifespan can range from 10 to 20 years. Furnaces, for instance, can have an average life expectancy of 15 to 20 years so it is good to keep the age of your system in mind.