What is the price difference between 3.5 ton and 4-ton AC?

Author: Alessia Crooks  |  Last update: Monday, December 1, 2025

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.

How much should a 3.5 ton AC unit cost installed?

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.

What should a 4 ton AC unit cost?

Therefore, the total cost of a 4-ton AC unit, including installation, typically ranges from $4,000 to $12,500 or more.

Will a bigger AC unit cool my house better?

However, the truth is an oversized system will not do a better job of cooling the house or provide any extra comfort over a properly sized unit. Air conditioner size is calculated in BTU (British Thermal Units) and tons, and measures how much heat the system can remove from the home in one hour.

What seer rating do I need?

For most homeowners: Hot Climates (Texas): A 17-18 SEER unit with a variable-speed compressor provides a great balance of comfort, efficiency, and cost. Milder Climates: A 14-16 SEER unit is often sufficient.

Before you buy, know the right AC square footage per ton!

Is a 3.5 ton enough for 2000 sq ft?

What size AC do I need for a 2000 sq ft house? A 2000 sq ft house generally requires a 3 to 3.5 ton AC unit (36,000 to 42,000 BTUs) to cool your home's space effectively.

How much does a 4 ton AC unit cover?

So, a 4-ton cassette AC, being four times more powerful, should be able to cool approximately 1500 to 2200 square feet of area. However, it is essential to consider the specific cooling capacity and performance ratings of the particular model to accurately determine its coverage area.

Is a 3 ton AC too big for 1500 square feet?

Homes measuring 1,000-1,500 square feet: You'll need a 2-ton unit, which corresponds to a cooling capacity of 24,000 BTUs per hour. Homes measuring 1,500-2,000 square feet: You'll require a 3-ton unit, equivalent to 36,000 BTUs per hour. Homes measuring 2,000-2,500 square feet: A 4-ton unit is necessary.

What is the price difference between a 3 ton and 4 ton AC unit?

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.

How much is labor to install an AC unit?

HVAC Pro Cost

Most people pay $500 to $2,500 in labor for AC replacement.

What is the best HVAC system in 2024?

Homeowners Rate Trane Tops for 10th Year in a Row

The designation comes from the 2024 Lifestory Research Most Trusted® HVAC System Study. Lifestory Research surveyed more than 9,000 American homeowners who were actively researching HVAC systems between January and December of 2023.

Which AC brand lasts the longest?

Which HVAC Brands Last the Longest?
  • Mitsubishi Electric: Superior Efficiency and Durability. ...
  • Goodman Air Conditioning and Heating: Affordable and Long-Lasting. ...
  • Rheem: Reliable Performance for Decades. ...
  • Honeywell: Smart Home Integration and Durability. ...
  • Lennox: High-End Performance for the Long Haul.

How much should a 4 ton AC unit cost installed?

What's the Cost of a 4-Ton Air Conditioning System? The average cost of buying and installing a 4-ton air conditioner is about $6,250, with a range of $3,800 to $8,300.

How long should a 3.5 ton AC unit last?

The general rule in the industry is that once an A/C unit reaches 10-15 years, replacing the unit is usually a much better investment than putting money into an older system. If your system is at that threshold, it's usually wise to begin expecting, not wondering, when the system will fail.

How big will a 4 ton AC unit cool?

How many square feet will a 4 ton AC unit cool? The cooling capacity of an air conditioning unit is typically measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) rather than square feet. However, it is generally recommended that a 4-ton AC unit can cool a space of about 1,600 to 2,000 square feet.

How long does it take to replace a 4 ton AC unit?

Between 4 and 8 Hours.

What is the rule of thumb for air conditioning size?

A good rule of thumb to follow is that you'll need approximately 20 BTU for every square foot of floor area. However, there are also other considerations to take into account before calculating the capacity, including the height of your ceiling as well as how many windows and doors are in a specific room.

How many square feet does 3.5-ton AC cover?

3.5 tons: 1801-2100 sq. ft. 4 tons: 2101-2400 sq. ft.

How big of AC for a 2000 sq ft house?

The typical 2,000-square-foot home will need a central AC unit that is around 3 tons or 36,000 BTU. The larger an AC system is, the more it will cost.

Are carrier AC units quiet?

Carrier offers incredibly quiet air conditioning units that won't disrupt you in your backyard or on your patio. For ultra-quiet comfort, consider our Infinity 26 AC unit with Greenspeed® technology.

Is it worth paying for higher SEER?

In general you should consider upgrading to a higher SEER if you live in a very hot climate and/or if you have a large home. The best way to see how much a higher SEER unit can save you is by checking an online SEER calculator.

What SEER rating qualifies for tax credit 2024?

What SEER rating qualifies for tax credit 2024? Split ducted heat pumps and packaged heat pumps must meet a SEER2 rating of 15.2 or above. Non-ducted heat pumps must meet a SEER2 rating of 16 or above.

Is it worth upgrading from 14 SEER to 16 SEER?

According to the Kobie SEER Energy Savings Calculator, a 16 SEER unit uses about 13% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as a 14 SEER unit of the same size. That means that for every $100 you'd pay to run your 14 SEER unit, you could save $13 by upgrading to a 16 SEER unit.

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