Home Services
AC Replacement Cost
Published September 24, 2026 · Last updated September 30, 2026
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The short answer
A new central AC unit costs about $5,978 on average, but prices range from about $1,400 to $12,500. The type of system, its size, and whether your ductwork needs changes drive most of the cost.
Central AC units usually last 15 to 20 years. If yours is near that age and needs a big repair, replacing it may cost less over time.
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What a new AC unit costs
Price range
- Average: about $5,978
- Full range: $1,400 to $12,500
- Installation labor, depending on system type: about $3,887 to $8,073
- Ductwork changes, if needed: about $3,000 to $7,500 extra
Not a quote or an offer. Your price comes from the contractor. Source: Angi, 2026.
What moves the number
- System type. Central split systems, ductless mini-splits, and packaged units are priced differently.
- Size (tons). Bigger homes need more cooling capacity.
- Efficiency (SEER2). Higher SEER2 costs more up front and less to run.
- Ductwork. Leaky, undersized, or missing ducts add a lot.
- Electrical upgrades and removal of the old unit.
The refrigerant change
New home AC systems are moving to newer refrigerants, like R-454B, under EPA rules to cut climate-warming chemicals. What that means for you:
- New systems from most manufacturers now use the newer refrigerant.
- Older systems that use R-410A can still be repaired. Ask your contractor about parts and refrigerant availability for your unit.
- Mixing and matching an old indoor coil with a new outdoor unit may not work with the new refrigerant. Ask whether your quote replaces both.
Repair or replace?
Replacement may make more sense when:
- The AC is 15 years old or more.
- It needs a costly repair, like a new compressor.
- Cooling bills keep rising.
- Rooms cool unevenly.
Should you consider a heat pump?
A heat pump cools like an AC and also heats your home. If you're replacing both AC and heating, it's worth comparing. See heat pumps.
Tax credits: federal energy efficiency tax credits for AC and heat pumps ended after 2025. Ask your power company about local rebates.
What to ask
- "Will you do a load calculation (Manual J) to size the system?"
- "What's the SEER2 rating?"
- "Does this replace both the outdoor unit and the indoor coil?"
- "Is ductwork included, and does it need work?"
- "What's the warranty on parts, the compressor, and your labor?"
The catch: an oversized AC cools fast but doesn't remove humidity well, and it wears out sooner from short cycling. Insist on a load calculation, not a guess based on your old unit.
Keep reading
Replacing the furnace too? See furnace replacement. Hot upstairs rooms? See insulation. Paying for it? Compare a HELOC.
More heating and cooling guides: HVAC replacement cost · Furnace replacement · Heat pumps · Repair or replace your HVAC · Insulation
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