How Much Does an AC Unit Cost to Install?

How much does it cost to install central AC Unit for a 2,000 Sq. ft Home?

For a 2,000 square ft home you would want a 4 to 5 ton AC unit and the average installation cost would be around $8,770.

The average AC unit can cool 400 square feet of your home per 1 ton of air conditioning cooling capacity. This would produce 12,000 BTU’s per 400 square feet. You can take the 2000 sq. ft measurement and divide by 400 sq. ft of cooled area (per 1 ton AC unit cooling capacity) and calculate that you would need a 5.0 Ton air conditioner. In terms of BTUs needed, you multiply 5.0 tons x 12,000 BTUs (per ton) which means you will need 60,000 BTUs per hour.

A 4 ton AC unit may also provide optimal cooling for homes with moderate temperatures. You must also take in to account the quality and brand of AC unit you purchase as well as cost for ductwork, demolition and labor in your areas.

Let’s calculate AC unit installation cost for your home:

HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator

Take me there

Central AC Installation Costs by Size – Tons and BTUs

Central AC size is calculated in tons which is the cooling capacity of your air conditioning system and the amount of heat it can remove from a room. See our table below for pricing:

Most residential air conditioning systems provide up to 5-tons of cooling or heating, depending on home size.

BTUs, British Thermal Units, are the measure of heating capacity of an HVAC system. BTUs are preferred unit sizes when purchasing HVAC heating systems in particular. Since a central air conditioner can provide both heating and cooling for your home, it is good to understand the sizes for both the functionalities.

AC Costs by SEER Rating

Some of the best AC units will have high energy efficiency capabilities (also known as high SEER ratings) can save you a considerable amount of money on your average heating and cooling energy bill costs. However, a higher energy efficiency level may mean a higher HVAC installation cost. SEER ratings can range from the lowest point of a 13 SEER to the maximum efficiency air conditioners boasting a 24 SEER rating.  The average price for a standard AC unit providing a 13 to 14 SEER rating will cost around $2,820 for total unit installation, while a unit with a 24 SEER rating will cost much more initially at around $6,800 for total installation. See chart below for all SEER ratings and central AC costs.

Air Conditioner Unit Costs by Brand

Each of the best AC unit brands offer different tiers of central AC units depending on the needs for your home. Air conditioner brands like Goodman, Rheem, and York all have decently priced units in the $2,500+ range. Well known brands like American Standard, Trane, and Carrier will be more in the $4,800 + price range and will usually have better quality products depending on your home cooling needs. When buying from brands, you are only looking at the AC units, ductwork and other expenses will be added at the time of installation. You may also be interested in seeing the top furnace brands as well. See the full AC brands cost chart below.

Talk to Contractors

Hidden Costs in Your Estimate

There are also air conditioning installation costs that most likely are not included in the initial AC estimate but you may want to factor in, if applicable for your local installation prices. You also may need to consider installing a new furnace with your AC unit. These are the things you should ask the HVAC contractor about and whether or not the cost is included in the initial estimate they’re providing. Here are a few cost related questions you should have answers to:

• Will a permit be required from your local city or county building department? Will the unit also require an inspection by a representative of the building department to ensure the system is up to code?
• If you live in an older home that has asbestos or lead paint, there may be an additional cost to test, remove, or replace the material. Ask about this.
• What about ductwork? Does my existing ductwork can be used or new duct installation is recommended?

Evaluating AC Installation Price Quotes

There are a quite a few factors to consider when determining what could effect the cost of a new air conditioner unit installation.

High Priced Bid Factors:

• Air conditioner replacements can vary drastically in price. These disparities could be due to the type of unit—how quiet an air conditioning system is, for example. We encourage homeowners to research their desired AC system and make sure it is the best suited for their homes and needs.

• Air Conditioners can also vary in total cost depending on hardware other than the main units themselves. The increasingly popular smart thermostat is often paired with a new A/C unit, which could cost as little as $30 or as much as $300.

• High-end air conditioning contractors will likely have more equipment and overhead, which may be seen in your price quote.

• Air conditioning unit warranties will also impact your total quoted installation cost. Most AC installers offer manufacturer’s warranties that protect you from faulty unit equipment. Some might offer additional guarantees for the air conditioner installation as well, covering potential damage to your roof (if applicable.) Be sure the quoted warranty is clear in what it covers—and in what it doesn’t.

• Research and be aware of potential hidden costs— like permits and potential fines. Your quote should include a proper breakdown of how local or federal regulation applies to you and what your AC contractor will or will not do in that regard.

• • For example, if your installed air conditioner system’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating is lower than 13, the Department of Energy might flag your contractor for selling it.

• • An air conditioner having an average SEER rating of 16 could mean saving upward of $400 annually in comparison to other lower efficiency options.Expect an analysis of what your bills should look like after your air condtioner installation, and how you should expect these heating and cooling energy costs to change in upcoming years.

Low Priced Bid Factors:

• If a contractor does not have proper insurance (or any at all), they will often provide a lower bid. This may leave the homeowner responsible for laborer injuries or damages that occur. We recommend that homeowners always select a licensed contractor for their home improvement projects.

• If a contractor doesn’t have a solid grasp of local policies or applicable local, regional, and federal incentives—like the ones found at the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, they may leave that to you and subsequently lower their fees since they have less paperwork to worry about. While a contractor may charge you for help navigating the bureaucracy of air conditioning regulation, a good contractor will assure your energy compliance in your area and maximize your return on investment utilizing expertise you may lack.

• Extremely low bidders may also be desperate for a job, which is never a reassuring sign. Be sure to always vet your air conditioner contractor fully before hiring.

Additional cost factors that might be involved:

• Plumbing
• Electrical work
• Removal of an existing HVAC system
• Installing the air conditioner at a new location
• Modifying the framing or surfacing of the home for installation
• Bringing any current paired systems up to code.
• Ductwork

For any bid you receive you should always double check your final AC installation quotes for possible price errors. While it’s rare, errors can happen when trying to determine your full installation costs. Communicate any and all questions and concerns with your air conditioning installer before signing off on any contracts.

For a full list of price evaluation tips see our full list from our  homeowner’s guide to evaluating your HVAC price quotes.