Calculator

Air Conditioner Replacement Cost Calculator

Price a central AC replacement by tonnage, SEER2 efficiency and whether the old system comes out.

Verified August 2026

Price it for my market

Select a state to re-price the estimate with local labor and material costs.

System size

Cost per ton (equipment + labor)($)

Efficiency tier

Remove and dispose of old system

Mechanical permit fee($)

Estimated installed cost

$7,836 – $11,131

Equipment, labor, removal and permit

Equipment and labor: $8,280
Cost per ton: $2,760
Removal and disposal: $450
Permit: $175

Estimates only. Local pricing, site conditions and code requirements change the real number.

The formula

Cost = tons x cost per ton x efficiency multiplier + removal + permit

Installed pricing scales with tonnage, but efficiency drives more of the spread than size does. A 16 SEER2 variable-speed system routinely costs 50–70% more than a builder-grade 14 SEER2 unit of the same capacity.

Worked example

A 3-ton 15 SEER2 replacement with old-equipment removal runs roughly $7,600 to $10,800 installed in most markets.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace a 3-ton AC unit?

Most 3-ton central AC replacements land between $6,500 and $11,500 installed in 2026, depending on efficiency tier and whether ductwork or the air handler is replaced at the same time.

Do I need a permit to replace an air conditioner?

Almost always yes. Mechanical permits for like-for-like equipment swaps are usually $75 to $300 and are pulled by the licensed contractor.

Is a higher SEER2 worth it?

In hot climates with long cooling seasons, stepping from 14 to 16–17 SEER2 usually pays back in 6 to 10 years. In mild climates it often does not.

Price this job in your state

Same tool, re-priced with local labor, material and permit-fee indexes.

AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Alabama-10% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Alaska+34% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Arizona+0% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Arkansas-13% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — California+31% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Colorado+8% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Connecticut+19% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Delaware+5% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Florida+4% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Georgia-6% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Hawaii+62% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Idaho-4% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Illinois+9% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Indiana-8% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Iowa-10% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Kansas-12% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Kentucky-11% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Louisiana-5% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Maine+6% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Maryland+12% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Massachusetts+26% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Michigan-3% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Minnesota+5% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Mississippi-15% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Missouri-10% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Montana+0% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Nebraska-11% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Nevada+6% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — New Hampshire+10% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — New Jersey+21% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — New Mexico-6% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — New York+28% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — North Carolina-7% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — North Dakota-2% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Ohio-7% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Oklahoma-13% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Oregon+14% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Pennsylvania+5% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Rhode Island+17% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — South Carolina-8% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — South Dakota-10% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Tennessee-10% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Texas-5% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Utah-3% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Vermont+8% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Virginia+3% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Washington+16% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — West Virginia-12% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Wisconsin-2% vs national AC Replacement Cost Calculator — Wyoming-2% vs national

Sources

Sources & verification

Last verified August 2026. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing — they are not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.