HVAC
Central Air Conditioning: costs by job
Install, replace, repair and maintain costs for every central air conditioning job we track, with the trade required and how DIY-friendly each one is.
Verified August 2026
Cost comparison
Typical national figures for a standard single-family home.
| Central Air Conditioner ReplacementTypical $8,200 · HVAC contractor · DIY 1/5 | $4,800 – $15,000 |
|---|---|
| Central Air Conditioner InstallationTypical $8,200 · HVAC contractor · DIY 1/5 | $4,800 – $15,000 |
| Central Air Conditioner MaintenanceTypical $984 · HVAC contractor · DIY 1/5 | $576 – $1,800 |
| Central Air Conditioner InspectionTypical $492 · HVAC contractor · DIY 1/5 | $288 – $900 |
| Central Air Conditioner RepairTypical $1,804 · HVAC contractor · DIY 1/5 | $1,056 – $3,300 |
| AC Compressor ReplacementTypical $2,100 · HVAC contractor · DIY 1/5 | $900 – $4,500 |
| AC Compressor RepairTypical $462 · HVAC contractor · DIY 1/5 | $198 – $990 |
| AC Capacitor ReplacementTypical $260 · HVAC contractor · DIY 3/5 | $120 – $500 |
| AC Capacitor RepairTypical $57 · HVAC contractor · DIY 3/5 | $26 – $110 |
| Evaporator Coil ReplacementTypical $1,500 · HVAC contractor · DIY 1/5 | $700 – $3,200 |
| Evaporator Coil RepairTypical $330 · HVAC contractor · DIY 1/5 | $154 – $704 |
| Thermostat InstallationTypical $280 · HVAC contractor · DIY 4/5 | $120 – $650 |
| Thermostat ReplacementTypical $280 · HVAC contractor · DIY 4/5 | $120 – $650 |
| Thermostat RepairTypical $62 · HVAC contractor · DIY 4/5 | $26 – $143 |
| Thermostat UpgradeTypical $224 · HVAC contractor · DIY 4/5 | $96 – $520 |
Central Air Conditioner
Central Air Conditioner ReplacementTypical $8,200 · Tier 1Central Air Conditioner InstallationTypical $8,200 · Tier 1Central Air Conditioner MaintenanceTypical $984 · Tier 2Central Air Conditioner InspectionTypical $492 · Tier 2Central Air Conditioner RepairTypical $1,804 · Tier 1
Variants: Single-stage · Two-stage · Variable speed · Heat pump · 14 SEER2 · 18 SEER2
AC Compressor
AC Capacitor
Evaporator Coil
Thermostat
Thermostat InstallationTypical $280 · Tier 3Thermostat ReplacementTypical $280 · Tier 3Thermostat RepairTypical $62 · Tier 3Thermostat UpgradeTypical $224 · Tier 4
Variants: Smart · Programmable · Wi-Fi · Zoned