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Cost by size
Air Conditioner Replacement Cost by Home Size
September 8, 2026 3 min read
Larger homes often need more cooling capacity, but access, electrical work, refrigerant lines, and ductwork can influence price as much as tonnage.
Estimated installed price by capacity
| Capacity | Good | Better | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5–2 tons | $4,950 – $7,150 | $7,050 – $9,650 | $9,750 – $13,950 |
| 2.5–3 tons | $5,600 – $7,800 | $7,800 – $10,400 | $10,600 – $14,800 |
| 3.5–4 tons | $6,550 – $8,750 | $8,900 – $11,500 | $11,850 – $16,050 |
| 4.5–5 tons | $7,500 – $9,700 | $10,000 – $12,600 | $13,300 – $17,500 |
National planning ranges before local market and installation-condition adjustments.
Why home size is only a starting point
Two homes with the same square footage can have different cooling loads because of insulation, windows, orientation, shade, ceiling height, leakage, and climate.
Ranges are estimated fully installed prices including the outdoor unit, matched indoor coil, standard labor and materials, old-equipment removal, startup, and testing. Capacity, electrical work, line-set condition, ductwork, permits, and access can change the final price.