The Cost to Install Central Air in 2025
The cost of installing a central air conditioning system varies widely depending on your home’s size, the type and efficiency of the unit, and whether ductwork is already in place.
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The cost to install central air conditioning, including the cost of the unit and labor, can range from around $6,000 to $11,500. Other systems that cool your home — such as mini-splits and heat pumps — can cost less or significantly more.
A central air unit is not the same as an HVAC system, although they’re related. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and encompasses an entire system that includes all three. Typically central air conditioning is part of an HVAC system.
Breakdown of central air costs
The price of an air conditioning unit is only one piece of the total cost for new central air installation. On top of paying a qualified HVAC professional to do the work, you may have additional expenses such as a pre-installation evaluation and possibly air duct installation or modification.
Here’s a breakdown of costs for a central air unit installed, along with the many factors that can increase your final price.
1. Type of central air unit: $3,900 to $30,000+
For cooling only
Central air conditioning. This commonly used system can be very effective for cooling entire homes in hot climates. It replaces warm air with air that’s passed over cold coils and distributes it throughout your home via air ducts and vents. It can use a split system, which has both an indoor and outdoor unit, or a packaged system with a single outdoor unit for homes with limited indoor space.
Ductless mini-split. This system has both an outdoor unit and one or more indoor air handlers to cool different rooms or zones. It can be the most economical choice for homes that already have a furnace or those where installation of traditional ductwork isn’t feasible.
For cooling and heating
You may also encounter these higher-cost options that use one system to cool and heat your home.
Air-source heat pump. An air-source heat pump uses an outdoor and indoor unit. It extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it indoors in the winter. In the summer, it reverses the process to remove heat from a home. Heat pumps tend to be more energy efficient, because they transfer heat instead of generating it.
Geothermal heat pump. These heat pumps, also called ground-source heat pumps, transfer heat from the ground to your home in the winter. In the summer, that reverses moving heat from your home to the ground. Underground temperatures tend to be stable, making geothermal heat pumps an efficient option even in extreme temperatures.
Cost of air conditioning by type
Type of AC unit | Average unit cost (minus labor) | Installed cost estimate* |
|---|---|---|
Central air conditioning | $2,500-$4,500. | $6,000-$11,500. |
Ductless mini-split system | $3,200-$14,500. | $3,900-$17,500. |
Air-source heat pump | $2,000 to $12,000. | $8,000-$20,000. |
Geothermal heat pump | $4,000-$15,000. | $12,000-$30,000+. |
*Installed cost does not include the addition or modification of ductwork. Wide price ranges reflect the differences in unit size for small to large homes as well as higher costs for premium brands. Sources: Angi and This Old House. | ||
2. Pre-installation evaluation: $300 to $900
The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) developed and recommend having a Manual J load calculation done, to ensure your ac system is the correct size for your home. Your HVAC contractor may do this calculation for free or include the cost in its estimate. If so, verify that the contractor is using ACCA-accredited software.
You could also have the load calculation done as part of a home energy audit that you pay for. An energy audit is more comprehensive, identifying air leaks and other issues that increase the cost of running an air conditioner. An energy audit can cost several hundred dollars, but your utility company may offer discounts or do one for free. You can also receive a tax credit of up to $150 for getting a home energy audit.
3. Ductwork installation or upgrade: $500 to $10,000
Your HVAC professional should check the systems an air conditioner relies on, especially ductwork, to ensure they can handle central air.
If there’s no existing ductwork, the average cost to install new ductwork can range from about $600 for a very small home to $10,000 for an average-sized home. Your final cost depends on home size and installation difficulty. For example, adding ductwork to a large, older home that has none could cost up to $20,000 or more.
Even if your home already has ductwork, it may need an upgrade to handle a new AC unit’s increased air flow. Ductwork could also need to be replaced if there are air leaks or other problems. According to Angi, the cost to replace existing ductwork ranges from $453 to $2,187, with $1,252 as the average.
4. Size of the AC system
The size of a central air unit refers to its cooling capacity and not its physical measurements. This capacity to cool is shown in British thermal units (BTUs) or tons, with residential systems generally available in 1.5- to 5-ton capacities.
You can expect to need about 20 BTUs per square foot of interior space, and the higher your unit's size in tons or BTUs, the higher your cost will be. This chart gives you an idea of the variation.
AC size | Home size (sq. ft.) | Average cost (unit only) |
|---|---|---|
1.5 tons | 900. | $2,500-$4,200. |
2 tons | 1,200. | $2,950-$5,100. |
3 tons | 1,600. | $3,800-$7,150. |
4 tons | 2,400. | $4,800-$8,650. |
5 tons | 3,000. | $5,250-$9,700. |
The actual size needed can vary by many factors including the climate where you live. To determine a ton rating, multiply your home’s square footage by 20 to get the BTU rating, then divide that number by 12,000. | ||
5. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) Rating
A central air system’s SEER rating (now called SEER2) measures its energy efficiency, and units with a SEER rating of 18 or higher are considered to be high efficiency. The U.S. Energy Information Administration requires that AC units have a minimum 14 rating in northern U.S. states and a 15 in southern states where it’s hotter.
Higher efficiency systems come with a higher initial price tag, but you can save on your energy bill over time. For example, the difference between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER unit is about $1,500, but you would save about $13 for every $100 spent on cooling.
6. Installation and labor: $75 to $250 per hour
You can typically expect to pay an HVAC contractor between $75 and $250 an hour, depending on what kind of system you’re getting and the level of complexity (such as if ductwork needs to be installed).
To find a high-quality HVAC contractor:
Read online reviews and ask friends for referrals.
Search for contractors on the ACCA website (and use this handy checklist to guide the conversations).
Ask questions about their licensing, insurance, experience, certifications and installation process.
3 tips to control central air conditioning installation costs
1. Look for equipment rebates and tax credits
Local governments, as well as utility companies and manufacturers, offer tax credits and rebates for high-efficiency air conditioners. Also, use the Energy Star rebate finder to find money-saving opportunities in your ZIP code.
2. Time your installation right
Scheduling installation in the off-seasons — spring and fall — may yield a lower price or faster turnaround time because HVAC pros aren’t as busy.
3. Get multiple quotes
Compare estimates from at least three different companies. Prices can vary significantly between HVAC contractors. Ask for a detailed breakdown of equipment, labor, permits and warranties to ensure you’re comparing apples to apples.
Ways to pay for central air installation
Your contractor may offer some financing options (either through a partner or a payment plan), but there are other — and maybe better — financing options available.
Home equity loan or HELOC
Home equity loans or home equity lines of credit (HELOC) may have lower interest rates than financing through a contractor’s lender, as well as possible tax benefits. Both options use your home as collateral.
Home equity loan. This may be a good option if you only want to pay for installing central air and won’t need ongoing access to money for other projects. With a home equity loan, you receive a lump-sum payment and then pay it back at a fixed interest rate over an agreed period of time, typically five to 30 years
Home equity line of credit. HELOCs work more like a credit card, so you have ongoing access to money as you need it. You usually have 10 years to draw from the line of credit and pay interest only on the HELOC amount you use. Most lenders have an option for interest-only payments during that time, after which you’re required to pay both the principal and interest. HELOC interest rates typically are variable, meaning your monthly payment could rise or fall over time.
Personal loan
Many banks, credit unions and online lenders offer personal loans, with amounts typically from $1,000 to $100,000 and with fixed annual percentage rates. You receive a lump sum and repay it in equal monthly installments over a set period, typically two to seven years. Unlike with home equity financing, there is no collateral. This means your home isn’t at risk if you get behind on payments, but you’ll still have to pay late fees and late payments can negatively impact your credit. Here are NerdWallet’s picks for the best home improvement loans.
Credit Card
Credit cards may be an option for central air installation on the lower end of the cost range. That’s because credit cards typically charge higher interest rates than home equity loans, HELOCs and personal loans. When used responsibly, credit cards can come with great benefits, such as 0% introductory APR periods that allow you to avoid interest for a set number of months; rewards so you earn cash back, travel rewards or points; and sign-up bonuses that give you extra cash back or rewards. If you go this route, you’ll want to make sure you choose one of the best credit cards for home improvements.
Know what to expect before installing central air
Central air installation is a significant investment, and the cost can vary widely depending on your home’s size, the type and efficiency of the unit, and whether ductwork is already in place or needs to be added or replaced. While basic systems can start around $6,000, larger or more complex installations — especially those involving heat pumps or ductwork upgrades — can easily reach $15,000 or more.
Before choosing a system, it’s smart to get multiple quotes from licensed HVAC professionals and ask detailed questions about what’s included. Taking the time to schedule installation during off-peak seasons and applying for any rebates can help make your central air installation more affordable.