The central air conditioning (AC) system, as it is commonly known, cools down all the room parts with a single set of equipment rather than a single window or split units. Homeowners tend to choose central AC due to even temperatures, less noise, and higher resale value. But the first question is always ‘how much does it cost to install a central air conditioning system? The price at the out-of-pocket level and long-term expenditure are also important, and the responses depend on the size of the house, the quality of the duct, the level of efficiency, and the local labor cost.
This guide describes the average cost of installing a central air conditioning System, demonstrates where the cash flows, and enumerates habits that reduce energy bills over the years. Use it to shop for quotes, identify undetected expenses, and budget for purchase and maintenance.
A central air conditioning system is designed to keep an entire home or building cool and comfortable by circulating chilled air through a network of ducts. Unlike window or portable units that only cool a single room, central AC works as one complete system that evenly distributes air throughout the space. A central air conditioning system has four main parts:
The cold coil absorbs the heat and pulls the warm indoor air across the cold coil. The heat is pushed out of the refrigerant pipes into the condenser, where it is dumped into the open air. In the meantime, the air that has now cooled is forced back into your rooms by supply vents.
Because every room shares the same equipment, the system maintains a stable set point and filters the full air volume through one return grille.
| Floor area (sq ft) | Usual capacity (tons) | Typical installed cost* |
|---|---|---|
| 800 – 1,200 | 1.5 – 2 | $3,300 – $5,000 |
| 1,300 – 2,000 | 2.5 – 3 | $4,800 – $7,800 |
| 2,100 – 2,800 | 3.5 – 4 | $6,500 – $10,500 |
| 2,900 – 3,500 | 4 – 5 | $8,500 – $13,000 |
| Floor area (sq ft) | Usual capacity (tons) | Typical installed cost* |
| 800 – 1,200 | 1.5 – 2 | $3,300 – $5,000 |
| 1,300 – 2,000 | 2.5 – 3 | $4,800 – $7,800 |
There some underlying reasons why the prices rise (and fall):
Each half-ton jump raises equipment cost by a few hundred dollars and may require a heavier coil or a larger breaker. A Manual J load calculation ensures the unit is not oversized, which saves on both purchase price and future power use.
Ducts that leak, wasting twenty percent of airflow, also strain the blower. Insulation and sealing of existing trunks can cost $1,000 to $2,700 per 1000 sq ft of floor area. A complete replacement of all the ductwork will add another $2,000 to $6,000, and the cost will depend heavily on the ease (or difficulty) of access to all that stuff in the attic.