Over the past year, half of our customers who replaced a central air conditioning system paid between $9,900 and $15,000. That is for a complete system, a new outdoor unit and indoor air handler, installed, including the permit and anything else on the job.
The numbers below come from our own invoices and our current price book.
What our customers paid
Each range is the middle half of our jobs: half of our customers paid within it, a quarter paid less and a quarter paid more. These are whole-job totals from our invoices dated November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026, including add-ons, permits and any discounts on the job, rounded to the nearest $50.
Some customers also used a promotion, which is why some paid less than today’s prices below.
| System | Jobs | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Complete central AC system, all sizes | 103 | $9,900 to $15,000 |
| Standard efficiency (15 SEER) | 29 | $10,550 to $13,250 |
| Higher efficiency (16 to 17 SEER) | 32 | $12,900 to $16,500 |
| Ductless mini-split, one zone | 12 | $4,550 to $6,500 |
Today’s prices by size and efficiency
From our price book on November 2, 2026, for complete split systems from Ruud, Trane and Lennox. Each price includes removing and disposing of your old equipment (with refrigerant recovery), a new outdoor condenser and indoor air handler, connecting and charging the refrigerant lines, the electrical hookup, leveling the condenser on a pad, and installing and programming the thermostat.
| Size | Standard efficiency (15 SEER) | Higher efficiency (16 to 18 SEER) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 ton | $10,820 to $11,937 | $12,168 to $15,339 |
| 2.5 ton | $11,143 to $12,184 | $12,589 |
| 3 ton | $11,517 to $12,626 | $13,033 to $16,120 |
| 3.5 ton | $12,053 to $13,567 | $13,941 |
| 4 ton | $12,429 to $13,852 | $14,400 to $16,698 |
| 5 ton | $13,293 to $15,113 | $15,239 to $17,466 |
Add-ons, only when your home needs them:
| Add-on | Price |
|---|---|
| Permit, Collier County or Lee County | $350 |
| Wi-Fi thermostat (Honeywell T6) | $544 |
| Seal ductwork at the plenum | $634 |
| Surge protector for the AC | $673 |
| Hurricane strap replacement | $138 |
| Full duct replacement, 3 or 4 ton system | $11,757 or $13,752 |
What changes the price
- Size. Systems are measured in tons. A larger home usually needs a larger system, which costs more.
- Efficiency. A higher SEER system costs more up front and uses less electricity to cool your home.
- Brand and model. Prices differ between brands and product lines of the same size.
- Ductwork. Leaky or damaged ducts may need sealing, repair or replacement.
- Location and access. An air handler in a tight attic or closet, or a unit that needs a crane, adds work.
- Permit. Listed as its own line on your estimate.
Repair or replace?
Consider your system’s age, how often it needs repairs, how well it cools and whether your energy bills are rising. Many problems are simple repairs. Today’s price-book prices for common AC repairs:
| Repair | Price |
|---|---|
| Capacitor replacement (dual run, 20 to 50 mfd) | $336 |
| Contactor replacement | $436 |
| Clean and flush the drain line | $343 |
| Outdoor fan motor replacement | $1,087 |
| Refrigerant (R-410A), per pound | $184 |
| Indoor (evaporator) coil replacement, R-410A | $5,104 |
If a big repair, like a coil, is needed on an older system, ask your technician to price both the repair and a new system so you can compare.
Southwest Florida factors
- Heat and humidity. Our AC systems run most of the year and remove a lot of water from the air. That water needs a clear drain line, so clogged drain lines are a common call here.
- Salt air. Near the coast, salt air wears on outdoor coils and metal parts faster.
- Hurricane season. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Hurricane straps hold the outdoor unit to its pad, and a surge protector helps guard the system against power surges.
- Permits. Replacing a system needs a permit from your county or city. Our price book has a permit line for Collier County and for Lee County.
How to get an exact price
Call (239) 215-3330 or send us a message. We will look at your home and current system and show you your options and prices before any work starts. Ask for the estimate in writing so you can compare. Financing is available with approved credit.
More about AC installation, AC repair, our air conditioning services and how our pricing works.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace an AC system in Southwest Florida?
Half of our customers paid between $9,900 and $15,000 for a complete central AC system from November 2025 to October 2026, including the permit and anything else on the job.
How much does a 3 ton AC system cost?
In our current price book, a complete 3 ton split system is $11,517 to $12,626 at standard efficiency (15 SEER) and $13,033 to $16,120 at higher efficiency (16 to 18 SEER).
Is a higher SEER system worth it?
It costs more up front and uses less electricity to cool. Whether it pays off depends on how much you run your AC and how long you plan to stay in your home. Your technician can price both.
Is the permit included?
The permit is listed as its own line on your estimate. It is $350 in our current price book for Collier County or Lee County.
Should I repair or replace my AC?
Consider the system’s age, how often it needs repairs, how well it cools and whether your energy bills are rising. We will give you both prices so you can decide.
Do you offer financing?
Yes, with approved credit. See our financing options.
Prices on this page were last checked on November 2, 2026.