When to replace your air conditioner

The figures here are published national ranges from cost guides, and permit fees from three cities' schedules. They aren't quotes, and local prices vary. Use them to weigh a repair against a new system, then get quotes from heating and cooling contractors near you if you'd like to compare.

What a new central air conditioner costs

Replacing central air on the ducts you already have costs $3,900 to $8,000; about $6,000 on average.^{1, 2, 3}

That range is for a system on existing ducts. If a contractor says your ducts need work, ask for that priced as its own line.

If you're weighing a heat pump instead, the heat pump or furnace guide has its ranges. The plumbing and HVAC cost estimator gives a planning range for either.

What keeping it running costs

If you sign up for a plan, ask what it covers: how many visits a year, whether parts or refrigerant are included, and whether it gives you a discount or priority on repairs.

Repair or replace: what to ask

Before you decide, get the facts for your own system. Ask the contractor:

• What's failed, and what the repair costs in writing, parts and labor.
• How old the system is, and whether other parts are near the end of their life.
• What warranty comes with the repair, and with a new system.
• Whether a new system would be sized for your house, and how they worked out the size.
• What the replacement quote includes: removing the old unit, the refrigerant lines, the thermostat, the permit and cleanup.

If one contractor recommends replacing and another recommends a repair, ask each to explain why.

Permits

A replacement may need a permit where you live. The permit guide lists what we've confirmed for each state. Three city fee schedules show the scale of the fee: Winston-Salem, North Carolina charges a flat $100 for a residential mechanical changeout, electrical included.⁶ Spring Lake Park, Minnesota charges $50 per unit with a $100 minimum,⁷ and San Diego charges $131.52 for an air conditioning condensing unit.⁸ Ask who applies for the permit and whether the fee is in the quote.

Tax credits and rebates

The federal credit for energy efficient home improvements covered improvements made through December 31, 2025,⁹ so an air conditioner installed in 2026 doesn't qualify for it. The residential clean energy credit isn't available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.¹⁰ If a quote or a website mentions a federal tax credit for work done now, ask where that comes from.

The Department of Energy's home energy rebates are available in select states.¹¹ Check with your state whether it offers them before you buy.

The verify guide shows where to check a heating and cooling contractor's license.