Central air installation cost
Putting in central air costs $5,300 to $10,500 when your home already has ducts from a forced-air furnace. If the house has no ducts (radiators, baseboard heat or a boiler), installing central air with new ductwork costs $9,000 to $16,000.
Quick answer
$5,300 – $16,000with or without existing ducts
With existing ducts, central air costs $5,300 to $10,500. Adding ducts brings it to $9,000 to $16,000, and large or hard-to-retrofit homes can reach $20,000.
Cost by your home's setup
| Situation | Cost installed |
|---|---|
| Home with forced-air furnace and good ducts | $5,300 – $10,500 |
| Home with ducts that need repair | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Home with no ducts (new ductwork) | $9,000 – $16,000 |
| Ductless mini-split instead (whole home) | $10,000 – $20,000 |
- AC equipment (condenser, coil)$2,800–$7,50040%
- New ductwork$2,400–$6,60035%
- Labor$1,000–$3,00016%
- Permits and thermostat$390–$1,8509%
Share of a typical project, using the middle of each range.
Cost by home size
| Home size (sq ft) | AC size (tons) | With existing ducts |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | 1.5 – 2 | $4,500 – $7,000 |
| 1,200 | 2 – 2.5 | $5,000 – $7,500 |
| 1,500 | 2.5 – 3 | $6,000 – $8,500 |
| 2,000 | 3.5 – 4.5 | $7,000 – $11,500 |
| 2,500 | 4.5 – 5 | $8,500 – $13,500 |
| 3,000 | 5+ | $10,000 – $16,000+ |
If your home has a furnace, the new coil sits on top of it and uses its blower. If the home has no furnace, the system needs an air handler ($1,500 to $3,400) as well.
What a central air installation includes
- Outdoor condenser and pad
- Indoor evaporator coil (or air handler)
- Refrigerant line set and refrigerant
- Condensate drain and, if needed, a pump
- Electrical disconnect and dedicated circuit
- Thermostat wiring and startup testing
Options for homes without ducts
Retrofitting ducts means opening walls or using closets and attics. Two alternatives are often cheaper: ductless mini-splits (great for a few rooms) and small-duct high-velocity systems ($3,500 to $15,000+), which use 2-inch flexible tubes that fit in older homes.
How to get a fair quote
- Get at least three written quotes that list the brand, model number, size (tons or BTU) and efficiency rating.
- Ask whether the price includes permits, removal of the old unit, refrigerant, a new thermostat and any duct or electrical work.
- Ask for a load calculation (Manual J) instead of matching the old unit's size by default.
- Compare labor warranties (1 to 10 years) as well as the manufacturer's parts warranty, and register the equipment.
- Schedule non-urgent work in spring or fall, when contractors are less busy and more willing to discount.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to put in central air?
$5,300 to $10,500 with existing ducts, or $9,000 to $16,000 if new ductwork is needed.
How much does it cost to add central air to a house with no ductwork?
Usually $9,000 to $16,000 including new ducts, an air handler or coil, and the outdoor unit.
Is central air worth it?
In hot climates it adds comfort and can help resale. In mild climates or homes without ducts, a mini-split or heat pump may give better value.
Sources
Prices are national averages and typical ranges from published cost data. Your price depends on your home, region, equipment and contractor, so get several written quotes. Heat & Air Costs is not an HVAC contractor; read our disclaimer.