The average cost across the United States to install central air conditioning was $5,958 as of mid-2025. That price can, however, fluctuate based on such factors as where you live, the size of your home, and what kind of unit you choose.
Here, learn more about air conditioning costs, your options, and how to get the best possible price if you do choose to install central cooling.
Key Points
• Average cost for central air conditioning installation in mid-2025 is $5,958.
• Factors affecting cost include brand, home size, duct condition, and location.
• Financing options include savings, tax credits, and home improvement loans.
• Pre-installation evaluation assesses system needs, duct access, and budget.
• A qualified contractor ensures proper, safe, and compliant installation.
What Factors Play a Role in Installing Central Air?
Many factors go into the cost to install central air conditioning, including the brand of AC you choose, the unit itself, and the overall size of your home. A central air conditioning unit alone can cost thousands of dollars. For instance, a split unit air conditioning unit will typically run between $2,000 and $3,000 on average; a packaged central air conditioning unit will be somewhat more, typically between $2,500 to $4,500. (More in a minute on the difference between these types of systems.)
If you add in the labor of an air conditioner contractor, the cost to install central air ranges from $3,500 and $7,000 on average. But that number can range depending on where you live, the type of AC system your home needs, and the condition of your existing air ducts.
According to HomeAdvisor, these are the average air conditioning unit costs with installation:
| Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 3-ton | $2,000-$5,500 |
| 4-ton | $2,600-$6,200 |
| 5-ton | $2,800–$6,800 |
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Pre-Installation Evaluation
Some helpful things to think about when evaluating your home for a new air conditioning system include a careful analysis of how big of a system your living quarters need. The price jumps quickly for larger units, so it’s often smart to make sure you’re not overdoing the cooling capacity for your project.
Ease of access for installing the bulky ducting system of a traditional air conditioning setup is important, so if you have a tight basement or attic crawl space, expect to pay more in labor costs than if you had more room to mount all the equipment and pipes easily.
Also, think about where you’d want to locate the duct feeding into the room. You might have to cut through hardwood or tile, for example, to gain an access point for the air to flow. Or there could be a spot in your house that needs a little more airflow and will therefore require multiple ducts into the room.
Though an AC installation typically just takes one day, if extensive cutting into floors or walls or ductwork is required, it could take several. If this might disrupt your quality of living, you’ll likely want to consider staying with family or friends as your central air is installed — or move into a hotel, the cost of which should factor into how you make a budget for your overall air conditioning costs.
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Types of AC Units
Affordability and preference help determine the type of air conditioning unit that you’ll need, which affects the overall central air cost. A traditional split system — with air conditioning on one side of the unit, heating on the other — is on the lower end of the pricing range vs. packaged units. In addition, more complex models that include heat-pump, hybrid, and geothermal functionality can run substantially higher.
Ductless air conditioning systems have been around for years and are rapidly entering the U.S. market from overseas. They can offer affordable efficiency as they cool living spaces. Ductless units have a central compressor and fan with standalone wall-mounted units that eliminate the need for ducting. Instead, a wall-mounted fan serves each room independently. Coolant and drainage lines are routed through the wall back to the centralized air conditioning assembly, making for a clean finish.
Ductwork
When planning central air installation, you should consider what kind of ductwork is best for your home. Ductwork falls into two categories — flexible or rigid — with many different options for materials within each. Flexible and rigid ductwork each has its own pros and cons regarding price, lifespan, efficiency, and flexibility.
The cost of ductwork can vary greatly. The national average cost for ductwork is $1,252, but can range from $453 to $2,188 or significantly higher depending on the job specifics.
The cost to replace old ductwork is higher since it involves both removing the existing materials and installing new ductwork.
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AC Installation and Labor
While handy types may be tempted to tackle the central air installation on their own, it might be wise to find a contractor who is well-qualified to ensure that the job is done properly.
City codes departments typically require permits for work like central air installation that can be obtained easily by a state-licensed contractor. Handling refrigerant chemicals like Freon™ also requires a license, according to the EPA.
Many websites offer contractor and price-compare quotes in your area. Angi and Thumbtack both can be good places to start your research. A referral from someone you know also can be a great way to find a vetted air conditioning contractor.
You might also search online communities and neighborhood forums to find a reliable air conditioning contractor. There’s a good chance that someone locally has had similar issues and might be able to recommend a professional contractor to handle your air conditioning installation job.
You’ll also need to consider how to finance this work. Perhaps you have savings to draw upon and tax credits can help. You might also consider a home improvement loan, which is a kind of personal loan in which you receive a lump sum of cash and then pay it back over time with interest.
These loans offer the advantage of typically having a significantly lower interest rate than charging the costs to your credit card. Applying for a personal loan of this kind is usually quick and easy, too.
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The Takeaway
The cost to install central air conditioning is, on average, almost $6,000. While that’s a considerable expense, it can include the labor involved in addition to the price of the unit by itself. And it can give you peace of mind knowing you have a new central air system to keep you cool and likely improve the resale value of your home if you plan to list your house or refinance in the future. For this reason, it may be wise to look into your financing options, such as taking out a personal loan.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.
FAQ
What is the $5,000 rule for air conditioning?
The $5,000 rule is a way to determine whether it’s worthwhile to replace your a/c system. Multiply the age of your system in years by the cost to repair it. If the result is over $5,000, you should replace it. If it’s under $5,000, then repair it.
What is the average cost to install new a/c?
As of 2025, the average cost to install air conditioning is $5,958, according to the home improvement site Angi.
Does new a/c qualify for a tax credit?
It may indeed. A tax credit is typically effective for qualifying products purchased and installed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2032 under the Energy Star guidelines. Claim the credits, up to 30% of costs to a maximum of $600, using the IRS Form 5695.
Photo credit: iStock/Pramote2015
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