HVAC · cooling only
Central air conditioner installation cost
A 3-ton centrally ducted air conditioner at SEER1 14.1 has a certified national retrofit benchmark of $3,133.56 (2023 USD) low, $5,222.60 (2023 USD) typical, and $7,311.63 (2023 USD) high.
Source year. Based on NREL REMDB Air Conditioner, centrally ducted, in 2023 dollars.
Geographic scope. United States national modelled benchmark.
Model scope. Like-for-like centrally ducted cooling equipment. Tons 1.5–5 and SEER1 13–24.
Important limitation. This is not a whole-home HVAC replacement and not a 2026 installer bid. EIA’s 2022-dollar table is a cross-check only.
Certified benchmark values
| Band | Value |
|---|---|
| installed low | $3,133.56 (2023 USD) |
| installed typical | $5,222.60 (2023 USD) |
| installed high | $7,311.63 (2023 USD) |
Benchmark estimator
Results are modelled 2023 USD benchmarks, not a contractor quote.
Modelled benchmark: Low $3,133.56 (2023 USD); typical $5,222.60 (2023 USD); high $7,311.63 (2023 USD)
Formula: retail=328.2768253333333*m1(3)+594.74*m2(14.1)+-5888.936117358026; installed=retail*1.5+0. This modelled range is not a contractor quotation.
Typical result $5,222.60 (2023 USD)
What this estimate includes
- Cooling capacity and SEER1 regression
- Workbook install multiplier for retrofit
What moves the number
- Tons
- SEER1
- Existing ductwork assumed usable; new ducts are not priced here
Methodology and sources
- Evaluates the published centrally ducted AC row as a retrofit.
- EIA North 3-ton 2022$ installed figures are not averaged into the result.
Primary source: National Residential Efficiency Measures Database 2024.
How to use this result when planning
- This is a like-for-like centrally ducted air conditioner. It is not a heat pump and not a furnace-plus-AC package.
- Certified domain is 1.5–5 tons and SEER1 13–24. The default point is 3 tons at SEER1 14.1.
- Existing ducts are assumed usable. New ductwork is not priced.
Same SEER, larger in-domain capacity
Keep SEER1 14.1. Change only capacity from 3 tons to 4 tons.
Engine result: Low $3,429.00 (2023 USD); typical $5,715.02 (2023 USD); high $8,001.02 (2023 USD). Formula: retail=328.2768253333333*m1(4)+594.74*m2(14.1)+-5888.936117358026; installed=retail*1.5+0. This modelled range is not a contractor quotation.
When to get a contractor quotation
- Get an HVAC quote after a Manual J load, not from tons guessed off square footage alone.
- Ask whether the bid replaces the outdoor unit only or the coil and lineset. This page does not split those line items.
Limitations
- 2023$ historical REMDB retrofit benchmark, not a 2026 contractor quote.
- REMDB may include upstream RSMeans/retail-derived inputs; cite REMDB only.
- Centrally ducted AC retrofit only. Not a furnace+AC package.
- EIA $5,320 (2022$) is directional CROSS_CHECK, not the primary cost.
Questions this evidence can answer
Is this a heat pump?
No. Heat pumps use a different certified REMDB class on a separate page.