Central Air Installation Cost

The biggest question for a central air install is whether the house already has ducts. With ducts in place, HomeGuide puts a central AC at $5,300 to $10,500 installed. Without them, central AC and new ductwork together cost $9,000 to $16,000.

Installed cost

Adding ductwork

Homes heated by a boiler, baseboard heat or space heaters usually have no ducts. Running new ducts through the attic, closets and soffits is where most of the extra cost goes. If walls and ceilings make that hard, a ductless system may cost less; see mini-split installation cost.

Electrical and other work

A new outdoor condenser also needs a level pad and a refrigerant line set run to the indoor coil.

Cost by home size

These figures are for the AC system without ductwork changes. Add the ductwork cost above for a first-time install. See AC unit cost by size.

Labor

Angi says installation labor averages about $1,500 on a change-out. A first-time install with ductwork takes several days and costs much more in labor.

Central air or heat pump?

A heat pump installs like central air but also heats. Angi lists air-source heat pumps at $4,500 to $8,000. If you also need heat, compare heat pump cost.

Before you sign

• Ask for a Manual J load calculation so the unit is sized for your home, not just your square footage.
• Confirm the quote includes the line set, pad, drain line, electrical disconnect and permit.
• Ask whether duct sizing and return air are part of the design. See ductwork replacement cost.

Adding central air vs. replacing it

Installing central air in a home that has never had it is a bigger job than replacing an existing system. If the home already has ducts from a forced-air furnace, adding an AC coil and outdoor unit is relatively straightforward. Homes without ducts need new ductwork, or a ductless system instead.

What the installation includes

• A load calculation to size the system.
• An outdoor condenser and indoor coil, or an air handler.
• Refrigerant line set between indoor and outdoor units.
• Electrical circuit and disconnect for the outdoor unit.
• Condensate drain line.
• Thermostat.
• Ductwork, if the home does not have it.

What affects the price

• Existing ductwork or the need to install it.
• System size and efficiency.
• Home layout, attic and crawl space access.
• Electrical panel capacity.
• Permits.

Ductless alternative

Ductless mini-splits avoid ductwork and work well in homes without ducts, additions and older homes where running ducts would be difficult.

Questions to ask

1. Can my existing ducts handle air conditioning airflow?
2. Will my electrical panel need upgrading?
3. Would a heat pump give me heating and cooling in one system?

In Texas

Most Texas homes already have central air, so new installs are more common in additions, older homes or properties converted from other heating systems. In homes without ducts, ductless systems are a popular alternative.

Homes without existing ducts

Adding central air to a home without ducts is the biggest cost driver. Ducts must be designed, routed through attics, crawl spaces, closets or soffits, and connected to every room. In some homes, the layout makes duct runs difficult and expensive, and installers may need to build chases or lower ceilings in places. This is where ductless mini-splits or small-duct high-velocity systems can make sense as alternatives.

Homes with a furnace already

If the home has a forced-air furnace, adding central air is simpler. The indoor coil is installed on top of the furnace, the outdoor condenser is placed outside, and refrigerant lines connect the two. The existing ducts are used, though they should be checked to make sure they can handle the airflow for cooling, which is often higher than for heating.

The electrical side

A central air conditioner needs its own 240-volt circuit and a disconnect near the outdoor unit. Older homes with small electrical panels may not have room for a new circuit, which can mean a panel upgrade. Ask the installer to check the panel before you sign, since an upgrade can add significant cost.

Sizing and design

A load calculation sets the system size, and a duct design calculation sizes the ducts for each room. Without these, the system may be too large or too small, and some rooms may get too much or too little air. Ask each installer whether they will do both.

Permits and inspections

Central air installation usually needs a mechanical permit and sometimes an electrical permit. The inspector checks the refrigerant work, the electrical connections, the condensate drain and the outdoor unit placement.

Placement of the outdoor unit

The condenser needs space for airflow and should be placed where noise will not bother bedrooms or neighbors, and where it can be reached for service. Local rules may set how close it can be to property lines.

Timing

Installing central air in spring or fall, before the heat arrives, gives you time to compare quotes and avoid the summer rush when installers are busiest.

Keeping it running well

A new central air system lasts longest with a filter change every one to three months, an annual tune-up before summer, and an outdoor unit kept clear of grass, leaves and plants. Register the equipment with the manufacturer right after installation, since many brands give a longer parts warranty only to registered owners.

Sources

1. HomeGuide: How Much Does AC Replacement Cost? (Jul 25, 2025)
2. Angi: How Much Does AC Replacement Cost? (updated Jul 20, 2026)
3. Angi: How Much Does HVAC Replacement Cost? (updated Aug 3, 2026)