Cost guide · Updated for 2026
How Much Is a New AC Unit in Florida? 2026 Price Guide
What a new central air conditioner really costs in Florida: the equipment price by size, typical installed price ranges, every line item in a quote, local permit fees and what it costs to run.
In-stock Goodman R-32 systems
Every system below is a matched Goodman condenser and air handler, sold together and in stock for scheduled same-day pickup in North Port. Our price is below the manufacturer's advertised minimum, so it is shown in your cart: add a system to see it, with no obligation.
Equipment price vs installed price
When people ask "how much is a new AC unit," they usually mean one of two very different numbers:
- The equipment price is what the outdoor condenser and indoor air handler cost. Our Goodman R-32 complete systems, from 2 to 5 tons, are shown above; add a system to your cart to see our price.
- The installed price is what an HVAC company quotes for the whole job: equipment plus labor, permit, materials, removal of the old unit, and the company's overhead and margin.
National cost guides put a typical installed central AC replacement at around $8,460 on average (This Old House, September 2026), with most jobs falling between about $5,800 and $14,400 (Fixr). In Florida, many homes replace the air handler at the same time, which pushes the total toward the middle of those ranges.
| Size | Fixr installed range | HomeGuide standard range | This Old House average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton | $4,250–$7,500 | $5,000–$6,800 | $8,551 |
| 3 ton | $5,000–$9,150 | $5,800–$7,800 | $8,654 |
| 4 ton | $6,950–$11,600 | $6,500–$8,800 | $13,136 |
| 5 ton | $7,800–$14,000 | $7,000–$9,500+ | $16,312 |
The sources disagree because they survey different brands, efficiency tiers and job types. Use them to sanity-check a quote, not as a fixed price.
What goes into an installed AC quote
| Line item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment (condenser + air handler) | Add to cart to reveal our price | Goodman R-32, 2 to 5 ton |
| Labor | $1,250–$3,000 | With existing ductwork (Fixr). Often 30–50% of a quote. |
| Refrigerant line set | $200–$650 | Often replaced when switching refrigerants |
| Outdoor disconnect and whip | $200–$400 | Most pay about $350 (Angi) |
| Condenser pad | $200–$300 | If the old pad is cracked or undersized |
| Thermostat | $85–$300 | $185–$600 for a smart thermostat (Fixr) |
| Haul-away of old equipment | $100–$500 | Refrigerant must be recovered by a certified tech |
| Ductwork repair or replacement | $2,000–$10,000 | Only if ducts are leaking, undersized or damaged |
| Mechanical permit | About $90–$185+ | Depends on the city or county; see below |
AC permit fees in Southwest Florida
An AC change-out in Florida needs a mechanical permit. These are the current published fees for a residential change-out. Surcharges are added on top, and some jurisdictions charge per inspection.
| Jurisdiction | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte County | $90 flat + 2.5% surcharge (about $92) | Charlotte County |
| City of Cape Coral | $100 "Air Conditioning Change Out" + 2.5% state surcharge (about $103) | Cape Coral fee schedule |
| Lee County (unincorporated) | About $185 ($25 plan review, $75 inspections, $50 application, $35 technology) + state fees | Lee County fee schedule |
| City of North Port | $40 admin/plan review + permit fee + $40 per inspection + state surcharges (often around $110–$120 in total) | North Port fee schedule |
| Sarasota County | Set by the county's current fee resolution; call Planning and Development Services at 941-861-6678 | Sarasota County |
Fees change. Confirm with the building department for the job address before you budget. Florida's 2026 permitting law (HB 803) changed how some inspection fees are calculated, but it did not remove the permit requirement for AC change-outs.
How to pay less for a new AC
- Size it right. An oversized system costs more upfront and controls humidity worse. Get a Manual J load calculation; see our sizing guide.
- Compare price per ton. Larger systems usually cost less per ton of cooling. But never upsize just for the price per ton.
- Buy the equipment at wholesale and hire a licensed installer. We sell to homeowners at wholesale pricing. Goodman's warranty requires a licensed dealer install for units ordered online or by phone, and a 608-certified tech must do the refrigerant work.
- Get two or three installation quotes that list each line item from the table above.
- Check rebates first. The federal 25C tax credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. FPL's $200 rebate requires 15.2 SEER2 or higher and an FPL participating contractor; see Florida AC rebates in 2026.
What it costs to run an AC in Florida
Air conditioning uses about 30% of the electricity in a typical Florida home, compared with 19% nationally (U.S. EIA). FPL's October 2026 residential rate works out to about 13.3 cents per kWh before taxes for the first 1,000 kWh. The Florida PSC approved a typical bill of $136.64 per 1,000 kWh for 2026.
As an illustration only: if 30% of a $136.64 monthly bill goes to cooling, that is about $41 a month. Cooling energy scales with 1 / SEER2, so moving from 14.3 to 16 SEER2 cuts cooling energy by about 11%, roughly $4 to $5 a month on that example. Your numbers will differ with home size, thermostat settings and season.
How long a new AC lasts in Florida
The U.S. Department of Energy puts the average life of a central air conditioner at 18 years in hot, humid Southeast states. A Florida Solar Energy Center field study of 56 Florida homes found a median system life of about 14 to 17 years, with air handlers replaced at a median age of 13.5 years. Salt air near the coast can shorten that. Rinse the outdoor coil and keep the condensate drain clear to get the most years out of a system.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a new AC unit in Florida?
How much does a 3 ton AC unit cost installed?
Is it cheaper to buy the AC unit myself?
How much is an AC permit in Southwest Florida?
Is there still a federal tax credit for a new AC?
How long does an AC last in Florida?
Sources
- This Old House: air conditioner installation cost (updated September 2026)
- Fixr: central air conditioner installation cost (updated August 2025)
- HomeGuide: AC unit installation cost (2026)
- Angi: cost to add an outdoor AC disconnect
- Fixr: thermostat installation cost (February 2026)
- Charlotte County: residential mechanical permits
- City of Cape Coral: miscellaneous permit fees (effective January 1, 2026)
- Lee County: building permit fee schedule (effective April 15, 2026)
- City of North Port Code, Appendix A: building permit fee schedule
- FPL: residential rates effective October 2026 (RS-1)
- U.S. EIA: 2020 RECS, electricity end uses by state (Florida air conditioning share)
- U.S. DOE FEMP: purchasing energy-efficient residential central air conditioners (lifespan)
- Florida Solar Energy Center: field study of Florida HVAC system life (FSEC-PF-474-18)
- IRS: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C)
Talk to a real person in North Port
Call to order or get a quote, then pick up at a scheduled time from 1050 Innovation Ave, Suite B103, North Port, FL 34289. Homeowners and contractors welcome, no trade account needed.