How Much Does An AC Installation Cost in Florida?

June 26th, 2023

Few Americans rely on AC as much as those of us fortunate enough to live in Florida. It’s a “big ticket” item.

But because of our beautiful and much-envied hot climate, air conditioning systems here take a pounding. They need regular AC maintenance, repairs or even replacement.

So, how much does a new AC unit cost in Florida?

In most cases, you can install a new central AC system in an average-sized home (1,500 square feet) for between $5,500 and $7,200. The exact price you pay will depend on several factors— some of which you are in control of and others that depend on the nature of your home. For larger homes that need a full HVAC system with a central air conditioner, furnace and considerable ductwork, the costs can rise to $12,500-$15,000 or even higher.

In this article, we look at all of the key factors that impact the costs to install a new AC system in your Florida home:

To arrange an immediate professional estimate of a new AC system for your home, reach out to the team at One Way Air. Otherwise, read on…

New AC unit cost summary for Florida

A single unit to cool an average-sized room in Florida typically costs between $1,500 and $3,000 for the unit alone, plus installation.

For a central air conditioning system, you’re typically looking at $5,000 to $6,500. HVAC systems that heat and cool entire houses cost more: you can expect to pay $10,000 to $15,000 or more for an average-sized house of 1,500 square feet.

But your final costs will depend on:

The size of your home (and other home features)
The type of AC unit
Air conditioner size
The type of cooling mechanism used
The energy efficiency of the unit
The brand of unit
The warranty you need
The expertise you hire

Let’s examine each of these factors more closely…

STAY COOL ALL YEAR ROUND WITH ONE WAY AIR…

The team at One Way Air installs, services, and repairs all types of air conditioning systems in Southwest Florida. Get in touch with us here for a quote or call 239-233-4356 in emergencies.

Factors that influence the cost to install a new AC

Florida homes generally require a lot of cooling. If the AC system fails, repairs or some basic maintenance can usually save the day. If not, you may need to install a new AC unit or you might even decide to upgrade to a whole new central HVAC system.

Even if the system doesn’t fail, you may find that the right temperature is not maintained consistently or the energy bills are increasing inexplicably. HVAC systems can account for over 40 percent of your total utility bills — and most homeowners don’t want this figure any higher.

Old AC systems are much less efficient than modern systems and some homeowners simply want to upgrade before there is a major issue.

As you calculate the cost to install new AC in your Florida home, consider these factors…

The size (and other features) of your home

The average size of a home in Florida is around 1,960 square feet. The size of your home will be a major factor in AC costs. A 3,000-square-foot home obviously needs more cooling power than a 1,000-square-foot home.

However, the size of the home and outside air temperature are not the only factors that affect the cooling power you need. It’s also influenced by the following factors:

The heat retained by walls/windows (home insulation)
Number of people living in the home
Number of electrical appliances used in the home
Home construction type
The level of ventilation in your home
The integrity of the existing ducting system

HVAC professionals will usually perform a full load capacity assessment before recommending the best AC replacement solution.

The type of AC unit

There are three main types of AC systems: packaged systems, split systems and ducted HVAC systems.

Packaged systems are generally used in homes with limited space and contain all the components in a single unit. The unit is installed either on the roof or outside the home and this is usually the least expensive AC option.

Most homes without space limitations have split systems because they offer more flexibility in terms of where the indoor unit can be placed. As well as the indoor unit (“air handler”), a split system has an outdoor unit (“condenser”), which helps to remove moisture from the air and lowers the air temperature. The air handler distributes the air through the home. This is the most popular type of AC unit and is usually moderately priced.

Ducted HVAC systems offer both cooling and heating for homes. The entire unit is concealed, usually in the roof space of a home, allowing cooled (or heated) air to be directed to multiple rooms or zones within the building via a system of concealed ducting and vents (only the vents are visible). This is the highest-end cooling solution available for Florida homes.

The size of the air conditioner/BTU rating

Air conditioner unit sizes in Florida are usually measured in tonnage. This measures how much heat the system can remove from your home in one hour. The larger the tonnage, the greater the cooling power and the higher the cost (generally speaking).

Average-sized homes in Florida need an AC unit of 3 to 4 tons to cool the entire home, with homes of 1,500 square feet closer to the 3-ton mark and 2,000-2,500 square feet closer to 4 tons.

However, the BTU (British Thermal Units) system is also used to measure how much heat an AC system can remove from a home in one hour. The BTU range for most residential ACs is 12,000-60,000 BTUs.

The following chart matches AC tonnage to BTU so you’re “fluent” in both languages:

One general rule that you can use is 20-60 BTUs per square foot (average 40 BTUs per square foot) to heat and cool your home but this should be professionally assessed before deciding.

A professional HVAC contractor will perform a Manual J calculation to determine the cooling/size of AC you need. This calculation factors in not only the size of your home but also the climate, level of home insulation, type of flooring, number of occupants, etc. Steer clear of any contractor who cannot provide this calculation or you may end up with the wrong size of air conditioner.

The type of cooling mechanism

Older straight cool air conditioners are often single-speed (“single-stage” ACs), which means they are either on or off.

Newer air conditioners can adjust their speeds using variable-speed compressors. They run at lower speeds when little cooling is required and higher speeds when more cooling is needed. These air conditioners are more sophisticated and maintain a better comfort level in the home. They are also more expensive but they use less electricity and can therefore save on running costs.

You’ll also pay a premium for an air conditioning system that can heat the home as well as cool it like this type of heat pump unit:

Most days of the year, residents of the Sunshine State don’t need to think about heating — only air conditioning. However, we do get our chilly days and nights in the cooler months of the year so some homeowners want a heating option too.

Heat pump units can reverse the cooling process to heat your home as well as cool it. A reversing valve in the outdoor unit extracts heat energy from the outside air and transfers it into the home, heating the inside air.

Another popular and energy-efficient way to heat the home in the Fort Myers area is a split AC system that includes heating strips inside the air handler. These are coil-like elements that generate heat when electricity flows through them. Again, this will add to the overall costs of the system.

The brand of unit

You will also need to choose between the leading AC brands. These have well-established names and few homeowners will want to risk opting for an unproven manufacturer with such a “big-ticket” item.

We tend to see a few major brands dominating new installations in Florida. These are:

Trane
American Standard
Goodman
Lennox
York
Carrier
Bryant
Rheem
Mitsubishi
Daikin

The energy efficiency of the unit

Newer air conditioners are generally more energy efficient than older models because the technology has improved. But even among newer units, there can be big variations in energy efficiency.

The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating indicates the energy efficiency of the unit: the higher the rating, the more energy-efficient the unit is and, generally speaking, the higher the cost. The SEER rating for AC systems ranges between 13 and 24.

In Florida, the law requires a minimum SEER of 14 for new installations of single-packaged air conditioners and 15 for central air conditioning systems and heat pumps.

The trade-off for the lower monthly bills that result from higher efficiency units is generally a higher upfront cost.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act and Florida Power & Light rebates, Florida residents may also be able to claim tax credits for investing in energy-efficient equipment, such as air source heat pumps and central air conditioners.

The warranty you need

Longer warranties usually bump up the initial price you pay for your AC system. Professional HVAC contractors in Florida will usually offer you the following:

A manufacturer’s warranty, which covers faulty equipment and parts
A contractor’s warranty, which covers the installation work

The manufacturer’s warranty is normally a standard warranty built into the initial cost of the unit, generally ranging from two years to 10 years.

The contractor’s warranty will vary according to the contractor. Be sure to check this before hiring an HVAC contractor in Florida.

You may pay a slightly higher upfront cost but a longer warranty can save you in repair and maintenance costs over the years.

The expertise you hire

The HVAC contractors who advise you and manage the installation will also affect the cost of a new AC system in Florida.

AC installation is highly specialized and technical work. Labor costs alone can range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the installation.

A reputable and experienced contractor will ensure that you install the right size and type of system with optimal energy efficiency for your home. A professional installation will reduce the risk of having to call the repair guys out and extend the life of your unit.

Make sure that your HVAC contractor is licensed and insured in the State of Florida and is a legitimate business. The contractor should also provide written estimates, offer lengthy warranties and have a long track record of reliability and professionalism among previous customers.

The team at One Way Air is fully licensed and insured — and we’re experienced at installing HVAC systems in the Fort Myers area of southwest Florida. During our AC replacement installations, we also help you dispose of existing equipment.

FAQ

How long will a new AC unit last?

Most air conditioners last 7 to 11 years in Florida. Regular maintenance and preventative inspections can minimize potential problems and extend the life of your system.

Can I save money by just replacing the condenser?

With split AC systems, it’s best to replace both the air handler and condenser at the same time. This will provide AHRI rating certification (assurance that it will perform consistently) and an extended warranty from the manufacturer. It will also potentially increase the system’s energy rating.

How much does it cost to maintain an AC system?

Regular inspections, cleaning and tune-ups are essential to keep any AC system running efficiently. The costs vary according to the type of system you install. It’s best to talk to your HVAC contractor about the available AC maintenance plans as these vary from company to company.

At One Way Air, our residential service contract covers all trip charges related to work orders performed at your property and priority service in case of an emergency. We also provide discounts on labor and new installations.

Need an AC replacement or repairs?

The cost to install a new AC system in Florida varies according to the size of your home, the type/size/brand/energy rating of the unit and the expertise you hire to install it. You can expect to pay between $4,500 and $6,500 on average but, beyond this range, there are many higher-end options.

If you’re looking to replace an AC unit in Fort Myers or the surrounding areas, the team at One Way Air can advise you on the best cooling solution for your home. We place a premium on quality and service. Call us today at 239-233-4356 to discuss your AC replacement, repair or maintenance needs.