What is the average cost of a central air conditioning unit?

Sponsored MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money What is the average cost of a central air conditioning unit? We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Angelica Leicht Angelica Leicht Senior Editor, Managing Your Money Angelica Leicht is the senior editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing roles at The Simple Dollar, Interest, HousingWire and other financial publications. Read Full Bio Angelica Leicht June 8, 2026 / 2:15 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Your home size, unit efficiency and installation complexity can all influence the final cost of a central AC unit. JJ Gouin/Getty Images Most homeowners know they'll eventually need to replace at least some of the major components of their home. Roofs wear out over time, especially in areas with severe weather, and water heaters fail. HVAC systems don't last forever, either, nor do large appliances or flooring. But while many of those expenses can be anticipated at least a few years in advance, it's often difficult to know exactly when a central air conditioning system will need to be replaced — or how much that replacement will cost.That cost question is becoming an increasingly important one as homeowners hold onto their properties longer and look for ways to manage their ongoing maintenance expenses. A central AC system is one of the most expensive household systems to repair or replace, after all, yet many homeowners don't begin researching costs until performance starts to decline or a contractor recommends a replacement. That's when many discover that the price of a new system can vary significantly. Factors like the size of the home, the efficiency of the unit and the complexity of the in...