This guide is about the cost of a new system, not a repair. If you're still deciding between the two, start with AC repair or replace — and if it's a repair you're pricing, see what AC repair actually costs. For a new system, five factors drive the number.
1. The size your home actually needs
Air conditioners are priced largely by capacity — measured in tons. But the right size isn't "whatever the old one was." Plenty of existing systems were oversized from day one, and in humid South Florida an oversized system is a real problem: it cools the air so fast that it shuts off before it pulls the moisture out, leaving your home cold and clammy. The correct size comes from a load calculation based on your home's square footage, insulation, windows, and orientation — not from copying the old unit's label.
2. The efficiency tier you choose
Efficiency is rated in SEER2, and it's the biggest lever on upfront price. A basic single-stage system costs less to buy; a two-stage or variable-speed high-efficiency system costs more but runs quieter, holds temperature more evenly, and — critically in Florida — controls humidity far better. Because our cooling season is nearly year-round, a higher-efficiency system also claws back part of its cost through lower electric bills. It's a genuine trade-off between upfront spend and monthly savings.
3. Your ductwork — the hidden cost most quotes ignore
Here's what a lot of companies won't tell you: a brand-new high-efficiency system bolted onto leaky, undersized, or poorly insulated ducts will never deliver what you paid for. If your existing ductwork is in bad shape, sealing or partial replacement may be part of the job — an added cost, but one that protects the much larger investment in the equipment. A good installer inspects the ducts before quoting, not after. This is exactly the work our duct sealing & repair service handles.
4. Permits, code, and removal
A proper AC replacement in Florida is permitted and inspected — that's not optional, and a quote that skips it isn't doing the job right. Code compliance, safe disconnects, proper pad or bracket mounting, and hauling away the old equipment all factor into the price. Coastal homes may also need corrosion-resistant considerations given the salt air. These aren't upsells; they're the difference between an install that passes inspection and one that causes problems later.
5. The equipment brand
Brand affects both price and long-term value — warranty length, parts availability, and reliability in our climate all vary. More expensive isn't automatically better, and the right choice depends on how long you plan to stay in the home. We break down the options in our guide to the best AC brands for South Florida.
Why we won't quote a new system over the phone
Every factor above requires seeing your home — the load, the ductwork, the electrical, where the equipment sits. A phone price is a guess that changes the moment a technician actually shows up. We measure first and give you a firm number you can trust, the same way we handle pricing on every job. And because a new system is a real investment, we can walk through financing options so you don't have to pay it all at once.
When you're ready, our AC installation page covers how we size, quote, and install — with a free, no-obligation estimate.
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AC Installation
Right-sized, permitted, high-efficiency
AC Financing
Spread the cost of a new system