A new central air conditioner for a 2,000 square foot home costs $5,000 to $8,300 installed at the entry level and up to $14,000 or more at the high end, by HomeGuide's national 2026 figures. Detroit homes without ducts, such as radiator houses, cost more to cool and need a different system.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Your house, the equipment you choose, the venting and the ductwork move the real number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
How much does a new AC unit cost?
A new central AC unit costs $5,300 to $10,500 installed, by the national figures, and $9,000 to $16,000 when new ductwork is part of the job. HomeGuide prices a standard-efficiency system for a 2,000 square foot home at $5,000 to $8,300 entry level, $8,300 to $12,500 mid-range and $12,500 to $14,000 or more high-end.
| House size | Typical size | National installed range |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 1.5 to 2 tons | $4,500 to $7,000 |
| 1,200 sq ft | 2 to 2.5 tons | $5,000 to $7,500 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 2.5 to 3 tons | $6,000 to $8,500 |
| 1,800 sq ft | 3 to 4 tons | $6,500 to $10,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 3.5 to 4.5 tons | $7,000 to $11,500 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 4.5 to 5 tons | $8,500 to $13,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | 5+ tons | $10,000 to $16,000+ |
Those tonnage ranges are HomeGuide's. Many Detroit homes need less than the table suggests because shade trees, brick walls and basements keep them cooler. Others need more because of a hot finished attic. A load calculation settles it.
How much does a 3 ton AC cost installed?
A 3 ton air conditioner costs $5,800 to $7,800 installed, and $3,300 to $4,800 for the unit alone, by HomeGuide's national figures.
| Size | Unit only | Installed |
|---|---|---|
| 2 tons | $2,500 to $3,800 | $5,000 to $6,800 |
| 2.5 tons | $2,900 to $4,200 | $5,400 to $7,200 |
| 3 tons | $3,300 to $4,800 | $5,800 to $7,800 |
| 3.5 tons | $3,700 to $5,300 | $6,200 to $8,300 |
| 4 tons | $4,000 to $5,800 | $6,500 to $8,800 |
| 5 tons | $4,500 to $6,500 | $7,000 to $9,500+ |
How much does central air cost in a house with no ductwork?
Central air with new ductwork costs $9,000 to $16,000 installed, by the national figures, compared with $5,300 to $10,500 where ducts already exist. A ductless mini-split system is listed at $10,000 to $25,000 on the same page.
Many Detroit homes heat with a boiler and radiators and have no ducts at all. The usual choices are ductless mini-splits, a small-duct high-velocity system, or an air handler in the attic with ducts dropped into closets. The right choice depends on the attic, the closets and how many rooms you want cooled. We look at all three before we recommend one.
What SEER rating should I get in Michigan?
For most Detroit homes, a mid-range SEER rating is the sensible choice, because our cooling season is short compared with the South. A very high SEER unit saves the most where the AC runs most of the year. Here it takes longer to pay back.
| SEER | National installed range |
|---|---|
| 13 to 14 | $5,300 to $7,900 |
| 15 to 16 | $6,700 to $9,300 |
| 17 to 18 | $7,500 to $10,600 |
| 19 to 21 | $9,100 to $12,200 |
| 22 to 26 | $11,400 to $17,300+ |
Utility rebates change the math. Consumers Energy lists its top AC rebate for SEER2 16 and above. Check the current DTE and Consumers Energy rules for the model you pick. We are a participating contractor with both programs.
What size air conditioner do I need?
The size your house needs comes from a load calculation, not the old unit or a rule of thumb. An oversized AC cools the air fast and shuts off before it removes the moisture, which leaves a Detroit house cool and clammy in July.
Changes since the last AC went in matter: new windows, attic insulation, a finished basement, or trees that came down. We size the new unit to the house as it is now and match the indoor coil to the outdoor unit.
Can I replace just the outside unit and keep the inside coil?
Sometimes, but it is usually a poor idea. The indoor coil and outdoor unit are designed and rated as a matched pair. A new outdoor unit on an old coil may not reach its efficiency rating, may not qualify for a utility rebate, and can shorten the compressor's life. If the old system used R-22, the old coil cannot simply be reused with a new refrigerant system.
Keeping the coil can make sense when it is fairly new and matched to the new unit. We check the coil's model and condition before we quote.
How long does an AC installation take?
Most central air replacements where ducts and lines are already in place take one day. Jobs that add ducts, run new refrigerant lines through finished walls, or upgrade the electrical panel take longer. A ductless system for a radiator house usually takes one to several days, depending on how many indoor units it has.
The only way to get a real price for your home is an on-site visit and a written quote. Call or text (313) 488-2188.