Most HVAC companies make you book a sales appointment just to hear a number. We think that's backwards. Here are the real installed ranges we quote across Tampa Bay in 2026, what moves the price, and how to get a ballpark for your own home in about a minute — online, no phone call.
The short answer
For a typical single-family home in Pinellas or Hillsborough County, a complete AC system replacement (condenser plus air handler, installed and permitted) generally lands between about $6,500 and $17,500. Where you fall in that range comes down to three things: system size, efficiency tier, and the condition of what the new equipment has to connect to.
Good, better, best — what the tiers actually mean
- ▸Good — 14.3 SEER2 single-stage: the current federal minimum for our region. Solid, code-compliant cooling from proven equipment. Typically the low end of the range.
- ▸Better — 16 SEER2 two-stage: runs longer at lower power, which means quieter operation, better humidity removal (a big deal in Florida), and lower power bills.
- ▸Best — 17–19 SEER2 variable-speed: top-tier comfort and efficiency. The compressor ramps to exactly what the house needs, so temperature and humidity stay pinned.
What pushes the price up
- ▸Tonnage: bigger homes need bigger systems. A 5-ton system costs meaningfully more than a 2-ton.
- ▸Ductwork condition: crushed, leaky, or undersized ducts can rob 20% or more of a new system's capacity. Sometimes they need repair or replacement at the same time.
- ▸Electrical updates: older panels or undersized breakers sometimes need work to support new equipment safely.
- ▸Location of the air handler: attic and closet installs with tight access take more labor than a garage swap.
- ▸Code items: Florida requires a mechanical permit and inspection for a changeout — a legitimate quote always includes it.
Why oversizing is the most expensive mistake
Bigger is not better in Florida. An oversized system cools the air fast but shuts off before it dehumidifies, leaving the house cold and clammy — and short-cycling wears the compressor out early. Correct sizing comes from a load calculation (Manual J), not from matching whatever was there before. It's one of the clearest ways to tell a careful installer from a parts-swapper.
Get your number without a sales visit
Our instant HVAC quote asks a few questions about your home — size, current system, what you need — and shows good/better/best installed ranges immediately. If you like a number, you can book the free in-home assessment that confirms the exact price, or reserve your install slot online.
See your AC price in 60 seconds — no phone call, no pressure.
Ares Construction is a licensed and insured contractor and an authorized installer for Trane, Goodman, GrandAire, Rheem, Tempstar, and Carrier, serving Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, and the greater Tampa Bay area. Ranges above are honest market ballparks, not binding quotes — every home gets an exact written price after a free assessment.