Central AC, add or replace: check the quote
Central air covers adding or replacing a split or packaged cooling system. A straight replacement of the outdoor unit and indoor coil is fairly uniform; new ductwork, a heat pump or a higher efficiency tier raises the price.
- Price
- Enter the quoted price.
- Terms
- Nothing flagged by the rules on file.
What hired owners reported paying
Middle half: $4,400 to $10,660; median $7,590. Survey dollars $4,000 / $6,900 / $9,700, adjusted by CPI-U (334.980 ÷ 304.702).
What the rules on file say
Enter a ZIP and how the quote was sold to see the federal and state rules that apply.
What the law says, quoted with its source. Not legal advice: for your situation ask your state's contractor board or attorney general.
Questions for the contractor
- Did you do a load calculation for my house?For central ac, add or replace jobs
- What are the model numbers of the outdoor unit, coil and air handler?For central ac, add or replace jobs
- Is the line set being replaced or reused?For central ac, add or replace jobs
- Will you record the refrigerant charge and airflow at start-up?For central ac, add or replace jobs
Answer the questions on the left to tailor this list. Red flags for this job
HVAC technicians, United States
This ZIP is not in a metro area BLS reports on, so this is the national figure.
Central AC, add or replace
Central air covers adding or replacing a split or packaged cooling system. A straight replacement of the outdoor unit and indoor coil is fairly uniform; new ductwork, a heat pump or a higher efficiency tier raises the price.
How it usually goes
- Evaluate the home and existing equipment; size the system from a load calculation
- Recover refrigerant and remove the old outdoor unit and coil
- Set the new condenser and matched indoor coil; replace or flush the line set
- Pull a vacuum, charge refrigerant, and verify charge and airflow
- Register the warranty; permit and inspection where required
What moves the price
- System size and efficiency tier
- Whether the furnace or air handler is replaced too
- Duct repairs or new ducts
- Line set replacement and electrical upgrades
- Refrigerant type on newer equipment
Red flags in a central ac, add or replace quote
Each one is a reason to ask, not proof of anything. The source supports the point; the wording is ours.
The sales pitch
They knocked because they were “in the area”
Unsolicited door-to-door offers are the first tactic on the FTC’s list of signs of a home improvement scam. A legitimate company can still knock, but you have not chosen them yet.
AskCan you leave a written estimate and your license number so I can compare it with other bids?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam“We have materials left over from another job”
The FTC lists leftover materials as a common hook. It creates a discount that only exists today and skips the step of scoping your house.
AskWhat exact product and quantity are you offering, and what would the price be if I wait a week to decide?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamA price that is only good today
Pressure for an immediate decision is a classic tactic on the FTC’s list. A real price survives a night’s sleep and a second bid.
AskWill you put this price in writing, valid for 14 days?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamPressure to sign before you have read the papers
The FTC warns not to let anyone pressure you into signing any document, and not to sign a document you have not read.
AskI sign after I have read every page. Can I keep a copy overnight?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamLicense, insurance, permits
“We don’t need a license for this”
After disasters the FTC sees scammers claim they do not need to be licensed. Whether a license is required depends on your state and city, so check rather than take their word.
AskWhich state or local license covers this work, and what is your number?FTC · Scams after weather emergencies and natural disastersNo license or registration number on the quote
The FTC’s contract checklist starts with the contractor’s name, address, phone number and license number. Pennsylvania makes a contract unenforceable without the registration number.
AskWhat is your license or registration number, and under which name is it issued?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamCannot show proof of insurance
The FTC says to consider only contractors who are licensed and insured and to ask for proof of insurance. An uninsured worker hurt on your property can become your problem.
AskCan you send your liability and workers’ compensation certificates, naming me as the certificate holder?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamNo references you can call
ENERGY STAR’s hiring tips include calling references and asking whether the job finished on time and on budget.
AskCan I call two customers whose similar job you finished this year?ENERGY STAR · 10 Tips for Hiring a Heating and Cooling ContractorThe business name on the quote does not match the license
A license search only protects you if the license belongs to the company you sign with. Illinois, for example, bars contractors from letting an out-of-area contractor use their name or license.
AskIs the company on this contract the same entity that holds the license?815 ILCS 513/18They ask you to get the permit
The FTC lists “asks you to get any required building permits” as a scam sign. The permit holder is responsible for the work passing inspection.
AskWill you pull the permit in your company’s name and schedule the inspections?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam“This doesn’t need a permit” on work that usually does
Many cities require permits for water heaters, HVAC changes, roofing, electrical and structural work. Unpermitted work can complicate a sale or an insurance claim. Check your building department rather than the salesperson.
AskWhich permit applies here, and will the price include it?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam“EPA-certified” duct cleaners
EPA neither establishes duct cleaning standards nor certifies duct cleaners, and says to be wary of anyone who claims EPA certification.
AskWhich certification do you hold, and who issues it?EPA · Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?You do not know who will actually do the work
If the licensed company subcontracts, the people in your home may hold different licenses. Liens from unpaid subs are also a risk (New York requires a contract warning about them).
AskWhich parts are subcontracted, and to whom?N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law §771Money and payment
Cash only, or pay by wire, gift card or app
The FTC lists cash-only demands and payment by wire transfer, gift card, payment app or cryptocurrency as signs of a scam. These payments are hard to reverse.
AskCan I pay by check or credit card, against a written invoice?FTC · Scams after weather emergencies and natural disastersMost or all of the price up front
The FTC advises not paying the full amount up front and notes some states limit down payments (California caps it at $1,000 or 10%; Pennsylvania at one-third on jobs over $5,000).
AskCan we tie payments to milestones, with the largest payment after final inspection?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamAsked to pay before the contract is signed
Pennsylvania’s home improvement law prohibits demanding or receiving any payment before the contract is signed; anywhere, a payment without a contract leaves you nothing to enforce.
AskLet’s sign the written contract first, then I will pay the deposit it states.Pa. Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act §7, §9Progress payments ahead of the work done
California forbids payments (other than the down payment) that exceed the value of work done or materials delivered. That is a sensible test anywhere.
AskCan each payment match a finished stage we can both see?Cal. B&P §7159.5Final payment due before the job is finished
The FTC says never to make the final payment until the work is done and you are satisfied with it.
AskCan the final payment be due after the final inspection and walk-through?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamThey want you to borrow from “a lender they know”
The FTC describes a loan scam in which a contractor arranges financing and the owner later finds a high-rate home equity loan. Shop for financing yourself.
AskWhat is the APR, total cost and lender name? I will compare it with my bank first.FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamLoan papers to sign after work has started
In the FTC’s loan-scam pattern, papers appear after work starts and the owner is hurried through them.
AskI will not sign financing papers on site. Please email them so I can read them.FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamAny request to sign over your deed
The FTC says never transfer your deed to anyone without consulting an attorney or someone you trust.
AskI will not transfer the deed. What other security do you need?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamThe financed amount is higher than the job price
Pennsylvania prohibits financing a contract that states a greater obligation than the actual price. Any gap is money you would repay with interest.
AskWhy is the amount financed different from the contract price?Pa. Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act §7, §9No answer to “where is my deposit held?”
New York requires payments received before completion to be held under its lien law or covered by a bond. Elsewhere, asking is still the fastest way to learn how a deposit is protected.
AskIs my deposit held in a separate account, or covered by a bond?N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law §771The contract
Only a verbal agreement, or a one-line invoice
The FTC says to ask for a written contract even if your state does not require one, listing the work, materials, dates and price.
AskCan you put the scope, materials, dates and price in a signed contract?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamBlank spaces left in the contract
The FTC says to make sure all blank spaces are filled in. A blank can be completed later by someone else.
AskLet’s fill in or strike every blank before either of us signs.FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamNo start or completion date
An estimated start and completion date is on the FTC’s contract checklist and required in New York and Pennsylvania contracts.
AskWhat are the estimated start and finish dates, and what could move them?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamPromises made out loud but not written down
The FTC’s checklist includes any promises made in conversation about scope and cost. If it is not in the contract, it is hard to enforce.
AskCan you add what you told me about the warranty and cleanup to the contract?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamOne lump sum with no materials listed
The FTC says a written estimate should describe the work and materials. New York requires make and model where relevant, and Illinois requires parts and materials “with reasonable particularity” over $1,000.
AskCan you list the materials by brand, model and quantity, with labor separate?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamSigned at home, but no cancellation notice
For in-home sales of $25 or more, federal rules require two copies of a cancellation form and an oral explanation of your 3-business-day right.
AskPlease give me the two copies of the Notice of Cancellation now.16 CFR 429 (eCFR)Asked to waive your right to cancel
The federal emergency exception requires that you started the contact, that it is a genuine emergency, and a statement in your own handwriting. A pre-printed waiver is a different thing.
AskIs this an emergency I asked you to fix? If not, I keep my 3 days.16 CFR 429 (eCFR)Changes handled “as we go” without paperwork
Pennsylvania prohibits deviating from the plans in a material way without a written change order signed by both sides that states the price change. It is a good rule everywhere.
AskWill every change be a signed, priced change order before the work is done?Pa. Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act §7, §9The warranty is only verbal
ENERGY STAR advises a signed written proposal that specifies costs, model numbers, schedule and warranty information.
AskCan you write the labor warranty and the manufacturer warranty registration into the contract?ENERGY STAR · 10 Tips for Hiring a Heating and Cooling ContractorA binding-arbitration clause you were not told about
Illinois requires contractors to point out arbitration and jury-waiver clauses and lets you accept or reject each. Reading for them is worthwhile anywhere.
AskDoes this contract require arbitration or waive a jury trial? Can we strike it?815 ILCS 513/18No lien releases as you pay
An unpaid subcontractor or supplier may be able to place a lien on your home (New York requires contracts to warn of this). California lets owners demand a release after each payment.
AskWill you give me a lien release from each sub and supplier with each payment?N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law §771No refund terms if the job never starts
Florida obliges contractors who take more than 10% to apply for permits within 30 days and start within 90; Pennsylvania requires a refund on request if work has not substantially begun 45 days after the start date.
AskIf you have not started by the date in the contract, how and when do I get the deposit back?Pa. Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act §7, §9No model numbers for the outdoor unit, coil and furnace
ENERGY STAR’s tips say the written proposal should specify model numbers. Without them you cannot compare bids or confirm efficiency ratings.
AskCan you list the exact model numbers of every component?ENERGY STAR · 10 Tips for Hiring a Heating and Cooling ContractorInsurance and storm work
Asked to sign your insurance check over to them
The FTC says never to sign your insurance check over to a contractor and suggests a bank arrangement that pays per approved stage.
AskMy bank will release payment by stage after I approve each one.FTC · Scams after weather emergencies and natural disastersA fee to “help you qualify for FEMA”
The FTC says FEMA does not charge application fees; someone who wants money to help you qualify is running a scam.
AskI will apply with FEMA directly.FTC · Scams after weather emergencies and natural disastersScope and the job itself
Sized by rule of thumb, not by your house
ENERGY STAR says the contractor should size the system from your home’s size, insulation and windows, and warns that oversized equipment cycles too often and wears out sooner.
AskDid you do a load calculation for my house? Can I see the result?ENERGY STAR · HVAC Quality Installation“Bigger is better” on tonnage
ENERGY STAR: “A bigger system isn’t always better.” Oversizing costs more up front and can reduce comfort and equipment life.
AskWhy this size, and what does the calculation say for my home?ENERGY STAR · 10 Tips for Hiring a Heating and Cooling ContractorA quote without looking at your system or ducts
ENERGY STAR says to expect a home evaluation: inspecting the current system and ductwork and measuring airflow.
AskWill you inspect the ducts for leaks and measure airflow before quoting?ENERGY STAR · 10 Tips for Hiring a Heating and Cooling ContractorNo refrigerant charge test at start-up
ENERGY STAR’s quality-installation checklist includes testing and adjusting the refrigerant charge, which reduces energy use and failure risk.
AskWill you test and record the refrigerant charge and airflow at start-up?ENERGY STAR · HVAC Quality Installation“It’s over 10 years old, it has to go”
ENERGY STAR suggests having equipment over 10 years old evaluated, not automatically replaced. Age is a reason to inspect, and repair can still make sense.
AskWhat exactly failed, and what would the repair cost?ENERGY STAR · Heat & Cool EfficientlyBig efficiency savings promised with no numbers
ENERGY STAR says contractors should be able to show you calculations of savings for efficient equipment.
AskCan you show the savings calculation and the assumptions behind it?ENERGY STAR · 10 Tips for Hiring a Heating and Cooling ContractorDuct cleaning sold as a health fix
EPA says duct cleaning has never been shown to prevent health problems and advises against hiring duct cleaners who make sweeping health claims.
AskWhat did you see in my ducts that needs cleaning? Can you show photos?EPA · Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?Duct cleaning as “routine maintenance”
EPA advises against duct cleaners who recommend cleaning as a routine part of system maintenance.
AskIs there visible mold, debris or pests, or is this routine?EPA · Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?One bid far below the others
The FTC says not to automatically choose the lowest bidder and to ask for an explanation when estimates differ a lot.
AskWhat is different about your scope compared with the other bids?FTC · How To Avoid a Home Improvement ScamSafety in older homes
Biocides, ozone or “sealants” sprayed into ducts
EPA notes little research shows these treatments work inside ducts, some people react to them, and no biocides are registered for fiberglass duct board or lining.
AskWhich EPA-registered product would you use, and is it labeled for my duct type?EPA · Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?Common questions
What did homeowners pay for central air conditioning?
In the 2023 American Housing Survey, 2,011 hired owners reported a median of $6,900 (about $7,590 in Aug 2026 dollars). The middle half paid $4,000 to $9,700 in survey dollars. These are self-reported costs, not quotes.
When does Quote Check say “above the middle half”?
When your price is above the 75th percentile of what hired owners paid, adjusted to today’s dollars with CPI-U. For this job the spread is 2.4×, narrow enough for a position to mean something. It is a reason to ask questions, never a verdict.
Do I have three days to cancel?
If the sale was made at your home for $25 or more (or $130 or more at a temporary location such as a hotel or fair), the FTC Cooling-Off Rule (16 CFR 429) gives you until midnight of the third business day to cancel, and the seller must give you two copies of a cancellation form. Some states add their own rules; see the contractor rules for your state.
Should the indoor coil be replaced with the outdoor unit?
Manufacturers rate efficiency for matched systems, so most replacements include a matching coil. Ask the contractor to list both model numbers.