AC Replacement Cost
in Louisiana
Real installed prices, $5,639 to $13,786, from the same worksheet our technicians use to quote Acadiana homes. No email required, no games. Prices updated August 2026.
What Does AC Replacement Cost in Louisiana?
For a standard change-out in the Acadiana area, a complete system runs $5,639 to $13,786 installed. That price includes the equipment, standard change-out labor, the permit and inspection, and cleanup. Where you land in the range comes down to three things: how many tons your home needs, the type of system, and the efficiency tier you choose.
Most HVAC websites make you fill out a form to see a number. We'd rather you walk into the conversation knowing what things cost. The figures below come from the pricing worksheet our technicians carry into homes across Vermilion, Lafayette, and the surrounding parishes, the same one behind our interactive cost estimator.
They're honest ballparks, not a formal quote. Your exact price depends on your home's condition and access, and we confirm it in writing after a free in-home assessment.
AC Replacement Cost by Home Size and System Type
Find the row closest to your home's size, then compare the three tiers. Good is our reliable-value equipment at 14–15 SEER2. Better (16–17 SEER2) is what most homeowners pick. Best (18–20+ SEER2) is maximum efficiency for the long haul.
Every price is a complete installed system for a straight change-out: equipment, labor, permit, warranty, and cleanup. No ductwork changes or add-ons included; those are itemized further down.
AC + Furnace Systems, Installed
Replacing your air conditioner and gas furnace together, the most common setup in Acadiana homes.
| System Size | Typical Home Size* | Good 14-15 SEER2 | Better 16-17 SEER2 | Best 18-20+ SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-ton | up to ~1,125 sq ft | $5,819 | $6,791 | $10,201 |
| 2.5-ton | ~1,125–1,375 sq ft | $6,080 | $7,359 | $10,325 |
| 3-ton | ~1,375–1,625 sq ft | $6,287 | $7,359 | $10,325 |
| 3.5-ton | ~1,625–1,875 sq ft | $6,927 | $7,548 | $12,517 |
| 4-ton | ~1,875–2,250 sq ft | $7,025 | $7,548 | $11,934 |
| 5-ton | ~2,250+ sq ft | $7,455 | $8,451 | $12,099 |
Heat Pump Systems, Installed
One system that handles both cooling and heating. Well suited to South Louisiana's mild winters.
| System Size | Typical Home Size* | Good 14-15 SEER2 | Better 16-17 SEER2 | Best 18-20+ SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-ton | up to ~1,125 sq ft | $5,971 | $8,215 | $10,276 |
| 2.5-ton | ~1,125–1,375 sq ft | $6,198 | $8,486 | $11,284 |
| 3-ton | ~1,375–1,625 sq ft | $6,473 | $8,486 | $11,284 |
| 3.5-ton | ~1,625–1,875 sq ft | $6,776 | $10,042 | $13,077 |
| 4-ton | ~1,875–2,250 sq ft | $7,349 | $10,042 | $13,077 |
| 5-ton | ~2,250+ sq ft | $7,935 | $10,484 | $13,786 |
Electric Heat Systems, Installed
An air conditioner paired with electric heat, common in homes without gas service.
| System Size | Typical Home Size* | Good 14-15 SEER2 | Better 16-17 SEER2 | Best 18-20+ SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-ton | up to ~1,125 sq ft | $5,639 | $6,546 | $9,890 |
| 2.5-ton | ~1,125–1,375 sq ft | $6,111 | $7,026 | $10,259 |
| 3-ton | ~1,375–1,625 sq ft | $6,215 | $7,026 | $10,259 |
| 3.5-ton | ~1,625–1,875 sq ft | $6,751 | $7,716 | $12,385 |
| 4-ton | ~1,875–2,250 sq ft | $7,254 | $7,716 | $12,385 |
| 5-ton | ~2,250+ sq ft | $7,771 | $8,773 | $12,766 |
*Based on the sizing rule we start from in South Louisiana, roughly 500 square feet per ton. Insulation, ceiling height, and window exposure can move your home up or down a size, so we confirm tonnage in person before quoting.
What Every Price Includes
- The equipment itself, at the tier you choose
- Standard change-out labor
- Permit and inspection ($350)
- Overhead, warranty, and cleanup
The assumptions: these prices cover a straight change-out in a garage, on a slab, or in a ground-level closet, with no ductwork changes. Attic, tight-access, under-home, and rooftop installs typically add $300 to $1,200 in labor. Electrical upgrades, crane work, or refrigerant line replacement can also apply, depending on your home.
What Can Add to the Price
Two things most often move the final number: the condition of your ductwork, and any comfort add-ons you fold into the project. Here's what each one does to an installed total.
Ductwork
| Scope | Adds to Total† |
|---|---|
| Minor duct repairs and sealing | +$1,080 |
| Partial duct replacement | +$3,780 |
| Full ductwork replacement | +$8,775 |
Leaky or undersized ducts can undo the efficiency you just paid for, which is why we inspect ductwork as part of every assessment.
Comfort Add-Ons
| Add-On | Adds to Total† |
|---|---|
| Smart thermostat | +$473 |
| Media filter | +$1,215 |
| UV light | +$972 |
| Surge protector | +$405 |
| Whole-home dehumidifier | +$4,725 |
| Air cleaner | +$1,283 |
| Zoning (2-zone) | +$2,430 |
| Zoning (3-zone) | +$3,240 |
| Zoning (4-zone) | +$4,185 |
†Effect on a Good-tier installed total, rounded to the nearest dollar. On Better and Best tiers the same items run about 3% and 7% more.
Why the Range Is So Wide in South Louisiana
Size does the most work. A 5-ton system simply costs more to build and install than a 2-ton. Sizing matters more here than in most of the country: our cooling season runs roughly March through October, and a system that's oversized cools fast but leaves the humidity behind, while an undersized one runs all day without catching up. Getting the tonnage right is the difference between comfortable and clammy.
Efficiency is the second lever. The federal minimum for southern states is 14.3 SEER2, and every step up costs more up front. In a climate where the AC works eight months a year, higher efficiency pays back faster than almost anywhere else. A 20 SEER2 system can use 30–40% less energy than an older 10 SEER unit. Our SEER savings calculator shows what that means on your bill, and our guide to SEER2 systems explains the rating itself.
The rest is your home. Duct condition, attic versus garage access, electrical capacity, and refrigerant lines all show up in the final number. That's why two neighbors with the same square footage can get quotes a few thousand dollars apart, and why we put every price in writing after seeing the home.
Heat Pump or AC + Furnace?
If your air conditioner and furnace are both near the end of their lives, compare the heat pump table against the AC + furnace table before deciding. A heat pump replaces both machines with a single system, and the upfront cost is comparable to replacing the two separately. Fewer components also means less maintenance over the years.
For most Acadiana homes, with our long summers and mild winters, it's a fair fight. Our heat pump installation page covers how they work here, and a comfort advisor can run both options for your home in one visit.
Not Sure You Need to Replace Yet?
Replacement is the right call less often than some contractors would have you believe. A useful industry guideline is the $5,000 Rule: multiply your system's age in years by the repair estimate, and if the result tops $5,000, replacement is usually the smarter investment. Another good check: if a single repair costs more than half the price of a new system, or you've spent more than $1,000 on repairs over the past two years, it's time.
Run your numbers through our repair-or-replace calculator, or read the seven warning signs we see most in aging Acadiana systems.
What That Looks Like Monthly
Qualified buyers can spread the cost over 12 months at 0% interest, or 60 months at 7.99% APR, through WiseTack (apply online) or Service Finance (call us and we'll walk you through it). Using a 3-ton AC + furnace system as the example:
Good · 14-15 SEER2
$6,287
about $127/mo for 60 months
Better · 16-17 SEER2
$7,359
about $149/mo for 60 months
Best · 18-20+ SEER2
$10,325
about $209/mo for 60 months
Where These Numbers Come From
F & R Air Conditioning has been installing systems in South Louisiana since 1956, and we're the third-oldest Lennox dealer in the nation. The prices on this page are pulled from the worksheet our NATE-certified technicians use to build real quotes, updated August 2026, not scraped from a national average that has never seen a Louisiana attic in August.
When you're ready for an exact number, the in-home assessment is free, and the quote comes in writing before any work starts. Read more about how our installation process works, or get in touch to schedule.
AC Replacement Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to replace an AC system in Louisiana?
How much is a new AC unit for a 2,000 square foot home?
What does the installed price include?
Does an attic installation cost more?
Is it cheaper to repair my AC or replace it?
How long does an AC replacement take?
Can I finance a new AC system?
Are these prices a formal quote?
Ready for Your Exact Number?
The tables get you close. A free in-home assessment gets you a written quote. Call (337) 893-5646 or schedule online, and we'll size your home in person.