Central air conditioner replacement cost in Denver, CO
Installed, 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)
A typical central AC (3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)) costs about $4,850 installed in the Denver area, 4% above the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $34 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in Denver
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $3,250 | $3,600 | $4,750 | $3,500 |
| 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $4,250 | $4,850 | $6,400 | $4,650 |
| 4 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $5,700 | $6,250 | $8,150 | $6,000 |
| 5 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $7,000 | $7,800 | $9,550 | $7,400 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Denver metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $28 | $23 |
| Median | $34 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $43 | $37 |
The Denver market
Denver's Community Planning and Development offers quick permits for single-family homes and duplexes covering water heaters, residential A/C, forced-air heating systems and boilers. Heat pumps are not named. Since March 1, 2023, select gas-fired equipment is no longer eligible for a quick permit, and the city lists added requirements when replacing a gas-fired water heater or an air conditioning unit, so read the Quick Permits page before you hire. Quick permits are inspected only in the field, where the inspector verifies the replacement meets current energy code efficiency. A licensed contractor may pull the permit, or an owner-occupant who passes a trade exam and lives in the home for at least a year after the work. Fees were not found. EIA found gas heats water in 73% of Colorado homes. Aurora, Centennial and the suburbs follow their own codes.
Central air is in 57% of Colorado homes, and 82% use some form of air conditioning. Dry air means less dehumidification work, so ask whether a variable-speed system pays off for your house before upgrading. Ask whether the coil will be replaced to match the new condenser, and whether the existing furnace blower can move enough air for it. Get the tonnage and SEER2 rating in writing.
Permits in Denver
| Permit for this job | Yes (quick permits for residential A/C, forced-air heating systems and boilers in single-family/duplex); heat pumps not named (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Who can pull it | Licensed contractor, or owner-occupant of a single-family home who passes a trade exam (state license substitutes only for plumbing/electrical) |
| Inspection | Yes (field inspection; efficiency verified) |
Rebates in Colorado
HEAR: paused. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Colorado Energy Office, checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Denver
- Gas tank water heater
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Central air conditioner cost in other metros
Sources
- Denver Community Planning and Development: Quick permits
- Denver: Homeowner permits
- Colorado Energy Office: Home energy rebates
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO (49-9021 HVAC mechanics and installers)
- DOE Residential CAC & Heat Pumps Direct Final Rule TSD (Dec 2016), Table 8.2.30, split AC coil-only (2015$; 4-ton interpolated)