Central air conditioner replacement cost in Houston, TX
Installed, 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)
A typical central AC (3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)) costs about $4,650 installed in the Houston area, about the same as the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $28 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in Houston
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $3,150 | $3,500 | $4,550 | $3,500 |
| 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $4,100 | $4,650 | $6,050 | $4,650 |
| 4 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $5,450 | $5,950 | $7,600 | $6,000 |
| 5 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $6,650 | $7,350 | $8,800 | $7,400 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Houston metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $23 | $23 |
| Median | $28 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $36 | $37 |
The Houston market
The Houston Permitting Center requires a plumbing permit to replace or install a water heater and a permit to install, repair or replace a condensing unit. Furnaces fall under a separate Replace Heater Only mechanical permit. No homeowner route is stated: water heater permits go to a master plumber registered with the city, and HVAC permits to a contractor licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) whose license is registered with the city. Inspections are required, and the city will only schedule one if the mechanical contractor's registration is in good standing. Humidity and heat shape equipment here, and EIA found 83% of Texas homes use central air. Pasadena, The Woodlands (Montgomery County) and Sugar Land handle permits separately from the city.
In Houston's long cooling season the condensing unit does most of the work, and humidity adds to the load. An oversized unit cools the air quickly and shuts off before it pulls out enough moisture, leaving rooms clammy. Ask for a load calculation and a matched coil. Ask whether the system has a variable-speed blower or a dehumidification setting. Get the SEER2 rating, tonnage and warranty terms in writing.
Permits in Houston
| Permit for this job | Yes (condensing units: installation, repair or replacement; 'Replace Heater Only' mechanical permit for heating appliances) (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Water heater (plumbing): $34.24 each for first three heaters, $11.41 each additional, minimum permit fee $97.56 (page also states $91.05 elsewhere) plus $33.56 admin fee. Condensing unit: 2% of valuation + $46.35 plus $33.10 admin fee. Replace Heater Only: 2% of total job cost + $47.00 plus $33.56 admin fee. |
| Who can pull it | Licensed contractor only (City-registered master plumber for water heaters; TDLR-licensed mechanical contractor registered with City for HVAC); no homeowner route stated |
| Inspection | Yes |
Rebates in Texas
HEAR: announced, not open yet. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Texas State Energy Conservation Office (Comptroller), checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Houston
- Gas tank water heater
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Central air conditioner cost in other metros
Sources
- Houston Permitting Center: water heater permit (HPWCODE1101)
- Houston Permitting Center: condensing unit permit (HPWCODE1022)
- Houston Permitting Center: Replace Heater Only permit (HPWCODE1031)
- Texas Comptroller: State Energy Conservation Office
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX (49-9021 HVAC mechanics and installers)
- DOE Residential CAC & Heat Pumps Direct Final Rule TSD (Dec 2016), Table 8.2.30, split AC coil-only (2015$; 4-ton interpolated)