Central air conditioner replacement cost in Orlando, FL
Installed, 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)
A typical central AC (3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)) costs about $4,550 installed in the Orlando area, 2% below the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $25 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in Orlando
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $3,150 | $3,400 | $4,400 | $3,500 |
| 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $4,100 | $4,550 | $5,850 | $4,650 |
| 4 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $5,400 | $5,750 | $7,250 | $6,000 |
| 5 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $6,600 | $7,100 | $8,300 | $7,400 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Orlando metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $22 | $23 |
| Median | $25 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $30 | $37 |
The Orlando market
The City of Orlando's Permitting Services Division does not publish a plain statement that replacements need permits, but its forms imply it: the plumbing application has water heater checkboxes, and the mechanical application has a Repair/Replace work type with fields for system type, tonnage and SEER2. Florida's Building Commission has also held that replacing a water heater needs a permit absent a local exemption. Mechanical fees are $66.24 for the first $1,000 of construction cost plus $11.03 per additional $1,000, residential plumbing and gas is $66.24 plus $7 per fixture, and a 3% technology surcharge applies. Registered licensed contractors apply, or owners with a notarized signature for stand-alone work. Inspections are scheduled through the PROMPT phone system. Kissimmee, Sanford and Orange County issue their own permits.
A Notice of Commencement is not required to repair or replace an existing heating or air conditioning system under $15,000, which simplifies most AC swaps. Ask for a load calculation, since the old tonnage may have been a guess. An oversized unit cools fast and leaves rooms clammy. Ask where the condensate line drains and whether a float switch will shut the unit off if it clogs. Get the SEER2 rating in writing.
Permits in Orlando
| Permit for this job | Yes (inferred: City mechanical permit application includes a 'Repair/Replace' work type with system type, tonnage and SEER2 fields) (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Mechanical: $66.24 for first $1,000 of construction cost plus $11.03 per additional $1,000 up to $25,000 (then $8.28/$1,000). Plumbing/gas residential: $66.24 plus $7 per fixture. Plus 3% technology surcharge. |
| Who can pull it | Registered licensed contractor (license and insurance on file) or owner (notarized owner signature for stand-alone work); owner-builder rules not spelled out |
| Inspection | Yes (scheduled via PROMPT IVR; Notice of Commencement before first inspection if over $2,500, except HVAC repair/replace under $15,000) |
Rebates in Florida
HEAR: status unclear. HOMES: status unclear. Source: FDACS Office of Energy, checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Orlando
- Gas tank water heater
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Central air conditioner cost in other metros
Sources
- City of Orlando mechanical permit application
- City of Orlando plumbing permit application
- City of Orlando residential permitting and development fees (2026)
- Florida Building Commission declaratory statement on water heater replacement permits
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL (49-9021 HVAC mechanics and installers)
- DOE Residential CAC & Heat Pumps Direct Final Rule TSD (Dec 2016), Table 8.2.30, split AC coil-only (2015$; 4-ton interpolated)