Central air conditioner replacement cost in Richmond, VA
Installed, 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)
A typical central AC (3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)) costs about $4,650 installed in the Richmond 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 Richmond
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $3,150 | $3,500 | $4,450 | $3,500 |
| 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $4,100 | $4,650 | $5,900 | $4,650 |
| 4 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $5,450 | $5,950 | $7,350 | $6,000 |
| 5 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $6,650 | $7,350 | $8,450 | $7,400 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Richmond metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $23 | $23 |
| Median | $28 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $32 | $37 |
The Richmond market
Richmond's permit requirements for water heater, furnace, AC and heat pump replacements could not be verified from official city sources for this page. Fees, who may pull a permit, and inspection steps are all unconfirmed, so contact the City of Richmond's permits and inspections office before work begins. Henrico and Chesterfield counties, which hold much of the metro's housing, issue their own permits. Across Virginia, EIA's 2020 survey found furnaces in 56% of homes and central heat pumps in 27%, with electricity the main heating fuel in half of homes and natural gas in 36%. Smaller shares burn propane (5%) or fuel oil (4%). Virginia's federally funded home energy rebates were waiting on DOE approval with no launch date in October 2026.
About 83% of Virginia homes have central air. In Richmond, ask whether the AC quote includes a new indoor coil matched to the condenser, and whether the existing refrigerant lines will be reused or replaced. A load calculation should guide sizing. Ask whether your outdoor unit is a heat pump, since replacing one with an AC-only unit gives up heating. Get the SEER2 rating and tonnage in writing.
Permits in Richmond
We couldn't confirm all of Richmond's rules from official pages. Check with the building department before work starts.
| Permit for this job | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
|---|---|
| Fee | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Who can pull it | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Inspection | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
Rebates in Virginia
HEAR: announced, not open yet. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Virginia Department of Energy, checked October 13, 2026.
- Virginia Energy Connect: State one-stop incentive finder
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Richmond
- Gas tank water heater
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Central air conditioner cost in other metros
- Virginia Beach, VA
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Houston, TX
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
Sources
- Richmond, VA permit source: Navigation only; customer service 804-646-7000 /
- Virginia Energy: Home Energy Rebates FAQ
- Virginia Energy Connect
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating fuel in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Richmond, VA (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)