Split-System AC Replacement Cost in Tempe (2026 Price Ranges)
What a new split-system AC or heat pump costs installed in Tempe by tonnage and tier, what's in a fair bid, what adds to it, and the three questions that catch an inflated quote.
If your condenser sits on the ground on the side of the house and the air handler or furnace is in a closet, garage, or attic, you have a split system. This post is the Tempe price for replacing one in 2026. Rooftop units are a different job with different numbers; that post is here.
The quotes homeowners forward us for the same 4-ton split system run from $8,000 to $18,000. Here's where the real number sits and why the spread is so wide.
These are market ranges for Tempe and the East Valley, not our price list. Our price is a written quote after we've measured the house.
What's being replaced
A split system is two boxes connected by a refrigerant line set: the outdoor condenser and the indoor coil plus air handler (or a furnace with a coil on top). A full replacement swaps both. Replacing only the outdoor unit and leaving a 15-year-old coil behind is a half job; it usually voids the parts warranty and the new condenser works against the old coil's efficiency.
Two flavors: a straight AC with a gas furnace for heat, or a heat pump, which cools in summer and heats electrically in winter. With how little Tempe heats, a heat pump wins for most homes and qualifies for SRP rebates.
Installed cost in Tempe by size
| 2 to 2.5 ton | $6,000 to $9,000 | Small homes, casitas, additions |
| 3 to 3.5 ton | $7,000 to $11,500 | 1,400 to 1,800 sq ft, the most common size |
| 4 ton | $8,000 to $13,000 | 1,800 to 2,200 sq ft |
| 5 ton | $9,000 to $15,000 | Large single story, or one of two systems in a two-story |
Those ranges cover a value-tier 14.3 SEER2 system through a mid-tier 15.2 to 16 SEER2 system with a 10-year registered parts warranty. Premium two-stage or variable-speed systems add $3,500 to $7,000 on top. Two-story homes with two systems: roughly double, with some savings on the second unit from one trip.
What's in the price
- Condenser and matched indoor coil or air handler (55 to 65% of the bill)
- New line set, or a flush and pressure test of the existing one if it's sound and sized right: $300 to $1,200
- Electrical: disconnect, whip, and breaker check; a new circuit if you're going from gas furnace to heat pump
- Condensate drain and secondary pan with a float switch (the attic-flood insurance that costs $60)
- New thermostat if yours is a relic
- Permit and inspection (City of Tempe requires one)
- Refrigerant charge, startup, airflow test, and SRP Cool Cash paperwork
If a quote doesn't itemize these, ask. "Installed" should mean all of it.
What moves the number up
- Attic air handler. Tempe two-stories and most 1990s and newer homes put it in the attic. Tight hatches, platform rebuilds, and a 140° workspace add labor, typically $500 to $1,500 over a closet or garage swap.
- Efficiency tier. Each step up in SEER2 adds $300 to $1,200 per ton. The move from 14.3 to 15.2+ pays back here; past 17, the math is thin unless someone's home all day.
- Duct problems. New equipment on leaking ductwork is money on fire. Sealing or partial replacement runs $1,000 to $3,500, and it's cheapest while the air handler is already out.
- Gas furnace to heat pump. Capping the gas and running a new electric circuit adds a few hundred dollars. Usually still worth it in Tempe.
- Brand. American Standard (our authorized line) is the premium tier. Goodman and Day & Night are the value tier. Both last when installed right. The install matters more than the badge.
- Who's selling it. Call centers, commissioned techs, and TV ads all show up on the invoice. That's most of the gap between a $9,500 bid and a $16,000 bid for the same tonnage.
The three questions that catch a bad bid
- Did they do a load calculation, or just match the old tonnage? Many Tempe homes were oversized from day one. An oversized split system short-cycles and never pulls the humidity out in August.
- Is the coil being replaced, and is the SEER2 rating on the quote with both model numbers? An outdoor-only swap and "high efficiency" with no number are the two most common ways to hide a cheap job.
- What's the line set plan? Reuse, flush, or replace should be stated. An old line set with the wrong oil residue kills a new compressor.
Repair it instead?
Under 10 years old and the repair is under half the replacement cost: repair it. Past 12 years with a compressor, coil, or refrigerant-leak problem, replacement usually wins, especially when a new system takes 20 to 30% off a $300 to $400 summer SRP bill. We'll put both numbers in front of you. See repair or replace.
Questions people ask
How much does a new AC unit cost in Tempe, AZ?+
Most 3 to 4 ton split-system replacements in Tempe run $7,000 to $13,000 installed in 2026, including the matched indoor coil, permit, and startup. Premium variable-speed systems run higher.
Can I replace just the outdoor unit?+
You can, but it's rarely smart. A mismatched coil cuts efficiency, usually voids the parts warranty, and the old coil is often the next thing to fail.
Should I switch from a gas furnace to a heat pump?+
In Tempe, usually yes. Heating runs are short, the heat pump qualifies for SRP Cool Cash, and the added electrical work is a few hundred dollars.
How long does a split-system replacement take?+
Most are done in one day, six to eight hours. Attic air handlers, duct work, or a new electrical circuit can push it to a second day.
Are there rebates?+
SRP customers: Cool Cash, $75 to $225 per ton on 15.2+ SEER2 systems; we file it. APS has no equipment rebate as of 2026. Manufacturer promotions vary by season.