Rooftop Package Unit Replacement Cost in Tempe (2026 Price Ranges)
What a new rooftop package unit costs installed in Tempe and the East Valley by tonnage and tier, what the crane adds, what moves the quote, and what a fair bid looks like.
Most of Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler runs rooftop package units, and almost nobody online will put a number on replacing one. The quotes homeowners send us range from $7,000 to $19,000 for the same house. Here's what the job actually costs in 2026, what drives the spread, and how to read a bid.
These are market ranges for the Valley, not our price list. Our price is a written quote after we've been on your roof and measured the house.
What you're buying
A package unit is the whole system in one cabinet: compressor, coils, and blower, set on a curb on your roof and connected to your ducts. Replacement is usually like-for-like. The old unit comes off, a curb adapter goes down if the footprint changed, the new unit is set, connected, charged, and tested. Most jobs are done in a morning.
Two flavors: a gas/electric package unit (AC plus a gas furnace in the box) or a heat pump package unit (AC plus electric heat, which is what most of the Valley should have given how little we heat).
Installed cost in Tempe by size
| 2 to 2.5 ton | $6,500 to $9,500 | Small homes, casitas, additions |
| 3 to 3.5 ton | $7,500 to $12,000 | The most common size in Tempe |
| 4 ton | $8,500 to $13,500 | 1,800 to 2,200 sq ft, single story |
| 5 ton | $9,500 to $15,500 | Large single story, or two-story on one unit |
Those ranges run from a value-tier 14.3 SEER2 unit to a mid-tier 15.2 to 16 SEER2 unit with a 10-year registered parts warranty. Premium two-stage or variable-speed package units add $3,000 to $6,000 on top. Comparing sizes? See cost by size, 2 to 5 ton.
Most of Tempe is on SRP, and Cool Cash is still paying in 2026. Here's the package-unit range after the rebate:
| 2 to 2.5 ton | $6,500 to $9,500 | $150 to $187.50 | $6,350 to $9,313 |
| 3 to 3.5 ton | $7,500 to $12,000 | $225 to $262.50 | $7,275 to $11,738 |
| 4 ton | $8,500 to $13,500 | $300 | $8,200 to $13,200 |
| 5 ton | $9,500 to $15,500 | $375 | $9,125 to $15,125 |
Columns: installed price, SRP Cool Cash at $75 per ton (single-stage), and your net. Net assumes the system qualifies: AHRI-matched at 15.2+ SEER2. The cheapest 14.3 SEER2 value-tier units at the bottom of each range don't. Two-stage pays $150 per ton and variable-speed $225, so a 4-ton variable-speed system gets $900 back. American Standard's fall offer (up to $900 instant, through November 15, 2026) stacks on top.
On APS? APS ended its equipment rebate on January 1, 2026, so your net is the installed price. What APS customers can still use.
We file the SRP paperwork on every qualifying install and show the rebate as its own line on the quote. Full 2026 SRP and APS rebate breakdown.
Want your net number? AC replacement in Tempe: free written estimate with the SRP rebate already applied.
What's in the price
- The unit itself (roughly 55 to 65% of the bill)
- Crane or lift. Most Tempe single-story homes need one: $400 to $900, sometimes more for tight lots or two-story roofs
- Curb adapter if the new unit's footprint doesn't match the old curb: $300 to $800
- Electrical: new disconnect, whip, and breaker check
- New thermostat if yours is a relic
- Permit and inspection (City of Tempe requires one)
- Refrigerant charge, startup, airflow test, and the SRP Cool Cash rebate paperwork if you're on SRP
If a quote doesn't list these, ask. "Installed" should mean all of it.
What moves the number up
- Efficiency tier. Each step up in SEER2 adds $300 to $1,200 per ton. In Tempe, the jump from 14.3 to 15.2+ SEER2 usually pays back; past 17 the math gets thin unless you're at the house all summer.
- Duct problems. A new unit on leaking 1980s ductwork is money on fire. Sealing or partial duct replacement adds $1,000 to $3,500, and it's worth doing while the roof is open.
- Roof condition. If the curb flashing is shot, fix it now. A roofer visit is cheaper than a monsoon leak into your hallway.
- Brand. American Standard (our authorized line) is the premium tier. Goodman and Day & Night are the value tier. Both work 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 $9,000 bid and a $17,000 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? Homes get new windows, insulation, and additions. The old unit was often oversized to begin with. Oversized units short-cycle and never pull the humidity out in monsoon season.
- Is the SEER2 rating on the quote, with the model number? "High efficiency" isn't a rating.
- Is the crane in the price? The $800 surprise on install day is a classic.
Repair it instead?
If the unit is under 10 years old and the repair is under half the replacement cost, repair it. Past 12 years with a compressor or coil failure, replacement usually wins, especially with a new unit cutting 20 to 30% off a $300 to $400 summer SRP bill. We'll show you both numbers. See repair or replace, and if you're wondering whether to switch to a split system, usually don't.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to replace a rooftop AC unit in Tempe?+
Most 3 to 4 ton package unit replacements in Tempe run $7,500 to $13,500 installed in 2026, including crane, curb adapter, and permit. Premium variable-speed units run higher.
Do I need a crane?+
Almost always, for a rooftop unit. A single-story home with street or driveway access runs $400 to $900 for the crane. It should be itemized in your quote.
How long does the replacement take?+
Most like-for-like package unit swaps are done in four to six hours. Duct repairs or electrical upgrades can add a 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.
Should I replace before summer?+
Yes, if you can. October through March is slower, scheduling is easier, and you're not deciding at 112°.