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3-ton heat pump & AC cost
A 3-ton system moves 36,000 BTU per hour. Below: what 3-ton equipment lists for online today, and what a DOE national-lab benchmark says it should cost installed.
Installed-cost benchmark by system type and efficiency
REMDB (National Laboratory of the Rockies, formerly NREL) replacement-cost regressions, restated from 2023 dollars with CPI-U. National averages: high-cost metros run above them. Ductwork, permits beyond the norm and panel work are not included. Method
| System type | Standard | Mid-tier inverter | High-efficiency / cold-climate | Listed equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central heat pump (ducted split) | $15,519 $8,709–$22,330 | $17,361 $9,813–$24,908 | $19,406 $11,041–$27,772 | $3,100–$8,446 |
| Mini-split heat pump | $17,342 $10,405–$24,279 | $17,770 $10,662–$24,877 | $17,342 $10,405–$24,279 | $7,938 |
| Central AC + gas furnace | $10,845 $7,801–$14,423 | $12,072 $8,537–$16,141 | $15,141 $10,378–$20,438 | $5,951 |
| Heat pump only (outdoor unit swap) | $5,339 $3,051–$8,543 | $8,001 $4,572–$12,802 | $6,670 $3,812–$10,672 | $3,051–$4,572 |
"Heat pump only" assumes the outdoor unit alone is replaced; its range is anchored on listed condenser prices, not REMDB, and is an estimate. AC + furnace assumes an 80,000 BTU/h, 80% AFUE furnace.
3-ton systems with listed prices
| System | Type | Tons | SEER2 | HSPF2 | Rating source | Lowest listed | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodman GLXS5BA3610 | AC + furnace | 3 | 16 | — | listing | $5,951 | HVACDirect |
| ACiQ ACIQ-36-HP-E-32 | Ducted heat pump | 3 | 17 | 8.6 | listing | $3,100 | HVACDirect |
| MRCOOL CENTRAL-36-HP-C-230B00-O | Ducted heat pump | 3 | 17.4 | 10.3 | ENERGY STAR | $3,899 | HVACDirect |
| Trane A5HL5036A1000A | Ducted heat pump | 3 | 16 | 8.1 | ENERGY STAR | $4,146 | HVACDirect |
| LG KUSXE361A | Ducted heat pump | 3 | 16 | 8.5 | listing | $4,500 | HVACDirect |
| Goodman GLZS5BA3610 | Ducted heat pump | 3 | 15.2 | 7.8 | ENERGY STAR | $5,333 | HVACDirect |
| Bosch BOVB-36RXB-M15S | Ducted heat pump | 3 | 20 | — | listing | $6,616 | HVACDirect |
| Goodman GLZT7CA3610 | Ducted heat pump | 3 | 17.2 | — | listing | $6,767 | HVACDirect |
| LG KUSXA422A | Ducted heat pump | 3 | 19 | 9.8 | ENERGY STAR | $8,446 | HVACDirect |
| Goodman GLZS4BA3610 | Condenser only | 3 | 14.3 | 7.8 | listing | $3,051 | HVACDirect +1 |
| Goodman GLZT7CA3610 | Condenser only | 3 | 17 | — | listing | $4,572 | HVACDirect +1 |
| Mitsubishi SUZ-AK36NLHZ | Mini-split | 3 | 15.2 | 9.1 | ENERGY STAR | $7,938 | HVACDirect |
Is 3 tons the right size?
Tonnage should come from a room-by-room load calculation (ACCA Manual J), not from square footage alone. Insulation, windows, air leakage, ceiling height and climate can move the answer by a ton or more. An oversized system short-cycles, dehumidifies poorly and costs more up front; an undersized one runs constantly on design days.
If your contractor matched the old unit's size without a load calculation, ask for one. If two contractors quote different tonnages for the same house, ask both to show their Manual J.
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