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5-ton heat pump & AC cost
A 5-ton system moves 60,000 BTU per hour. Below: what 5-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) | $18,591 $10,552–$26,631 | $19,819 $11,288–$28,349 | $21,353 $12,209–$30,498 | $5,146–$7,076 |
| Mini-split heat pump | $27,571 $16,542–$38,599 | $27,998 $16,799–$39,198 | $28,619 $17,172–$40,067 | — |
| Central AC + gas furnace | $11,406 $8,137–$15,209 | $13,912 $9,641–$18,717 | $16,214 $11,022–$21,940 | $6,417 |
| Heat pump only (outdoor unit swap) | $7,390 $4,223–$11,824 | $7,390 $4,223–$11,824 | $7,390 $4,223–$11,824 | $4,223 |
"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.
5-ton systems with listed prices
| System | Type | Tons | SEER2 | HSPF2 | Rating source | Lowest listed | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodman GLXS4BA6010 | AC + furnace | 5 | 14.3 | — | listing | $6,417 | HVACDirect |
| Trane A5HL5060A1000A | Ducted heat pump | 5 | 16 | 8.5 | listing | $5,146 | HVACDirect |
| ACiQ ACIQ-60-HPD | Ducted heat pump | 5 | 17.5 | 9.5 | ENERGY STAR | $6,700 | HVACDirect |
| Goodman GLZS5BA6010 | Ducted heat pump | 5 | 16 | 8.2 | ENERGY STAR | $7,076 | HVACDirect |
| Goodman GLZS4BA6010 | Condenser only | 5 | 14.3 | 7.8 | listing | $4,223 | HVACDirect +1 |
Is 5 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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