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Sized properly, permitted and tested

AC Installation and Replacement in Los Angeles

A new AC is a $5,500 to $17,000 decision in LA. The equipment matters, but sizing, ductwork, the permit and the final testing matter just as much. Here is what a proper replacement involves and what it should cost in 2026.

Load calculation (Manual J), not “same size as the old one”
Permit and HERS testing handled, which LADWP rebates require
Repair checked first: we tell you if your system is worth fixing instead

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2026 LA installed prices

Central AC on existing ducts $5,500 to $12,000
AC plus new air handler $7,000 to $14,000
Ducted heat pump $9,000 to $17,000
Single-zone mini-split $4,000 to $7,000
Multi-zone mini-split $10,000 to $18,000

Source: HVAC Project Cost, Los Angeles, July 2026. New ducts ($5,000 to $8,000) and panel upgrades ($2,500 to $5,000) are extra.

The short answer

How Much Does It Cost to Replace an AC in Los Angeles?

A central AC replacement on existing ductwork typically costs about $5,500 to $12,000 installed in Los Angeles in 2026. Replacing the indoor air handler at the same time pushes that to roughly $7,000 to $14,000, and a ducted heat pump runs about $9,000 to $17,000.

The biggest swing factors are system size, efficiency, whether the ducts and electrical panel need work, and access. A 4 to 5 ton system in a 2,000 sq ft Valley ranch house costs more than a 2.5 ton system in a small Mid-City bungalow, and an attic air handler in a hillside home takes longer than a closet unit on flat ground.

What is being installed	Typical LA installed range (2026)
Central AC, existing ducts	$5,500 to $12,000
AC plus air handler	$7,000 to $14,000
Ducted heat pump	$9,000 to $17,000
Single-zone ductless mini-split	$4,000 to $7,000
Multi-zone ductless mini-split	$10,000 to $18,000
New ductwork (add-on)	$5,000 to $8,000
Electrical panel upgrade (add-on)	$2,500 to $5,000

Source: HVAC Project Cost, Los Angeles replacement cost guide, July 2026.

Refrigerant change

R-454B and R-32: What Is Different About a New AC in 2026

Since January 1, 2025, new home air conditioners in the US can no longer be made with R-410A. Most major brands, including Carrier, Trane, Lennox and Rheem, switched to R-454B. Daikin and its Goodman and Amana brands use R-32. Both are lower global-warming refrigerants and are mildly flammable (classed A2L), so they come with updated safety requirements, including leak detection sensors on many indoor units.

What this means for you:

You cannot mix old and new. A new R-454B outdoor unit needs a matching indoor coil. Pairing it with your old R-410A coil is not an option.
The line set may need replacing or flushing, depending on its condition and size.
Your existing R-410A system is still legal to repair. There is no need to replace a healthy system just because of the refrigerant change.

Sizing

Why Sizing Matters More Than the Brand

An oversized AC cools the house fast, shuts off, and starts again a few minutes later. That short cycling leaves rooms clammy, wears out the compressor and raises your LADWP or SCE bill. An undersized AC runs all day in a heat wave and still cannot keep up.

The right size comes from a Manual J load calculation: square footage, insulation, window direction, ceiling height and the local design temperature. A Woodland Hills home facing west needs a very different system than a shaded Los Feliz bungalow of the same size. Matching equipment (Manual S) and checking the ducts (Manual D) complete the picture.

Be wary of a quote that just says “same tonnage as before.” Many older LA homes have been running the wrong size for decades.

Permits and rules

Permits, Title 24 and Efficiency Rules in LA

Permit: in the City of Los Angeles, replacing a central AC or furnace normally needs a mechanical permit from LADBS. Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and other nearby cities issue their own.
HERS testing: California’s Title 24 energy code calls for third-party HERS verification on most replacements, which checks refrigerant charge, airflow and duct leakage.
Efficiency minimums: California is in the federal Southwest region, which requires split AC systems to meet both a SEER2 and an EER2 minimum (14.3 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 for systems under 45,000 BTU). EER2 measures performance on very hot days, which suits the Valley.
Why it matters: an unpermitted install can cause problems when you sell the home, can affect warranty claims, and disqualifies you from LADWP rebates.

Rebates

Rebates That Can Lower the Cost

LADWP customers (City of LA): the Consumer Rebate Program pays about $100 to $120 per ton for a qualifying high-efficiency central AC, $1,000 to $1,250 per ton for a ducted heat pump, and $1,500 to $2,500 per ton for a ductless mini-split heat pump depending on efficiency tier. You need an AHRI certificate, an itemized paid invoice and a final LADBS permit, and you must apply within 12 months. Funding is first-come, first-served, and new construction and ADUs are excluded.
Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena customers go through BWP, GWP and PWP, which run their own programs.
The federal 25C tax credit is not available for systems installed after December 31, 2025.

The difference between a $120 per ton AC rebate and a $1,000 or more per ton heat pump rebate is big enough that many LA homeowners now compare both. See heat pumps.

Comparing quotes

What a Good Installation Quote Includes

Exact make and model numbers for the outdoor and indoor units, with an AHRI matched-system number
Tonnage and how it was chosen (a load calculation, not a guess)
Permit and HERS testing included, with who pulls the permit
Line set, pad, disconnect, electrical and thermostat work spelled out
Duct inspection results and any duct repairs priced separately
Removal and disposal of the old system, including legal refrigerant recovery
Parts and labor warranty terms in writing
The rebates you qualify for and who handles the paperwork

If two quotes are thousands apart, the difference is usually in what is left out. Compare line by line.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a new AC cost in Los Angeles?

A central AC replacement on existing ducts typically costs about $5,500 to $12,000 installed in LA in 2026. A ducted heat pump runs about $9,000 to $17,000, and a single-zone mini-split about $4,000 to $7,000.

How much does it cost to replace an AC in a 2,000 sq ft house?

Most 2,000 sq ft LA homes need roughly a 3.5 to 5 ton system depending on insulation, windows and location, with the hotter Valley at the top of that range. Expect the upper half of the $5,500 to $12,000 central AC range, before any duct or panel work.

Do I need a permit to replace my AC in Los Angeles?

Usually yes. The City of LA requires an LADBS mechanical permit for most AC and furnace replacements, and Title 24 requires HERS testing on most of them. LADWP rebates also require the final permit.

Can I still buy an R-410A air conditioner?

New R-410A systems can no longer be manufactured as of January 1, 2025. Most new systems use R-454B or R-32. Existing R-410A systems can still be repaired.

How long does AC installation take?

A straightforward replacement usually takes one to two days. Adding ductwork, a panel upgrade or a new system location can add more time, plus the permit inspection.

Should I replace my AC or switch to a heat pump?

In LA’s mild winters a heat pump can handle both heating and cooling, and LADWP rebates for heat pumps are far larger than for AC. It is worth pricing both.

Heat pumps

Heating and cooling in one system, with bigger LADWP rebates.

Ductless mini-splits

For homes without ducts, additions and ADUs.

Ductwork

A new AC on leaky ducts will not fix hot rooms.

Free second opinion

Check a replacement quote before you sign.

Thinking about a new AC?

Get an honest assessment first. If your system is worth repairing, you will hear that. If not, you get a clear, itemized quote.