Quick answer: a 3-ton central AC (the size for a home of about 1,800 sq ft) runs about $5,000–$9,150 installed, according to Fixr. A Savannah price guide puts a 2.5–3 ton heat pump system at $7,000–$13,000 (HVAC Project Cost), and HVAC.com puts a 3-ton AC and gas furnace in Georgia at $10,600–$13,700.
New system cost by size
| Size | Central AC | Heat pump system | AC and gas furnace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 tons (about 1,000 sq ft) | $3,650–$6,250 | $4,900–$12,000 | $8,500–$12,500 |
| 2 tons (about 1,200 sq ft) | $4,250–$7,500 | $5,600–$12,400 | $9,200–$12,900 |
| 2.5 tons (about 1,500 sq ft) | $4,500–$8,000 | $6,300–$12,800 | $9,900–$13,300 |
| 3 tons (about 1,800 sq ft) | $5,000–$9,150 | $7,000–$13,200 | $10,600–$13,700 |
| 3.5 tons (about 2,100 sq ft) | $5,450–$9,700 | $7,400–$13,900 | $11,000–$14,400 |
| 4 tons (about 2,500 sq ft) | $6,950–$11,600 | $7,800–$14,600 | $11,400–$15,100 |
| 5 tons (about 3,000 sq ft) | $7,800–$14,000 | $8,600–$16,000 | $12,200–$16,500 |
Central AC is Fixr's installed price by size (updated August 2025), and it matches the Savannah guide's $5,000–$9,500 for 2.5–3 tons. The heat pump and furnace columns start from the Savannah and Georgia 3-ton figures above and move $400–$700 per half ton, the step HVAC.com gives. Home sizes are This Old House's examples; the right size for your house comes from the contractor's load calculation.
National averages can run higher: This Old House, using installed-project data, reports an average of $8,654 for a 3-ton central AC, with a range of $5,026–$19,051.
Central AC, heat pump, or AC with a gas furnace?
- Central AC only: a new outdoor unit (and usually the indoor coil) that keeps your existing furnace or air handler. The lowest price when the indoor side is in good shape.
- Heat pump system: one outdoor unit that cools in summer and heats in winter, with an indoor air handler. Savannah's winters are mild: HVAC Project Cost reports about 1,200 heating degree days a year and says temperatures below 25°F are rare.
- AC and gas furnace: separate heating and cooling, for homes with gas heat.
What moves the price
- Size. Bigger systems cost more, and an oversized one can short-cycle and leave the house clammy. Ask for a load calculation rather than a match to the old unit.
- Efficiency. HVAC.com says new split systems in Georgia must be at least 14.3 SEER2, and higher-efficiency systems cost more up front. In This Old House's example (Homewyse data), a 17 SEER system costs about $2,000 more than a 15 SEER one for a 1,000–1,200 sq ft home.
- Ductwork. HVAC Project Cost says replacing the ductwork in a Savannah home adds $2,000–$5,000. Fixr puts new ductwork at $3,600–$9,500.
- Coastal coils. Near the coast, salt air can corrode outdoor coils. HVAC Project Cost says condensers with coated coils cost about $200–$500 more.
- Refrigerant. Under EPA's rules, new home AC and heat pump systems are limited to refrigerants with a global warming potential of 700 or less from January 1, 2025, though a system built from parts made before then can still be installed.
- Permits. HVAC Project Cost reports a $60 City of Savannah permit for a stand-alone AC unit; unincorporated Chatham County sets its own fees. Ask whether the quote includes the permit.
Rebates and tax credits in 2026
- No federal tax credit. The IRS's 25C credit covered improvements made through December 31, 2025, so a system installed in 2026 doesn't qualify.
- Georgia Power rebates for its residential customers include up to $1,500 for a conversion to an air-source heat pump, up to $600 for duct sealing, and up to $150 on a smart thermostat. The HVAC work must be done by a licensed installer, and applications are due within 60 days of the paid invoice. Check the program's current terms before you buy.
- If another utility serves your home, ask it what it offers.
Repair or replace?
This Old House suggests a repair makes sense if the system is under 10 years old and the repair is under $1,000, and that replacing often makes more sense when a repair costs more than half the price of a new unit or the system is over 10 years old. The most common reason for the question is a failed compressor: see AC compressor replacement cost.
Getting quotes for a new system
- Get two or three written quotes, and compare the same size, efficiency and model numbers.
- Ask what's included: removal of the old unit, the indoor coil, the thermostat, the permit and any duct work.
- Ask how the size was worked out, and for the warranty terms and who registers them.
- Check the contractor's Georgia conditioned air license, insurance and reviews.