Cost guide

How much does it cost to replace an AC unit in Spokane and Coeur d'Alene?

What a new central air conditioner costs, what changes the price, and what to ask an HVAC company before you pick one. National price ranges from published guides, plus how to get quotes from local shops. Free for homeowners.

All cost guides. Prices checked Oct 17, 2026. National ranges, not local prices.

The short answer

HomeGuide's national range for replacing a standard-efficiency central AC is $5,000 to $8,300 installed. Mid-range units run $8,300 to $12,500, and high-efficiency systems can reach $14,000+. These are national ranges, not Spokane or Coeur d'Alene prices.

Home sizeAC sizeInstalled cost (national)Source
1,200 sq ft2 to 2.5 tons$5,000 to $7,500HomeGuide
1,500 sq ft2.5 to 3 tons$6,000 to $8,500HomeGuide
2,000 sq ft3.5 to 4.5 tons$7,000 to $11,500HomeGuide
2,500 sq ft4.5 to 5 tons$8,500 to $13,500HomeGuide
System typeInstalled cost (national)Source
Central AC (existing ducts)$5,300 to $10,500HomeGuide
Central AC with new ductwork$9,000 to $16,000HomeGuide
Air-source heat pump$8,000 to $15,000HomeGuide
Furnace and AC together$10,500 to $18,500HomeGuide

What affects the cost

  • Size. A bigger home needs more cooling capacity. A good company sizes it with a load calculation, not by matching the old unit.
  • Efficiency. Higher SEER2 ratings cost more up front and less to run.
  • Ductwork. Most replacements reuse the ducts. HomeGuide lists $300 to $1,500 for minor duct sealing and repairs, and $1,400 to $5,600+ to replace ducts.
  • Heat pump or AC. A heat pump also heats your home. Ask for both prices so you can compare.
  • Permit. HomeGuide lists $100 to $250 for a typical AC replacement permit.
  • Timing. The first heat wave is the busiest time for HVAC shops. Getting quotes in spring or fall gives you more choice.

Questions to ask a shop

  1. How did you size the system for my house? Did you do a load calculation?
  2. What SEER2 rating are you quoting, and what would the next step up cost?
  3. Do you also replace the indoor coil, or only the outdoor unit?
  4. Does my ductwork need any work? Is that in the quote?
  5. Would a heat pump make sense for my house? What would it cost?
  6. Will you pull the permit, and is the fee included?
  7. What warranty comes with the equipment, and what do you guarantee on labor?
  8. Are there utility rebates for this model?

Check the license

In Idaho, HVAC work is licensed by DOPL; search the shop on the DOPL license search. In Washington, use L&I's Verify a contractor tool.

Get quotes

Tell us about your AC, its age and what it's doing, and add a photo of the outdoor unit and its label. You check the job summary first, and nothing goes to shops until you confirm it. Then we invite local shops that fit the job, whether or not they use Doing Work, and you compare the quotes they send. Your phone and email stay private until you pick a shop. See how it works and how we pick shops.

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Common questions

How much does a new AC unit cost?

HomeGuide's national range for a standard-efficiency central AC is $5,000 to $8,300 installed. Higher efficiency and new ductwork raise the price.

Are these Spokane or Coeur d'Alene prices?

No. They are national ranges from HomeGuide. We will only show local price ranges once we have at least 10 real shop quotes for this job in that area from the last 12 months.

Should I repair or replace my AC?

Age, repair cost and efficiency all matter. If the repair is a large share of the cost of a new unit and the system is old, replacing may be the better deal. Ask a shop to price both. See our AC repair cost guide.

Should I replace the furnace at the same time?

Sometimes. HomeGuide lists $10,500 to $18,500 for a furnace and AC together. If the furnace is also old, ask for a price on both so you can compare.

What does it cost to use Doing Work?

Nothing. Doing Work is free for homeowners, and shops never pay for leads or to be included.

Related guides

All cost guides

Sources

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