On this site the equipment for a complete 3-ton system, condenser and air handler together, runs from under $3,000 to over $9,000. Where you land depends on four things: efficiency, AC or heat pump, the type of air handler, and the brand. Installation is a separate cost, and it is usually the larger one.
The short version
- Equipment only: under $3,000 for a 14.3 SEER2 Everwell air conditioner, up to about $9,200 for a 16 SEER2 Trane heat pump with the Hyperion air handler.
- Installed: a typical Florida quote for a full 3-ton replacement starts around $11,000. Our cost breakdown shows where that money goes.
- Before you price anything: confirm you really need 3 tons. Our AC size calculator gives a starting point, and a load calculation from a local contractor settles it.
Equipment cost vs installed cost
These are two different numbers, and most price articles mix them up.
Equipment cost is the condenser and the matching air handler. That is what we sell, and it is what the tables on this page show.
Installed cost is what a contractor quotes for the whole job. It includes the equipment, the labour, materials, the permit, removal of the old system, and the cost of running a business that will still answer the phone in five years. When a contractor supplies the equipment, you see one number and never the split.
Buying the equipment yourself and hiring a licensed installer for the labour gives you two numbers you can compare. It is not right for everyone. If you want one company and one phone call, a full-service quote is a perfectly sensible choice.
Our 3-ton system prices: air conditioners
Each row is a complete matched system, condenser plus air handler, at the 3-ton size. SEER2 is the certified rating for that exact pair at 3 tons.
| System | Air handler | SEER2 | 3-ton price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everwell CAC-15 AC | AHC, standard return | 14.3 | $2,918 |
| Everwell CAC-15 AC | FAHC, front return | 14.3 | $2,938 |
| RunTru A5AC4 | A5AHC multi-position | 14.3 | $4,030 |
| RunTru A5AC5 | A5AHC multi-position | 15.2 | $4,575 |
| Trane 5TTR4 | 5TMM5 wall mount | 14.3 | $4,695 |
| Trane 5TTR4 | 5TEM4 multi-position | 14.3 | $4,870 |
| Trane 5TTR6 | 5TMM5 wall mount | 14.8 | $5,273 |
| Trane 5TTR6 | 5TEM4 multi-position | 15.2 | $5,448 |
| Trane 5TTR4 | Hyperion 5TAM5 multi-speed | 14.3 | $5,730 |
| Trane 5TTR6 | Hyperion 5TAM5 multi-speed | 15.2 | $6,208 |
Our 3-ton system prices: heat pumps
Same idea, with a heat pump condenser. HSPF2 is the heating efficiency rating for the pair.
| System | Air handler | SEER2 / HSPF2 | 3-ton price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everwell CAC-15 heat pump | AHC, standard return | 14.3 / 7.5 | $3,028 |
| Everwell CAC-15 heat pump | FAHC, front return | 14.3 / 7.5 | $3,048 |
| RunTru A5HP4 | A5AHC multi-position | 14.3 / 7.5 | $4,390 |
| RunTru A5HP5 | A5AHC multi-position | 15.2 / 8.1 | $5,142 |
| Trane 5TWR4 | 5TMM5 wall mount | 14.3 / 7.5 | $6,719 |
| Trane 5TWR4 | 5TEM4 multi-position | 14.3 / 7.5 | $7,009 |
| Trane 5TWR4 | Hyperion 5TAM5 multi-speed | 14.3 / 7.5 | $7,754 |
| Trane 5TWR6 | 5TMM5 wall mount | 14.8 / 7.8 | $7,985 |
| Trane 5TWR6 | 5TEM4 multi-position | 15.2 / 7.8 | $8,160 |
| Trane 5TWR6 | Hyperion 5TAM5 multi-speed | 16.0 / 8.1 | $9,205 |
Prices are for the equipment only. Delivery is a flat $349 to most of the US and $499 to Mountain, Southwest and Pacific states, liftgate included.
What drives the price
1. Efficiency (SEER2 tier)
Moving from 14.3 SEER2 to 15.2 SEER2 added roughly $550 to $600 to a 3-ton system on both RunTru and Trane when we reviewed this page. You get lower running costs and, often more importantly, access to utility rebates. Most Florida programmes start at 15.2 SEER2. See HVAC rebates in 2026 for what each utility pays and the rules that go with it.
The rating belongs to the condenser and air handler as a pair, not to the condenser alone. The Trane 5TTR6 condenser is 15.2 SEER2 with a 5TEM4 air handler at 3 tons, but 14.8 with the 5TMM5 wall mount.
2. Air conditioner or heat pump
A heat pump is an air conditioner that can also run in reverse to heat. The extra cost at 3 tons ranges from about $100 on Everwell to a few hundred dollars on RunTru and over $2,000 on Trane. In much of Florida the heat pump still pays for itself. Our heat pump vs AC guide works through the numbers by region.
3. The air handler
The indoor half of the system has a bigger effect on price than most people expect.
- Multi-position (Trane 5TEM4, RunTru A5AHC, Everwell AHC): the standard choice for a closet, attic or garage.
- Front return (Everwell FAHC): for closets where the return air comes in through the front of the unit.
- Wall mount (Trane 5TMM5 Compact Plus): for condo and apartment closets where a standard unit won't fit. It caps at 3 tons.
- Multi-speed (Trane Hyperion 5TAM5): costs more, runs quieter at low speed, and lifts the system rating on some pairs.
Match the air handler to the space it is going into. A cheaper unit that doesn't fit the closet is not cheaper.
4. Brand
At 14.3 SEER2, a 3-ton air conditioner runs from Everwell at the low end, to RunTru, to Trane at the top. RunTru is built by Trane Technologies, the company behind Trane. Our Trane vs RunTru comparison explains what the extra money buys. Warranty terms also differ by brand, so read the warranty section on each product page.
What installation typically adds
We supply equipment only. Installation is by your own licensed contractor, so we don't set that price and can't promise one.
What we can say is how it is built up. A straight changeout, using the existing ductwork and electrical, is often a one-day job for a two-person crew. Labour is a real cost, but on a full-service quote most of the money is the contractor's materials, permit, insurance, vehicles, office and warranty commitments. Our cost breakdown walks through a typical Florida quote line by line.
Things that push installation up:
- Ductwork that needs repair or replacement
- Moving the air handler or condenser to a new location
- Electrical upgrades, such as a new circuit or breaker
- Difficult access, such as a tight attic or a rooftop that needs a crane
- A new line set where the old one can't be reused
Labour-only prices for customer-supplied equipment vary widely, and some contractors won't install equipment they didn't supply. Get two or three quotes. Our guide to finding an installer covers what to ask.
What else to budget for
These items sit outside the condenser and air handler. Some your installer will supply, some you can buy, and some may not apply to your house.
- Line set. The copper pipes between the condenser and air handler. An existing line set can sometimes be reused if it is the right size and in good condition. Your installer decides.
- Electrical disconnect and whip. The outdoor shut-off and the short cable to the condenser. These are often replaced at a changeout.
- Condenser pad and tie-downs. A new pad if the old one has sunk or cracked. In Florida, outdoor units are expected to be secured against wind. Your installer and building department will know what is required locally.
- Permit and inspection. Most Florida jurisdictions require a permit to replace a system. Fees vary by county and city. Your licensed contractor normally pulls it.
- Heat kit. Electric heat strips for the air handler. With an air conditioner they are your only heat. With a heat pump they are backup. On our site, Trane and RunTru kits run $139 to $299 depending on size, and Everwell kits $129 to $330. The Everwell FAHC front-return air handler only takes kits up to 10 kW. Your installer will tell you what size the house needs.
- Thermostat, drain line and float switch. Small items, but they add up.
- Removal of the old system. Usually part of the installer's price. Ask.
Size first, price second. A system that is too big for the house cools fast, shuts off before it has dried the air, and leaves the home feeling damp. In Florida that matters as much as the temperature. Use our AC size calculator as a starting point, and ask your installer for a load calculation before you order.
When this page is not for you
If you don't have an installer lined up, or you would rather not take a freight delivery and coordinate the job yourself, a full-service contractor is the simpler route. You will pay more, but you get one price and one company responsible for everything. There is nothing wrong with that choice.
Questions?
Tell us the house, the size and your budget and we'll tell you which 3-ton system we would pick.
(239) 266-9766 · sales@hvacsupplypro.com · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm ET