Central air conditioner replacement cost in Dallas, TX
Installed, 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)
A typical central AC (3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)) costs about $4,650 installed in the Dallas area, about the same as the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $29 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in Dallas
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $3,150 | $3,500 | $4,550 | $3,500 |
| 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $4,100 | $4,650 | $6,100 | $4,650 |
| 4 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $5,450 | $5,950 | $7,650 | $6,000 |
| 5 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $6,650 | $7,350 | $8,800 | $7,400 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Dallas metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $23 | $23 |
| Median | $29 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $36 | $37 |
The Dallas market
Dallas permit information online is thin and partly dated, so treat what follows as a starting point and check with the city's Building Inspection division. A City of Dallas plumbing pamphlet states that a permit is required for water heater replacement, with a $100 minimum plumbing permit fee, but it dates to 2011. No Dallas page found names furnace, AC or heat pump replacement, and inspection steps were not stated. Permits go to city-registered licensed contractors, or to a homeowner who lives in the house and holds a homestead exemption recorded by the appraisal district. Cooling sets the pace here: EIA found 83% of Texas homes use central air, and heat pumps are the main heating equipment in 19%. Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano and other cities in the metroplex each run their own permit office.
AC replacement is the most common big-ticket job in Dallas, and long summers make efficiency and correct sizing pay off. Ask for a load calculation, since the old unit may have been oversized. Attic ducts in North Texas heat lose cool air through every gap, so ask whether duct sealing is part of the quote. Get the SEER2 rating, tonnage, warranty terms and the permit number in writing before the crew starts.
Permits in Dallas
We couldn't confirm all of Dallas's rules from official pages. Check with the building department before work starts.
| Permit for this job | Unclear (mechanical permits exist and homeowner exemption is described, but no Dallas page found that names furnace/AC/heat pump replacement) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Minimum permit fee $100 (plumbing); otherwise varies with new vs remodel and value of work. No itemized water heater or HVAC fee found. |
| Who can pull it | City-registered licensed contractor, or homeowner who occupies the home and holds a homestead exemption |
| Inspection | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
Rebates in Texas
HEAR: announced, not open yet. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Texas State Energy Conservation Office (Comptroller), checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Dallas
- Gas tank water heater
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Central air conditioner cost in other metros
Sources
- City of Dallas: How to get a plumbing permit (pamphlet)
- City of Dallas: Mechanical work without a license
- Texas Comptroller: State Energy Conservation Office
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX (49-9021 HVAC mechanics and installers)
- DOE Residential CAC & Heat Pumps Direct Final Rule TSD (Dec 2016), Table 8.2.30, split AC coil-only (2015$; 4-ton interpolated)