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2026 Installation Pricing
AC Installation Cost in Tampa Bay
Get your exact AC installation price We size the system with a load calculation, check your ducts and quote Goodman and Daikin side by side.
Home Therapist serves Tampa Bay, Florida. In the area? FREE estimates and FREE diagnosis.
- Licensed CAC1819196 & CFC1431159
- 4.8 stars from 1,398 reviews
- Background-checked, drug-tested techs
- Hablamos español
At a glance
- Most common size
- 3 ton: $7,459 to $8,822 in Goodman Value, $15,500 to $15,925 in Daikin Elite
- Heat pump premium
- About $500 to $1,300 more than straight cool, same size and tier
- Attic air handler
- Add $425 for a horizontal air handler lying in the attic
- Florida minimum
- 14.3 SEER2 for a new split system
- Labor warranty
- Depends on the system; it is on your written quote
- Estimate
- FREE in your home, with a load calculation and duct check
Reviewed by Richard Morales, Co-Owner & FL Class B Air Conditioning Contractor (FL license CAC1819196)
The preferred install brands at Home Therapist are Goodman (Value + Premium tiers) and Daikin (Elite tier), and we install and service all other brands too. Three reasons: they’re built for Florida heat, parts are stocked locally in Tampa, and we can back both brands with our 10-year parts warranty + lifetime compressor coverage on qualifying models. Below are real 2026 prices from our installation pricebook, by brand, tier, tonnage, and configuration. All include A2L refrigerant (R-32 on Goodman and Daikin), a flush and sanitation of your existing copper lines with new UV-protective insulation (new copper lines come with Elite Max systems), a thermostat, an A2L-certified install, and haul-away of your old system. The permit fee is billed separately.
2026 AC Installation Prices, Goodman & Daikin
Goodman Value, Entry Tier
14.5 SEER2 (15.2 with a front return), R-32 refrigerant, 10-year parts warranty. Best for primary home replacement on a budget.
| Size | Installed Price (varies by SC/HP, Horizontal/Vertical) |
|---|---|
| 1.5 ton (small home / 1-bed) | $6,643 – $7,586 |
| 2 ton (1,000-1,200 sq ft) | $6,818 – $7,679 |
| 2.5 ton (1,200-1,500 sq ft) | $6,997 – $8,179 |
| 3 ton (1,500-1,800 sq ft, most common) | $7,459 – $8,822 |
| 3.5 ton (1,800-2,100 sq ft) | $7,913 – $9,204 |
| 4 ton (2,100-2,400 sq ft) | $8,234 – $9,654 |
| 5 ton (2,400-3,000 sq ft) | $9,000 – $10,688 |
Goodman Premium, Mid Tier
Higher efficiency (15-16 SEER2), improved airflow, quieter. 10-year parts + lifetime compressor on qualifying models.
| Size | Installed Price (varies by config) |
|---|---|
| 1.5 ton | $8,397 – $9,597 |
| 2 ton | $8,606 – $9,713 |
| 2.5 ton | $8,802 – $10,188 |
| 3 ton (most common) | $9,331 – $10,809 |
| 3.5 ton | $9,856 – $11,184 |
| 4 ton | $10,231 – $11,688 |
| 5 ton | $11,095 – $12,947 |
Daikin Premium, Mid Tier
Higher efficiency SEER2 ratings, R-32 refrigerant, 10-year parts warranty. Proven Daikin reliability, great step-up from Goodman Premium.
| Size | Installed Price |
|---|---|
| 1.5 ton | $9,454 – $9,879+ |
| 3 ton (most common) | $11,093 – $12,000+ |
| 3.5 ton | $11,875 – $12,500+ |
| 4 ton | $12,300 – $13,500+ |
| 5 ton | $13,390 – $15,406 |
Daikin Elite, Top Tier
Inverter-driven variable speed compressors, industry-best 12-year parts warranty (12-year labor coverage can be added), whisper-quiet operation. Our top-of-the-line install for maximum efficiency and comfort.
| Size | Installed Price |
|---|---|
| 2 ton (1,000-1,200 sq ft) | $14,281 – $14,706 |
| 3 ton (1,500-1,800 sq ft, most common) | $15,500 – $15,925 |
| 4 ton (2,100-2,400 sq ft) | $16,850 – $17,275 |
| 5 ton (2,400-3,000 sq ft) | $18,115 – $18,540 |
Ductless Mini-Split (Single Zone)
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Value Ductless Mini-Split | $2,739 – $7,478 (median $3,826) |
| Elite Ductless Mini-Split (Daikin) | $3,305 – $8,228 (median $5,586) |
Thermostat upgrades (a thermostat is already included with every system)
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Programmable Thermostat | $349 |
| Google Nest Thermostat | $549 |
| Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat | $599 |
| Ecobee3 Lite Smart | $699 |
| Nest Learning Thermostat | $849 |
| Ecobee Premium (w/ Smart Sensor) | $849 |
| Honeywell 8000 Wi-Fi w/ Humidity Control | $899 |
AC Installation Price by Size: Straight Cool vs Heat Pump
These are our 2026 installed prices from the Home Therapist price book. Prices below are for a vertical air handler (standing up in a closet or garage). For a horizontal air handler lying in the attic, add $425 to any price in the table.
| Size | Goodman Value, straight cool | Goodman Value, heat pump | Goodman Premium, straight cool | Goodman Premium, heat pump | Daikin Elite, inverter heat pump |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 ton | $6,643 | $7,161 | $8,397 | $9,172 | n/a |
| 2 ton | $6,818 | $7,254 | $8,606 | $9,288 | $14,281 |
| 2.5 ton | $6,997 | $7,754 | $8,802 | $9,763 | n/a |
| 3 ton | $7,459 | $8,397 | $9,331 | $10,384 | $15,500 |
| 3.5 ton | $7,913 | $8,779 | $9,856 | $10,759 | n/a |
| 4 ton | $8,234 | $9,229 | $10,231 | $11,263 | $16,850 |
| 5 ton | $9,000 | $10,263 | $11,095 | $12,522 | $18,115 |
How much is a 2.5 ton AC unit installed?
A 2.5 ton system installed runs $6,997 (Goodman Value, straight cool, vertical) to $10,188 (Goodman Premium heat pump, horizontal). A 2 ton runs $6,818 to $9,713 in Goodman Value or Premium, or $14,281 to $14,706 for a Daikin Fit DH6VS Elite inverter heat pump (the Goodman GZV6S Elite starts at $13,022). A 3 ton, the most common Tampa size, runs $7,459 to $10,809 in Goodman and $15,500 to $15,925 for Daikin Elite.
Straight cool or heat pump?
A straight cool system cools with the compressor and heats with electric heat strips in the air handler. A heat pump heats and cools with the compressor, which costs less to run on Tampa’s cool nights. Most Tampa homes have heat pumps. At the same size and tier, the heat pump version runs about $500 to $1,300 more.
Why does a horizontal air handler cost more?
A horizontal air handler lies on its side in the attic, so the install takes more labor: getting the equipment up and into place, supporting it, and running the drain and secondary pan in a hot attic. That is the $425 difference in every row above.
What Each Tier Gets You
| Tier | Efficiency | Manufacturer parts warranty | Home Therapist labor warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goodman Value | 14.5 SEER2 (15.2 with a front return) | 10 years | 1 year |
| Goodman Premium | 15.2 SEER2 | 10 years | 5 years |
| Daikin Elite (inverter, variable speed) | 16.6 SEER2 | 12 years, plus a 12-year unit replacement warranty on select models | 12 years |
Florida’s minimum for a new split system is 14.3 SEER2, so every tier here is above code. Longer labor coverage is available: 5 years for $699 or 10 years for $1,399, and a Premium system can go from 5 to 10 years for $799. Manufacturer warranties require registration, which we do for you on install day. Our preferred install brands are Goodman and Daikin, and we install and service every other major brand too. The in-home estimate, load calculation, and duct check are FREE.
Where we work
We serve the three counties of Tampa Bay from our shop at 1408 W Linebaugh Ave in Tampa.
Hillsborough County
Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Carrollwood, Town ’n’ Country, Plant City, Ruskin, Sun City Center, Apollo Beach, Valrico, Lutz, Seffner
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, Pinellas Park, Seminole, Tarpon Springs, Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach
Pasco County
Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, New Port Richey, Holiday, Hudson, Trinity, Zephyrhills, Dade City
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