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| Tonnage | Home Size | SEER2 | Low Estimate | High Estimate | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 Ton | Under 900 sqft | 15 | $3,900 | $6,300 | $5,100 |
| 2 Ton | 900–1,300 sqft | 15 | $4,700 | $7,500 | $6,100 |
| 2.5 Ton | 1,300–1,700 sqft | 16 | $5,500 | $8,500 | $7,000 |
| 3 Ton | 1,700–2,400 sqft | 16 | $6,200 | $10,000 | $8,100 |
| 3.5 Ton | 2,400–3,000 sqft | 17 | $7,200 | $11,500 | $9,350 |
| 4 Ton | 3,000–3,800 sqft | 18 | $8,500 | $13,000 | $10,750 |
| 5 Ton | 3,800+ sqft | 18 | $11,000 | $16,000+ | $13,500 |
St. Petersburg homeowners typically pay $6,000–$14,000 fully installed in 2026. The most common 3-ton, 16 SEER2 system averages $5,200–$6,200 by a licensed Duval County contractor, about 10–15% below South Florida pricing due to lower labor costs and a competitive contractor market.
St. Petersburg and all of Pinellas County is served by Duke Energy Florida at $0.14–0.17/kWh. Duke offers up to $1,000 on qualifying heat pump or AC replacement through the Home Energy Improvement (HEI) program. You must complete a free Home Energy Check at duke-energy.com before work begins. The federal 25C credit expired December 31, 2025 and is not available for 2026 installations.
No, ACPrices.com is a free contractor matching platform. We connect St. Petersburg homeowners with pre-vetted, DBPR-licensed HVAC contractors who perform the actual work. Think of us like Zillow for HVAC: we help you compare options and find the right contractor, but we don’t install or repair HVAC systems directly.
Yes, Pinellas County requires a mechanical permit for all AC and heat pump installations. Any contractor who skips the permit creates problems when you sell. All contractors matched through ACPrices.com include the permit. Verify any contractor at myfloridalicense.com and search by name or license number. Look for a current CAC or CMC license. Duke Energy does not require a pre-approved contractor list for rebate eligibility, but the contractor must be licensed and insured. All contractors in our network are pre-verified.
Yes, for most homeowners replacing AC with electric strip heat. St. Pete’s mild winters (average January low: 53°F) mean heat pumps run efficiently all year. Heat pumps also unlock Duke Energy’s higher rebate tier (up to $1,000 vs $300 for AC). Savings: $400–$700/year vs electric strip heat, a heat pump saves $400–$700/year at Duke Energy’s Pinellas rates and unlocks Duke’s higher rebate (up to $1,000). The federal 25C credit expired December 31, 2025 and is not available for 2026 installations.
Go to myfloridalicense.com and search by name or license number. Look for a current CAC (Certified Air Conditioning) or CMC (Certified Mechanical Contractor) license. All contractors matched through ACPrices.com are pre-verified: we check DBPR status before adding anyone to our network.
