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| Tonnage | Home Size | SEER2 | Low Estimate | High Estimate | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 Ton | Under 900 sqft | 15 | $3,800 | $6,000 | $4,900 |
| 2 Ton | 900–1,300 sqft | 15 | $4,500 | $7,000 | $5,750 |
| 2.5 Ton | 1,300–1,700 sqft | 16 | $6,500 | $10,500 | $8,500 |
| 3 Ton | 1,700–2,400 sqft | 16 | $5,500 | $9,500 | $7,500 |
| 3.5 Ton | 2,400–3,000 sqft | 17 | $5,000 | $8,000 | $6,500 |
| 4 Ton | 3,000–3,800 sqft | 18 | $7,500 | $12,000 | $9,750 |
| 5 Ton | 3,800+ sqft | 18 | $9,500 | $14,000+ | $11,750 |
Tampa homeowners typically pay $5,500–$12,000 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.
Most of Tampa and Hillsborough County is served by TECO (Tampa Electric) at about $0.12/kWh. TECO offers two rebate tiers: $40 for SEER2 15.2+ and $550 for SEER2 16.2+. Apply within 90 days of installation at tampaelectric.com. Homes in Pinellas County are on Duke Energy, which runs a separate program.
No, ACPrices.com is a free contractor matching platform. We connect Tampa 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, Hillsborough 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 before signing any contract.
Yes, for most homeowners replacing AC with electric strip heat. Tampa’s mild winters (average January low: 53°F) mean heat pumps run efficiently all year. Savings: $400–$700/year vs electric strip heat at TECO rates ($300–$600/year). TECO’s $550 Tier 2 rebate applies to qualifying heat pump systems at SEER2 16.2+. The federal 25C credit expired December 31, 2025 and is not available for 2026 installs.
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.
