AC Replacement Cost in West Palm Beach, FL

Prices reviewed October 2026

3-ton central AC with air handler, installed in West Palm Beach

$6,500 – $11,000

A Lake Worth company's August 2026 price guide puts a 3-ton changeout in West Palm Beach, sized for a home of about 1,500 to 1,800 sq ft, at $6,500 to $11,000. That covers the matched condenser and air handler or coil, removal of the old system, a line flush, the electrical whip and disconnect, drain safety switches, a basic thermostat, and the permit. A Greenacres company's Palm Beach County guide lands in the same band: $5,500 to $8,000 for a 14 to 15 SEER2 split system and $8,000 to $11,000 at 16 to 18 SEER2.

Ductwork isn't in those prices. The Lake Worth company says it adds roughly $4,000 to $10,000 when a home needs it.

Where these prices come from: price guides from two Palm Beach County HVAC companies, in Lake Worth and Greenacres. See all 19 sources for this page.

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West Palm Beach AC cost by system

Central AC with air handler
$6,500 – $11,000 / system
3-ton, Lake Worth company
Heat pump with air handler
$9,500 – $12,500 / system
3-ton system, Florida-wide
Ductless mini-split
$2,500 – $6,000 / zone
Single zone, national range

The central AC range is the Lake Worth company's 3-ton price. The heat pump range is HVAC.com's Florida figure for a 3-ton heat pump with air handler. The mini-split range is HomeGuide's national figure for one zone.

West Palm Beach AC cost by system size

System size	Installed cost
2.5 tons	$5,400 – $9,500
3 tons	$6,500 – $11,000
3.5 tons	$7,500 – $12,500
4 tons	$8,500 – $14,700

The Lake Worth company's August 2026 prices, permit included, ductwork not. It matches 2.5 tons to homes of about 1,200 to 1,500 sq ft and 3 tons to about 1,500 to 1,800 sq ft; a load calculation sets the real size.

What affects AC prices in West Palm Beach

Season changes the quote. A Boynton Beach company's 2026 guide lists a 3-ton install at $3,500 to $6,500 in the fall and $5,000 to $8,500 in summer. Its figures sit below the Lake Worth guide and don't say which efficiency they assume, so compare like with like.
Ducts are the big unknown. The Greenacres company puts duct sealing at $300 to $1,000, partial replacement at $1,500 to $4,000, and a complete duct system at $4,000 to $10,000 or more.
Electrical and size steps add up. The same company lists electrical upgrades at $500 to $2,500 and says each half-ton step up adds $500 to $1,500.
Salt air shortens equipment life. The Boynton Beach company says salt air and humidity cut 2 to 3 years off a system compared with inland areas.

AC permits in West Palm Beach

The city's Building Division at 401 Clematis St. issues permits through the Civic Access online system. Contractors must register with the city before they can pull permits there. Questions: 561-805-6700.
Every change-out comes with the city's AC Changeout Compliance form, which records the new system's SEER or SEER2 and capacity, plus the wiring of the old and new systems. It's stamped and kept at the job for the inspector.
The city's permits FAQ says mechanical work still needs a permit at any cost, even under the state's $7,500 exemption. Fees come from the Civic Access estimator; the minimum is $105 for a project up to $1,000.
A Notice of Commencement isn't needed for an HVAC replacement under $15,000, according to the county-wide permit application the city uses.
Owner-builders have to appear in person at City Hall and can't sell or rent the home for a year after the work. Homes in unincorporated Palm Beach County permit through the county's Building Division at 2300 N. Jog Rd., 561-233-5100.

Rebates and help paying in West Palm Beach

FPL credits $200 per qualifying unit on the invoice when a Participating Independent Contractor replaces your whole system with one rated at least one SEER2 point above the federal minimum (program standards). You can't have received the rebate for the same system in the past two years.
Palm Beach County's SHIP Emergency Repairs program, deferred loans up to $75,000 for repairs such as roofing, electrical, and plumbing, took applications June 8 to 26, 2026 and is closed. The county's Owner-Occupied Rehab program is also closed. Neither page lists AC.
The city's own SHIP plan funds owner-occupied rehab of up to $80,000 for code, safety, and severe energy-efficiency problems, but doesn't name AC as an eligible repair.
The federal tax credit for heat pumps and central AC ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025, according to the IRS.

Rebates and assistance programs open, close, and change as funding allows. Confirm current status with the program before you plan around it. Details reviewed October 2026.

Choosing an AC replacement company in West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach makes contractors register with the city before they can pull a permit, which makes for an easy first test.

Ask whether the company is registered to pull permits in the city's Civic Access system. Contractors register by sending the city their business tax receipt, license, liability insurance, and workers' comp, so a company that can't pull the permit in its own name is one to skip.
Check the license on MyFloridaLicense.com. For a central AC you want a Class A or B air-conditioning contractor or a mechanical contractor; a Class C license covers servicing only (s. 489.105).
Ask for a copy of the stamped AC Changeout Compliance form at the end of the job. It records the SEER2 rating you paid for, which matters if you're counting on FPL's credit.
Keep the deposit modest. A contractor who takes more than 10% up front has to apply for the permit within 30 days and start within 90 days after it's issued, unless you agree in writing to longer (s. 489.126).

Common questions

How much does a 3-ton AC cost in West Palm Beach?

A Lake Worth company's 2026 guide prices a 3-ton changeout at $6,500 to $11,000, permit included. A Greenacres company puts a 14 to 15 SEER2 split system at $5,500 to $8,000 and 16 to 18 SEER2 at $8,000 to $11,000.

Does an AC replacement under $7,500 need a permit in West Palm Beach?

Yes. The city says mechanical work still requires a permit regardless of cost, even with Florida's $7,500 exemption for some residential work.

Do I need a Notice of Commencement for a new AC?

Not for an HVAC repair or replacement under $15,000, according to the county-wide permit application West Palm Beach uses. Above that, it has to be recorded with Palm Beach County.

Is ductwork included in West Palm Beach AC quotes?

Usually not. The Lake Worth company says ductwork adds roughly $4,000 to $10,000 when it's needed, and the Greenacres company lists $300 to $1,000 for sealing and $1,500 to $4,000 for a partial replacement.

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Florida rules that affect your AC

Federal efficiency minimums, the refrigerant change, the end of the federal tax credit, and how the cities compare are on our Florida AC cost page.

Paying over time? Our Florida AC financing guide compares utility loans, PACE, FHA Title I, and contractor offers.

Other Florida cities, nearest first

Also near West Palm Beach:

Boca Raton
Lake Worth Beach
Palm Beach Gardens
Riviera Beach