The size of the unit drives the price of a new AC more than anything else. In Brevard County, a new central air conditioner runs an estimated $5,500 to $14,500 installed in 2026, and where you land inside that range is set mostly by tonnage, which is sized to your square footage. A 2-ton unit for a small Palm Bay home is a different number than a 5-ton system for a large home in Viera, and matching the size to the home is what keeps the price honest and the cooling right. Nobody else in the Brevard market publishes these by-size numbers, so we do.
Size matters even more on the Space Coast because of the climate. Year-round humidity and a long cooling season mean an oversized AC short-cycles, never pulls the moisture out of the Florida air, and costs more upfront for worse comfort, while an undersized unit runs nonstop and wears out early in the salt air. The rule of thumb is roughly one ton of cooling per 500 to 600 square feet, but insulation, ceiling height, sun exposure, and beachside salt all adjust it. Synergie AC Repair & Installation runs a proper load calculation across Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera, Titusville, and all of Brevard County rather than guessing your size off square footage alone.
New AC unit cost by size (square footage and tonnage)
| Home size | Unit size (tonnage) | Typical installed cost (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,200 sq ft | 2 tons | $5,500 - $8,500 |
| 1,200 - 1,500 sq ft | 2.5 tons | $6,000 - $9,500 |
| 1,500 - 1,800 sq ft | 3 tons | $6,500 - $10,500 |
| 1,800 - 2,400 sq ft | 3.5 - 4 tons | $8,000 - $12,500 |
| 2,400 - 3,200 sq ft | 4 - 5 tons | $9,500 - $14,500 |
| Over 3,200 sq ft | 5 tons or dual system | $13,000 - $22,000+ |
Typical installed cost for a matched new central AC unit, Brevard County, 2026.
New AC unit cost by unit type
| Unit type | Best for | Typical 3-ton installed cost (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Central split system (condenser + air handler) | Most Brevard homes with existing ducts | $6,500 - $11,000 |
| Heat pump (cooling + efficient heating) | Homes wanting one system year-round | $7,500 - $13,000 |
| Packaged unit (single outdoor cabinet) | Homes with limited indoor space | $7,000 - $12,000 |
| Ductless mini-split (Daikin / Mitsubishi) | Additions, older homes, room-by-room zones | $4,500 - $13,000 (by head count) |
Same 3-ton size, different system types Synergie AC Repair & Installation installs across Brevard.
New AC unit cost by SEER2 efficiency rating
| SEER2 rating | Efficiency tier | Typical 3-ton installed cost (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 13.4 - 14.3 SEER2 | Builder-grade minimum | $6,500 - $9,000 |
| 15 - 16 SEER2 | Standard efficiency | $8,000 - $11,000 |
| 17 - 18 SEER2 | High efficiency | $10,000 - $13,500 |
| 19 - 22+ SEER2 | Premium inverter (Daikin Fit, variable-speed) | $12,000 - $16,500 |
At a given size, higher SEER2 raises upfront cost but lowers year-round Brevard cooling bills.
New AC unit cost by brand tier
| Brand | Tier | Typical 3-ton installed cost (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Goodman | Value | $6,500 - $9,500 |
| York | Mid (longer warranty) | $7,500 - $11,000 |
| Daikin (ducted / Fit inverter) | Premium | $9,500 - $14,500 |
| Mitsubishi (ductless / multi-zone) | Premium ductless | $8,000 - $15,000 |
Brands Synergie AC Repair & Installation installs and services across Brevard County, 3-ton size.
Cost drivers beyond size
| Cost driver | Typical effect on price |
|---|---|
| New or replacement ductwork | +$1,500 - $5,000 |
| Electrical panel or disconnect upgrade | +$300 - $1,800 |
| Permit and inspection (Brevard County) | +$150 - $500 |
| New line set / longer refrigerant run | +$300 - $1,200 |
| Difficult attic or rooftop access | +$200 - $900 |
| Federal 25C tax credit (qualifying high-efficiency) | -up to $600 |
| Florida and utility rebates (qualifying) | -$100 - $1,000 |
Line items that move a new unit up or down from the by-size base range.
What sets your price
Size leads, but five factors set your final new AC unit price in Brevard County:
- Unit size (tonnage): a properly sized 2 to 5 ton unit matched to your square footage, insulation, and sun exposure is the single biggest price driver, not just a bigger compressor.
- Unit type: a central split, heat pump, packaged unit, or Daikin and Mitsubishi ductless system each carry different installed costs at the same size.
- SEER2 rating: 13.4 SEER2 is the Florida minimum, and 16 to 18 SEER2 is the value-vs-savings sweet spot for year-round Brevard cooling.
- Brand tier: Goodman (value), York (longer warranty), Daikin (premium inverter), or Mitsubishi (premium ductless).
- Ductwork, electrical, permits, and access: old or leaky ducts add $1,500 to $5,000, and Brevard County permitting, panel upgrades, line-set length, and attic or rooftop access all move the number.
How we built these numbers
Ranges reflect typical 2026 Brevard County and national market pricing for a new residential AC unit installed, cross-checked against published manufacturer and contractor cost data. These are general market facts framed as typical ranges, not a fixed Synergie AC Repair & Installation price. Your exact figure is set at a free in-home estimate.
Prices shown are estimated ranges for Brevard and Indian River County. Your exact price is confirmed in your free written estimate.