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4-ton heat pump & AC cost
A 4-ton system moves 48,000 BTU per hour. Below: what 4-ton equipment lists for online today, and what a DOE national-lab benchmark says it should cost installed.
Installed-cost benchmark by system type and efficiency
REMDB (National Laboratory of the Rockies, formerly NREL) replacement-cost regressions, restated from 2023 dollars with CPI-U. National averages: high-cost metros run above them. Ductwork, permits beyond the norm and panel work are not included. Method
| System type | Standard | Mid-tier inverter | High-efficiency / cold-climate | Listed equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central heat pump (ducted split) | $17,260 $9,753–$24,767 | $19,306 $10,980–$27,631 | $20,124 $11,471–$28,777 | $4,643–$8,053 |
| Mini-split heat pump | $22,456 $13,474–$31,439 | $22,884 $13,730–$32,038 | $23,505 $14,103–$32,907 | — |
| Central AC + gas furnace | $11,790 $8,368–$15,747 | $13,376 $9,319–$17,966 | $15,677 $10,700–$21,189 | $5,949 |
| Heat pump only (outdoor unit swap) | $6,316 $3,609–$10,105 | $6,316 $3,609–$10,105 | $6,316 $3,609–$10,105 | $3,609 |
"Heat pump only" assumes the outdoor unit alone is replaced; its range is anchored on listed condenser prices, not REMDB, and is an estimate. AC + furnace assumes an 80,000 BTU/h, 80% AFUE furnace.
4-ton systems with listed prices
| System | Type | Tons | SEER2 | HSPF2 | Rating source | Lowest listed | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodman GLXS5BA4810 | AC + furnace | 4 | 15.2 | — | listing | $5,949 | HVACDirect |
| Trane A5HL5048A1000A | Ducted heat pump | 4 | 16 | 8.1 | ENERGY STAR | $4,643 | HVACDirect |
| Goodman GLZS4BA4810 | Ducted heat pump | 4 | 15.2 | 7.8 | listing | $5,444 | HVACDirect |
| Gree FXU60HP230V1R32AO | Ducted heat pump | 4 | 19 | 10 | ENERGY STAR | $6,990 | HVACDirect |
| LG KUSXB481A | Ducted heat pump | 4 | 18 | 9.4 | ENERGY STAR | $7,038 | HVACDirect |
| Goodman GLZT7CA4810 | Ducted heat pump | 4 | 17.2 | — | listing | $8,053 | HVACDirect |
| Goodman GLZS4BA4810 | Condenser only | 4 | 14.3 | 7.8 | listing | $3,609 | HVACDirect +1 |
Is 4 tons the right size?
Tonnage should come from a room-by-room load calculation (ACCA Manual J), not from square footage alone. Insulation, windows, air leakage, ceiling height and climate can move the answer by a ton or more. An oversized system short-cycles, dehumidifies poorly and costs more up front; an undersized one runs constantly on design days.
If your contractor matched the old unit's size without a load calculation, ask for one. If two contractors quote different tonnages for the same house, ask both to show their Manual J.
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