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2-ton heat pump & AC cost
A 2-ton system moves 24,000 BTU per hour. Below: what 2-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) | $13,779 $7,664–$19,893 | $15,364 $8,615–$22,113 | $17,666 $9,996–$25,335 | $3,819 |
| Mini-split heat pump | $12,228 $7,337–$17,119 | $12,655 $7,593–$17,717 | $13,883 $8,330–$19,436 | $1,977–$6,357 |
| Central AC + gas furnace | $10,308 $7,479–$13,672 | $12,303 $8,676–$16,465 | $14,605 $10,057–$19,687 | — |
| Heat pump only (outdoor unit swap) | $6,670 $3,812–$10,672 | $6,670 $3,812–$10,672 | $6,670 $3,812–$10,672 | — |
"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.
2-ton systems with listed prices
| System | Type | Tons | SEER2 | HSPF2 | Rating source | Lowest listed | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodman GLZS4BA2410 | Ducted heat pump | 2 | 15.2 | 7.8 | listing | $3,819 | HVACDirect |
| LG KSSAC241A | Mini-split | 2 | 20 | — | listing | $1,977 | HVACDirect |
| Carrier 37MAHAQ24AA3 | Mini-split | 2 | 21.2 | 13.5 | ENERGY STAR | $4,275 | HVACDirect |
| Daikin RXM24WVJU9 | Mini-split | 2 | 22 | 10 | listing | $4,902 | HVACDirect |
| Mitsubishi SUZ-AK24NLHZ | Mini-split | 2 | 18.6 | 8.6 | ENERGY STAR | $6,357 | HVACDirect |
Is 2 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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