It varies on where you are and what you need done. The only way to get a realistic estimate is to get 3 or 4 bids.

No offense intended, but asking the cost to replace a 5-ton air conditioner is like asking how much a 5-seater car costs. The answer depends on lot of variables including the system's efficiency, manufacturer, features, warranty, etc. If you dumb it down to which contractor will install a 5-ton system for the lowest price you'll get exactly what you pay for.

You'll be better served by speaking with a couple of contractors about the costs and benefits of various options for replacing your existing system and making an informed choice.

Here's a recent story of what can go wrong:

I get a call from someone in my area, he says:

"So I recently had my E-coil replaced and it's losing freon every 7 days or so. My contractor has installed dye & leak sealer into the system, but we can not find the leak... I am thinking about dropping this AC guy and I wanted to pick your brain as to what you think..."

The problem with this story: The E-coil was replaced a few months ago. This guy above paid someone else to do a job that he obviously can't do.

Contrary to popular myth: The manufacturer, regardless of who it is will not pay me to fix your problem. You pay my fees, not what you think you should pay. You want it to work don't you?

I am not psychic, mind reader, telepathic or otherwise. I do not know what was done to this system let alone what was not done that should have been done.

I am not here to fix other contractors workmanship or bail them out on installations they can not handle.

Choosing someone to do or not do something based purely on money? Here's an ancient proverb for you: "A fool and his money are soon parted."

All that said... this problem has existed for longer than my HVAC career (27 years as of 2021).

It makes not one single bit of difference what I say in regards to warnings etc. So why I put this here is for the very few that will listen to wise advice.

I service the Katy, Texas area.

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If this guy contacts me again / has me do work to fix his mess paid for by him. ( He needs to learn this lesson well) I will likely have an upcoming video posting to my youtube channel.

cost to replace 5 ton ac

Here are some numbers to give you an idea about what it may cost. If you need to replace a 5 ton condenser and coil to go with an existing furnace, the cheapest equipment you can find on line is about $2250. This assumes you don't replace the line set and thermostat. The installation cost is typically twice the equipment cost so in this case about $4500. If you are replacing an air handler and condenser then the equipment price is about $2800, or $5600 installed. These prices are for low end 13 SEER equipment with simple installation in an average cost market.

If you want a higher SEER rating, and features like 2-stage and variable speed, then the installed prices probably jump to 50% to the $7K - $9K range. To get the true costs you need to get 2 - 3 quotes from installers of similar equipment. Don't be tempted to use the low cost guy who will do the installation on the side with no license or permits.

If you are looking to save some money then you need to investigate if you really need a 5 ton AC. Most houses don't have duct work large enough for 5 tons of air flow. You may be paying for 5 tons of equipment, but only getting 4 tons of cooling. If a cooling calculation shows you need 5 tons, then spend some money on upgrading the duct work if needed.

"Don't be tempted to use the low cost guy who will do the installation on the side with no license or permits."

While this was generally good advice in the past ("you get what you pay for"). In recent years I've found little correlation at all between price and quality for "semi-skilled" labor, especially in the HVAC area. A sad reflection of the times.

I find the vast majority of HVAC contractors in our area are the bargain-basement kind. There are only a handful of good ones doing residential work. The owners tell me that it's darn need impossible to find anyone who wants to work in or learn a trade. It's sure to bid up prices over time.