AC replacement cost in South Carolina
Data last verified July 24, 2026
Installed costs in South Carolina run slightly below the national average - our cost index for the state is 0.94. Nationally, a code-minimum 3-ton straight-cool split system runs about $5,000-$11,000 installed; a 2-ton runs $4,000-$8,500 and a 4-ton $6,000-$13,500. Treat these as estimate-grade ranges: published 2025-2026 pricing sources split into a low band and a high band that differ 40-50% at the same tonnage, which is exactly why two quotes for the same house can look wildly different.
Efficiency is the next lever. South Carolina falls in the DOE’s Southeast region, so any split-system air conditioner installed on or after January 1, 2023 must hit 14.3 SEER2. This is an installation-date rule, not a manufacture-date rule - a contractor cannot legally install leftover 13.4 SEER2 stock here. Stepping up from code minimum to a 16-17 SEER2 unit adds roughly 15% to the price, and 18+ SEER2 adds about 35%.
Budget for the permit too. South Carolina requires a mechanical permit statewide for a changeout, with fees set by the local jurisdiction - roughly $40-$150 for a typical changeout in most places. Greenville County, for example, charges a $72 minimum plus $36 per appliance.
Utility rebates claw some of that back. Dominion Energy South Carolina pays $400-$500 toward an ENERGY STAR central AC or heat pump at 15.2 SEER2 or better, installed by a Licensed Mechanical Contractor, and Santee Cooper pays $300-$400 per single-phase heat pump depending on efficiency tier through its EmpowerHome program. If you are in either territory, the rebate can cover most of the permit and part of the efficiency upgrade - confirm eligibility before you sign the proposal, not after.
Estimated installed ranges for South Carolina
National base × South Carolina cost index (0.94). Estimate-grade — method and caveats.
| Size | Code minimum | 16–17 SEER2 (×1.15) | 18+ SEER2 (×1.35) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-ton | $3,750 – $8,000 | $4,300 – $9,200 | $5,100 – $10,800 |
| 2.5-ton | $4,250 – $8,950 | $4,850 – $10,250 | $5,700 – $12,050 |
| 3-ton | $4,700 – $10,350 | $5,400 – $11,900 | $6,350 – $13,950 |
| 3.5-ton | $5,150 – $11,300 | $5,950 – $12,950 | $7,000 – $15,250 |
| 4-ton | $5,650 – $12,700 | $6,500 – $14,600 | $7,600 – $17,150 |
| 5-ton | $6,600 – $14,100 | $7,550 – $16,200 | $8,900 – $19,050 |
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