Cities / California / Pasadena
AC Replacement Cost in Pasadena, CA (2026)
A 3-ton central air conditioner, installed, before rebates
$4,150to$9,700
From a public baseline. How prices are made.
The low and the high are the spread of equipment and labor in the public baseline for a 3-ton central air conditioner in 2026.
California Rebates in 2026
Enrollment for 2026 is open. Open. Program funds are limited and available to eligible PWP customers.
Pasadena Water and Power pays $120 per ton on a central air conditioner at 15.3 to 19.0 SEER2. After the rebate the typical price for a 3-ton central air conditioner is $6,540. Checked October 22, 2026. How to apply.
| Equipment | Minimum efficiency | Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Split or packaged central air conditioner | 15.3 to 19.0 SEER2 | $120 per ton |
| Split or packaged central air conditioner | 19.1 SEER2 or higher | $140 per ton |
| Central AC bill-assistance bonus | Enrollment in PWP's income-qualified Bill Payment Assistance program. | $120 per ton |
Every Program a Pasadena Homeowner Can Use
- Federal 25C credit gives no credit for a 2026 install. Ended.
- Central AC Rebate pays up to $140 per ton. Open now.
- HEEHRA Phase I pays up to $8,000 per single-family household. Closed for 2026.
- Heat Pump Rebate pays up to $170 per ton. Open now.
- San Fernando Valley Incentives pays up to $4,500 per single-family project. Open now.
- Single Family Heat Pump HVAC Incentives pays up to $1,000 per outdoor unit. Closed for 2026.
- Smart Thermostat Rebate pays up to $50 per unit. Open now.
What It Costs
All 7 systems, low to high
| System | Low | Typical | High | Range drawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central AC and gas furnace | ||||
| Central AC only, 3 ton 16 SEER | $4,150 | $6,900 | $9,700 | |
| Gas furnace only, 80,000 BTU 95% AFUE | $3,750 | $4,050 | $4,800 | |
| Heat pump, ducted | ||||
| 2-ton heat pump 15 SEER | $6,500 | $11,750 | $17,000 | |
| 3-ton heat pump 15 SEER | $7,450 | $13,350 | $19,250 | |
| 4-ton heat pump 15 SEER | $8,400 | $14,950 | $21,500 | |
| 5-ton heat pump 15 SEER | $9,400 | $16,550 | $23,700 | |
| Mini-split | ||||
| Mini-split, one zone, 12,000 BTU 20 SEER | $4,500 | $7,500 | $10,500 | |
Sources today: public baseline: NREL National Residential Efficiency Measures Database, 2024 release (read via hvacbase.org, 2026-10-19). Two more sources join as they arrive: Verified contractor ranges and homeowner-reported quotes. 2023 dollars, national. No metro factor is applied in this version. This city publishes no machine-readable permit feed, so no permit facts print. How prices are made.
Common Questions
How much does a 3-ton central air conditioner cost installed in Pasadena?
The installed range is $4,150 to $9,700, with a typical price of $6,900. This is the national public baseline in 2023 dollars. After the rebate the typical price for a 3-ton central air conditioner is $6,540.
What does the Pasadena Water and Power central air conditioner rebate pay in 2026?
$120 per ton at 15.3 to 19.0 SEER2, through Central AC Rebate. Open. Program funds are limited and available to eligible PWP customers.
Is there a federal tax credit for a 3-ton central air conditioner in 2026?
The IRS allows the credit for property placed in service before December 31, 2025. A heat pump installed in 2026 gets no federal credit. The utility rebate is the money on the table in 2026.
What do the other systems cost in Pasadena?
A gas furnace runs $3,750 to $4,800, typical $4,050. A 3-ton heat pump runs $7,450 to $19,250, typical $13,350. A one-zone mini-split runs $4,500 to $10,500, typical $7,500. Each range is installed, before rebates.
What size and efficiency does the central air conditioner range assume?
The range is for the table row "Central AC only, 3 ton" at 16 SEER. The table on this page lists 7 systems from low to high, each with its own size and efficiency.
Contractors in Pasadena
A Verified contractor is one that published its terms here.
Range quarter 2026-Q4, updated October 22, 2026. Last change: First pages: furnace, AC and heat pump ranges from the public baseline, and the state programs read from each provider. Changelog. Source page: https://hvacvisit.com/california/pasadena/ac-replacement-cost. Cite a range with a link to the page it is on. Do not republish a page, a table or a dataset in full.