Realistic Cost Expectations: Installing the Goodman 3‑Ton 14.5 SEER2 R‑32 Bundle and What It Means for Homes of All Sizes

Why I’m Writing This — Matching System Size, Efficiency and Installed Cost

When you’re replacing or installing a central air system in your home, you’re juggling three key things: size (tonnage), efficiency (SEER/SEER2 rating, refrigerant type), and installed cost (equipment + labor + duct/work modifications). Many homeowners ask: “What’s the *cost of central air for a 1,000 sq ft house?” or “How much is a 5-ton AC unit installed?” Good questions. But the answer isn’t a single number—it depends on your home size, condition of ducts, local labor rates, climate zone, and how efficient you want the system. So I want to give you realistic ranges for homes of different sizes, and show you where the value lies with the Goodman 3‑Ton 14.5 SEER2 R‑32 bundle from The Furnace Outlet.

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The Goodman 3‑Ton 14.5 SEER2 R‑32 Bundle — What You’re Getting

Before we talk cost by home size, let’s unpack the product. The Goodman bundle includes a three‑ton outdoor condenser matched with an indoor air handler (or coil/handler, depending on the listing), sized for many typical midsize homes. Key features:

• 3‑Ton (≈ 36,000 BTU/h) capacity — appropriate for many homes in the 1,500‑2,500 sq ft range (depending on insulation/climate).

• 14.5 SEER2 efficiency rating — good, modern efficiency though not ultra‑premium.

• R‑32 refrigerant — forward‑looking, reduced global‑warming‑potential refrigerant.

• Matched components in the bundle — meaning you should get optimal performance when properly installed.
  From my perspective, this bundle sits in the “sweet spot” of value: not bargain‑basement, not premium top‑tier; it's built to deliver solid comfort, reliable performance, and good efficiency without over‑paying for features the homeowner may not utilize fully.
  Before you buy, make sure: your ductwork is in good shape; the system size matches your home; labor/install cost is built in; and the installer is certified. Because any of those missing can shift your cost significantly.

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Installed Cost by Home Size — What to Expect

Let’s go through various home sizes (900, 1,000, 1,200, 1,500, 1,600, 2,000, 3,000 sq ft) and estimate what a full install—equipment + labor + basic ductwork adjust—might cost using that Goodman bundle (or similar sized system). I’ll also compare to what you’d pay if you chose a different size (say 5‑ton) or higher efficiency (17 SEER, etc.). These are ballparks based on national averages and my field experience; your local number may vary.

900 sq ft home

For a smaller home (900 sq ft), cooling load might call for around 1.5‑2.0 tons depending on insulation/climate. A three‑ton system might be oversized, so you might scale down. But if we hypothetically used the Goodman 3‑Ton bundle anyway:

• Equipment cost: let’s say ~$5,000 (bundle rate).

• Labor/permit/standard duct hookup: ~$3,000.

• Minor duct adjustments (assuming good ducts): ~$500‑$1,000.
  Total estimated cost: ~$8,000‑$9,000 → Cost per square foot: roughly $9‑$10/ft².
  In reality, for a 900 sq ft home you could target a smaller system and maybe see $6‑8/ft². But if you end up with a full 3‑ton install, you’ll pay higher cost/ft².

1,000 sq ft home

This is a common question: “hvac installation cost for 1000 sq ft home.” Many installers quote in the ballpark of $7,000‑$10,000 for a well‐done central air system in this size if ductwork and access are good. If you use the Goodman bundle (scaled appropriately):

• Equipment: ~$5,000.

• Install labor/permit: ~$3,000.

• Duct check/tune‑up: ~$500.
  Total: ~$8,500‑$9,000 → ~$8.50‐$9/ft².
  If you go higher efficiency or have duct issues, the number could rise to $10‑$12/ft² (~$10,000‑$12,000).

1,200 sq ft home

For “cost of central air for 1200 sq ft house,” the same logic applies but the system size may still be 2.5‑3 tons depending on layout. Using the Goodman bundle:

• Equipment: ~$5,000–$5,500.

• Install: ~$3,000–$3,500.

• Minor duct adjustments: ~$500–$1,000.
  Total: ~$9,000‑$10,000 → ~$7.50‑$8.50/ft².
  If you opt for a higher efficiency (17 SEER or more) or have complex layout/access, cost may go to $11k‑$12k → ~$9‑$10/ft².

1,500 sq ft home

Now we’re in the range where the Goodman 3‑ton bundle is well matched (for many homes). When you ask “new hvac system cost 1500 sq ft” or “ac unit for 1500 sq ft home cost,” here’s what I’d expect with good ducts:

• Equipment: ~$5,500.

• Installation & labor: ~$3,500–$4,000.

• Duct check/seal: ~$1,000.
  Total: ~$10,000‑$11,000 → ~$6.70‑$7.30/ft².
  If your ducts are poor and you need significant upgrade, you might hit ~$12,000‑$13,000 → ~$8‑$8.50/ft².

1,600 sq ft home

Same ballpark as 1,500 sq ft, slightly more. For “ac unit for 1600 sq ft home cost” you might see:

• Equipment: ~$5,500.

• Install: ~$3,500–$4,000.

• Duct tune/adjust: ~$1,000.
  Total: ~$10,000‑$11,500 → ~$6.25‑$7.20/ft².

2,000 sq ft home

This is often the benchmark used by many cost guides. So for “cost of central air for 2000 sq ft house” consider:

• Equipment: ~$6,000 (bundle or similar).

• Install & permits: ~$4,000–$5,000.

• Ductwork check/seal: ~$1,000–$2,000.
  Total: ~$11,000‑$13,000 → ~$5.50‑$6.50/ft².
  That’s a reasonable range for a well‑sized 3‑ton system in a 2,000 sq ft home with typical conditions. If you choose a higher‑efficiency or a bigger system (4 or 5‑ton) cost might go up.

3,000 sq ft home

If you have a larger home (3,000 sq ft) and ask “ac unit for 3000 sq ft house cost,” you’re probably looking at 4‑ton or 5‑ton sized systems. If you tried to fit a 3‑ton bundle it might struggle. So for a 4‑ton or 5‑ton system:

• Equipment for 4‑ton: ~$7,000‑$8,000 (if good brand/bundle).

• Install: ~$5,000.

• Ductwork: ~$2,000.
  Total: ~$14,000‑$15,000 → ~$4.70‑$5/ft².
  If a 5‑ton system: maybe ~$16,000‑$18,000 installed → ~$5.30‑$6/ft². The “how much is a 5 ton AC unit installed” question falls in that range depending on efficiency and extras.

Summary Table

Keep in mind: these are estimates for a system size around 3‑ton in the smaller homes, moving up to 4‑5 tons in the largest home category, with a product profile like the Goodman bundle. Local labor, climate, ductwork condition, permitting, and efficiency choices will shift these numbers.

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Why Cost per Sq Ft Drops as Home Size Increases

You might notice: cost per square foot goes down as the home size rises (from ~$9/ft² at 900 sq ft to ~$5/ft² at 3,000 sq ft in our table). That’s not a trick—there are reasons for it:

• Fixed costs spread out: Many installation costs (permit fee, mobilization, minimal labor setup) don’t scale linearly with home size.

• System size scaling: A 3‑ton system may cover a 1,500 sq ft home, but a 4‑ton system for 3,000 sq ft isn’t twice the price of a 3‑ton; equipment/labor scale partially but not fully.

• Efficiency of bigger systems: A larger house may benefit from economies of scale in ducting and blower sizing.

• Labor/time per ton may drop slightly: Installing a 4‑ton system might not take double the install‐time of a 2‑ton system.
  So when you’re looking at “cost of central air for 2000 sq ft house” vs “cost of central air for 1000 sq ft home,” it’s normal to see the bigger house having a lower cost per square foot. That said—the total dollars outlay is higher.

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What Drives Cost Up (and What Drives Value)

When you compare quotes or use the table above, you’ll find some jobs cost more, some less. Here are the key drivers (from my field experience) that push cost up — or conversely, that make your cost go down and value go up.

Factors that increase cost

• Poor or aging ductwork: leaky, undersized, poorly insulated ducts increase labor and equipment size requirements.

• Hard access: attics, crawlspaces, tricky outdoor unit placement — install time goes up.

• High efficiency or premium equipment: If you opt for 17 SEER, variable speed compressor, or a 5‑ton system when a 3‑ton would suffice, the equipment cost jumps. (See “17 seer ac unit cost.”)

• Climate extremes: In very hot/humid or very cold zones the system capacity, equipment specs, and materials may cost more.

• Renovation or structural modifications: If walls need cutting, duct runs need major rework, permitting is more complex.

Factors that reduce cost / improve value

• Good existing ductwork and access: If your duct system is in good shape, less labor and fewer surprises.

• Proper sizing (not oversizing): Using a 3‑ton where a 3‑ton is correct avoids overspend.

• Bundle equipment or basic efficiency: The Goodman 3‑Ton 14.5 SEER2 R‑32 bundle is a value line—good specs without paying for top‐tier premium features you may never use.

• Installing during off‑peak seasons: Spring or fall installs may have better labor availability and negotiated pricing.

• Rebates/incentives: Some regions will rebate high‑efficiency systems or R‑32 refrigerant systems, reducing effective cost.

How you evaluate whether the cost is fair

When you get a quote, compare it to the rough per‐square‐foot ranges above. If a quote for your 1,500 sq ft home is $15,000, that’s ~$10/ft²—not unreasonable perhaps in a high‑cost region or with major ductwork needs—but much higher than the ~$6.70‑$7.30/ft² baseline we estimated. In that case, you should ask: what’s the extra cost for? (Premium equipment, duct overhaul, difficult access?) Conversely, if you see an ultra low quote ($4/ft²) for a 2,000 sq ft home, you should check what is and isn’t included: possibly poor equipment, no duct work, low efficiency, or different installer quality.

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Applying This to the Goodman Bundle Specifically

Now let’s take the Goodman bundle you’re considering (the 3‑Ton 14.5 SEER2 R‑32) and apply these cost estimates alongside pros/cons so you can judge whether this is the right choice for your situation.

Situation 1: Your home is ~1,200 to 1,600 sq ft

• In that size range the bundle fits nicely (assuming load calculation backs it).

• According to the earlier table you’re looking at ~$9k‑$11k range. If your quote falls in this range (or below) you’re getting good value.

• Because the Goodman bundle uses modern refrigerant (R‑32) and decent efficiency, you’re not compromising severely by choosing it. If ducts are good, your cost per square foot is likely ~$7‑$8/ft².

• If your installer gives you a quote well above that (say $14,000), you must ask: what are you paying extra for? Premium features? Better efficiency? Duct overhaul?

Situation 2: Your home is ~2,000 sq ft

• For a 2,000 sq ft home the bundle is still a strong fit (for many homes) and you might see ~$11‑$13k total cost. Cost per square foot around ~$5.50‑$6.50/ft². If your quote is significantly higher, again ask what’s driving the extra cost.

• If instead someone quotes you a 4‑ton or 5‑ton system (because maybe your home has higher cooling load) you might need to adjust expectations upward accordingly.

Situation 3: Your home is very small (~900 to 1,000 sq ft)

• If your home is that small, the 3‑ton system may be oversized. Oversizing can reduce system efficiency and increase wear. In that situation you might ask your installer if a smaller system (2‑ton) makes sense and what the cost difference would be. For “cost of central air for 900 sq ft house” you might expect ~$8k‑$10k if you used the 3‑ton system; if you used a properly sized 2‑ton system maybe ~$6k‑$8k.

Situation 4: Your home is large (~3,000 sq ft)

• If you have ~3,000 sq ft, you may require a 4‑ton or 5‑ton system instead of 3‑ton. If you try to use a 3‑ton bundle you may sacrifice comfort/efficiency. For “ac unit for 3000 sq ft house cost” you might see ~$14k‑$18k installed if you pick a properly sized 4‑ton or 5‑ton with good efficiency. The Goodman bundle may not be large enough unless your home is extremely well‑insulated and climate is mild.

Feature vs cost trade‑off (17 SEER, premium systems)

If instead of the 14.5 SEER2 Goodman bundle you ask about “17 SEER ac unit cost” (or higher) you’ll see installed costs increase. The extra efficiency often adds equipment cost, labor time, perhaps larger condenser size, advanced controls. If you pay maybe $1,000‑$3,000 extra upfront, you should ask: will I recover that in utility savings given my usage, climate, and how long I stay in the home? If you move in 5 years, maybe not. If you stay 15‑20 years and live in a high‑load climate, maybe yes.

My recommendation for a typical homeowner

If you’re replacing your system, buying the Goodman 3‑Ton 14.5 SEER2 R‑32 bundle is a smart value choice for many 1,200‑2,000 sq ft homes. My advice: Get two or three quotes using that system as baseline. If one quote is much higher (~$4‑$5/ft² more) ask what premium is built in and whether you need it. Make sure ducts are checked/sealed, installer is reputable, labor/permit costs are included. If everything checks out, you’ll get solid comfort and efficiency without overpaying for premium features you may not use.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the “cost of central air for 1000 sq ft house”?
A: Based on the estimates above: around ~$8,500‑$9,000 for a well‐done install of a good system (like the Goodman bundle) when ductwork and access are typical. That’s ~$8.5‑$9/ft². If your ducts are in poor condition or the job is complex, it may be more.
Q: How about “cost of central air for 1500 sq ft house” or “ac unit for 1500 sq ft home cost”?
A: For a home in that size range using a 3‑ton system (like our Goodman bundle), a good estimate is ~$10,000‑$11,000 installed, which is ~$6.7‑$7.3/ft² in our prior table.
Q: What is “how much is a 5 ton ac unit installed”?
A: If you need a 5‑ton system (for a larger home of ~3,000 sq ft or more, or due to high load) you might see installed costs in the $16,000‑$18,000+ range (or higher in some regions) using a premium system. Cost per square foot may drop ($5‑$6/ft²) but total dollars are higher.
Q: Why does “cost of central air for 2000 sq ft house” look lower per foot than smaller homes?
A: Because many fixed costs (permits, labor setup) are spread across a larger square footage; also system size might only increase modestly. In our estimate we had ~$11,000‑13,000 installed → ~$5.50‑$6.50/ft² for a 2,000 sq ft home.
Q: What about “hvac unit cost for 1200 square feet” or “hvac for 1000 sq ft house”?
A: Same principle: smaller homes often cost more per square foot because the system size (tonnage) doesn’t scale down linearly, but fixed install costs remain. For a 1,000‑1,200 sq ft home you might anticipate ~$8,500‑$10,000 installing a good system like the Goodman bundle.
Q: Is the Goodman bundle good value vs going for a higher efficiency like 17 SEER?
A: For many homeowners, yes. The Goodman bundle offers modern refrigerant (R‑32) and decent efficiency (14.5 SEER2) at a value price. If you’re not in an extreme climate, not staying ultra long term, and your ducts/access are good, you’ll likely see excellent ROI. If you want top efficiency, lowest noise, longest warranty, and plan to stay 20+ years, then spending extra for 17 SEER+ might make sense—but you must run the numbers.
Q: How should I choose between system size, efficiency, and cost?
A: My advice:

• Size first: get a proper load calculation (Manual J) so you know what tonnage your home requires. Oversizing is worse than modest undersizing.

• Efficiency next: choose a system with good efficiency but not necessarily “highest possible,” unless your situation justifies it.

• Cost budget: use the cost per square foot benchmarks above to evaluate quotes and ensure you’re not overpaying.

• Install quality: the best system poorly installed cost you more in the long run.

• Maintenance: plan to keep the system well maintained so you maximize lifespan and efficiency.

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Final Thoughts — My Guiding Advice

As Mark Callahan, here’s my three key take‑aways:

1. Cost per square foot is a useful benchmark, not a hard rule. Use the numbers above to compare quotes and get a feel for whether you’re in the right ballpark. If your quote is far above, ask what’s adding cost. If far below, make sure nothing is missing or compromised.

2. The Goodman 3‑Ton 14.5 SEER2 R‑32 bundle is a smart value line. For many homes in the 1,000‑2,000 sq ft range (depending on load/duct condition) it delivers modern features (refrigerant, efficiency) without paying premium brand prices. If your ducts are good and installation is competent, you’ll get strong performance.

3. Don’t compromise on install quality or system sizing. Even the best equipment won’t perform if the ducts are leaking, the system is oversized, or installation is cut corners. Before buying, ensure your ducts are sealed, the installer is reputable, the load is calculated, and you understand what the quote includes.
   If I were advising a homeowner right now: “Get at least two detailed quotes using the Goodman bundle (or equivalent) so you have a baseline. Ask each quote: what is the total cost, what system size, what efficiency, what ductwork condition. Use the per‑square‑foot ranges above to vet the quotes. Choose the one that matches your home size and needs, not the highest brand name alone. If you go with the Goodman bundle and your home suits it, you’ll get comfort, efficiency, good value—and peace of mind.”