Tony Marino Explains the Cost of Central Air: How the Goodman 3‑Ton 14

0 comments

Intro: Why Square Footage Matters — And Why You’re Seeing So Many Cost Questions

When homeowners ask me “Tony, what’s the cost of central air for 1000 sq ft house?” or “what about for 2000 sq ft house?” I lean back, grab my tape measure and my calculator, and say: “It depends.” But I can also give strong ballparks. Because square footage shapes how big the system needs to be — which in turn drives tonnage, cost of the unit, cost of installation — and therefore your cost per square foot. In other words, when you see terms like hvac installation cost for 1000 sq ft home, AC unit for 1500 sq ft home cost, hvac unit cost for 1200 square feet, those are the right kind of questions to ask. What I’ll do here: walk you through how the Goodman 3 Ton 14.5 SEER2 R‑32 bundle fits into the equation, how pricing scales with house size, and how you can shop smart.

The Goodman 3 Ton 14.5 SEER2 R‑32 Bundle in Plain Terms

First, let’s recap the equipment so we’re all aligned. The product on The Furnace Outlet is a bundle: it includes a 3‑ton (which means roughly ~36,000 BTU cooling capacity) outdoor condenser and a matched indoor air‑handler (or coil) sized for that same capacity. Efficiency: 14.5 SEER2 (the second‑generation testing standard) and refrigerant: R‑32 (a modern, lower GWP refrigerant). So what you’ve got is a modern cooling system built for many homes — not ultra‑premium, not ultra‑budget — but solid middle‑ground. The question is: Will it fit your home size? And what cost should you expect?

When I walk into a job and say “We’re installing the Goodman 3‑Ton bundle,” I’m thinking: good for a home perhaps in the 1,500 to 2,200 square‑foot range (depending on insulation, climate, layout). If your home is 900 sq ft or 1,000 sq ft, this might be oversized (which has implications). If your home is 3,000 sq ft, you might need a larger unit — maybe 4‑ or 5‑ton — so your cost changes.

How Much Should You Expect to Pay by Home Size

Let’s pull the budget numbers into focus. Many homeowners ask “ac unit for 1500 sq ft home cost?” or “hvac for 1000 sq ft house?” So let’s run through typical cost‐ranges based on size, then show how the Goodman bundle might fit into that.

Benchmarks & industry cost references

According to a national guide, new central air (unit + labor) for a 3‑ton unit in a roughly 2,000 sq ft home averages about $5,750 as of 2025. (HVAC.com)
Another resource shows average costs for a full HVAC replacement (AC + furnace) in a 2,000‑2,500 sq ft home at ~$11,590 to $14,100. (Modernize)
On a per‑square‑foot basis, one source estimates about $3.00 to $7.50 per sq ft for central air installation.
Yet another data set lists the cost to install central air in a 2,000‑sq ft home between ~$6,000 and $11,500 (equipment + labor) depending on complexity. (NerdWallet)

From those benchmarks I derive rough expected cost ranges like:

For around 900‑1,000 sq ft: maybe start in the $4,000‑$8,000 range (if ducts are good, modest equipment).
For ~1,200‑1,500 sq ft: maybe $5,000‑$9,000 or more.
For ~1,500‑2,000 sq ft: you might hit $6,000‑$11,000+.
For ~3,000 sq ft: $10,000‑$16,000+ (even more if ducts need work). (HomeGuide)

What’s the cost for specific sizes you asked about

Cost of central air for 1000 sq ft house: Estimate ~$4,000‑$7,000 if existing ductwork is good and equipment is mid‑tier.
Cost of central air for 1200 sq ft house: Estimate ~$5,000‑$8,000.
New HVAC system cost 1500 sq ft: If you’re replacing both AC and furnace, expect ~$7,000‑$12,000 depending on efficiency and condition.
HVAC installation cost for 1000 sq ft home: Similar to first bullet; maybe on the lower end if simple.
Cost of central air for 2000 sq ft house: Estimate ~$6,000‑$12,000 depending on equipment & ducts.
AC unit for 1500 sq ft home cost: ~$5,500‑$9,000 typical.
AC unit for 3000 sq ft house cost: Could be $10,000‑$16,000+, maybe more if high‑end or multiple zones.
Cost of central air for 900 sq ft house: Possibly ~$3,500‑$6,000, but you need to check match.
HVAC for 1000 sq ft house / hvac for 1000 sq ft: If you’re doing full HVAC (heating + cooling), maybe ~$6,000‑$10,000 depending on heating type and ducts.

One thing to note: the “how much is a 5 ton AC unit installed” asks about a larger size. If you need a 5‑ton unit (for a big home), installation might be significantly higher than the mid‑tier numbers for 3‑ton. So that cost could hit in the $8,000‑$15,000+ range — depending heavily on efficiency, ductwork, region.

Also note the “17 SEER AC unit cost” piece — if you choose a higher efficiency system (17 SEER or better) you’ll pay more upfront compared to the mid‑tier 14‑15 SEER units.

Where the Goodman 3 Ton Bundle Fits Into These Cost Ranges

Let’s map the Goodman bundle to your home size & cost expectations.

Home size fit

If your home is about 1,500 sq ft, the 3‑ton Goodman bundle is a strong fit (assuming good insulation, typical ceiling height, properly sized ductwork).
If your home is about 1,000‑1,200 sq ft, the 3‑ton might be oversized (which can lead to shorter cycles, lower efficiency) — you might want a 2.5‑ton or similar, so cost might be lower; using 3‑ton might push cost up or cause inefficiencies.
If your home is 2,000+ sq ft (say 2,000‑2,500), 3‑ton could be adequate if construction/insulation are excellent, but many homes of that size use 3.5‑ton to 4‑ton units — so you’d want to check. If you’re up in the 3,000 sq ft range, you probably need a 4‑ton or 5‑ton, and cost goes up.

Cost view

If we assume your home is say ~1,600‑2,000 sq ft and you choose the Goodman 3‑Ton 14.5 SEER2 bundle, here’s how I’d estimate the installed cost (equipment + labor + permits + startup) in a region like Ohio (mid‐US labor cost):

Equipment cost (bundle): moderate.
Labor + installation: depends on ductwork condition.
If ductwork is in good shape — you might land in the “mid” range of the benchmarks: maybe $6,000‑$9,000 for 1,500‑1,800 sq ft.
If ducts need repair/replacement, or home is complex (multi‑level, high ceilings) then cost may move toward $9,000‑$12,000+.

From the earlier data: for 2,000 sq ft home the typical cost ~$6,000‑$11,000. The Goodman bundle’s efficiency and size mean you might hit the lower/mid part of that range if everything else is good.

So why choose this bundle?

You get modern refrigerant (R‑32) and a current SEER2 rating — that means better future‐proofing and potentially higher resale value.
You avoid the ultra premium cost of “higher tonnage + ultra premium efficiency” unless your home really demands it.
If your ducts are good, you’ll get strong value (lower cost per square foot) and good comfort.

What to make sure of

Confirm that 3‑ton is properly sized for your home (ask the contractor for a Manual J load calculation).
Confirm ductwork condition — if the ducts are leaking, undersized, or poorly insulated, you may need to add cost to bring them up to standard (raising the cost).
Ask for a full quote: equipment cost, labor, permit, startup, possibly ducts.
Compare this bundle cost to what you’d pay if you went with “premium efficiency” or “larger tonnage” units. Sometimes the incremental cost is large but the incremental benefit is small for your house size.

Walking Through Specific Home‑Size Scenarios

Let’s go through a few concrete home‐size scenarios and see how this plays out in real terms — so you can map to your home.

Scenario 1: 1,000 sq ft home

You have a smaller home (1,000 sq ft). You ask: cost of central air for 1000 sq ft house or hvac for 1000 sq ft house. Here’s what I tell you:

For 1,000 sq ft, you probably need something in the 2‑ton range (around 24,000 BTU) rather than a full 3‑ton. If you installed the Goodman 3‑ton, you might still do okay, but you risk oversizing (shorter cycling).
The cost for a system for this size home (equipment + install) might range ~$4,000‑$7,000 if ducts are in good shape. (Using per‑sq‑ft ~$3‑$7.50)
If you insisted on using the 3‑ton bundle, you may find cost is somewhat above the minimum for this home size; you’d compare that extra cost vs benefit (comfort, future proofing) and see if it makes sense.

Scenario 2: 1,200 sq ft home

You ask: cost of central air for 1200 sq ft house, hvac unit cost for 1200 square feet.

At ~1,200 sq ft you might target a 2‑2.5‑ton unit depending on insulation, layout, climate.
Cost range: perhaps ~$5,000‑$8,000 if ductwork is okay. (HomeGuide lists for 1,200 sq ft home average ~$5,000‑$7,500) (HomeGuide)
If you choose the Goodman 3‑ton bundle, again you may pay a bit more upfront (for capacity you may not fully need) but get additional “head‐room” or future flexibility. You just need to weigh whether the extra tonnage and cost are justified.

Scenario 3: 1,500 sq ft home

New HVAC system cost 1500 sq ft, AC unit for 1500 sq ft home cost.

At 1,500 sq ft you’re in a “sweet spot” for the Goodman 3‑ton bundle. That size is often appropriate, provided good ductwork and typical layout.
Cost expectation: maybe ~$6,000‑$9,000 for mid‑efficiency central air, maybe slightly more depending on labor and region.
Choosing Goodman 3‑ton bundle may land you in a strong value position: size fits, equipment is modern.
If you include heating (full HVAC) cost might rise (as benchmarks show ~$11,590‑$14,100 for 2,000‑2,500 sq ft homes) (Modernize)

Scenario 4: 2,000 sq ft home

Cost of central air for 2000 sq ft house.

At ~2,000 sq ft you need to evaluate many variables: insulation, ceiling height, climate zone, ducts. You might be looking at 3‑ton to 3.5‑ton (or more) depending.
Cost expectation: ~$6,000‑$12,000 or more for central air depending on complexity.
If you use the Goodman 3‑ton bundle, check if the tonnage is sufficient; if yes, then you’re getting a good value. If your home requires 3.5‑ton or 4‑ton, you might need to upgrade and cost goes up.

Scenario 5: 3,000 sq ft home

AC unit for 3000 sq ft house cost.

At 3,000 sq ft you’re likely looking at 4‑ton or 5‑ton (or multiple systems) depending on layout.
From data: For 4,000 sq ft homes they listed average ~$17,389 installed for AC + furnace. (This Old House)
So for 3,000 sq ft maybe ~$10,000‑$16,000 or more depending on features.
The Goodman 3‑ton bundle likely wouldn’t be sufficient capacity; you’d need larger system so cost increases.

Why Efficiency, Ductwork and Installation Matter as Much as Size

As your technician voice, I must emphasise: size (tonnage) and cost are only part of the equation. Efficiency (SEER2 rating), ductwork condition, installation quality matter massively. If one of those is ignored, you may pay upfront but not get full value.

Efficiency:

If you install a low‑efficiency system in a large home, you pay less upfront, but you may pay more in utility bills. Conversely, higher efficiency (17 SEER, variable speed, etc) raises upfront cost. For example, one cost guide shows for home sizes “cost of central air per sq ft” rises with more efficient equipment. (Super Brothers Plumbing Heating & Air)
If you select the Goodman bundle (14.5 SEER2) you’re in a mid‑efficiency tier — good value.

Ductwork:

If your ducts are old, leaky, undersized — then you may pay an extra $2,000‑$6,000 or more to fix them, which pushes your total cost up. The benchmarks above often assume existing ductwork is adequate. (Modernize)
As I always say: “You’re not just buying a new unit, you’re buying the whole system — unit + ducts + installer + commissioning.”

Installation quality:

A cheap install with poor charge, mis‑sized ducts, ignored startup, will underperform and cost you for years. I tell homeowners: the risks of a poor install far outweigh delving into whether you got the “cheapest cost per square foot”.
Benchmarks show wide cost ranges because install complexity varies. (NerdWallet)

How to Use These Numbers to Shop Smart

Here are practical steps I advise homeowners to take, so you use all this info (home size, cost ranges, bundle specs) to make an informed decision.

Measure your conditioned square footage carefully (this is the space your AC will serve).
Check existing ductwork condition — ask your contractor to inspect, quantify leaks/insulation/size.
Ask for a Manual J load calculation — this tells you what tonnage your home really needs (not just a rule‐of‐thumb).
Request multiple quotes (3 ideally) quoting the same equipment scenario (e.g., Goodman 3‑ton bundle) and breakdown: equipment cost, labor cost, permit/inspection cost, ductwork modifications cost.
Compute cost per square foot: Divide total quote cost by your home’s square footage. Compare to benchmark $3‑$7.50 per sq ft for standard central air. If your quote is $10 per sq ft, ask why.
Check what you’re getting: Efficiency (14.5 SEER2 vs 17 SEER etc), refrigerant (R‑32 vs older), warranty, installer reputation.
Decide on system size: If your home is 1,500 sq ft, the Goodman 3‑ton may be very good; if your home is 1,000 sq ft, you might want 2.5‑ton; if 3,000 sq ft then you likely need 4‑5‑ton — cost likely goes up.
Think long‑term: Upfront cost matters, but so does operating cost, comfort, and service/lifetime. A mid‐priced bundle well installed often beats a premium brand poorly installed.
Budget buffer: Always budget extra for unexpected ductwork, permits, add‑ons (smart thermostat, zoning) which often add 5‑15% or more.
Ask for itemised quote so you can compare components across quotes.

Final Thoughts — Tony Marino’s Verdict

If I were giving you my technician recommendation: The Goodman 3 Ton 14.5 SEER2 R‑32 bundle is an extremely solid option for many homeowners — especially those with homes in the 1,000 to 2,000 sq ft range, decent ductwork, and moderate cooling loads. It strikes a balance: modern refrigerant, current efficiency, respectable capacity, without the major premium you’d pay for ultra‑high efficiency or oversized systems.

When you line up the typical cost ranges — for example, cost of central air for 1000 sq ft house, 1200 sq ft house, 1500 sq ft home cost, 2000 sq ft house cost — and you compare the Goodman bundle price (equipment + professional install) against those ranges, you’ll likely find yourself in a comfortable spot of value: you’re not paying the top dollar for premium brand + ultra‑high efficiency unless you need it — yet you’re getting modern, reliable equipment.

However — and this is important — only if the system is properly sized, installed well, matched to your ductwork and home layout. If your ducts are bad, or your home has high ceilings, or you’re using the bundle in a 3,000 sq ft home when you need a 5‑ton system, you’re likely to pay more and maybe regret it. In those cases the cost could be much higher (for example, how much is a 5 ton AC unit installed may push you into $10,000+ territory).

So my final piece of advice: measure your home, get your ducts verified, get multiple quotes around the Goodman bundle (and for comparison, a higher efficiency system), compute cost per square foot, and then pick the system that fits your home and your budget, not just the system that has the “biggest number”. Because at the end of the day, comfort, efficiency and longevity matter more than brand name or “tonnage bragging rights”.

Tags: Tony’s toolbox talk