AC replacement cost in Mar Vista starts with one figure and ends with another, and the gap between them is your house. The old condenser is loud, it keeps tripping, or the repair bill is climbing. You want a number for the swap, not a lecture. Here is the number, what pushes it up or down, and how to get it in writing.
What AC replacement costs in Mar Vista
A full central air unit installation in Mar Vista, including duct sealing and permit fees, typically lands between $8,500 and $14,000.
That range covers the whole swap: the new outdoor unit, the indoor coil and air handler, the duct sealing the job calls for and the permit. It is not a bare equipment price. Where your home sits inside the range depends on the items below.
If you only want the old unit gone and a new one in its place with nothing else touched, say so when you call. We price that version and the full version side by side, so you can see what each line adds. Our AC Installation page lists what a standard visit covers.
What moves the price: tonnage, ducts, electrical, efficiency tier
Four things decide where you land.
- Tonnage. The size comes from a load calculation of your house, not from the size of the unit on the pad today. Bigger is not better. A system that is too large short-cycles and wears out sooner.
- Ducts. Leaky or crushed ducts get sealed or repaired as part of the job. Duct condition is often why one Mar Vista quote differs from the one next door.
- Electrical. A new unit may need a new disconnect, a new circuit or a panel with room for it. We look at the panel on the survey visit, so it is on the quote and not a mid-job conversation.
- Efficiency tier. A higher SEER2 rating costs more at purchase. We quote the rating on the line for each option, and you decide whether the step up is worth it for how much you run the AC.
| Item | Pushes the price up | Pushes it down |
|---|---|---|
| Tonnage | Large or open floor plan | Smaller, well-shaded house |
| Ducts | Sealing or repair needed | Sound runs in good shape |
| Electrical | New circuit or panel work | Existing circuit reusable |
| Efficiency tier | Higher SEER2 model | Standard SEER2 model |
Attic access matters too. A tight attic or a flat roof makes line-set routing slower, and the quote says so.
Replacing the AC with a heat pump instead
If the old system is a cooling-only unit, ask for a heat pump option on the same visit. It cools like the AC you have now and also heats, which lets you retire an aging wall furnace or gas unit. The quote carries both a SEER2 and an HSPF2 rating, one for each job.
Cost differs from a straight AC swap, and the electrical panel often drives that difference. We write the heat pump option next to the AC option, so you compare two real numbers. If the house has no usable ducts, a Ductless Mini Split can be the cleaner route.
Permits, duct testing and the new refrigerants
Replacing an AC unit in California is permitted work. In Mar Vista the permit comes from LADBS, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, and it is on the quote.
Title 24 Part 6, California's Building Energy Efficiency Standard, can require duct sealing and a duct leakage test, depending on the scope. A third-party HERS rater who is not the installer verifies the test. If your ducts need work to pass, the line shows up on the quote, which is why we look at them early. Our Ductwork Services team handles that part.
Since 1 January 2025, new residential split AC and heat pump systems are made with lower-GWP A2L refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32. You do not have to manage that. The quote names the refrigerant of the system it prices.
The written quote
Before any work starts, you get a written quote for your address. It shows:
- The make and model of the outdoor and indoor units
- The tonnage and the SEER2 rating of that matched pair
- Duct sealing and testing, listed as their own line
- Electrical work, if the panel needs any
- The LADBS permit and inspection
- The install date
You can ask for two options, a standard tier and a higher tier, and compare them line by line. The same visit can price the heat pump version. If your area is Palms, Del Rey, Venice or Culver City, say so when you book. We cover those neighborhoods from Mar Vista.
Send the form above or call. A survey visit takes the guesswork out of the range.
FAQ
How much does AC replacement cost in Mar Vista?
A full central air unit installation in Mar Vista, including duct sealing and permit fees, typically lands between $8,500 and $14,000. Your quote falls inside or near that range depending on tonnage, ducts, electrical work and the efficiency tier you pick.Is the permit included in the price?
Yes, the LADBS permit sits on the written quote. Replacing an AC in California is permitted work, so it is part of the job and not an add-on you chase yourself.Can I get a quote without a visit?
Send the form with your address, the age of the current unit and a photo of the data plate, and we can talk through a starting point. The exact number comes after we see the ducts, the panel and the attic.Should I replace the AC or repair it?
That depends on the fault and on the unit. Repair callers are welcome here. If a repair looks like money into an old system, we say so and price the swap next to it so you can choose.Can I swap my AC for a heat pump?
Yes. Ask for the heat pump option on the same visit. The quote lists the SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings for each option so you can compare them.Ready to price the swap?
Call (877) 552-7520 to book a survey visit and get your written AC replacement quote from Mar Vista AirCon.
Need Professional HVAC Service?
Our HVAC-experienced technicians are ready to help with all your AC and heating needs. Contact Mar Vista AirCon today for expert service throughout the West LA service area.
