AC replacement
$6,800
Typical for a 1,500–2,500 sq ft home. Most jobs run $4,550–$10,100.
All states
State prices
HVAC prices in South Carolina
$6,800
AC replacement typical, statewide
15.5¢
Electricity per kWh residential average
Most AC replacement quotes in South Carolina land between $4,550 and $10,100. Prices differ by metro, so start with yours below.
South Carolina is in the DOE southeast region: new central AC must meet 14.3 SEER2. Photo: Connor Scott McManus on Pexels.
Check a quoteOn the map
Where HVAC work costs more in South Carolina
South Carolina prices in 10 metros and 3 rural areas, each on its own. Every county takes its area's typical price; switch the job and the map redraws.
AC replacement · typical price by county
Greenville$6.85kColumbia$6.8kCharleston$6.85k
Shades split South Carolina's counties into even groups; each county takes its metro or rural area's price.
- From $6.55k to $6.55k
- From $6.6k to $6.75k
- From $6.8k to $6.8k
- From $6.85k to $7.3k
- Statewide typical
- $6,800
- US typical
- $7,000
Lowest for AC replacement
- $6,550
Augusta-Richmond County metro
Metro · 2 counties · 624k people
- $6,600
Rural Northwestern South Carolina
Rural · 6 counties · 279k people
- $6,600
Rural Northeastern South Carolina
Rural · 8 counties · 269k people
- $6,600
Sumter metro
Metro · 1 county · 105k people
- $6,750
Myrtle Beach metro
Metro · 1 county · 383k people
Highest for AC replacement
- $7,300
Hilton Head Island metro
Metro · 2 counties · 227k people
- $6,900
Metro · 3 counties · 2.8M people
- $6,850
Florence metro
Metro · 2 counties · 200k people
- $6,850
Spartanburg metro
Metro · 2 counties · 375k people
- $6,850
Charleston metro
Metro · 3 counties · 834k people
HVAC technician pay
Half the 6,920 HVAC techs in South Carolina earn more than $27.22 an hour ($56,610 a year), 7% below the US median. Shops here bill that hour at about $105 in our price model.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025; billable rate from the HVACFIND price model.
HVAC technician salary in South Carolina$27.22
Median hourly pay for HVAC technicians in South Carolina
The numbers here
What HVAC costs in South Carolina, in four figures
Statewide figures, against the other states.
HVAC technician wage
$27/hr
Median hourly pay here against $29.33 for the US (BLS OEWS). Labor is a third of a typical install.
Hot days a year
57≥90°F
2,098 cooling and 2,451 heating degree days in a normal year, 1991–2020 (NOAA).
HVAC companies
1,681
7.9 for every 10,000 homes (Census County Business Patterns). More competition tends to mean tighter quotes.
Where South Carolina sits among the 51
- AC replacement, typical
- $6,800
- HVAC wage, median
- $27/hr
- Days at 90°F or hotter
- 57 days
- Electricity
- 15.5¢
Every job
Statewide prices in South Carolina
Averages across the state. Your metro's page is closer to what you'll be quoted.
- 3-ton home
- 1–2 days
- Permit
$4,550–$10,100 typical $6,800
- 3-ton home
- 1–2 days
- Permit
$6,800–$13,350 typical $9,500
- 3-ton home
- 1–2 days
- Permit
$3,600–$7,700 typical $5,300
- 3-ton home
- 1–2 days
- Permit
$8,350–$15,450 typical $11,350
- 3-ton home
- 1–2 days
- Permit
$3,950–$6,950 typical $5,250
- Typical home
- Same day
- No permit
$300–$470 typical $380
- Typical home
- Same day
- No permit
$210–$540 typical $330
- Typical home
- Same day
- No permit
$320–$490 typical $400
- Typical home
- Same day
- No permit
$100–$230 typical $150
- Typical home
- Same day
- No permit
$330–$520 typical $420
Before you sign
Six things to know in South Carolina
14.3 SEER2 minimum
New central AC installed in South Carolina must meet the DOE southeast standard. Heat pumps need 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2.
Licensing
Statewide license: South Carolina LLR: Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial mechanical) and Residential Builders Commission (residential HVAC specialty).
Permits
A mechanical permit is required to replace heating or cooling equipment.
Rebates
0 active programs verified. The federal 25C credit ended for 2026 installs.
Electricity
15.5¢ per kWh on average, which sets what efficiency saves you.
Climate
2,098 cooling and 2,451 heating degree days in an average year.
Nearby
More about South Carolina
Reference pages built from public records, each row with its source and the date we checked it.
—
Federally funded HEAR heat pump rebates in this state.
- 0 active
State and utility programs, income limits
- By city
When you need one and what it costs
- Statewide
South Carolina LLR: Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial mechanical) and Residential Builders Commission (residential HVAC specialty)
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