M-203 Home Systems
Central air conditioning sized to the house
Central air conditioning on existing ducts typically costs $4,000 to $8,500 installed in Toronto and the GTA, before HST. The size in tons and the efficiency tier set most of the price.
- Typical cost
- $4,000–
$8,500 - Timeline
- Set at the estimate
- Permit
- ESA notice; no Toronto permit
- Prices checked
- 2026
- In-house engineering department
- Free on-site estimates
- The MKC Guarantee
Free, no-obligation estimate. We typically reply within 24 hours.
M-203.1 Why MKC
Why choose MKC for air conditioning
In a house with ducts, central air is an outdoor condenser, a coil at the furnace and a refrigerant line between them. A first system also needs a 240 V circuit, and Toronto does not require a building permit to add cooling to a house. We size the unit to the house, check the ducts and the electrical panel, and price a heat pump beside it, because it cools the same way and also heats. In Toronto, the work is done by a contractor holding a City heating licence. We only use ECRA/ESA-licensed electrical contractors to perform any electrical work.
Price a heat pump beside the AC
A heat pump sits where the air conditioner would and also heats the house. A standard one runs $7,000 to $12,000 on a working furnace, against $4,000 to $8,500 for central air. A cold-climate model may qualify for a Home Renovation Savings rebate under its conditions. A central air conditioner does not.
M-203.2 Scope
What’s included
- M-203.1AC replacementThe old condenser and coil removed and a new matched system connected to the existing ducts.
- M-203.2First-time central airA condenser, coil, refrigerant lines and a new 240 V circuit in a house that has ducts.
- M-203.3Coil and line setA new coil at the furnace, with older refrigerant lines replaced where they need to be.
- M-203.4Electrical connectionA 240 V circuit and disconnect by a licensed electrical contractor, with ESA notification.
- M-203.5Duct checkSupply and return ducts checked for the airflow cooling needs, and modified where airflow falls short.
- M-203.6Homes without ductsNew ductwork priced against ductless mini-splits for houses with boilers or baseboards.
M-203.3 Cost guide
What it costs
in Toronto & the GTA
Four published sources put central air on existing ducts at roughly $3,500 to $8,800, with most jobs between $4,000 and $8,500. Prices are installed, before HST.
Central air conditioner supplied and installed on existing ducts
The schedule depends on whether it is a replacement or a first system with new wiring, and we set it out in the estimate. Before start-up, the electrical connection is reported to ESA. In Toronto, adding cooling to a house needs no building permit, and we confirm that for your job before the install date.
Every project is different, so your estimate comes with its own written schedule, and we aim to beat the usual industry timeline on every job.
| Level of work | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Standard single-stage, 2 tons14.3 SEER2 condenser, coil, line set connection and start-up; suits about 1,200 to 1,800 sq ft. | $3,500– |
| Mid-range two-stage, 3 tons16 to 17 SEER2 two-stage unit on existing ducts; suits about 1,800 to 2,500 sq ft. | $5,200– |
| Premium variable-speed, 4–5 tons18 to 20 SEER2 variable-speed unit for larger houses, on existing ducts. | $6,800– |
| Central air with new ductworkAir conditioner plus new ducts in a house heated by a boiler or baseboards. | $6,000– |
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Dedicated 240 V circuit and disconnect, first AC | $500– |
| Duct modification | $300– |
| Refrigerant line replacement (older lines) | $500– |
| Furnace and central air together, existing ducts | $6,500– |
| Annual service allowance | $150– |
Worked examples
- Example 1
Replacing a 2-ton single-stage unit on existing ducts
$3,500–$4,800 - Example 2
First central air in a house with a furnace and ducts: 3-ton two-stage, new 240 V circuit
$5,700–$8,300
What moves the number
- 01Size in tons
A standard 2-ton system runs $3,500 to $4,800 installed. Premium 4- to 5-ton systems for larger houses reach $6,800 to $8,800.
- 02Efficiency and staging
Single-stage 14.3 SEER2 units are the entry tier, two-stage 16 to 17 SEER2 the middle, and variable-speed 18 to 20 SEER2 the top.
- 03Ducts
A house without ducts needs them added, which brings central air to $6,000 to $14,000, or a ductless system instead.
- 04Electrical
A first-time air conditioner needs a dedicated 240 V circuit and an outdoor disconnect, which adds $500 to $1,500.
- 05Lines and duct changes
Replacing older refrigerant lines adds $500 to $1,500, and duct modifications add $300 to $1,500 where airflow is short.
Ranges are installed prices on existing ducts, labour and materials, before HST. A new 240 V circuit, duct changes, line replacement and City permit fees are extra unless the row says so. Prices checked in 2026. Not a quote: your estimate is built from your own measurements and choices.
Where these numbers come from
- When Do I Need a Building Permit?, City of Toronto, Toronto Building (2026)
- Building Permit Fees, City of Toronto (Fees effective January 1, 2026)
- Standalone Mechanical (HVAC) permit guide, City of Toronto (2026)
- Plumbing & Heating licences, City of Toronto (2026)
- 2026 Wiring Fee Guide, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) (Effective April 1, 2026)
- Hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) (2026)
- Heat pumps (rebates without an energy assessment), Home Renovation Savings (Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy) (2026)
- Closed: Greener Homes Grant – Ontario, Natural Resources Canada (2026)
- Published 2026 price guides and GTA contractor price pages (2026)
G-003 How we work
How we deliver your air conditioning installation
- 1
Free Estimate
Tell us what you have in mind. We review your space and goals and give you a clear estimate at no cost.
- 2
Design + Permits
Our in-house designers model your project in 3D so you can see it and settle every choice. Our in-house engineering team prepares drawings, engineering letters and permit applications.
- 3
Material Procurement
We order cabinets, tile, stone, pavers and decking from trusted suppliers such as Unilock, Techo-Bloc, TimberTech and Trex, and schedule deliveries around the work.
- 4
Construction Process
Our crews build to code with site supervision and regular updates, so you always know where things stand.
- 5
Project Completion
Final inspection, walkthrough and clean-up. On time, within budget and beyond expectations. That is the MKC Guarantee.
Plan your project
with a free estimate.
We review your space and goals and give you a clear estimate at no cost.
M-203.4 Questions
Questions about air conditioning
Don’t see your question? Call (647) 637-6052 or ask in your estimate request.
How much does central air conditioning cost in Toronto?
Typical cost in Toronto and the GTA: $4,000 to $8,500 (Central air conditioner supplied and installed on existing ducts). By level of work: Standard single-stage, 2 tons: $3,500 to $4,800; Mid-range two-stage, 3 tons: $5,200 to $6,800; Premium variable-speed, 4–5 tons: $6,800 to $8,800; Central air with new ductwork: $6,000 to $14,000. The size of the system in tons and its efficiency tier move the price most. A house that has no ducts, or has never had an air conditioner circuit, costs more. These are typical ranges, before HST, with prices checked in 2026; your estimate is built from your own measurements and choices.
Do I need a permit to install central air in Toronto?
Usually not for a house. Toronto lists installing additional cooling systems in a house among the work that needs no building permit; new ductwork or changes to the heating system can change that, so we confirm it for your job. The electrical connection must also be reported to the Electrical Safety Authority, which the licensed electrical contractor does. Other GTA municipalities set their own rules, and we confirm them for your address.
What size air conditioner does my house need?
Published GTA tiers match about 2 tons to a 1,200 to 1,800 sq ft house and about 3 tons to 1,800 to 2,500 sq ft, with 4 to 5 tons for larger homes. Those are starting points. Windows, insulation and sun exposure change the number, so we size from a heat gain calculation for your house.
Are there rebates for central air conditioning in Ontario?
None are listed on the Home Renovation Savings pages we checked, and the Canada Greener Homes Grant is closed. A cold-climate heat pump, which also cools, may qualify: $500 per ton up to $2,000 in a home heated with Enbridge gas, or $1,250 per ton up to $7,500 with electric, oil, propane or wood heat. That rebate needs a participating contractor and pre-approval before installation.
Can I add central air to a house without ducts?
Yes, but the ducts are the larger part of the job. Central air where new ductwork is needed runs $6,000 to $14,000. In houses with boilers or baseboards, ductless mini-splits are often the simpler route: a single-zone system runs $3,500 to $8,000 and a multi-zone system $8,000 to $17,000.
Should I replace the furnace and air conditioner together?
If both are near the end of their life, it usually makes sense, because they share the blower, the coil cabinet and the ducts. Published prices for a gas furnace and central air conditioner replaced together on existing ducts run $6,500 to $12,500.
Who does the electrical work for an air conditioner?
A licensed electrical contractor. A first-time system needs a dedicated 240 V circuit and an outdoor disconnect, typically $500 to $1,500, and the contractor files the notification with the Electrical Safety Authority. A replacement on an existing circuit still has its connection reported.
More from
home systems
View all 
M-201
M-202
M-204
M-205G-009 Free estimate
Get a free estimate.
Claim up to $2,500 in savings.
Fill out the form to claim up to $2,500 in savings on your next project. Tell us what you’re planning and we’ll book a visit to see the space. Offer terms