How Much Does AC Replacement Cost in Portland, Oregon? [2025 Data]

AC replacement costs in Portland, Oregon, range between $3,407 and $6,726, with most homeowners paying around $5,056. Even though the city tends to be cooler than many parts of the country, having a new air conditioner here can be a huge relief on scorching summer days. Here’s what it’ll cost you.

AC Replacement Cost Factors 

When replacing your AC, your total cost will depend on a number of factors, including type, size, and efficiency rating of the AC unit.

Type of Air Conditioner

A big chunk of your project budget will go toward the air conditioner itself—and the type of AC unit you pick will have a major impact on your overall AC replacement cost.

The lowest-priced options are portable and window AC units. You’ll pay more for a ductless mini-split system or central AC, both of which require professional installation in Portland.

AC Unit Size

The size of your AC unit—measured in tons or British thermal units (BTUs)—is something else to consider when planning your AC replacement budget. Units with more tonnage or BTUs will have better cooling capacity, which means they’re more effective at removing heat from the air. However, larger-sized models also come with higher prices.

Choosing the right AC size for your home can be complex. You have to consider square footage, the number of doors and windows, the quality of your insulation and ductwork, and several other factors. Because of that, we recommend working with an HVAC pro in Portland, Oregon, to determine the best AC size.

Energy Efficiency

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating of an air conditioner measures its cooling efficiency (so does its SEER2 rating, an updated version of the older SEER rating system). More efficient units, which use less energy to cool your house, have higher SEER and SEER2 ratings. They also cost more than lower-efficiency units.

To comply with national HVAC efficiency standards, new air conditioners in Portland must have a SEER rating of at least 14 (or 13.4 for SEER2). 

Accessibility

If your installer faces any obstacles when trying to access any part of your AC system, they might increase their labor charges. For example, if you have ductwork in a crawl space or an AC unit on your roof, it may take more time and equipment for your contractor to reach it. To account for this, they could bump up their rates.

AC Pro Costs

Along with the actual AC unit, there are other expenses that come with an AC replacement project, including the costs of hiring an HVAC pro and securing permits.

Licensing and Certification

In Portland, homeowners can perform their own mechanical work, which includes installing or modifying cooling systems. 

However, professionals who perform this type of work must either be a state-licensed Limited Energy Technician or a Limited Maintenance Specialty Contractor HVAC/R. HVAC technicians who handle refrigerants for AC systems must also have a Section 608 Technician Certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Permits

You must have a mechanical permit to work on cooling systems in Portland. You’ll also need an electrical permit to install an AC unit.

If you hire a local AC installer, they can obtain the permits for you. However, it’s a good idea to confirm this with your contractor before any project work begins. Otherwise, if you’re doing the work yourself, you can pull your own permits.

Portland’s mechanical permit fees vary depending on your AC setup, but the minimum fee is around $150.

Rebates

If you’re a Pacific Power or Portland General Electric (PGE) customer, you may qualify for a rebate if you install a heat pump, which you can use for both heating and cooling. Rebate amounts vary from $250 to $3,000, depending on the type of heat pump.

Does Replacing AC Increase Home Value?

A new air conditioner can make your property more appealing to Portland homebuyers, which means you can set a higher asking price. However, when selling a home in the Pacific Northwest, you can attract even more interest if you have a working heating system (in addition to the AC). If you upgrade both components of your HVAC system, you could see your home’s resale value increase by 5% to 7%.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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