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Shreveport-Bossier AC

Replacement cost

AC Replacement Cost in Shreveport and Bossier City

A central air conditioner costs $2,500 to $7,500 installed and a full system $5,000 to $11,000 (national ranges, HomeGuide, read November 11, 2026). Both cities require a mechanical permit for most replacements, and Louisiana law defines a mechanical contractor by projects of “ten thousand dollars or more”.

Published November 11, 2026 · Figures and rules checked against the sources listed at the end of this page.

Price by system type

Installed replacement cost, national ranges (read November 11, 2026)
SystemTypical range, installed
Central air conditioner$2,500 to $7,500
Heat pump$3,800 to $8,200
Furnace$2,000 to $5,400
Full heating and cooling system$5,000 to $11,000
Full system with new ductwork$7,000 to $16,000

Source: HomeGuide, “How Much Does a New HVAC System Cost to Install or Replace? (2026)”. National figures, not local quotes.

Repair or replace: a quick test

Big-ticket repairs against a new unit
RepairRepair rangeLean toward
Capacitor, contactor, fan motor$100 to $700Repair
Refrigerant leak repair$200 to $1,500Repair if the leak is found and fixed
Compressor$600 to $2,500Get a replacement quote too
Evaporator coil$1,000 to $4,500Get a replacement quote too

Three things tip it toward replacement: the unit is out of warranty, it has needed more than one major repair, or the repair quote is a large share of the low end of a new system.

The permit line on a replacement

Permit fee by contract price, from each city’s published formula
Contract priceShreveportBossier City
$6,000$55$70
$8,000$65$82
$12,000$85$106

What a replacement quote should list

  • The make, model and size of the outdoor unit and the indoor coil or air handler.
  • Whether the ductwork, the drain line and the thermostat are included.
  • The permit, named as a line, and who pulls it.
  • The warranty on parts and on labor, in writing.
  • The contractor’s state license number and city registration. Check the license before you sign.

Sources and dates

Every figure and rule above names where it came from and the date it was read. If a source disagrees with a quote you receive, the quote wins: it reflects your house, your equipment and this week's demand. Prices are rechecked at least every six months.

  1. HomeGuide, “How Much Does a New HVAC System Cost to Install or Replace? (2026)” — read November 11, 2026. National ranges, not Shreveport or Bossier City quotes
  2. HomeGuide, “How Much Does AC Repair Cost? (2026)” — read November 11, 2026. National ranges, not Shreveport or Bossier City quotes
  3. City of Shreveport, “Permit Request for HVAC Permit” form — read November 11, 2026
  4. Bossier City, Mechanical Permits & Registration — read November 11, 2026
  5. Bossier City, “Mechanical Permit fees” — read November 11, 2026
  6. Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, Contractors Licensing Law (La. R.S. Title 37) and Rules, effective August 1, 2026 — read November 11, 2026

AC replacement questions

How much does a new AC cost in Shreveport?

Nationally, a central air conditioner costs $2,500 to $7,500 installed and a full heating and cooling replacement $5,000 to $11,000, or $7,000 to $16,000 with new ductwork (HomeGuide, read November 11, 2026). We found no published Shreveport price survey, so treat these as the range to test local quotes against.

Does replacing an AC need a permit in Shreveport or Bossier City?

In most cases, yes. Shreveport says a permit is required for most HVAC work and its HVAC permit form lists replacement as a scope, and Bossier City requires a mechanical permit for replacing air conditioning units. On a $8,000 job the published formulas give a permit fee of $65 in Shreveport and $82 in Bossier City.

Does the installer need a state license?

Louisiana law defines a mechanical contractor by projects of “ten thousand dollars or more” ($10,000; La. R.S. 37:2150.1(16), read November 11, 2026), and some larger replacements reach that. Both cities also require a city registration for air conditioning work. Check both before you sign, and ask the licensing board about a job near that figure.

Should I repair or replace?

Compare the repair quote with the low end of a replacement. A $100 to $250 capacitor is a repair on almost any system. A compressor at $600 to $2,500 or an evaporator coil at $1,000 to $4,500 on an older, out-of-warranty unit is where a second quote for replacement is worth the time.