Buyers replacing or installing a Lennox commercial rooftop or packaged unit typically pay between $8,000 and $85,000 depending on tonnage, accessories, and roof access; main cost drivers are unit tonnage, curb and rigging requirements, controls/economizers, and regional labor rates. This article breaks down typical installed price ranges, the line items that move quotes, site variables with numeric thresholds, and concrete ways to reduce the final price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5‑7.5 Ton Rooftop RTU | $8,000 | $14,000 | $24,000 | Assumptions: standard curb, single‑story roof, basic controls. |
| 10‑15 Ton Rooftop RTU | $14,000 | $33,000 | $50,000 | Assumptions: crane lift <20 ft, standard economizer, Midwest labor. |
| 20‑25 Ton Packaged Unit | $30,000 | $55,000 | $85,000 | Assumptions: curb replacement, moderate controls, rooftop rigging needed. |
Typical Installed Price For Lennox Rooftop Units (5–25 Tons)
Installed prices vary by tonnage and options: a 5‑7.5 ton Lennox RTU commonly runs $8,000-$24,000 installed, 10‑15 ton units $14,000-$50,000, and 20‑25 ton packaged units $30,000-$85,000. Average system cost is roughly $1,600-$2,200 per ton installed for standard efficiency models.
Assumptions: Midwest labor rates, factory freight included, no structural rooftop upgrades, standard single‑package or rooftop split available.
Materials, Labor, Equipment and Permit Costs in Quotes
| Cost Component | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials (unit, controls, curb) | $6,500 | $28,000 | $70,000 |
| Labor (installation, electrical) | $1,200 | $4,500 | $12,000 |
| Equipment (crane/rigging) | $800 | $3,500 | $8,000 |
| Permits & Inspections | $150 | $600 | $2,000 |
| Delivery / Disposal | $200 | $900 | $2,500 |
| Contingency / Overhead | $500 | $2,000 | $6,000 |
Typical contractor quote combines these line items; labor estimate often follows .
How Tonnage, Roof Access and Economizer Options Change Price
Increasing tonnage raises unit cost roughly $1,200-$3,000 per ton on the unit alone and increases rigging and ductwork costs. Example thresholds: units ≤10 tons usually fit standard curbs; units >15 tons often require crane lifts and curb replacement adding $1,500-$8,000.
Specific numeric drivers: economizers add $1,200-$4,000, VFDs add $2,000-$6,000, roof height over 20 ft typically triggers crane fees $2,000-$6,000, and duct replacement runs $25-$60 per linear ft depending on insulation and transitions.
Practical Ways To Reduce Lennox Rooftop Unit Price On Projects
Reuse existing curb and ductwork where possible, accept factory‑mounted standard controls instead of custom BAS integration, schedule installation in shoulder seasons to avoid overtime, and get multiple quotes with identical scopes. Typical savings: $1,000-$6,000 by reusing curb/duct and $500-$3,000 by scheduling off‑peak labor.
Assumptions: existing ductwork in good condition, no code‑mandated upgrades, single‑unit replacement.
Price Differences Across Regions: Urban, Suburban and Rural Markets
Regional deltas versus a Midwest baseline: Northeast +10% to +20%, West Coast +15% to +35%, Southeast −5% to +5%, Urban centers often add 10%‑25% for access and permit complexity. Expect a $3,000-$15,000 premium in high‑cost metro areas on mid‑size rooftop units.
Assumptions: same unit spec and accessories; differences driven by labor rate, permitting, and logistic fees.
Don’t Overpay for HVAC Services – Call 888-894-0154 Now to Compare Local Quotes!
Installation Time, Crew Size and Hourly Rates To Budget
Typical labor estimates: for a 7.5‑ton changeout expect 8–12 hours with 2–3 technicians; for 15‑ton expect 16–30 hours with a 3–5 person crew; for 25‑ton expect 24–48 hours with 4–6 crew including rigging specialists. Contractor labor rates commonly range $75-$125 per hour for technicians and $100-$200 per hour for rigging/crane operators.
Assumptions: normal access, single shift, all electrical terminated at unit; use to calculate labor line items.
Add‑Ons: Controls, Curbing, Modulating Dampers and Disposal Fees
| Add‑On | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economizer | $1,200 | $2,500 | $4,000 |
| Factory‑mounted Controls | $600 | $1,800 | $5,000 |
| Custom Rooftop Curb | $800 | $1,700 | $3,500 |
| Crane/Rigging | $1,200 | $3,500 | $8,000 |
| Disposal / Recycling | $200 | $700 | $1,500 |
Budget each add‑on separately rather than as vague line items to compare quotes effectively.
Three Real Quotes: 7.5‑Ton RTU, 15‑Ton RTU, 25‑Ton Packaged Unit
Quote A — 7.5‑Ton RTU Changeout
Unit: Lennox 7.5T standard efficiency; Scope: swap on existing curb, basic controls; Labor: 10 hours × 2 techs; Total: $13,500 ($9,000 unit+materials, $3,000 labor, $1,500 misc). Per‑ton installed: ~$1,800/ton.
Quote B — 15‑Ton Rooftop Replacement
Unit: Lennox 15T with economizer; Scope: new curb, VFD, crane lift 25 ft; Labor: 24 hours × mixed crew; Total: $38,000 ($24,000 unit, $8,000 crane/rigging, $4,000 labor+controls, $2,000 permits). Per‑ton installed: ~$2,533/ton driven by rigging and controls.
Quote C — 25‑Ton Packaged Unit Install
Unit: Lennox 25T packaged with integrated controls, new curb and full duct transitions; Scope: rooftop structural review, 2‑day rigging; Labor: 40 hours × 5 crew; Total: $68,000 ($48,000 unit, $8,000 rigging, $8,000 labor+permitting, $4,000 contingency). Large‑unit projects commonly hit higher per‑ton costs due to special rigging and structural work.
How to Get the Best HVAC Prices
- Firstly, keep in mind that installation quality is always the most important thing for residential HVAC project. So never sacrifice contractor quality for a lower price.
- Secondly, remember to look up the latest rebates as we talked above.
- Thirdly, ask for at least 3 bids before you make the decision. You can click here to get 3 free estimates from your local contractors, and this estimate already takes rebates and tax credit into consideration and filter unqualified contractors automatically.
Lastly, once you chose the right contractor, remember to use the tactics from this guide: Homeowners Tactics When Negotiating with HVAC Dealer to get the final best price.
