48,000 BTU (4-ton) Heat Pumps: Which One to Buy

Need something different?

• 

  Keeping your indoor unit

  Goodman GLZS4BA4810

  Outdoor unit only, $1,741.07 less. Your installer confirms your indoor unit matches it.

  $3,169 on Amazon
• 

  No ducts

  Cooper & Hunter 48,000 BTU floor/ceiling

  A single-zone mini-split for one big open area, no ducts needed: 19.8 SEER2 and 38,500 BTU of heat at 5°F, certified by AHRI. Needs an installer.

  $5,369.99 on Amazon

What you get at 4 tons

4 tons is one of the sizes with the widest choice: hundreds of systems are certified at 4 tons, from basic units like this Goodman to variable-speed cold-climate models. Our pick is the low-cost end; the certified table at the bottom of the page lists the rest.

No ducts in the space? One 48,000 BTU ductless unit, like the Cooper & Hunter above, can heat and cool a single big open area, such as a shop or a great room. It cannot reach closed-off rooms.

One size down, the 3.5-ton Goodman system (Goodman GLZS4BA4210 + AMST42CU1300) costs $4,333, $577.07 less, for about 1,400 to 1,750 sq ft, and makes 20,000 BTU of heat at 5°F. One size up, the 5-ton system (Goodman GLZS4BA6010 + AMST60DU1300) costs $5,643.27, for about 2,000 to 2,500 sq ft, and makes 27,600 BTU at 5°F. Pick the size the load calculation gives, not the price.

Replacing a unit? The size is in the old outdoor unit's model number: 48 means 4 tons.

Will it keep up in winter?

Cold winters? This Goodman makes 20,000 BTU of heat at 5°F, while half the ducted 4-ton heat pumps certified make 36,600 or more. It will lean on backup heat more than most; in a cold climate, ask the installer to price a cold-climate model from the table below too.

What it costs

Amazon prices read today. Installed prices are U.S. typical for a replacement on existing ducts, equipment, labor and permit together (published 2026 data, compiled July 2026).

Questions buyers ask

How much does a 4-ton heat pump cost?

$3,169 to $4,910.07 on Amazon for the Goodman listings here, and typically $11,000 to $20,000 installed by a contractor.

Will a 4-ton heat pump heat a 2,000 sq ft house?

By the rule of thumb, 4 tons suits about 1,600 to 2,000 sq ft. Our pick makes 46,000 BTU of heat at 47°F and 20,000 at 5°F, so in a cold climate it needs backup heat on the coldest days. The load calculation says how much.

Is there a 4-ton heat pump with no ducts?

Yes, for one open area: the Cooper & Hunter 48,000 BTU floor/ceiling mini-split, $5,369.99 on Amazon today. It needs an installer.

Do I need a variable-speed 4-ton heat pump?

Not always. A single-stage unit runs at full speed or off, which is fine in a mild climate on a tight budget. A two-stage or variable-speed unit runs longer at low speed: the temperature stays more even, it pulls more humidity out in summer, and it usually keeps more heat at 5°F. It costs more to buy.

Can I buy a heat pump online and install it myself?

You can buy it online, but a licensed installer has to fit it: charging the refrigerant needs EPA Section 608 certification. Goodman says it gives no warranty on equipment a homeowner buys online unless the unit is installed by a dealer who follows all federal, state and local codes and licensing rules.