Reveal the average HVAC replacement costs in your region

HVAC location and accessibility

You will have to spend more on labor if your HVAC system needs to be installed in difficult-to-reach areas like the attic or basement. All HVAC systems that must be placed in hard-to-reach areas require higher replacement costs. The same goes for older homes, as ductwork modification is a must here.

HVAC size

One of the biggest determiners of the HVAC system's price is its size. The higher the BTU of the AC unit or furnace, the higher bill you will pay for their installation. For instance, a 3-ton AC costs around $2.600 while a 5-ton one costs $4.250. The size of your HVAC system should correlate with the size of your house. Bigger is not always better. That is why don't hurry up to invest in a heating or cooling unit of higher capacity if the area of your premise does not require it.

HVAC brand.

It's a rule of thumb that high-end brands sell their heating and cooling equipment at much higher costs than mid-range companies that have recently begun their path in the HVAC market. However, not only does the unit cost higher if you deal with lauded brands but its installation and maintenance also require more investment.

SEER value

The seasonal energy efficiency ratio is the ratio that is used to measure a system's energy efficiency. The higher the SEER, the more money you will save on utility in the long run. HVAC units with a higher SEER rating may cost up to $2.000 more than average options. However, investing in the unit with the highest seasonal energy efficiency ratio makes financial sense if you live in a region with extreme climate conditions.

Home size, age, and construction

The size of the required HVAC unit is determined by the overall square footage of your home. If your 2- or 3-story home has more than 3.000 square footage, you may need a few heating and cooling systems to cover it. The home's construction also impacts the HVAC system choice. High-capacity units are more commonly installed in poor insulated or old houses. Newly-built homes are cooled and heated quicker. That means a ductless mini-split HVAC unit might be enough to install in them. Other criteria affecting the choice of a heating and cooling system's capacity include basement, roof, attic, and foundation insulation.

Local climate

The required size of a central air conditioner depends on the climate conditions in your region. A home in Texas or Florida would need an AC unit with high capacity to keep a comfortable temperature inside, no matter the hot summers. And on the contrary, a home in the northern US would need an HVAC unit with high heating capacity combined with a furnace.

Ductwork

It is an essential part of the HVAC system that transports heated or cooled air through the home. The ramification of the system, its size, material, and accessibility can affect the overall cost of a new HVAC system installation. You will also be charged extra to have the ducts encased and hidden.

Fuel type

The cost of the heat pumps and furnaces drastically vary depending on the fuel type needed for their work. Electric-powered options are more affordable than those that require oil and gas.

Permits

Most local governments around the country require homeowners to get a permit before installing or replacing an HVAC system. Contractors should work following the set building norms to ensure the system is up to code. Paying the fees for getting permits is on you. They depend on the size and capacity of a new HVAC unit and may range from $100 to $450.

Additional services

The new furnace and AC cost may rise if any additional work is required. For instance, you may need to remove old HVAC equipment. Depending on local disposal and freon removal fees, this service will cost you $250 on average. Electrical, plumbing, or framing works will also cost you extra.

Adding zones to HVAC

Depending on the size and number of zones you want to add, this service will cost you from $2.000 to $4.700. A zoning system is an addition that requires installing an advanced thermostat to monitor the air quality and temperature in each dedicated zone.

Heat pump + Air handler system.

A matched system made up of a heat pump and an air handler is typically installed outside and works to cool and heat your premise. The air accumulated by this kit is cooled by means of a refrigerant, which transports hot air outdoors. The air heating is performed using electric power; no fuel is burnt for this purpose. The role of an air handler is simple - it promotes cool and warm air circulation through the home through an air blower.
This variation of an HVAC system saves a lot of money on electricity, keeping an optimal temperature in the home regardless of the season. With this system, you don't need to worry about the uniformity of your home's cooling and heating. An air handler equipped with a blower fan ensures even circulation of air through the whole premise.
The average cost of an air source heat pump and an indoor air handler ranges from $3.600 to $5.200. The more handler units are required for your home, the higher the overall installation cost.

Electric furnace + AC system

Furnaces that work on electricity rather than fuel are good for mild southern climates where the temperature never drops below zero. A system consisting of an electric furnace for heating and an electric unit for cooling requires ductwork to push heated or cooled air throughout the home. These systems may vary in efficiency (from 13 to 19 SEER) and capacity (1.5 to 5 tons), which affects their final installation quote.
The average cost of a new furnace and AC starts at $1.926 and goes up to $3.677, depending on the unit's capacity and brand.

Furnace + Split AC system

This HVAC system is made of both an outdoor and indoor unit. An outdoor cabinet is equipped with a compressor to generate cool air and a contender to generate heated air. An indoor cabinet, in its turn, comes with an evaporator coil for heating and an air handler for cooling. Indoor and outdoor units are connected by a line set that ensures cold air transporting to the home.
Depending on the capacity and SEER level of the system, its cost may range from $2.294 to $3.710 without labor.

Boiler + AC system.

This combined system has a boiler component that makes it stand out in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning market. A boiler connects radiators and pipes through the house to distribute heated water. An air conditioning system can accompany it to cover both home's cooling and heating needs. You can select three AC options to install with a boiler - ductless mini-split systems, window units, and ducted air conditioning systems. They all vary in price, either rising or dropping your HVAC installation spending.
The national average cost that is charged for installing a merged system of boiler and an AC system ranges from $2.150 to $3.270.

Here are the primary HVAC system elements and the average costs of their installation:

Ductless mini-split HVAC unit

Mini-splits are commonly used in multi-story homes with non-ducted heating systems. Besides, they can become a way out for premises where installing distribution ductwork for a central air-conditioner is impossible. Mini-splits take little space and don't require full-sized air ducts to operate. They involve installing an individual fan and evaporator unit for each room to ensure a uniform distribution of cool and heat air. It promotes better temperature regulation and smarter energy consumption.
The national average cost of a ductless mini-split system ranges from $3.000 to $13.450. Factors like the system's brand, local labor costs, and home size may affect the final estimate.

Heat pump

Electric heat pumps are appliances that do the same job as furnaces and air conditioners, accumulating heat and cold air inside the house. These units are installed outside and work by pulling heat or cold from the outdoor air and transferring it indoors at the required temperature. A heat pump maintains a comfortable temperature inside the home all year round and can be used as a stand-alone heating and cooling system if you live in a climate with mild winters.
The cost you should expect to pay for a heat pump ranges from $4.100 to $7.100, including material and labor. The prices of these units vary drastically, depending on their type, efficiency level, and component quality.

Furnace

Large appliances that generate heat through burning coal, wood, gas, or other fuel types are called furnaces. They're equipped with a blower to distribute heated air into different home areas, maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature in cold months. The gas, be it a natural one or LPG, enters the furnace through the pipe and then burns, warming the air that gets into the heat exchanger. The level of heating is determined by the thermostat. Once the set temperature is reached, the gas valve in the furnace is turned off.
A new furnace can cost from $3.000 to $9.300, depending on its fuel type, energy efficiency, and sophistication of the equipment. The size and location of your home also matter.

Boiler

If you want to understand what a boiler is, just imagine a closed vessel in which the water is heated to the point it's turned into steam. Its primary working principle is converting water into steam using heat energy. The boiler produces hot water for different purposes, including heating appliances and water supply. It can be powered by fuel or electricity. The last option is more common for boilers of a small capacity.
There are three primary boiler types - water, steam, and combi. They differ by working principle, functionality, and capacity.
A combination model costs the most, but it offers more extended functionality, allowing to eliminate a separate water heater installation. The fuel source and the way of its conversion also contribute to the boiler cost. Gas boilers are considered to be more pricey than electrical ones.

AC

An air conditioning system accumulates cold and hot air inside an enclosed space. Some units produce only cooled air, removing heat and humidity from the indoor environment. Other hybrid options combine cooling and heating functions and can be used either as stand-alone HVAC units or in combination with a furnace or boiler. All air conditioning systems have fans to allow hot or cold air to circulate through the home. Many Americans install split systems as they're compact and have more functions than just cooling the premises. They control air quality and humidity, ensuring an optimal home temperature.
The installation cost of an air conditioning system drastically depends on its type. See the table below for the most popular air conditioners and their average prices.

Ductwork

Ductwork comprises trunks and pipes that distribute airflow from the heating or cooling system through your home. This HVAC element sucks the air from throughout the house into the heater or AC, where it is cooled or heated and pushed back through ducts.
The national average cost to install an HVAC ductwork ranges from $1.900 to $5.800. This cost covers removing existing materials and installing new components.

Leverage tax credits and rebates

If your new heating and cooling system possesses a high energy-saving rating and is approved by Energy Star, you can qualify for a local tax incentive. Check the database of state incentives for renewables and efficiency to see the rebates available in your region.

Pick a system of the right size

The size of a unit usually refers to its capacity measured in BTU. Getting either too large or too small an HVAC system for your home will increase the installation price and make you spend extra on electricity. Consult a professional HVAC installer to pick an optimal-sized system for your house.

Compare installers' quotes

Hiring an HVAC contractor offering the best price-quality ratio is another option to save a good buck on installation. To make this happen, you need to do your research, get multiple estimates and compare them side by side. You can do it with the help of the MyHomeQuote innovative contractor-matching service. This free platform requires only the initial details about your HVAC project to connect you with proven local specialists.

Avoid high seasons

If you seek the best HVAC system installation offer, consider hiring a pro in early spring or late summer when contractors are not as busy as in late autumn and early summer.

Replace both units simultaneously

Consider replacing the heating and cooling unit at once to avoid paying twice for installation.