Identify the system you have
Record the equipment type and model from accessible labels. A furnace, air conditioner and heat pump are different scopes. Do not assume a quote includes both indoor and outdoor equipment.
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HVAC replacementHVAC replacement cost calculator
Contractors size a system by tonnage, not by house square footage — and the gap between those two things is where most quotes go wrong. This works it out the way an installer does, then shows what a claim would actually return.
A furnace-only swap, new ducts, and a ductless mini-split are different jobs. This page stays the matched system, and it does not size equipment from square footage. Price a furnace only, ductwork, or a mini-split by zone on its own page. An oil or hydronic boiler is the boiler calculator.
Reviewed 25 October 2026 · Written by Mantu Kumar
See the illustrated project guide
Written and maintained by Mantu Kumar
Evidence review4 August 2026
Calculation rulesRead the methodology
Quality standardEditorial policy
2026 planning ranges
- 1Outdoor unit sized in tons
- 2New line set (often required)
- 3Furnace / air handler + matched coil
- 4Ducts · +$1,400–$5,600 if replaced
- 5Return & filter
- 6Thermostat, permit, haul-away
- 7SEER2 / HSPF2 efficiency
- 8Pad, disconnect + drain
- 9Rebates + tax credits
2,000 sq ft change-out: About 3.5 tons, ducts kept: $8,000–$14,000
HVAC replacement cost estimate
No email · nothing sentDiagram, part by part
HVAC replacement: every numbered part explained
The hvac replacement drawing above has 9 numbered parts, from Outdoor unit sized in tons to Rebates and tax credits. Each card below frames one of them, and after you run the calculator it shows what that part adds to your estimate.
1 Outdoor unit sized in tons
Inside the equipment line
The outdoor condenser or heat pump is sized in tons, where one ton is 12,000 BTU per hour. An oversized unit short-cycles, wastes energy and leaves the house clammy because it never runs long enough to remove humidity.
What moves it: Home size, insulation, climate and the efficiency tier.
On the quote: Ask for a Manual J load calculation instead of matching the old unit's size.
2 New line set (often required)
Often included with new equipment
The copper line set carries refrigerant between the outdoor and indoor units. Old lines may be the wrong size for the new unit or contaminated from an old compressor failure, so they are often replaced.
What moves it: Line length and whether it runs through finished walls.
On the quote: Ask whether the old line set is reused and, if so, how it is flushed and pressure-tested.
3 Furnace / air handler + matched coil
The furnace or air handler and the indoor coil must be matched to the outdoor unit to reach their rated efficiency and keep the warranty valid. Installation labor covers setting the equipment, brazing, evacuating and charging the system.
What moves it: System type, access to the attic or basement, and local labor rates.
On the quote: Ask for the AHRI certificate number that shows the indoor and outdoor units are a matched pair.
4 Ducts
+$1,400–$5,600 if replaced
Ducts are replaced only when they are leaking, crushed or undersized. A duct leakage test shows how much air is lost before it reaches the rooms, which settles whether repair or replacement makes sense.
What moves it: Duct condition, length and access.
On the quote: Ask for a duct leakage test before agreeing to replace ducts.
5 Return & filter
Part of the materials line
Return air paths and the filter size control how much air reaches the blower. A small return or a restrictive filter starves even a new system and shortens its life.
What moves it: The number and size of returns and the filter type.
On the quote: Ask whether the return is sized for the new system and what filter size it takes.
6 Thermostat, permit, haul-away
A new thermostat, the permit, refrigerant recovery and haul-away of the old equipment finish the job.
What moves it: Thermostat type and your town's permit fee.
On the quote: Confirm the permit is included and that the old refrigerant is recovered, not vented.
7 Efficiency tier: SEER2 and HSPF2
Base to high efficiency
SEER2 rates cooling efficiency and HSPF2 rates heat pump heating. Higher tiers cost more up front but use less power, and variable-speed units run longer at low speed for steadier temperatures and better humidity control.
What moves it: The efficiency tier, your climate and how long you will stay in the house.
On the quote: Ask for the SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2 ratings of the matched system, not just the outdoor unit.
8 Pad, disconnect and condensate drain
Part of installation
The outdoor unit sits on a level pad with an electrical disconnect within sight. Indoors, the coil drains condensate through a trap to a drain or pump, with a safety switch that shuts the system off if the drain clogs.
What moves it: Equipment location and how far the drain must run.
On the quote: Ask whether a new pad, disconnect and float safety switch are included.
9 Rebates and tax credits
Can lower the net cost
High-efficiency heat pumps and some central air systems may qualify for utility rebates or federal and state incentives. Rules change, and many require specific efficiency ratings and a certificate from the installer.
What moves it: The equipment chosen and current programs in your area.
On the quote: Ask the contractor which rebates the quoted equipment qualifies for and who files the paperwork.
A closer look at your project
The outdoor unit is only part of HVAC replacement
A similar-looking unit can sit inside a very different project. Identify the equipment and the work around it before comparing totals.
Zoom in on three spots in the photo: these are the lines an HVAC bid should spell out. These close-ups are crops of the same AI-generated illustration.
Ask how the size was chosen
Treat the calculator’s sizing input as a planning choice. Ask the installer how the proposed capacity was assessed for your rooms, climate and home condition.
Compare the connecting work
Ask about duct repairs, controls, electrical supply, removal and commissioning. A low equipment price may exclude work needed to put the complete system into service.
Before comparing totals, ask for these details
- Equipment scope
- Outdoor unit, indoor equipment and controls
- Installation scope
- Ductwork, connections, removal and access allowances
- Handover
- Commissioning details, warranty registration and labor coverage
On this page
How systems are sized
Cooling capacity is measured in tons. One ton is 12,000 BTU, and the rule of thumb is roughly one ton for every 400 to 600 square feet — the higher end of that range in hot, humid climates. A 2,000 square foot house typically needs 3.5 to 4 tons.
Oversizing is a real and common mistake. A system that is too large cools quickly, shuts off, and never runs long enough to pull humidity out of the air. The house ends up cold and clammy, and the compressor wears out early from short cycling. A proper installer runs a Manual J load calculation rather than guessing from floor area.
Check the size before you price it: the AC size calculator works out BTU for a room or tons for the whole home from your climate, insulation and sun, and the repair or replace calculator tests whether the old system is worth fixing first.
| Home size | Typical tonnage | Change-out range |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 2.0 tons | $5,500 – $9,500 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 2.5 tons | $6,500 – $11,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 3.5 tons | $8,000 – $14,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 4.0 tons | $9,000 – $16,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | 5.0 tons | $10,500 – $19,000 |
What drives the price
System type is the largest single factor. A gas furnace replacement runs roughly $3,500 to $10,000 installed. A central air-source heat pump runs $8,000 to $15,000 — more upfront, but it replaces both units and typically cuts operating costs substantially because it moves heat rather than generating it.
Ductwork is the item that turns a manageable job into an expensive one. Ducts last 15 to 20 years, and replacing them adds $1,400 to $5,600. If your existing ducts are leaky or undersized for a new higher-efficiency unit, a good installer will tell you rather than bolt new equipment onto a failing distribution system.
Refrigerant has quietly pushed prices up. The industry finished switching from R-410A to R-454B in 2025, and the newer refrigerant costs roughly three times more per pound. Equipment prices rose an estimated 8 to 10% as a result. Older R-410A systems can still be serviced, but recharge costs are climbing as supply shrinks.
Federal tax credit: check the current year
Section 25C credits supported qualifying installations through 31 December 2025. Reporting
indicates the credit is not available for equipment placed in service in 2026. Rules change, and
state and utility rebates are separate — check the current IRS guidance and your utility's
programs before assuming a credit applies.
What insurance covers
Standard homeowners policies treat HVAC the way they treat a roof: sudden covered perils yes, wearing out no. A lightning strike that fries the condenser is covered. A fifteen-year-old compressor that finally quits is not, however expensive the replacement.
Two things worth knowing. First, an outdoor condenser unit is a common theft target for its copper — that is usually covered, subject to your deductible. Second, equipment breakdown coverage is a separate endorsement sold by many carriers that does cover mechanical failure. It is inexpensive and most homeowners do not realize it exists until they need it.
How the ACV and RCV split works applies here in exactly the same way it does for roofs.
HVAC result summaryThe installed result combines equipment, labor, removal and related electrical, refrigerant or permit work. Square footage is only a planning input: a contractor should verify capacity with a Manual J load calculation and commission matched indoor and outdoor equipment.
Worked example: a 2,000 sq ft change-out, then the duct surprise
Taken from the size table on this page, then the duct adder stated in the same section. Existing ductwork, national labor, gas furnace paired with central air.
Furnace and AC, ducts already in place
Worked example| 2,000 sq ft change-out, ducts kept | $8,000 – $14,000 |
| Capacity this page pairs with that size | 3.5 tons |
| New ductwork, if the old runs fail | + $1,400 – $5,600 |
| Same house if the ducts are replaced | $9,400 – $19,600 |
A heat pump instead of a furnace-plus-AC pair is $8,000 – $15,000 upfront against $3,500 – $10,000 for the furnace alone. This page’s operating-cost note is 35% to 45% lower for the heat pump, so payback depends on climate and the local rate — a cold-climate model is a different product, not a different city sticker price. Insurance still does not pay for a compressor that simply wears out.
HVAC replacement cost by region
The calculator's default HVAC replacement job, repriced for each of its six regions. At the national average it runs $5,536 – $10,696; South / Lower Midwest is the lowest at $4,816 – $9,306, and West Coast metro is the highest at $7,197 – $13,905, a gap of about $3,490 at the midpoint.
| Region | Planning range | Midpoint |
|---|---|---|
| National average | $5,536 – $10,696 | $8,116 |
| South / Lower Midwest | $4,816 – $9,306 | $7,061 |
| Mountain / Plains | $5,259 – $10,161 | $7,710 |
| Mid-Atlantic / Upper Midwest | $6,200 – $11,980 | $9,090 |
| Northeast metro | $6,975 – $13,477 | $10,226 |
| West Coast metro | $7,197 – $13,905 | $10,551 |
What “System type” does to the price
Every other input stays at its default and only “System type” changes. The cheapest choice, Gas furnace only, comes to $3,415 – $7,026; the most expensive, Air-source heat pump, comes to $6,993 – $13,062.
| Choice | Planning range | Midpoint vs default |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace + central AC (default) | $5,536 – $10,696 | — |
| Central AC only | $3,987 – $7,935 | −$2,155 |
| Gas furnace only | $3,415 – $7,026 | −$2,896 |
| Air-source heat pump | $6,993 – $13,062 | +$1,912 |
| Ductless mini-split | $5,025 – $10,116 | −$546 |
What “Ductwork” does to the price
Every other input stays at its default and only “Ductwork” changes. The cheapest choice, Existing ducts, good condition, comes to $5,536 – $10,696; the most expensive, No ducts — install new, comes to $7,936 – $17,296.
| Choice | Planning range | Midpoint vs default |
|---|---|---|
| Existing ducts, good condition (default) | $5,536 – $10,696 | — |
| Partial repair or sealing | $6,136 – $12,496 | +$1,200 |
| Full replacement | $6,936 – $16,296 | +$3,500 |
| No ducts — install new | $7,936 – $17,296 | +$4,500 |
How age changes the HVAC replacement claim payout
Using the default job, a $1,500 deductible and a 15-year expected life. At 10 years old, about $5,411 is held back as depreciation; a replacement cost policy releases it after the work is finished, while an actual cash value policy keeps it.
| Age | Wear | First check | Held back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 years | 13% | $5,534 | $1,082 |
| 5 years | 33% | $3,911 | $2,705 |
| 10 years | 67% | $1,205 | $5,411 |
| 15 years | 80% | $123 | $6,493 |
| 20 years | 80% | $123 | $6,493 |
| 30 years | 80% | $123 | $6,493 |
Quote checklist: 7 items to verify
HVAC quotes are easiest to compare with matched equipment and the same scope.
- Load calculation. Sizing based on the house.
- Matched system. Model numbers and AHRI certificate.
- Efficiency. SEER2, EER2, HSPF2 or AFUE.
- Line set and ducts. Replaced, reused or tested.
- Electrical and drain. Disconnect, pad and condensate safety switch.
- Permit and haul-away. Included.
- Warranty. Parts and labor, with registration.
How long the job takes
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Quote and load calculation | 1 – 2 hours | In-home visit. |
| Equipment order | 0 – 10 days | Common sizes are stocked. |
| Installation | 1 – 2 days | Full system replacement. |
| Inspection | 1 – 14 days | Depends on the town. |
Ask for the startup readings, such as refrigerant charge and temperature split, at the end of the job.
Questions
How much does a new HVAC system cost?
A furnace and AC change-out with existing ductwork typically runs $5,000 to $11,000. Add new ductwork and it becomes $7,000 to $16,000. Modernize reported a 2026 average of $11,590 to $14,100 across 56,000 projects.
What size HVAC system do I need?
Roughly one ton per 400 to 600 square feet, so a 2,000 square foot home usually needs 3.5 to 4 tons. That is a starting point only — a proper Manual J load calculation accounts for insulation, window area, ceiling height and climate.
Should I replace the furnace and AC at the same time?
If both are over 15 years old, usually yes. The labor overlaps, the contractor only makes one trip, and modern systems are engineered to run as a matched pair. Replacing one half of a mismatched system often costs more over time.
Does homeowners insurance cover HVAC replacement?
Not for age or mechanical failure. It covers sudden covered perils — lightning, fire, falling trees — and typically theft of the outdoor unit. Equipment breakdown coverage is a separate endorsement that does cover mechanical failure, and it is worth asking about.
How long does an HVAC system last?
Gas furnaces commonly reach 15 to 20 years, central AC 12 to 15, and heat pumps 12 to 15 because they run year round. Ductwork lasts 15 to 20. Annual servicing genuinely extends all of these.
Is a heat pump cheaper than a furnace?
Not upfront — a heat pump runs $8,000 to $15,000 against $3,500 to $10,000 for a gas furnace. Operating costs are typically 35 to 45% lower, so the payback depends on your climate and local energy prices. Cold-climate models have improved considerably.
Related
- AC size calculator — BTU for a room or tons for the whole home
- Repair or replace calculator — the $5,000 rule and cost per year for an older system
- Solar panel cost — the other system a heat pump changes the math on
- Window replacement — the cheaper way to cut a heating bill
- Claim gap calculator — what a claim on this would actually return
- What insurance actually pays — ACV, RCV and equipment breakdown
Where these figures come from
Rates are cross-checked against 2026 published pricing from HomeGuide, Angi, Modernize and CBS News reporting. HomeGuide puts a furnace-and-AC change-out at $5,000 to $11,000 and a system with new ductwork at $7,000 to $16,000; Modernize reports a 2026 average of $11,590 to $14,100 across 56,000 projects. Depreciation is modeled straight-line against expected service life; carriers use
their own schedules and some cap payouts by age. These are ranges for planning, not quotes,
and nothing here is a coverage determination.
Evidence trail
Reviewed 4 Aug 2026Sources used to check this model
Primary public references anchor equipment guidance, labor context and insurance terminology. Calculator rates remain planning assumptions tested against published market ranges.
System guidanceDOE: Heat pump systems
U.S. labor referenceBLS: HVAC mechanics
Insurance termsNAIC: ACV and replacement cost
These organizations do not endorse ReplaceCost. Local contractor quotes, permits, product specifications and the written insurance policy control the real result. See the full methodology for the source hierarchy and update process.
Furnace and AC replacement cost vs ducted air conditioning & heat pump systems
Whether you are using a furnace and AC replacement cost calculator for a combined split system or a ducted air conditioning cost calculator when adding new trunk and branch ductwork, labor and sheet-metal modifications drive 35% to 50% of the final invoice.
| HVAC Configuration | Equipment + Existing Ducts | With New Ductwork Replacement | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central AC Condenser + Coil Only | $4,600 – $8,800 | $7,800 – $13,500 | Homes with a working furnace under 10 years old |
| Combined Gas Furnace + Central AC | $7,200 – $14,200 | $10,500 – $18,800 | Cold and mixed climates replacing matched indoor/outdoor units |
| Ducted Heat Pump (All-Electric / Dual-Fuel) | $6,800 – $15,500 | $10,200 – $19,500 | Mild-to-cold climates replacing both heating and cooling in one system |
HVAC planning
HVAC replacement topics that affect the estimate
Keep the cost discussion centered on system scope, capacity, efficiency and installation conditions.
System replacement scope
Clarify whether the quote covers the outdoor unit, indoor equipment, controls and required accessories.
Capacity and sizing
A replacement should be sized for the building rather than chosen only from the old model number.
Efficiency level
Higher-efficiency equipment can change equipment and installation requirements.
Ductwork and electrical work
Existing ducts, drain lines, electrical service or controls can add scope beyond the equipment itself.
Related searches
Popular HVAC replacement searches
Common wording people use when comparing costs, estimates and next steps.
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