HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator

Furnace, air conditioner and heat pump replacement costs — including the ductwork and electrical work that decide whether the quote is real.

Your project

Finish level

Estimated total cost

$9,200 – $16,100

1 systems · Mid-range · National average

$9,200 – $16,100 per systems

Materials
$4,400 – $7,700
Labour
$3,200 – $5,600
Permits & fees
$400 – $700
Contingency (15%)
$1,200 – $2,100
Typical timeline
1–2 weeks of active work
Recouped at resaleAbout 55% of a mid-range spend
$6,958
  • National average pricing. Pick your region to adjust for local labour rates.
  • This is a planning range, not a quote. Get three itemised bids and compare the scope line by line — the cheapest bid is usually the one that left something out.

What the estimate includes

  • Furnace or air handler and condenser or heat pump
  • Refrigerant lines, thermostat and condensate handling
  • Removal and disposal of the old equipment
  • Startup, commissioning and permit

What it does not include

  • Ductwork replacement or resizing
  • Electrical panel upgrade for a heat pump conversion
  • Zoning dampers and controls
  • Gas line changes

What actually moves the price

  • System type. A straight furnace-and-AC swap is the cheap end; a cold-climate heat pump conversion often needs electrical work and costs considerably more upfront.
  • Ductwork. Undersized or leaky ducts cap the performance of any equipment you bolt onto them, and duct replacement can rival the equipment cost.
  • Sizing. An oversized system short-cycles, dehumidifies poorly and dies early. Insist on a Manual J load calculation, not a rule of thumb off the old unit's nameplate.

How these estimates are built

  • Base costs are typical 2025–2026 US pricing per system at each finish level, drawn from national remodelling cost surveys and contractor bid data.
  • Your region multiplies that base — coastal metros run 30–40% above the national average and rural markets 15–20% below, almost entirely on labour rates.
  • The contingency is added on top of the base range rather than taken out of it, because that is how the money actually behaves on a job site.
  • The materials, labour and permit split shows how the mid-point of the range typically divides. It is a way to read a bid, not a second estimate.
  • Resale recoup figures follow national cost-versus-value patterns. No renovation returns more than it costs — treat the figure as a partial rebate on something you are buying for yourself.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace an HVAC system?

$5,000–$8,000 for a basic furnace and AC replacement, $8,000–$14,000 for a mid-efficiency system or standard heat pump, and $14,000–$25,000 for high-efficiency, multi-zone or cold-climate heat pump installations.

Is a heat pump worth it?

In most of the US, yes — modern cold-climate heat pumps work well below freezing and cut heating costs against resistance electric and often against propane and oil. Against cheap natural gas the operating-cost case is closer, and the decision turns on local electricity rates and available rebates.

How long does an HVAC system last?

15–20 years for a furnace, 12–18 for an air conditioner or heat pump. Replace when repairs approach a third of replacement cost, or when a refrigerant leak means recharging a system on a phased-out refrigerant.

Before you commit the budget, see it finished

Upload a photo and generate photorealistic versions of the finished space in any style. It is far cheaper to change your mind here than after the cabinets arrive.

Visualise the finished space

Material calculators for this project

Insulation CalculatorSquare footage and bag count for batt or blown-in insulation, with the R-value your climate zone actually calls for.

Related projects

Window ReplacementReplacement window costs per opening by frame material and region — insert versus full-frame, and where the energy savings actually land.Whole-House RenovationGut renovation and whole-house remodel costs by square footage, finish level and region — the number to know before you buy the fixer-upper.Roof ReplacementRoof replacement costs by roof area, material and region — including the tear-off and decking repair that turn up on the change order.