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HVAC replacement cost

Equipment, labour, duct work and permit priced by system size, with efficiency and duct options.

By the LocalServiceHQ editorial team
Updated Oct 29, 2026
Formulas and sources listed below
Prices checked Oct 2026
Your job
House insulation
Duct work
Your estimate
System size
—
tons of cooling, from the house load
Typical installed
—
equipment, labour, ducts and permit
Typical range for this job: —
How it adds upTypical
Outdoor unit and air handlerby system type and tonnage
—
Labour, line set and electricalabout $600–$1,200 per system
—
Duct workseal and test, or replace a share of the run
—
Thermostat and permit$150–$500 including inspection
—
Cost per tontotal ÷ system tons
—
US installed HVAC prices for October 2026: central AC and furnace replacement about $2,000–$2,800 per ton at standard efficiency, heat pumps $3,000–$5,500 per ton, duct sealing $500–$1,500 and full duct replacement $2,000–$5,000. A Manual J load calculation should confirm the tonnage before ordering.
Replacing only the outdoor unit? Compare it with a full system before you spend.
Photo via Pexels

How the math works

System size
Rule of thumb
conditioned sq ft ÷ 600 = tons
12,000 BTU per ton. Old, leaky homes need closer to 500 sq ft per ton.
Cost per ton
Installed
equipment + labour + line set + permit
A like-for-like swap costs less than changing system type or rerouting ducts.
Efficiency premium
Equipment
high efficiency ≈ +22%
Higher SEER2 equipment costs more upfront and saves on cooling bills over 10 to 15 years.
Zones
Design
each additional system computed separately
Two systems mean two condensers, two air handlers and two sets of labour.

Common starting points

Typical US homes on a like-for-like central AC replacement, standard efficiency.

Tap a preset in the calculator above to load a typical job, then adjust the numbers to match your site.
Starting points: 1,200 sq ft home · 1,800 sq ft home · 2,000 sq ft home · 2,000 sq ft heat pump · 2,500 sq ft, high efficiency

Rather hire it out?

See installed HVAC prices, rebates and licence rules for your state.

HVAC costs

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How to use the hvac replacement cost

Size the system first, then compare quotes on equipment, warranty and duct work.

1
Get a load calculation
Ask for a Manual J report, not a guess based on square footage.
2
Compare equipment tiers
Same tonnage, different SEER2 and brand changes the price by thousands.
3
Check the duct work
Leaky or undersized ducts can waste a third of the cooling you pay for.
4
Ask about permits
Most states require an HVAC permit and inspection on a replacement.

Mistakes that cost homeowners money

!
Replacing only the outdoor condenser and pairing it with a failing air handler.
!
Skipping the load calculation and installing an oversized system that short-cycles.
!
Ignoring duct sealing when the ducts are the real problem.
!
Buying the highest SEER2 unit when the duct work cannot deliver the efficiency.

HVAC replacement cost FAQ

How much does HVAC replacement cost?

A like-for-like central AC and furnace replacement for a 2,000 sq ft home typically runs about $8,000 to $10,000 installed. Heat pumps cost more upfront, and high-efficiency equipment adds roughly 20 percent.

About one ton per 600 sq ft in a modern, well-sealed home, so 3.3 tons for 2,000 sq ft. Older homes with poor insulation often need closer to one ton per 500 sq ft.

Central AC condensers last 12 to 17 years, furnaces 15 to 20, heat pumps 12 to 15. Duct work lasts 20 to 30 years if it was installed and sealed correctly.

In mild and moderate climates a heat pump costs less to run than electric resistance heat and can save 20 to 40 percent. In very cold climates, cold-climate models are needed.

If both are near end of life, yes. Mixing an old air handler with a new condenser wastes efficiency, and labour is shared when both go in together.

Federal and utility rebates change often. Ask your utility and contractor for current programs, and keep every invoice and equipment model number for the claim.

Using the calculator defaults, 1,200 sq ft home gives System size: 2.4 and Typical installed: $5,800, with a typical range $5,052 to $6,802. Change the waste allowance, material or thickness to match your site.

Using the calculator defaults, 2,500 sq ft, high efficiency gives System size: 5.0 and Typical installed: $13,850, with a typical range $12,052 to $16,252. Change the waste allowance, material or thickness to match your site.