A new HVAC system costs around $7,500, on average, and prices typically fall between $5,000 and $12,500. Pricing includes HVAC system and labor costs.
An HVAC replacement cost is $7,500 on average. This range could be as low as $5,000 or as high as $12,500, depending on the type and size of your unit, the brand, and labor costs. Your overall cost for a new HVAC unit could reach $22,000 if you add new ductwork and additional features like a HEPA filtration system.
Calculations are based on the cost of installing one central air conditioning system. Calculations rounded to the nearest whole number.
| Central Air System Cost | 1 central air system | $3,900–$7,900 |
| Installation Labor Cost | 1 HVAC contractor | $1,500 |
| HVAC Permit Cost | 1 HVAC permit | $250–$400 |
| Optional: Ductwork Installation | 1 HVAC contractor | $3,500 |
| Optional: Install Insulation | 1 Insulation contractor | $1,500 |
| Optional: Install New Thermostat | 1 new thermostat | $120–$260 |
| Total | $5,650–$9,800 | |
| Total With Options | $10,770–$15,060 |
Let's take a look at the cost of the HVAC unit as well as installation labor to help you do the math:
| HVAC Unit Costs | Low Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ductless mini-split | $2,000 | $14,500 |
| Window AC unit | $150 | $550 |
| Whole-house fan | $900 | $3,600 |
| Central air | $3,900 | $7,900 |
Ductless mini-split ACs cost between $2,000 and $14,500. These systems include an outdoor condenser and indoor units that cool individual zones. The wide price range accounts for how many zoned areas in your home.
Window air conditioning units cost between $150 and $550 on average, including professional installation when necessary. The DIY options for window AC installation can help you save, though this option is only efficient for individual rooms and small apartments.
Whole-house fan systems cost between $900 and $2,500 to install, but prices can vary depending on where you mount the fan. You may also see prices up to $3,600 if you add advanced options like multiple fan speeds, shutters, and additional home insulation.
The cost of a central AC system ranges from $3,900 to $7,900, depending on the size of your home and the amount of ductwork. If you live in a region with hot and humid summers, an air conditioner can protect your home from moisture and mold issues and cool it down more quickly than a window or mini-split system.
Check out the costs associated with installing different types of furnaces.
| Furnace Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Electric | $1,700–$7,100 |
| Gas | $3,800–$10,000 |
| Oil | $3,800–$10,000 |
You'll pay between $1,700 and $7,100 for the price of an electric furnace. If you opt for a forced-air system, add an average of $500 to $2,000 to install new ductwork as well. Electric furnaces do best in warm climates, typically climate zones one through three—the southern tip of Florida through Central California.
The cost of a gas furnace for an average-sized home is $3,800 to $10,000, not including new ductwork, gas lines, or thermostats. These units use natural gas or propane to heat homes, which costs less on average than running an electric furnace if you live in a cold region.
In most cases, oil furnaces remain popular in areas where natural gas and propane lines are unavailable. You'll pay between $3,800 to $10,000 for the total installation.
Check out the cost associated with different types of heat pumps.
| Heat Pump Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Heat pump | $4,200–$7,600 |
| Geothermal | $4,450–$24,450 |
| Air source | $4,500–$8,000 |
| Hybrid | $2,500–$10,000 |
| Solar | $18,000–$39,000 |
| Supplement electric | $2,500–$6,000 |
You'll pay between $4,200 and $7,600 for the cost of heat pump installation, depending on the unit’s capacity and how much ductwork you need. Heat pumps are currently best in temperate areas but are becoming more and more common across the country.
The upfront price to install a geothermal heat pump may sound like a lot—between $4,450 and $24,450—but you could offset these costs in five to 10 years due to energy savings.
Ducted air-source heat pumps, the most popular variety, range from $4,500 to $8,000 in cost. During winter, air-source heat pumps extract heat from the outdoor air and distribute it indoors. In summer, the heat pump reverses this process, expelling indoor heat outdoors.
Hybrid heat pumps offer a versatile solution by combining a heat pump with a secondary heating system, such as a furnace or boiler. When temperatures drop below a certain threshold, the system seamlessly switches to the backup heating source. The cost of hybrid heat pumps ranges from $2,500 to $10,000.
Leveraging solar power for your air-source or ground-source heat pump can lead to substantial long-term electric bill savings. You’ll need to generate at least 1,500 watts per ton of your heat pump rating. Achieving this typically entails an investment of $18,000 to $39,000 for the cost of solar panels.
Newer heat pump models incorporate a supplemental electric resistance booster heater, enhancing the functionality of dual-fuel hybrid pumps. These systems typically come at a slightly higher cost, ranging from $500 to $1,000 more than standard heat pumps.
To add a supplemental heat pump to an existing furnace, the cost may be between $2,500 and $6,000.
Check out the costs associated with different types of boilers.
Boilers heat water and send steam through radiators and baseboards, unlike furnaces that distribute hot air. Boiler replacement cost averages between $3,700 and $8,300 but can increase to $12,000 for high-efficiency models.
| Boiler Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Oil | Burns oil to produce hot water or steam | $4,800–$9,000 |
| Gas and propane | Burns natural gas or propane to heat water | $2,800–$9,000 |
| Electric | Uses electricity to heat water, easy installation | $1,800–$8,000 |
| Wood | Uses wood logs or pellets to generate hot water or steam | $7,000–$16,000 |
Your HVAC team will use the size of your home and your local climate to determine the unit size you’ll need. Unsurprisingly, the larger the unit, the higher the price tag.
| AC Size | Home Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average AC Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 tons | 600–1,000 | $2,000 |
| 2.5 tons | 1,000–1,600 | $2,900 |
| 3 tons | 1,600–2,000 | $3,000 |
| 3.5 tons | 2,000–2,500 | $3,500 |
*Not including labor
BTUs—or British Thermal Units—describe the furnace’s size/capacity.
| Unit Size (BTUs) | Home Size (Sq. Ft.) | Furnace Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| 40,000–60,000 | 800–1,200 | $2,000–$4,500 |
| 75,000–100,000 | 1,500–2,000 | $2,500–$5,900 |
| 120,000–140,000 | 2,500+ | $4,000–$8,000 |
*Not including labor
Keep in mind that a bigger home doesn’t always require a relatively larger HVAC system. There is no direct per-square-foot requirement here. Factors such as your climate zone, home age, insulation type, and even how many windows you have can affect the number of tons and BTUs needed to control the temperature.
Aside from the type of heating system you choose and the size of your new HVAC unit, you should consider these factors that could affect your HVAC replacement cost.
Installing an HVAC unit, removing and replacing ductwork, and making sure everything works properly is no easy feat. Labor for installing an HVAC unit is around $1,500 on average.
You’re likely to pay extra if you’ve never had an existing HVAC system, which is most common for those who are building a brand-new home. For example, the cost of installing ductwork is anywhere from $1 to $13 per linear foot, with the average cost falling around $3,500.
The cost of replacing the HVAC system depends on the indoor and outdoor unit locations.
| Location | Examples | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Outside of home | Side of home, behind home, roof-mounted | No extra cost |
| Inside of home | Utility closet, attic, basement | $1,000–$2,500 to build |
The Department of Energy uses a series of ratings—such as SEER, AFUE, and HSPF—to assign an efficiency score to your appliance. Not only is it important to know the required rating for your area, but it's important to note the potential savings from investing in an efficient system.
While you will pay between $350 and $1,500 more for each increase in the rating, you could save money on your utilities in the long run. Always speak with an HVAC pro about the right efficiency rating for your climate.
Different brands will offer HVAC replacements at unique costs. Some brands are known for more energy-efficient models, which are more costly. Always shop around before purchasing your new unit. Regardless of brand, the average cost of an HVAC unit is around $4,750.
Whether you only need to replace your HVAC system or its entire infrastructure will alter the project price.
If you have a central AC and furnace setup and want to upgrade to more efficient models, you'll pay for the unit—which costs $3,300 to $16,000 on average for heating and cooling—plus about $1,500 for labor. You will only pay for new ductwork if your existing ductwork is in poor condition or if you're adding new zones.
You can expect to pay more for an installation with new ductwork. HVAC ductwork installation averages $1,000 to $2,700 for a 1,000-square-foot system—so without the removal fees, you'll pay between $8,500 and $19,200 for a new HVAC system of this size with ductwork.
Beyond your location and the unit size, you need to consider these additional factors.
| Additional Cost Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Permits | $50–$500 |
| New ductwork | $15 per linear foot |
| Insulation | $1,500 |
| Adding zones | $2,000–$3,000 |
| New thermostat | $120–$260 |
| New features | $400–$2,800 |
| Asbestos removal | $1,200–$3,100 |
| Removal and disposal fees | $60–$500 |
Unless you’re installing a simple window AC unit, you shouldn’t tackle new HVAC installation yourself. You need to have a license to handle refrigerants when installing. Not only that but with any wrong move in the installation process, you’re looking at a higher energy bill and a system that can’t provide the cool or warm air you’re looking for.
You can save between $60 and $300 if you install a window air conditioner. Otherwise, it's always best to call a trained and trusted pro to handle HVAC installation.
Labor will typically cost $1,500, but professional installation provides the peace of mind that your home is safe and comfortable for the years ahead.
Here are some tips to remember to keep HVAC installation prices low:
Weigh installation prices with long-term utility savings
Research access to natural gas lines in your area
Consider high SEER and AFUE ratings to cut down on utility bills
Speak to your HVAC pro about heat pumps and whole-house fans in temperate areas
Book your HVAC pro in the spring and fall to avoid the busy season for AC or heating
Consider zoned heating and cooling if you only use part of your home most of the time
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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On average, an HVAC system lasts around 15 years. If you do annual maintenance, such as cleaning the coils and addressing repairs promptly, you can expect it to last up to 20 years or longer. This will vary based on usage and weather conditions, as extreme heat and cold may damage the components faster than in mild climates.
The biggest thing to consider when replacing or repairing your HVAC system is age. If it’s beyond those 15 years, it’s only a matter of time before it kicks the bucket. If repairs total well over $5,000, simply going for a new unit might be worth it. Many vendors have long parts-replacement warranties, so ask your HVAC contractor to check into that. You could save hundreds on a repair if the part is free.
The cost depends on the exact task. Overall, AC tuneups cost $70 to $150 on average. Filter replacement, which is one of the most important HVAC maintenance tasks, costs anywhere from $5 to $20 per filter on average. Refrigerant replacement costs $125 on average. Coil cleaning costs $100 to $400.
In nearly all cases, it's in your best interest to replace the internal and external HVAC units at the same time. Some HVAC professionals will not even consider replacing them individually for safety reasons. Mix and matching units can void a warranty on a recently purchased unit. Also, the parts of the units, such as the connecting refrigerant coil, are often incompatible.
Professional HVAC installation requires licensed expertise in several areas, including electrical- and plumbing-related work. An HVAC team must know how to safely handle regulated refrigerant chemicals and the gas, oil, or propane used in furnaces and boilers. A proper HVAC installation protects your home from energy loss, fires, and even carbon monoxide leaks.
Depending on the size of your home and system, as well as any upgrades or add-ons you choose, it may take between three and five days to completely replace an existing HVAC system from start to finish. Your contractor should be able to give you an estimate before they begin the actual replacement.
