CostGuideHQ

HVAC Replacement Cost: $5,000–$22,000 (Average $7,500) in 2026

Author: CostGuideHQ Editorial·✓ Fact-checked·Updated July 2026·7 min read·7 sources·US national averages, USD
Quick answerQuick answer: Replacing a full HVAC system — furnace and AC together, or an all-electric heat pump — costs $5,000 to $22,000, averaging around $7,500. Most standard swaps that reuse existing ductwork land closer to $5,000-$12,500. Tonnage, efficiency rating, and ductwork scope drive the rest.
  • A full HVAC system replacement costs $5,000 to $22,000, averaging around $7,500 nationally (Angi, HomeAdvisor, HomeGuide, Bob Vila).
  • Most standard swaps that reuse existing ductwork land in a narrower $5,000-$12,500 range (Angi, HomeAdvisor, This Old House, HomeGuide, Bob Vila).
  • A heat pump system typically costs $4,200 to $7,600 installed — often less than a separate furnace-and-AC split system (Angi, HomeAdvisor, This Old House).
  • Adding new or replaced ductwork to the project pushes the total to $8,500 to $19,200 (Angi, HomeAdvisor).

How much does HVAC replacement cost?

National average
$7,500
total project
Typical range
$5,000–$22,000
Most projects
Whole project
$5,000–$12,500
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Cost by material / type

TypeLowHigh
Furnace + AC split system, ductwork already in place$5,000$12,500
Heat pump system (all-electric heat and cool), ductwork already in place$4,200$7,600
Packaged HVAC unit (all-in-one cabinet), ductwork already in place$11,200$15,800
Full system replacement plus new or replaced ductwork$8,500$19,200
Estimate your cost
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Rough estimate only — get local quotes for exact pricing.

What affects the cost?

  • System architecture — a standard split system (separate furnace and outdoor AC condenser) with usable ductwork runs $5,000-$12,500 installed, while a self-contained packaged HVAC unit runs $11,200-$15,800 (Angi, HomeAdvisor, HomeGuide, Bob Vila, Fixr)
  • Furnace vs. heat pump — replacing both halves with an all-electric heat pump (one outdoor unit handles heating and cooling) runs $4,200-$7,600, while gas or oil furnaces alone run $3,800-$10,000 and electric furnaces run $1,700-$7,100 (Angi, HomeAdvisor, This Old House)
  • Tonnage/system size — Angi and HomeAdvisor price AC equipment at roughly $2,000 for 1.5 tons up to $3,500 for 3.5 tons, and This Old House's installed-system table runs from $8,138 at 1.5 tons/1,000 sq ft to $12,670 at 4 tons/2,500 sq ft (Angi, HomeAdvisor, This Old House)
  • SEER efficiency rating — a 3-ton AC unit costs $1,725-$3,600 in materials at 14 SEER versus $6,325-$10,800 at 21 SEER, more than triple for the same tonnage (Fixr)
  • Ductwork condition — a swap reusing existing ductwork stays in the $5,000-$12,500 band, while a full replacement that also needs new or replaced ductwork runs $8,500-$19,200 (Angi, HomeAdvisor)
  • Brand and equipment tier — unit pricing ranges from about $2,750 for budget brands (Amana, Goodman) up to $7,500 for York, with mid-tier brands like Trane around $6,000 (HomeGuide, Bob Vila)
  • Labor rate — a standard installation runs $500-$2,500 in labor, averaging around $1,500, or $75-$250 per hour (Angi, HomeAdvisor, Fixr)
  • Permits — typically $250-$400 for a standard system swap (HomeGuide, Bob Vila)
  • Add-ons — zoning a system adds $2,000-$3,000 and a smart thermostat adds $120-$260 (Angi)

How much does a full HVAC system replacement cost?

A full HVAC system replacement — furnace and AC together, or an all-electric heat pump doing both jobs — costs $5,000 to $22,000, averaging around $7,500 nationally (Angi, HomeAdvisor, HomeGuide, Bob Vila). Most homeowners land in a narrower $5,000 to $12,500 “normal” range if the ductwork, electrical setup, and system type stay close to what’s being replaced (Angi, HomeAdvisor, This Old House, HomeGuide, Bob Vila). This Old House independently confirms the same $5,000-$12,500 band for standard-efficiency systems, while noting that premium-efficiency equipment in larger homes can push the total past $22,000. Thumbtack, which pulls from actual marketplace quotes rather than published estimates, reports a notably higher national average of $11,862 and a wider $3,725-$20,449 range — a reminder that real contractor bids often run above the “typical” figures published by cost-estimator sites.

Furnace + AC split system vs. heat pump vs. packaged unit — which costs more?

A standard split system — a separate furnace and outdoor AC condenser — with usable ductwork already in place runs about $5,000 to $12,500 installed (Angi, HomeAdvisor, HomeGuide, Bob Vila). Swapping both halves for an all-electric heat pump, which heats and cools with a single outdoor unit, typically costs $4,200 to $7,600 (Angi, HomeAdvisor, This Old House) — often cheaper than a separate furnace and AC because it consolidates two pieces of equipment into one system. Fixr’s pricing for self-contained “packaged HVAC” units, which combine heating and cooling into a single outdoor cabinet instead of a split furnace-and-condenser setup, shows a higher installed total of $11,200 to $15,800, reflecting the larger integrated equipment. By fuel type alone, electric furnaces run $1,700 to $7,100 installed, while gas and oil furnaces both run $3,800 to $10,000 (Angi, HomeAdvisor, This Old House).

How much do tonnage, efficiency rating, and ductwork add to the price?

  • Tonnage. Angi and HomeAdvisor price AC equipment at roughly $2,000 for a 1.5-ton unit up to $3,500 for a 3.5-ton unit. This Old House’s full installed-system pricing shows the same climb: $8,138 for a 1,000 sq ft home (1.5 tons), $8,241 for 1,200 sq ft (2 tons), $8,344 for 1,800 sq ft (3 tons), and $12,670 for 2,500 sq ft (4 tons).
  • SEER efficiency rating. Fixr prices a 3-ton AC unit at $1,725 to $3,600 in materials at 14 SEER versus $6,325 to $10,800 at 21 SEER — more than triple for the same tonnage.
  • Ductwork condition. A system swap that reuses existing ductwork stays in the $5,000-$12,500 band. A full replacement that also requires new or replaced ductwork runs $8,500 to $19,200 (Angi, HomeAdvisor) — closer to what a central air installation from scratch costs.
  • Brand and equipment tier. Unit pricing ranges from about $2,750 for budget brands like Amana or Goodman up to $7,500 for York, with mid-tier brands like Trane running around $6,000 (HomeGuide, Bob Vila).
  • Labor and permits. A standard installation runs $500 to $2,500 in labor, averaging around $1,500, plus $250 to $400 for permits (Angi, HomeGuide, Bob Vila).
  • Add-ons. Zoning a system adds $2,000 to $3,000, and a smart thermostat adds $120 to $260 (Angi).

When should you replace the furnace and AC at the same time?

If your furnace and AC were installed together, they’re usually close in age, and most HVAC pros recommend replacing both halves at once once either one fails or nears the end of its service life. As Heidi Gehring, director of residential HVAC product management at Carrier, puts it: “If the system itself is running longer or you’re seeing higher energy bills, that can be a sign that it needs to be replaced” (Bob Vila). Matched, same-age equipment runs more efficiently than pairing a brand-new condenser with an aging furnace, and some manufacturers tie warranty terms to installing matched components together. If only one half has actually failed — say the AC unit but not the furnace — a standalone swap is still cheaper up front: a full split-system replacement runs $5,000 to $12,500, while replacing just the AC portion or just the furnace individually costs less than doing both. Homeowners with failing ductwork on top of aging equipment should budget for the $8,500-$19,200 full-replacement-plus-ductwork range rather than assuming the lower system-only figure will hold; see our ductwork replacement cost guide for duct-specific pricing. For homes without existing ductwork at all, a mini-split installation is worth pricing as an alternative to adding a full duct system from scratch.

Prices vary by region, home size, and the specific equipment you choose, so treat the figures above as a planning budget. Get two or three local HVAC contractor quotes, confirmed against a proper load calculation rather than square footage alone, before committing to a final number.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace an entire HVAC system?
A full HVAC system replacement costs $5,000 to $22,000, averaging around $7,500 nationally (Angi, HomeAdvisor, HomeGuide, Bob Vila). Most homeowners who reuse their existing ductwork land in a narrower $5,000-$12,500 range, per the same sources plus This Old House.
Is a heat pump cheaper than replacing a furnace and AC separately?
Usually, yes. An all-electric heat pump system, which handles both heating and cooling with one outdoor unit, typically runs $4,200 to $7,600 installed (Angi, HomeAdvisor, This Old House) — often less than a gas furnace ($3,800-$10,000) plus a separate AC unit.
Does HVAC replacement cost include new ductwork?
Not usually. The headline $5,000-$12,500 range assumes usable ductwork already in place. A full replacement that also requires new or replaced ductwork runs $8,500 to $19,200 instead (Angi, HomeAdvisor).
How much does system size (tonnage) affect the price?
A lot. Angi and HomeAdvisor price AC equipment at roughly $2,000 for a 1.5-ton unit up to $3,500 for a 3.5-ton unit. This Old House's installed-system pricing shows the same pattern at the whole-project level: $8,138 for a 1,000 sq ft home (1.5 tons) versus $12,670 for a 2,500 sq ft home (4 tons).
How much does SEER efficiency rating add to HVAC replacement cost?
Efficiency rating moves the price sharply. Fixr prices a 3-ton AC unit at $1,725 to $3,600 in materials at 14 SEER, versus $6,325 to $10,800 at 21 SEER — more than triple for the same tonnage.
Should I replace my furnace and AC at the same time?
Most HVAC pros recommend it once either half fails or nears the end of its service life, since matched, same-age equipment runs more efficiently than pairing a new condenser with an old furnace. Brand and equipment tier drive a lot of the cost either way: unit pricing runs from about $2,750 for budget brands like Amana or Goodman up to $7,500 for York, with mid-tier brands like Trane around $6,000 (HomeGuide, Bob Vila).
Why do HVAC replacement cost estimates vary so much between sources?
Angi, HomeAdvisor, HomeGuide, and Bob Vila all cluster around a $7,500 average and $5,000-$12,500 range for a standard system swap. Thumbtack, which pulls from actual marketplace quotes rather than published estimates, reports a notably higher national average of $11,862 and a wider $3,725-$20,449 range — a sign that real contractor bids often run above published 'typical' figures.

Sources

Figures synthesized and cross-checked across these sources (retrieved 2026-07-28):

  • Angi — Installing or replacing an HVAC system costs around $7,500 on average, with most homeowners paying between $5,000 and $12,500 (normal range); the full project can run $5,000 to $22,000. Per square foot: $25-$60. By home size: 1,000 sq ft $3,000-$6,000; 1,500 sq ft $4,000-$7,000; 2,000 sq ft $5,000-$9,000; 2,500 sq ft $6,000-$10,000; 3,000 sq ft $7,000-$12,000. AC unit by tonnage: 1.5-ton $2,000; 2.5-ton $2,900; 3-ton $3,000; 3.5-ton $3,500. AC replacement overall $3,900-$7,900. Furnace: electric $1,700-$7,100, gas/oil $3,800-$10,000. Heat pump $4,200-$7,600. Boiler $3,700-$8,300 (up to $12,000 for high-efficiency). Ductwork $1,000-$2,700 (or $1-$13 per linear foot). Full system with new ductwork: $8,500-$19,200. Labor averages $1,500, range $500-$2,500. Thermostat $120-$260. Adding zones $2,000-$3,000.
  • HomeAdvisor — Installing or replacing an HVAC system costs around $7,500 on average, with most homeowners paying between $5,000 and $12,500; the project can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $22,000. Cost per square foot: $25-$60. By system type: AC $3,900-$7,900; gas furnace $3,800-$10,000; electric furnace $1,700-$7,100; oil furnace $3,800-$10,000; heat pump $4,200-$7,600. AC unit by tonnage: 1.5-ton $2,000; 2.5-ton $2,900; 3-ton $3,000; 3.5-ton $3,500. Labor $500-$2,500; materials $1,000-$10,000; total installation $1,500-$12,500. Ductwork $1,000-$2,700. New HVAC system of this size with ductwork: $8,500-$19,200. Thermostat $120-$260.
  • This Old House — HVAC installation costs typically range from about $5,000-$12,500 for standard-efficiency systems; larger homes with premium-efficiency equipment can see total project costs exceed $22,000. Component costs: air conditioner $4,000-$8,000; heat pump $4,200-$7,600; furnace $2,000-$10,000 (electric $2,000-$7,000, gas $3,800-$10,000, oil $6,750-$10,000); ductwork around $1,000-$2,700 for a 1,000-square-foot system. Installed system cost by home size/tonnage: 1,000 sq ft/1.5 tons $8,138; 1,200 sq ft/2 tons $8,241; 1,800 sq ft/3 tons $8,344; 2,500 sq ft/4 tons $12,670.
  • HomeGuide — Full HVAC unit replacement costs range from $5,000 to $12,500, national average $7,500. AC unit by tonnage: 1.5 tons $2,000; 2.5 tons $2,900; 3 tons $3,000; 3.5 tons $3,500. By brand: Amana $2,750; American Standard $3,750; Bryant $3,000; Carrier $4,250; Coleman $3,000; Goodman $2,750; Lennox $3,500; MagicPak $4,750; Mitsubishi $4,500; Rheem $3,250; Ruud $3,250; Trane $6,000; York $7,500. Labor typically around $1,500. Permits $250-$400. By system type: central AC $3,900-$7,900; gas furnace $3,800-$10,000; heat pump (air source) $4,500-$8,000; geothermal heat pump $4,450-$24,450; ductless mini-split $2,000-$14,500. Ductwork $500-$2,000 (or $10-$20 per linear foot). Additional zones $2,000-$3,000. Thermostat $125-$275.
  • Bob Vila — Full HVAC unit replacement costs range from $5,000 to $12,500, national average $7,500. AC unit by tonnage: 1.5 tons $2,000; 2.5 tons $2,900; 3 tons $3,000; 3.5 tons $3,500. By brand, unit-only cost ranges from $2,750 (Amana, Goodman) to $7,500 (York); average HVAC system unit cost about $4,750. Labor typically around $1,500. Permits $250-$400. By system type: central AC $3,900-$7,900; gas furnace $3,800-$10,000; heat pump (air source) $4,500-$8,000. Ductwork replacement $500-$2,000 (or $10-$20 per linear foot).
  • Thumbtack — National average HVAC system cost ranges from around $3,725-$20,449; most people pay around $11,862. AC unit installation $925-$9,680 (varies by tonnage). Furnace installation $1,320-$7,819. Heat pump installation $1,562-$9,254. Boiler installation $2,125-$5,843. Ductwork $3-$19 per linear foot; total ductwork project averages $852-$5,337. Zoning an HVAC system costs approximately $2,000-$3,000.
  • Fixr — National average range for central air installation $5,800-$14,400, average $8,750. By 3-ton unit SEER rating (materials only): 14 SEER $1,725-$3,600; 15 SEER $2,300-$4,800; 16 SEER $2,875-$6,000; 21 SEER $6,325-$10,800. By system type, installed total: split system (furnace + AC) labor $1,250-$3,000, total $5,050-$10,700; packaged AC labor $1,000-$2,500, total $5,000-$11,000; packaged HVAC labor $2,000-$5,000, total $11,200-$15,800. Replacement cost $5,500-$10,000 for a unit swap versus $7,500-$16,000 if ductwork also needs replacing. Labor rate $75-$250 per hour.

Angi and HomeAdvisor (Angi owns HomeAdvisor and both publish the same underlying dataset) report a national average of $7,500 with a normal range of $5,000-$12,500 and a full project span of $5,000-$22,000 for installing or replacing a full heating-and-cooling system. HomeGuide and Bob Vila report the identical $7,500 average and $5,000-$12,500 range, and both cite the same by-tonnage AC figures ($2,000 at 1.5 tons up to $3,500 at 3.5 tons) and the same brand-price table, indicating a shared data lineage across that four-source cluster rather than four fully independent estimates. This Old House independently corroborates the $5,000-$12,500 range for standard-efficiency systems and separately confirms that premium-efficiency equipment in larger homes can push total project cost past $22,000, which anchors range_high_usd. Thumbtack, which aggregates real marketplace quotes rather than a published estimate, reports a notably higher national average ($11,862) and range ($3,725-$20,449) for 'HVAC system cost' broadly (its component figures for AC, furnace, heat pump, and boiler installed separately run from as low as $925 up to $9,680 depending on scope) — a useful signal that actual contractor bids often exceed published 'typical' estimates, but its component-level low end reflects smaller jobs rather than a full system, so it isn't used to set the headline low. national_average_usd ($7,500) and project_low/high_usd ($5,000-$12,500) are anchored to the Angi/HomeAdvisor/HomeGuide/Bob Vila cluster; range_low_usd ($5,000) and range_high_usd ($22,000) reflect the widest verbatim span cited by that cluster and independently corroborated by This Old House. by_type breaks the job into its common shapes: a standard split system (furnace + AC) reusing existing ductwork, an all-electric heat pump system that replaces both halves with one outdoor unit, a self-contained packaged HVAC unit (Fixr), and a full replacement that also requires new or replaced ductwork (Angi, HomeAdvisor). Figures generally include the equipment and standard installation labor; ductwork beyond incidental connections, electrical panel upgrades, permits, zoning, and smart thermostats are commonly quoted as separate line items.