Get a realistic price range for replacing your heating and cooling system. Enter your home size and climate, choose central AC, gas furnace, heat pump, dual fuel or ductless mini-split, pick an efficiency tier and the state of your ducts, and see the installed cost, the system size in tons and a side-by-side comparison of every option.
Last updated:
Your home
sq ft
Heated and cooled living space, all floors.
New system
Efficiency tier
One wall or ceiling head per room or zone, 1–8.
Local prices & extras
$
Utility, state or other incentives you have confirmed; subtracted at the end.
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator
Enter your home size (heated and cooled square feet) and choose your climate and insulation level.
Pick the system type: AC only, furnace only, AC + furnace, heat pump, dual fuel or ductless mini-split.
Choose an efficiency tier and tell the calculator whether your ductwork can be reused or needs work.
Set your local labor cost, add extras and any rebates you qualify for.
Read the cost range and tonnage, then compare the other system types in the table before getting quotes.
How the HVAC estimate is built
Size the system. Cooling tons = floor area ÷ square feet per ton (500 in hot-humid areas up to 700 in very cold areas, adjusted ±15% for insulation), rounded up to the next half ton. Homes needing more than 5 tons are split into two systems, because residential units top out at 5 tons.
Size the furnace. Heat need = floor area × 30–60 BTU per sq ft by climate. Dividing by the furnace efficiency (AFUE) gives the input rating, rounded up to the next standard size (40k, 60k, 80k, 100k or 120k BTU/h).
Price the equipment and labor. AC and heat pumps are priced per ton for the chosen tier; furnaces by size; mini-splits by number of indoor heads. A fixed allowance covers removal, line set or venting, pad and permit.
Add ductwork and extras, multiply by your local labor factor, and subtract confirmed rebates.
Typical installed price ranges (2025–2026, US)
Component
Standard
Mid (two-stage)
High (variable-speed)
Central AC, per ton
$1,300–$1,900
$1,700–$2,400
$2,300–$3,300
Ducted heat pump, per ton
$1,800–$2,600
$2,300–$3,200
$3,000–$4,300
Gas furnace, 80k BTU
$2,500–$4,000 (80% AFUE)
$3,500–$5,500 (95–96%)
$4,800–$7,500 (97–98%, modulating)
Mini-split, per indoor head
$2,000–$3,200
$2,500–$4,000
$3,200–$5,000
Removal, permit & materials
$600–$1,200 per ducted system
These are planning figures drawn from typical published contractor pricing, not quotes. Prices change with refrigerant transitions, equipment brand, access (attic, crawlspace, rooftop), season and local demand. Change the region factor or compare the result with your quotes.
Rule-of-thumb sizing by climate
Climate
Sq ft per ton (average insulation)
Tons for 1,500 sq ft
Tons for 2,500 sq ft
Heating BTU per sq ft
Hot & humid
500
3.0
5.0
30
Hot & dry / warm
550
3.0
5.0
35
Mixed
600
2.5
4.5
40
Cold
650
2.5
4.0
50
Very cold
700
2.5
4.0
60
Oversizing is common and costly: an oversized AC short-cycles, removes less humidity and costs more up front. Ask your contractor for a Manual J load calculation and Manual S equipment selection.
Tips for getting a fair price
Get at least three written quotes that list the exact model numbers, SEER2 / HSPF2 / AFUE ratings and warranty terms.
Check that the outdoor unit and indoor coil or air handler are a matched pair listed together in the AHRI directory.
Ask whether the quote includes permits, a new line set, condensate pump, pad, thermostat, disposal and duct sealing.
Look up utility and state rebates before you sign; some require a pre-approval or a specific efficiency level.
Spring and fall are often the slowest seasons for installers, which can mean faster scheduling and better pricing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace an HVAC system?
For a typical 2,000 sq ft US home, replacing a central air conditioner and gas furnace together often runs roughly $7,000 to $12,000 for standard-efficiency equipment, and a ducted heat pump about $7,000 to $11,000. High-efficiency variable-speed systems, new ductwork and high-cost regions can push totals well above $20,000. These are ballpark 2025–2026 figures; local quotes vary widely.
What size AC or heat pump do I need?
A common rule of thumb is one ton of cooling (12,000 BTU/h) for every 500 to 700 square feet, with fewer square feet per ton in hot climates and poorly insulated homes. A 2,000 sq ft home in a mixed climate comes out near 3.5 tons. The only reliable method is a Manual J load calculation, which looks at windows, insulation, orientation and air leakage.
Is it cheaper to replace the AC and furnace at the same time?
Usually yes per unit of equipment. One crew, one permit and shared work on the coil, line set and thermostat mean the pair typically costs less than two separate jobs, and matched indoor and outdoor equipment is needed to reach the rated efficiency. This calculator applies a 10% shared-labor saving to combined systems.
How much does new ductwork add?
Sealing and minor duct repairs often cost a few hundred to about $2,000. Replacing all ductwork in an existing home commonly adds roughly $2.50 to $5.50 per square foot of floor area, and installing ducts in a home that never had them costs more because of the extra framing and finishing work. Ductless mini-splits avoid this cost entirely.
Is a high-efficiency system worth the extra cost?
It depends on your energy prices, climate and how long you will stay. A higher SEER2 or HSPF2 rating lowers running costs and variable-speed units improve comfort and humidity control, but the payback can be long in mild climates. Compare the price gap shown here with the yearly savings from a heat pump or AC running cost calculator.
How much does a ductless mini-split cost?
A single-zone mini-split is often about $3,000 to $6,000 installed, and multi-zone systems commonly run $2,000 to $5,000 per indoor head plus the outdoor unit. Mini-splits are popular for homes without ducts, additions and garages, and many are cold-climate heat pumps.
What is not included in the estimate?
The ranges include equipment, standard installation, removal of the old unit and a permit allowance. They do not include major electrical service upgrades beyond the optional allowance, asbestos abatement, structural changes, gas line extensions, zoning dampers or air purification add-ons. Always get several written quotes.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.