Estimate what a new furnace, AC, or full system replacement will cost in your area, with a line-by-line breakdown of equipment, labor, ductwork, permits, and removal.
Contractor-Grade Estimate · No Signup| Cost component | Estimated range |
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These are estimates based on industry cost ranges. Actual quotes from licensed contractors in your area may differ. Get at least three bids before committing.
When a contractor gives you an all-in quote for an HVAC replacement, that number is wrapping up five or six different cost buckets. Most homeowners get sticker shock because they expected "equipment cost" and instead got "equipment plus everything else." This calculator separates those buckets so you know what you are paying for and can compare multiple quotes on an apples-to-apples basis.
The five cost components in a typical replacement project:
Equipment efficiency is measured in SEER2 for cooling (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2, the 2023 federal standard) and HSPF2 for heat pumps in heating mode. The federal minimum is 13.4 SEER2 for northern states and 14.3 SEER2 for southern states. Here is what you are actually buying at each tier:
| Tier | SEER2 Range | What you get | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 13.4-14.3 SEER2 | Single-stage compressor, single-speed blower. Meets legal minimum. | Johnstone wholesale pricing available for contractors. |
| Mid efficiency | 16-18 SEER2 | Two-stage compressor, variable-speed blower. Better humidity control, quieter. | Most commonly installed tier in new residential. |
| Premium / High efficiency | 20+ SEER2 | Inverter-driven variable compressor, variable blower, communicating controls. Best efficiency, quietest operation. | May qualify for state and utility rebates. Federal 25C expired 12/31/2025. |
The payback on premium equipment versus standard depends on your cooling and heating load, local electricity rates, and how many hours the system runs. In high-use climates (Texas summer, Minnesota winter), premium efficiency can pay back in 6 to 10 years. In mild climates with low usage, payback may exceed 15 years. The heat pump payback calculator models this in more detail.
If your current system uses R-410A refrigerant and it is low on charge or has a leak, you are facing a decision that is more complex than it used to be. Under the EPA AIM Act Technology Transitions Rule (40 CFR Part 84), manufacture, distribution, sale, and installation of residential AC and heat pump equipment using R-410A was prohibited effective January 1, 2025. This is an HFC phase-down rule under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, not the Section 608 refrigerant recycling rule. Existing R-410A systems can continue to operate and be serviced with reclaimed refrigerant, but no new R-410A equipment can be manufactured or sold for residential use.
New residential HVAC equipment sold in 2026 is designed to use R-454B or R-32, which are A2L refrigerants. A2L refrigerants are mildly flammable, which means installers and technicians need updated training and some municipalities have revised their permit inspection requirements for the transition. This is not a reason to panic, but it is a reason to ask your contractor what refrigerant the new equipment uses and confirm they are certified to handle it.
The practical implication for replacement cost: if your R-410A system needs a major repair and refrigerant is increasingly expensive or unavailable, the repair-versus-replace math shifts toward replace even if the equipment is not end-of-life by age.
A 3-ton system for a 1,200 sqft house is not a win. It is a problem. An oversized AC unit cools your home so fast it shuts off before it has had time to dehumidify the air. The result is a house that feels cold and clammy instead of cool and comfortable. In humid climates like Florida, Georgia, or the Gulf Coast, an oversized unit is one of the most common causes of indoor moisture problems.
The rule of thumb this calculator uses is 1 ton of cooling capacity per 400-600 sqft of conditioned space, adjusted for climate zone. This is a starting estimate. The standard that licensed HVAC contractors use is ACCA Manual J, a full load calculation that accounts for insulation, ceiling height, window area, local design temperatures, and air infiltration. Before a contractor selects and installs equipment, they should perform a Manual J, or at minimum document their sizing rationale. If a contractor quotes a unit size without any load calculation, ask why.
Some homeowners ask contractors to skip the permit to save money and time. This is a risk worth understanding clearly. Without a permit and inspection:
The permit fee is usually $50 to $700 depending on your municipality. It is a small cost for what it covers. A licensed contractor should pull the permit as part of the job. If a contractor asks you to pull your own permit, that is a yellow flag worth asking about.
A full HVAC system replacement (furnace plus central AC or heat pump) in 2026 is designed to cost between $8,000 and $16,000 installed, depending on home size, equipment tier, and region. An AC-only swap on an existing furnace and ductwork may cost $3,500 to $7,000. A furnace-only replacement may cost $2,500 to $5,500. High-efficiency equipment, difficult access, ductwork work, and high-labor-cost regions push costs toward the high end. These figures are estimates. Getting three contractor quotes is the single most important step before committing.
A complete HVAC replacement project may include: equipment cost (the unit itself), labor to install and connect the system, refrigerant charge (for AC or heat pump), electrical work if a new disconnect or panel upgrade is needed, ductwork modification or addition, permits required by your municipality, and removal and disposal of the old equipment. Contractors often quote a single all-in number. This calculator separates those line items so you can compare quotes more accurately.
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) was the efficiency rating standard for residential AC and heat pumps before 2023. SEER2 is the updated standard that took effect January 1, 2023, using a slightly different test procedure that produces ratings about 5 percent lower than SEER for the same equipment. A unit that was rated SEER 14 under the old standard may be rated SEER2 13.4 under the new one. When comparing equipment efficiency, make sure you are comparing SEER2 to SEER2. The new federal minimum is 13.4 SEER2 for northern states and 14.3 SEER2 for southern states.
The federal 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit for HVAC equipment, which previously covered 30 percent of the installed cost up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pumps, expired December 31, 2025 per the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). As of the date of this calculator, there is no active federal HVAC tax credit. State and utility rebates may still be available in your area. Check with your state energy office and local utility for current programs.
A commonly used rule of thumb is 1 ton of cooling capacity per 400 to 600 square feet of conditioned space, depending on your climate zone. Hotter climates need less tonnage per square foot than colder climates need for heating. However, the industry-standard method is a Manual J load calculation, which accounts for your home's insulation, ceiling height, window area, air infiltration, and local design temperatures. An HVAC contractor should perform a Manual J before selecting equipment size. Oversized equipment short-cycles, increasing humidity and reducing comfort. Undersized equipment runs continuously and cannot reach setpoint on design-day temperatures.
Under the EPA AIM Act Technology Transitions Rule (40 CFR Part 84), manufacture, distribution, sale, and installation of residential AC and heat pump equipment using R-410A was prohibited effective January 1, 2025. Most new residential AC and heat pump equipment shipped in 2026 uses R-454B or R-32, which are A2L refrigerants with lower global warming potential. This transition may affect replacement cost in two ways: contractors need updated equipment and training to handle A2L refrigerants, and recharging older R-410A systems becomes more expensive as R-410A inventory depletes. If your existing system uses R-410A and needs a refrigerant recharge, factor this into your decision to repair versus replace. Source: epa.gov/climate-hfcs-reduction/technology-transitions-program
FigureNerd calculators are educational tools designed to support your decision-making. We are not licensed HVAC contractors, engineers, or financial planners. Results are directional estimates and may help prompt consultation with a licensed contractor. Actual installed cost depends on your local market, your specific home, and current equipment pricing.
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