How much does it cost to replace an HVAC system?

A full HVAC replacement (a new AC and furnace together) typically runs about $6,500 to $16,000 installed, with a national average around $11,590 to $14,100 as of 2026. Central AC alone runs roughly $3,000 to $15,000, a furnace alone about $3,800 to $12,000, and a heat pump about $8,000 to $15,000. The final number depends on system size, efficiency, and whether ductwork is reused or replaced.

What size HVAC system do I need for my house?

A rough rule of thumb is one ton of cooling (12,000 BTU) for every 400 to 700 square feet, or roughly 20 BTU per square foot, so a 2,000 square foot home often lands near 3 to 3.5 tons. Climate shifts it: hot-humid areas run higher. This is only an estimate; a contractor's Manual J load calculation, which accounts for insulation, windows, and orientation, is what should size the final system.

Is it cheaper to replace the AC and furnace at the same time?

Usually yes. Replacing both together costs less than two separate jobs because the contractor makes one trip and the labor overlaps, and matched systems run more efficiently. If one unit is near the end of its life when the other fails, doing both at once often saves money overall.

Does a high-efficiency HVAC system cost more?

Yes. Higher SEER2 and AFUE ratings, and variable-speed equipment, raise the up-front price, often by 30 percent or more, in exchange for lower monthly energy bills. Whether the premium pays back depends on your climate, energy prices, and how long you keep the home.

HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator

A new HVAC system is priced off your home, not a national sticker. Pick the system, your home size, and a few options, and this gives you a realistic cost range to walk into quotes with. It is a planning estimate, not a bid; ranges in this trade are wide, so get three local quotes before you decide.

What are you replacing?

Home size: 2,000 sq ft

Efficiency

Ductwork

$8,000 to $15,000

Estimated installed cost for a full system (AC + furnace)

Estimated size

3.5 tons

Midpoint

$11,500

Get quotes

3 local pros

Estimate only, from published 2026 contractor cost ranges (Angi, Modernize, Sears Home Services) scaled by your inputs. Actual price depends on your equipment brand, home, permits, and local labor. Sizing is a rule-of-thumb figure, not a Manual J load calculation.

What drives the price of a new HVAC system

Two homes on the same street can get very different quotes. The levers that move the number most:

Factor	Why it moves the price
System type	A heat pump or a full AC-plus-furnace replacement costs more than a single unit. Replacing both at once is cheaper than two separate visits.
Size (tonnage)	Bigger homes need more capacity (more tons or BTUs), and a larger unit costs more. Oversizing is a common, expensive mistake.
Efficiency	Higher SEER2 and AFUE ratings and variable-speed equipment cost more up front and less to run each month.
Ductwork	Reusing sound ducts costs nothing extra; repairs or a full duct replacement can add a few thousand dollars.
Local labor and permits	The single biggest reason the same system costs more in one metro than another. It is why our cost guides are built city by city.

Typical 2026 cost ranges by system type

System	Typical installed range
Central AC only	$3,000 to $15,000
Furnace only	$3,800 to $12,000
Heat pump	$8,000 to $15,000
Full system (AC + furnace)	$6,500 to $16,000

Ranges: Angi, Modernize, and Sears Home Services 2026 cost guides. Complete-system national average roughly $11,590 to $14,100.

Repair or replace?

A common guideline is the "5,000 rule": multiply the repair cost by the unit's age in years, and if the result tops about $5,000, replacement usually makes more sense. A system past 12 to 15 years, needing a major part like a compressor, is often worth replacing rather than patching, especially if it still uses the old R-22 refrigerant.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace a whole HVAC system?

A full replacement (new AC and furnace together) typically runs about $6,500 to $16,000 installed, averaging around $11,590 to $14,100 nationally in 2026. Your number depends on system size, efficiency, ductwork, and local labor. Use the calculator above for a range tuned to your home.

What size AC do I need for 2,000 square feet?

Roughly 3 to 3.5 tons in a moderate climate, using the rule of thumb of about 20 BTU per square foot (one ton per 400 to 700 square feet). Hot-humid regions run higher. This is an estimate only; a contractor's Manual J calculation, which factors in insulation, windows, and sun exposure, sizes the real system.

Why is a heat pump more expensive than an AC?

A heat pump both heats and cools, so it replaces two jobs, and modern variable-speed models are more sophisticated equipment. It can lower your heating bills, especially if you currently heat with electric resistance or expensive fuel, which is part of why the higher up-front cost can pay back.

How accurate is this estimate?

It is a planning range built from published 2026 contractor cost data, scaled by the inputs you choose. It is deliberately a range, not a single price, because real quotes vary widely with brand, home condition, permits, and local labor. Treat it as the number to sanity-check quotes against, then get three.

Have your range? Line up quotes that match it.

Walking into HVAC quotes knowing your system type, rough size, and a realistic cost range changes the conversation and makes lowball and highball bids obvious.

See HVAC cost guides for your area

General information only, not engineering or financial advice. Costs and sizing vary with your home, equipment, permits, and local labor; a licensed contractor's on-site load calculation and written quote are the authority. Sources: Angi HVAC replacement cost; Modernize HVAC cost; Sears Home Services.