Home Services
HVAC Replacement Cost and Local Options
Published September 24, 2026 · Last updated September 30, 2026
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The short answer
A new HVAC system costs $5,000 to $28,000. For a typical 2,000-square-foot home, most people pay $7,000 to $20,000. The type of system and the size of your home matter most.
The right size matters more than the brand. Ask every contractor for a load calculation.
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HVAC snapshot
- Full system
- $5,000 to $28,000
- Typical 2,000 square foot home
- $7,000 to $20,000
- New ductwork adds
- About $3,000
- Central AC alone, average
- $8,460
Source: This Old House, reported by CBS News, 2026.
Not a quote, offer or approval. Your price comes from the provider. Last updated September 2026.
Signs it's time to replace
- Your system is old. Central AC units usually last 15 to 20 years with good care.
- Repairs keep coming, and each one costs more.
- Your energy bills keep climbing.
- Some rooms are too hot or too cold.
- It uses an old refrigerant that's getting expensive to recharge.
Not sure? Read repair or replace your HVAC system.
What affects your HVAC price
Price range
A full HVAC replacement costs about $5,000 to $28,000, including equipment and labor. A typical 2,000-square-foot home lands around $7,000 to $20,000. New ductwork can add about $3,000.
Not a quote or an offer. Your price comes from the contractor. Source: CBS News, citing This Old House, 2026.
What moves the number
- What you replace. Just the AC or just the furnace costs less than both at once.
- Type of system. See below.
- Efficiency. Higher-efficiency units cost more up front but cost less to run. For AC, look at the SEER2 rating. Higher is better.
- Ductwork. Old, leaky, or missing ducts add cost.
- Home size. Bigger homes need bigger systems.
How much does a new AC unit cost?
Replacing just a central air conditioner costs about $8,460 on average. Most people pay $6,345 to $10,575. Bigger units cost more. A 5-ton unit for a large home can cost over $16,000.
Not a quote or an offer. Source: This Old House, 2026.
Types of HVAC systems
Central AC with a gas furnace. The most common setup in many areas. The AC cools, and the furnace heats.
Heat pump. One unit that heats and cools by moving heat in or out of your home. It works well in mild and many cold climates, and it can cost less to run than electric heat.
Ductless mini-split. Wall units with no ducts. Good for additions, older homes without ducts, or single rooms.
Packaged unit. Everything in one outdoor box. Common in some warm climates and homes without basements or attics.
What to ask before you choose
Get at least three quotes for systems of the same size and efficiency.
- "Will you do a load calculation?" It's called a Manual J. It figures out the right size for your home. Don't let anyone just match the size of your old unit.
- "Will you check my ducts?" A new system on leaky ducts wastes money.
- "What's the warranty on parts and on labor?" Parts warranties often need you to register the unit. Ask who does that.
- "Are there rebates from my power or gas company?" Many federal energy tax credits ended after 2025, but local rebates may still exist.
- "Is repairing my old system a better deal?" An honest contractor will tell you.
The catch: a system that's too big isn't better. It turns on and off too often, wears out faster, and leaves your home damp.
Keep reading
Cut heating and cooling costs with better insulation or new windows. Paying over time? Compare a HELOC. Protect new systems with a home warranty.
More home systems: Water heaters · Tankless water heaters · Plumbing · Electrical · Generators · Insulation · Solar · Water treatment · Repair or replace your HVAC · All home projects
More heating and cooling guides: Furnace replacement · AC replacement · Heat pumps · Repair or replace your HVAC · Insulation
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