❄️ HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator 🏠
Plan your heating and cooling replacement budget with an installed cost range and a clear project breakdown.
Planning estimate only. Actual bids can fall outside this range. Confirm equipment, labor, removal, taxes, permits and warranty terms with your installer. This tool does not size equipment.
Where do the starting ranges come from?
Carrier’s published installed-cost guide lists central AC at $3,000–$15,000, gas furnaces at $3,800–$12,000, heat pumps at $6,000–$25,000 and ductless mini-splits at $2,000–$10,500. Reviewed October 17, 2026. These broad references cover varied configurations and are not prices for a specific model, tonnage, zone count or location.
For a combined furnace and AC, unusual configuration or local quote, choose “Other / full system” and enter your own low and high amounts. All added allowances come from your entries; no ZIP-code pricing or automatic equipment-sizing assumptions are used. Selecting a manufacturer does not supply a manufacturer price; enter a local installed quote range.
View Carrier’s cost guide →⇄ Compare manufacturers side by side
Compare two installed quote ranges for the same project. No manufacturer prices are prefilled.
| Budget item | Quote A | Quote B |
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Share Your HVAC Budget
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About the Creator
MyCruncher — Founded by Bobby Dues
MyCruncher provides free online calculators designed to make everyday calculations easier to understand and use.
Meet Bobby Dues →Installed-Cost References
Use published cost guides as background when reviewing local quotes. These references do not set the prices in your calculator.
A complete, verified manufacturer-by-tier price table is not available in this starter guide. Standard, High Efficiency and Premium Comfort remain descriptive labels. Current model, capacity, location and installation scope require an installer quote.
Sources checked October 18, 2026. Publication dates and scope are shown with each reference.⚡ Compare Annual Energy Costs
Compare two options serving the same heating or cooling demand. Enter the actual matched-system ratings and your utility rates.
| Measure | Option A | Option B |
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Scenario estimate, not a utility-bill forecast. Climate, installation, duct losses and thermostat use affect actual performance. HSPF2 uses standardized seasonal conditions and is not a local cold-weather model. Do not add a second allowance for backup heat already included in the rating. Furnace results show gas cost only and exclude blower electricity. Fixed utility charges, maintenance, financing and installation costs are excluded.
Calculation method and sources
Cooling electricity (kWh) = annual cooling demand (million Btu) × 1,000 ÷ SEER2. Heat-pump heating electricity (kWh) = annual heating demand (million Btu) × 1,000 ÷ HSPF2.
Furnace gas (therms) = annual heating demand (million Btu) × 10 ÷ (AFUE ÷ 100). Multiply energy use by the entered utility rate. Monthly figures are annual totals divided by 12, not expected peak-season bills.
Demand must be stated at the equipment-output boundary. Building loads may need adjustment for distribution losses. The heat-pump calculation is a simplified seasonal comparison, not a simulation of defrost or auxiliary heating in your climate.
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How to Compare HVAC Replacement Costs
Use the MyCruncher HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator to plan a replacement budget, compare installer quotes, and explore estimated energy costs. Start with a general estimate or compare equipment from Goodman, Samsung, Bosch, and YORK.
Start with a General Estimate
Choose the type of equipment you are replacing and keep the general estimate selected for an initial budget range. Add project expenses, a contingency allowance, and applicable discounts to reflect your plans.
Compare Two Installer Quotes
- Choose the same system type. Compare quotes covering the same heating or cooling needs.
- Select each manufacturer and equipment tier. Standard, High Efficiency, and Premium Comfort describe your options; selecting a tier does not automatically change the price.
- Select a listed model when available. Review its published efficiency information, warranty notes, and manufacturer links. The model list is a starting selection, not a complete catalog.
- Enter each quoted installed price or range. For a single fixed quote, enter the same amount in both price fields.
- Add costs outside the base quote. Include ductwork, electrical work, permits, and other expenses only if they are not already included.
About manufacturer pricing: Brand and model selections do not generate verified local prices. Published cost references provide background and may cover several models, capacities, or brands. Use written installer quotes for your selected equipment and project.
Compare Estimated Energy Costs
Select cooling, heat-pump heating and cooling, or gas-furnace heating. Enter your utility rates, annual heating or cooling demand, and the efficiency values for each option.
The Use Quote A / B Labels button copies the option labels. Enter efficiency ratings separately for the exact equipment combination being compared. The illustrative example demonstrates the calculation and does not represent your home or a specific manufacturer.
Save and Share Your Comparison
Use Share Energy Result to share the energy scenario with its entered values. Use Reset Energy Comparison to clear that scenario and begin again. The installer-quote comparison has its own sharing controls.
HVAC Brand and Equipment Tier FAQs
How can I compare Goodman vs. YORK replacement costs?
Select Goodman for one quote and YORK for the other. Choose the same system type, enter each installer’s quoted price, and add any expenses that are not included. Compare the total installed ranges alongside the exact models and scope of work.
A brand name alone does not establish which option costs less. Check equipment capacity, matched components, efficiency ratings, installation work, and warranty terms before deciding.
How can I compare Bosch vs. Samsung HVAC prices?
Select Bosch and Samsung in the two quote columns and enter prices for systems that meet the same heating and cooling needs. Confirm whether each proposal includes ducted equipment, ductless equipment, or a different installation arrangement.
If the configurations differ, review the rooms served, indoor units, ductwork, electrical work, and included controls. A lower total may reflect a different project scope.
What do Standard, High Efficiency, and Premium Comfort mean?
These are descriptive categories for organizing your comparison:
- Standard: Use for the baseline equipment option in your installer proposals.
- High Efficiency: Use for an option chosen for improved rated efficiency. Compare the actual ratings to confirm the difference.
- Premium Comfort: Use for an option chosen for additional comfort or control features. Ask your installer which features the quoted model includes.
The categories can overlap. They are not manufacturer certifications or fixed efficiency bands, and choosing a tier does not apply a price markup.
Does selecting a manufacturer calculate its installed price?
No. Manufacturer selection organizes your quote and displays available model information. Enter the installed price supplied by your contractor. The separate published cost references provide background; they are not live prices for every brand, model, and equipment tier.
Why is my model missing from the list?
The calculator includes a starter selection of models. A missing model does not mean the manufacturer does not offer that type of equipment. Use the quote label to identify your proposed model and confirm its specifications through the manufacturer or installer.
Do the warranty notes cover my exact installation?
Use the notes as a starting point and open the linked warranty documents. Confirm the exact model, registration requirements, eligibility, covered components, and exclusions. Ask whether installation labor is included or covered by a separate contractor warranty.
Where can I find a contractor for my selected brand?
Use the manufacturer contractor-locator link shown with the selected brand. Confirm directly that the contractor serves your area and installs the proposed model. Request an itemized written quote before adding prices to your comparison.
Compare the complete proposal: Check model numbers, equipment capacity, installation scope, permits, removal of old equipment, startup work, and warranty coverage. The lowest initial price is only one part of the decision.
HVAC Energy Cost FAQs and Example
Which efficiency ratings should I enter?
Use SEER2 for cooling, HSPF2 for heat-pump heating, and AFUE for gas-furnace heating. Enter AFUE as a percentage, such as 96 for 96%.
Use the documented ratings for the exact matched equipment in your quote. A product family’s advertised “up to” rating may not apply to your selected combination. Do not substitute older SEER or HSPF values into fields requesting SEER2 or HSPF2.
Where do I find my utility rates?
Use your utility bill or rate schedule. Enter electricity in dollars per kilowatt-hour and natural gas in dollars per therm. For example, 20 cents per kWh is entered as 0.20.
Include applicable usage-based supply and delivery charges. Exclude fixed monthly fees. If rates vary by season, time of day, or usage tier, use a representative rate and compare additional scenarios.
What is annual heating or cooling demand?
This is the yearly amount of heating or cooling the equipment must deliver, entered in million Btu. It is not your equipment’s hourly capacity or the number of hours your thermostat is switched on.
Ask your installer or energy assessor for an annual estimate based on your home and climate. A peak-load calculation alone does not provide annual demand. The calculator treats demand as equipment output; account for distribution losses consistently when preparing that input.
Worked Example: Two Heat-Pump Options
This illustrative scenario uses 36 million Btu of annual cooling demand, 60 million Btu of annual heating demand, and electricity priced at $0.20 per kWh.
- Option A: 15 SEER2 and 8 HSPF2.
- Option B: 18 SEER2 and 9 HSPF2.
Option A:
Cooling: 36 × 1,000 ÷ 15 = 2,400 kWh.
Heating: 60 × 1,000 ÷ 8 = 7,500 kWh.
Annual cost: (2,400 + 7,500) × $0.20 =
$1,980.00.
Option B:
Cooling: 36 × 1,000 ÷ 18 = 2,000 kWh.
Heating: 60 × 1,000 ÷ 9 ≈ 6,666.67 kWh.
Annual cost: (2,000 + 6,666.67) × $0.20 ≈
$1,733.33.
Illustrative difference: Option B uses approximately $246.67 less electricity per year in this scenario. These are example inputs, not manufacturer claims or predicted savings for your home.
Is the result a prediction of my utility bill?
No. It is a simplified comparison using the demand, efficiency ratings, and rates you enter. Weather, thermostat settings, installation, duct losses, and equipment operation can change actual consumption. HSPF2 is a standardized seasonal rating, not a detailed model of your local winter.
The estimate excludes fixed utility fees, maintenance, financing, and installation costs. Gas-furnace mode estimates fuel cost and excludes blower electricity. The tool does not separately model dual-fuel switching or your home’s auxiliary-heat operation.
What does the monthly estimate mean?
It is the annual estimate divided by 12. It is not a forecast for a particular month; heating and cooling use varies through the year.
Does lower energy cost mean the better overall deal?
Compare the energy estimate with the installed quote, comfort features, and warranty coverage. The energy result does not automatically include the additional purchase price or calculate lifetime ownership costs.
Can I share the energy comparison?
Yes. Calculate your scenario and select Share Energy Result. The link includes the entered energy-comparison values and option labels so another visitor can open that scenario. Use the separate quote-sharing controls to share installation-price comparisons.
Efficiency definitions: Read ENERGY STAR’s explanations of SEER2, HSPF2, and AFUE .