Cost to install new furnace and air conditioner

Get free estimates from HVAC contractors near you or check our out cost guide below. Pricing depends on the size of your house, the brand and efficiency rating of your new HVAC unit, the length of your ductwork, and labor expenses. An HVAC system takes care of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in a building so that you can live in a comfortable environment that vents away stale air while introducing freshly warmed or cooled outside air room air distribution.

The HVAC installation costs in the chart below are based on a single residential unit, whereas two units will be about double the price. There are three types of HVAC installation packages: the change-out, which includes a new air conditioner installation and a new heating system, the full installation which includes all the HVAC equipment and ductwork, and the full install that includes additional features such as a zoning system.

A change-out is simply replacing out the main components of your HVAC system without any new ductwork. You should only get a change-out if your ductwork is in excellent condition. HVAC contractors will try and push change-outs because installing ductwork is the most time-consuming and challenging part of the job.

New ductwork has no leaks, nor has it accumulated dust and allergens. New ductwork goes a long way toward lowering your energy bills. Additional upgrades include a variable speed fan, a whole house humidifier, or UV lighting.

The cost of the HVAC unit will mostly depend on the size of your house and the brand and efficiency rating of the new unit. Prices below are for the unit and installation costs. If problems exist with only a single component, replacement prices for parts and labor can cost a lot less depending on which part is not functioning correctly. Your HVAC system could be working properly, but your ductwork may be damaged, causing airflow problems.

A typical home needs 30 to 90 linear feet of ducting. Ductwork lasts 10 to 20 years on average before it needs replacing. New ducts are higher efficiency and produce better air quality. Air ducts mostly come in plastic, fiberglass, or metal. The ductwork must be sized to match the airflow from the HVAC unit and sealed correctly to avoid leaks and proper airflow.

Ductwork can collapse, develop leaks, and collect pests, debris, dust, and pollen. Ask your HVAC specialist to do a blower door test to measure airtightness. Instead of guessing at the correct size unit for your size house, contractors will use a Manual J calculation to get just the right size HVAC system.

For reference, one BTU is equal to the heat output of lighting one match. Typically, residential ACs range from 1-ton units to 5-ton units half sizes included, i. In general, purchase according to 1, square feet per ton.

The brand you choose for your home and what it costs varies widely. For instance, the Goodman and Bryant air-conditioning systems use the same internal parts that Amana and Carrier use, but the Goodman and Bryant air conditioners cost less. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient it is at heating and cooling in different temperatures.

The average summer temperature to arrive at the SEER rating is 83 degrees, so to arrive at the correct SEER rating for your area, subtract two points for every 10 degrees over Air conditioners have SEER ratings that range from 14 to The harder it is to reach your existing HVAC system, the more it will cost to replace it.

A few things that make a system difficult to access are:. All those things will add to the cost of your new HVAC system. There are many types of ductwork, but the most common is round. It carries the cold air from the outside unit and delivers it to the rooms in your home.

This cuts down on the efficiency of the system. A contractor who tells you a permit is not necessary when it actually is, is placing you in jeopardy. The city might require you to remove any installed equipment at your own expense if it was installed without a permit. Depending on the complexity of your job, you can have any combination of apprentice, journeyman, or master technicians working for you.

Most HVAC jobs take 1 — 5 days. For a job of low complexity, where the old HVAC is being replaced by new equipment, the average range is between 6 to 10 hours for one technician and one laborer. Adding new duct work could add another 1 — 3 days depending on complexity and ease of access. A zoned system will regulate the air temperature in each zone of your home, and each zone has an air-handling system.

For instance, the bedrooms may be in one zone to keep them cooler later at night while not keeping the living room and kitchen cool while everyone is sleeping. This means it will require a different type of motor, and it will raise the cost of your HVAC system, but it can save you money on energy bills over the long run.

If you live in a dry climate, a humidifier attached to your HVAC system can make your home a more comfortable place—a little moisture in the air can reduce allergy problems, help your skin feel better, reduce static shock, and protect your wood furniture.

With that said, if you are worried about the cost of the HVAC installation, you may be able to negotiate for a cheaper brand. Homeowners that need a full installation with ductwork can expect to pay a few thousand dollars more than a change-out installation with the unit only. Because the price of ducting material is measured per foot, owners of larger homes will have to pay more for ductwork. The accessibility of the ductwork can also impact the cost of the HVAC installation.

If contractors need to work in crawl spaces or other hard-to-access areas, the labor cost can go up. Damaged air ducts can reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. The difficulty of the job will be considered in the total installation cost. Working in a small, difficult-to-access crawl space can be uncomfortable and potentially hazardous. Expect to pay more if the HVAC contractors are expected to work in challenging conditions.

The complexity of the job itself also affects the cost. Does the installation require a lot of custom fabricated parts? If so, the installation cost will go up. Labor rates vary from state to state. In metro areas, labor rates are usually higher and will consequently drive your bill upwards.

The minimum wage in the U. The pay for contractors varies depending on where you live, although they should be similar between companies in the same area. The cost of the permit will vary between different states and cities.

A permit will help ensure that the installation work was done correctly and is in line with building codes. A permit is required by law. The cost of a permit is usually a couple hundred dollars.

These common system upgrades will cost extra during the initial installation. Also called a variable speed blower, a variable speed fan provides homeowners with more control over the flow of air in their homes. It has various speed options, which can lead to low energy costs and high efficiency.

The fan is able to adjust to the current temperature and environment, slowing down and speeding up as needed to maintain a consistent temperature. If you want some variability in the temperatures around your home, consider adding a zoning system to your HVAC set-up. A zoning system, or zoned HVAC, is especially beneficial for homes that have upper rooms that are always warmer than lower floors, or rooms that need to stay especially cool, such as home offices or gyms.

UV lights, which can be placed inside of centralized HVAC systems, can reduce the amount of fungal, bacterial, and viral contamination inside of these systems. Air filters, motors, insulation and other parts of the HVAC systems are prone to mold and other organic growth.

The UV light helps decontaminate the system. Or, you could pay for a comprehensive UV light unit that sterilizes the air. The air sterilizing system is best for homes with people who suffer from severe allergies or asthma.

A humidifier adds moisture to the air inside of your home. A humidifier can be installed in your HVAC system to humidify the air throughout the entire home. A central humidifier can combat the effects of low humidity, including dry skin and respiratory problems. There are bypass humidifiers that work in sync with your HVAC system, or fan-powered humidifiers, which have a built-in fan and work independently of the HVAC unit. There are a few different scenarios that can influence the total cost of your heating and cooling system.

The average prices vary depending on the scenario. That cost includes a new furnace, AC unit and ductwork. Larger homes will cost more to heat and cool, because the HVAC system will have to have adequate power and the ductwork will cost more to install. Some homeowners choose to have their HVAC system installed on their roof. A rooftop HVAC system is a good option for those that are tight on space and are on a budget.

A split-system HVAC unit has two or three main compartments. One component is located outside of the home and the others, including the air handler and furnace, are located inside. Installing a split-system HVAC system can be moderately time-intensive and is therefore a more expensive option.

The cost of the HVAC system will depend on the size of the office building. Typically, business owners can expect to pay more than a homeowner for HVAC piping and ductwork. Mobile homes need different furnaces than the ones for traditional homes, and the furnaces are often cheaper. The duct systems in a mobile home tend to be smaller, and a particular furnace size is needed to accomodate.

For this reason, they are less expensive than traditional home furnaces. The unit simply draws cool air in, heats it with heated metal fins, and then, with a small fan, releases warm air into the room. Attic fans are located in the attic, and they remove hot and humid hair to cool down the attic and the home. Radiant heating can be installed in the floors, side panels, or ceilings of a home.

They supply heat directly from the surface to the people in the room via infrared radiation. It is more efficient than forced-air and baseboard heating, but it is also more expensive to install. The majority of that cost is due to labor costs. The installation process is relatively intense, including laying concrete and installing floor over the concrete.

Coils buried in the ground contain a solution that helps remove the hot energy from inside of your home in the summer and swap it with the cool solution underground. It works the opposite way in the winter.

HVAC systems that are more efficient will use less energy to heat or cool your home. This may mean that they have a high SEER rating, or that the specific brand selected has a good performance rating. Highly efficient systems are more expensive to purchase upfront, but they are intended to save homeowners money in the long-run. Environmental Protection Agency. Your system will have improved performance and ultimate comfort all year.

Units with an Energy Star certification usually cost more in initial costs. Ventilation is necessary to maintain a comfortable, livable environment in your home. Proper ventilation keeps the air moving, which is important for the air quality. Insulation can make a big difference in your energy costs. Like your home and needs, your HVAC project cost will be unique. Use the calculator to better estimate your investment.

For accurate pricing contact a local HVAC dealer. The chosen HVAC brand, necessary ductwork repair, and your location will influence the project cost. Here is a breakdown of the costs for each type of system and things to consider when estimating the cost for your home. Each type of unit has its own price range and additional costs to consider. Economy models that provide reliable comfort but use more energy make up the lower end of the cost range. Mid-range and high efficiency models can cost more up front but offer greater energy efficiency and savings on energy bills.

High efficiency furnaces can help you save during the colder months of the year by using less natural gas to heat your home. Some of the most efficient units today can get up to