Loan HVAC Cost Estimator
HVAC quotes are impossible to judge without the two variables that set them: the system type and the tonnage. Pick both — get the installed replacement range, scaled honestly, with a link to size the tonnage first if you do not know it.
Do not know your tonnage? The BTU Estimator sizes it from floor area, climate and insulation in under a minute — then come back with the number. Replacement assumes existing ductwork in serviceable condition.
How it works
Installed replacement bands at the reference 3-ton size: central AC $5,200–$8,500; furnace $3,800–$6,500; AC + furnace $8,500–$14,000; heat pump $6,500–$11,000; mini-split $3,800–$7,500 (single-zone). Size scales the band with the factor 0.70 + 0.10 × tons — a 2-ton system prices at 0.9× the 3-ton band, a 5-ton at 1.2× — because labour, ductwork and the truck roll do not shrink with the nameplate. High-efficiency tiers (SEER2 18+, variable speed) add 15–40% over these standard-efficiency bands and earn part of it back in bills.
Method & worked example
Method: Installed range = 3-ton reference band by system (central AC $5,200–8,500; furnace $3,800–6,500; AC + furnace $8,500–14,000; heat pump $6,500–11,000; mini-split $3,800–7,500) × size factor (0.70 + 0.10 × tons), like-for-like on existing ducts.
Worked example: A 3-ton AC + furnace replacement: factor 1.00, so $8,500–$14,000 installed, mid-band $11,250.
When to use this
- Your AC or furnace died and quotes are arriving under pressure.
- You are planning a replacement before the failure forces the schedule.
- A quote mixes system types and you need same-type comparisons.
How to use it, step by step
- Identify the system type being replaced.
- Get the tonnage — nameplate on the old unit, or the BTU Estimator.
- Read the installed range for your size factor.
- Compare quotes on efficiency tier and warranty alongside the band.
What the inputs mean
| Input | What it is | Typical values |
|---|---|---|
| System type | Equipment configuration | AC + furnace combo is the most common full replacement |
| Tonnage | Cooling capacity in tons | 1.5–5 tons residential; 3 tons modal |
Another worked example
A 2-ton heat pump replacement: size factor 0.70 + 0.10 × 2 = 0.90, so the 3-ton reference band $6,500–$11,000 scales to $5,850–$9,900 installed, mid-band $7,875. In a mild climate that one box replaces both the AC and the furnace line — compare it against the combo's $8,500–$14,000 at 3 tons before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new 3-ton AC and furnace cost?
$8,500–$14,000 installed, mid-band about $11,250, at standard efficiency with existing ducts. It is the most common full-system replacement in US housing, and the band most quotes should land inside.
How much is a 2-ton heat pump?
$5,850–$9,900 installed (the size factor at 2 tons is 0.9× the 3-ton reference band). Heat pumps price between AC-only and full combo systems, and in mild climates they replace both — heating included, no furnace required.
Repair or replace?
The trade's rule of thumb: multiply the repair quote by the system's age in years; if it exceeds the cost of a new system's value benchmark (often quoted against ~$5,000–$6,000), replace. A $900 repair on a 14-year-old system is $12,600 by that math — replace. The same repair at age 6 argues the other way.
Why does tonnage change price less than expected?
Because most of the invoice is not the box: labour, refrigerant, pads, disconnects, permits and duct transitions are near-fixed. Doubling tonnage adds perhaps 20% to the total — which is also why oversizing is a comfort mistake, not a budget catastrophe.
Are mini-splits cheaper?
Per zone, yes at the band above; per whole house with 4–5 zones, they meet or pass central pricing. Their case is zoning, no duct losses, and no ductwork requirement — price the configuration you actually need.
🌡️ Size the tonnage first?
Guessing tons is how systems get oversized. The BTU Estimator computes heating and cooling loads from your floor area, climate zone and insulation — then bring the tonnage back here.
What SEER rating should I buy?
The legal minimum (SEER2 ~13.4–14.3 by region) is the band basis; each step up costs more and saves a few percent on cooling bills. In hot climates the higher tiers pay back; in mild ones, spend on duct sealing first.
Should I replace AC and furnace together?
If both are near end-of-life, yes — matched systems share one labour mobilisation and warranty clock. If the furnace is young, AC-only replacement at its band is the honest buy.