HVAC replacement costs $5,000 to $12,500 for a typical system, or $7,000 to $16,000 installed with new ductwork.12 National averages sit at $6,000 to $8,000 (Fixr — AC only, Angi, HomeGuide).123 Prices below are national averages* for 2026.
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on system type, capacity in tons or BTUs, efficiency rating (SEER2), brand, and ductwork condition. Permits, thermostats, insulation, zoning, and asbestos removal add $250 to $3,100 (Angi).1
$7,500
average replacement, Angi
$5,000 – $11,000
furnace + AC, HomeGuide
$3,900 – $7,900
central air system, Angi
$6,000
average AC install, Fixr
Quick math: Angi’s itemized central-air job adds up cleanly: $3,900–$7,900 for the system + $1,500 labor + $250–$400 permit = $5,650 to $9,800, its own total, our arithmetic.1 The averages disagree ($6,000 at Fixr, $7,500 at Angi, $8,000 at HomeGuide) because Fixr prices cooling only while Angi and HomeGuide price furnace-plus-AC replacements, our reading.123
Cost by system type (HomeGuide)
| System | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Central air conditioner | $2,500 – $7,500 |
| Furnace | $2,000 – $5,400 |
| Furnace + AC replacement | $5,000 – $11,000 |
| Ductless mini-split | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Full system with ductwork | $7,000 – $16,000 |
| System + ductwork + add-ons | $9,500 – $18,500 |
Ductwork is the multiplier: adding or replacing ducts roughly doubles a straightforward swap, which is why the with-ductwork band sits $2,000 to $5,000 above the replacement band, our reading.2
Where a replacement budget goes (Angi)
| Line item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Central air system | $3,900 – $7,900 |
| Installation labor | about $1,500 |
| Permit | $250 – $400 |
| Ductwork (optional) | about $3,500 |
| New thermostat (optional) | $120 – $260 |
| Total | $5,650 – $9,800 |
Labor and permits are the fixed floor under every job; the equipment tier and duct decisions are what move a quote from $6,000 to $10,000, our reading.1
Cooling-only options (Fixr)
| Cooling type | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Portable unit | $100 – $500 |
| Window unit | $150 – $800 |
| Swamp (evaporative) cooler | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Central AC | $5,000 – $12,000 |
| Geothermal heat pump | $11,000 – $38,000 |
Geothermal tops the chart but qualifies for federal tax credits that narrow the gap; window and portable units cool single rooms for the price of a nice dinner out per month of summer, our synthesis.3
Why this is pro-only work
HVAC installation is licensed trade work: refrigerant handling requires an EPA Section 608 certification, and gas furnace connections, high-voltage circuits, and permits all sit behind local licensing. The DIY territory ends at window units, portable units, and thermostat swaps, our synthesis.
Related guides
See also: our guide to HVAC inspection costs.
Duct Sealing Cost
Geothermal Heat Pump Cost (2026 Guide)
Radiator Replacement and Installation Cost
Baseboard Heater Installation Cost
Central vacuum installation
Whole-House Humidifier Cost
Whole-House Air Purifier Cost
Smart Thermostat Installation Cost
Mini-Split Cost
Heat Pump Cost
Attic Insulation Cost
Electrician Cost
Radiant Floor Heating Cost
All cost guides
Sources
1. Angi — Insider’s Price Guide to a New Heating and Cooling System
2. HomeGuide — HVAC Cost
3. Fixr — Air Conditioner Installation Cost