HVAC

Heating and cooling is the most expensive system in most homes — and the one where quotes vary the widest for the exact same job. Our HVAC cost guides break down what homeowners across the US and Canada actually pay for the big jobs: AC replacement, furnace replacement, heat pump installation, and the repairs and add-ons around them. Every guide shows a low, typical and high range, the cost by home size and equipment size (tonnage and BTU), and the split between equipment, labor and extras like permits and ductwork — so you can see where a contractor’s quote is going before you sign anything. We also cover the judgment calls that surround HVAC spending: repair vs replace (including the $5,000 rule), SEER2 efficiency ratings explained in plain language, off-season timing, and which rebates still exist after the federal energy credits ended in 2025. Prices are researched from contractor pricing data, supplier listings and published sources like the U.S. Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR, and every guide is dated and updated on a rolling schedule. Start with the guide for your job, get three written local quotes, and compare them against a fair range.