HVAC Companies: what it costs and what to ask
The questions below are the ones homeowners ask right before they hand over money — and the ones the internet answers worst. Most of what comes back is a lead form or a sales page. These are plain answers with nothing to sell.
What things cost
Real price ranges for the work homeowners ask about most, with every figure traced back to a named source.
- How much does it cost to replace an AC compressor?
What three published cost guides say a compressor replacement costs, why they disagree by a thousand dollars, the per-ton table, and when replacing the whole unit is the cheaper move.
- How much does it cost to replace an AC capacitor?
HomeGuide and Angi both put a capacitor replacement around $250. HomeGuide prices the part itself at under $80. Where the rest of the money goes, and how to tell a fair quote from a padded one.
- How much does it cost to replace a furnace blower motor?
Published ranges for a blower motor replacement, why a PSC and an ECM motor are hundreds of dollars apart, and why the outdoor fan motor is a different part with a different price.
- How much does it cost to replace ductwork?
HomeGuide says $1,400 to $5,600. Angi says $452 to $2,182. They disagree on the price per foot and on how many feet a house has, and here is how to work out which applies to yours.
- What should an AC replacement estimate include?
What belongs on a written air conditioning replacement estimate, what is usually missing from it, and how to line three quotes up so the cheapest one is actually the cheapest.
- How much does it cost to replace an HVAC coil?
HomeGuide prices an evaporator coil at $1,000 to $2,500 under warranty and $2,500 to $4,500 or more without one. The per-ton table, the second opinion, and when the coil is not worth replacing.
- How much does it cost to replace a central air conditioner?
Published installed prices for a central air replacement at every common system size, what the figure leaves out, and how the efficiency rating moves it.
Common questions
Straight answers, written for the person paying — not a lead form and not a sales page.
- What is the $5,000 rule for HVAC?
Multiply the age of your system by the repair quote. Over $5,000, replace it. Here's how to run it, and the three situations where the rule gets it wrong.
- How much does it cost to replace an HVAC system?
A full HVAC replacement typically runs $5,000 to $16,000 installed. What sets your number, what a fair quote includes, and how to read three bids against each other.
- What size AC do I need for a 1,500 square foot house?
HomeGuide puts a 1,500 square foot home at a 2.5 to 3 ton system costing $6,000 to $8,500 installed. Why the rule of thumb cannot size it properly, and what a load calculation changes.
Free tools
Work out a number before you call anyone, or check a quote you already have.
- HVAC replacement cost calculator
Price a new system by size, efficiency and what has to be replaced.
- Check your HVAC replacement quote
Already have a written quote? Check it line by line against published prices.