Cost to Install a New Furnace and Central Air System 2026

Buyers typically pay between $5,000 and $14,000 for a combined furnace and central air installation; the final cost depends on unit size, efficiency, ductwork condition, and labor. This article breaks down typical price ranges, per-unit rates, and the main drivers of the cost of new furnace and central air systems so U.S. homeowners can budget and compare quotes.

Item	Low	Average	High	Notes
Complete furnace + central air replacement	$5,000	$9,000	$14,000	Assumptions: 2,000 ft² home, standard ducts, 80% AFUE furnace, 13-16 SEER AC, suburban labor.
Furnace only	$2,000	$4,500	$8,000	Includes equipment and basic install.
Central air only	$2,500	$5,000	$9,000	Includes condensing unit, coil, and basic install.
Duct repair or retrofit	$500	$2,500	$7,000	Depends on extent and access.

Typical Total Price For A Furnace And Central Air Replacement

Full-system replacements most commonly land between $6,500 and $11,000 for typical single-family homes; lower-end installs use basic 80% AFUE furnaces and 13-16 SEER AC, higher-end installs use 95%+ furnaces and 18-20 SEER AC.

Average combined replacement: $9,000 (range $5,000-$14,000) for a 1.5–2.5 ton AC and a 60,000–120,000 BTU furnace.

Assumptions: normal attic/basement access, no major duct changes, suburban labor rates.

Material, Labor, Equipment, Permits: Where The Price Comes From

Major quote line items include equipment, installation labor, major tools/equipment rentals, permits, and disposal.

Materials	Labor	Equipment	Permits	Delivery/Disposal
$2,000-$7,000 (furnace $800-$4,000; AC $1,200-$3,500)	$1,500-$4,000 ()	$100-$700 (lift, crane, refrigerant recovery)	$0-$500 (local)	$100-$700 (old equipment disposal)
Includes line set, coil, filters, basic thermostat	Includes 8-24 hours typical install time	Higher for rooftop or second-floor installs	Depends on city/county	May include recycling fees

Equipment and labor together make up roughly 70–85% of the total price on most replacement jobs.

How Unit Size, SEER, And BTU Change The Final Quote

Unit capacity and efficiency are the biggest technical drivers: AC is sized in tons (1 ton = 12,000 BTU/hr) and furnaces in BTU output; efficiency ratings change equipment price markedly.

Examples: upgrading from 14 SEER to 18 SEER typically adds $800-$1,800; moving from 80% AFUE to 95%+ can add $600-$2,000.

Numeric thresholds that often change quotes: AC capacity 1.5–2.5 tons (most homes), 3+ tons adds $500-$1,500; furnace sizes 60k–120k BTU, each size step can change blower and cabinet cost by $200-$600. Long refrigerant line runs over 50 ft or multiple 90° bends often add $200-$800.

Specific Choices That Can Lower The HVAC Replacement Price

Scope control, timing, and material choices directly reduce cost: pick lower SEER/AFUE, schedule off-peak season installs, complete minimal duct sealing only when necessary, and accept manufacturer-standard thermostats instead of smart models.

Cost-saving moves: choose 14–16 SEER AC and 80–92% AFUE furnace to save $1,000–$3,000 versus premium options.

Other practical cuts: have ready access to attic/basement, remove personal items for techs, get 3 competitive bids, and bundle with other home projects to negotiate labor discounts.

How Prices Vary By U.S. Region And Setting

Regional labor and demand change totals: expect 0–10% below the national average in parts of the Midwest and 10–30% higher in high-cost metros and the Northeast/West Coast.

Typical deltas: Midwest -10%, South -5% to 0%, Northeast +10% to +25%, West Coast +15% to +30% compared with national averages.

Rural installs may have lower labor costs but higher delivery fees; urban installs can carry premium for access and permits.

Labor Time, Crew Size, And Typical Rates For Replacement Jobs

Most full replacements take 8–24 hours and require a 2–3 person crew for efficiency; complex installs (roof-top condenser, major ductwork) can take 2–4 days.

Hourly rates: $75-$125 per technician hour is common; flat labor totals usually run $1,500-$4,000.

Assumptions: two technicians, 10–20 total crew hours for a standard replacement.

Common Add-Ons, Diagnostic Fees, And Site Conditions That Inflate Price

Extra costs frequently appear as add-ons: duct replacement ($4-$9 per sq ft), zoning/staging ($400-$1,200), electrical upgrades ($400-$1,500), refrigerant recharge ($150-$400), and permit or inspection fees ($50-$500).

Plan for $500-$3,500 in potential extras if ducts are poor, electrical panel upgrades are needed, or unexpected repairs appear during teardown.

Three Real-World Example Quotes With Specs And Totals

Example A: Small home replacement — 1.5 ton AC (13 SEER) + 80% furnace (60k BTU), minor duct sealing, suburban install: $5,200 total ($2,200 equipment + $2,200 labor + $800 permit/disposal).

Example B: Typical family home — 2.0 ton AC (16 SEER) + 95% furnace (100k BTU), moderate duct repairs, rooftop crane not needed: $9,500 total ($4,000 equipment + $3,000 labor + $2,500 duct/permits).

Example C: Premium upgrade — 3.0 ton AC (18 SEER) + 98% modulating furnace, full duct replacement, electrical service upgrade, urban install: $14,800 total ($8,000 equipment + $4,000 labor + $2,800 permits/disposal).

These examples show how capacity, efficiency, and duct/electrical work create the wide $5,000–$15,000 range.