New Furnace and AC Cost: Replacement Pricing and Estimates 2026

Typical U.S. homeowners pay $5,500-$12,500 to replace both a furnace and central air conditioner; final cost depends on unit size, efficiency, labor, and ductwork. This article breaks down the new furnace and AC cost with low-average-high ranges, per-unit rates, and the main price drivers to help plan a realistic budget.

Item	Low	Average	High	Notes
Complete Furnace + AC Replacement	$4,000	$8,500	$15,000	Assumptions: 2-3 ton AC, 80k-100k BTU furnace, standard ductwork, suburban installation.
Furnace Only	$1,500	$3,800	$7,000	Assumptions: mid-efficiency gas furnace, typical 1-2 story home.
AC Condenser Only (2-4 ton)	$1,800	$4,200	$8,000	Assumptions: includes basic install, coil match required.

Typical Total Price For Replacing Furnace And Central AC

Most combined installs fall between $5,500 and $12,500 for a standard single-family home; low-end jobs are $4,000 with basic units and easy access, high-end projects exceed $15,000 with high-efficiency equipment and major duct or gas-pipe work. Expect the average homeowner to pay about $8,500 for full furnace and AC replacement.

Assumptions: 2.5-ton AC, 80k-100k BTU gas furnace, 1,800-2,500 sq ft home, normal access, average local labor.

Breakdown Of Material, Labor, Equipment, And Disposal Costs

Typical quote components split into materials, labor, equipment, and disposal; each line affects the final price differently depending on brand, efficiency, and site complexity. Materials and labor usually make up 70-85% of the total replacement quote.

Materials	Labor	Equipment	Delivery/Disposal
$3,000-$9,000 (units, coil, furnace)	$1,200-$4,500 (installation crew)	$200-$800 (rigging, lifts)	$150-$600 (old unit removal)
Assumptions: mix of economy to premium models.		Includes rental where needed.	May include landfill fees.

How Unit Size, SEER, And AFUE Ratings Change The Final Quote

Unit size, SEER for AC, and AFUE for furnaces are primary cost levers: 1.5-2 ton systems cost less than 3-4 ton units; low SEER (13-14) runs cheaper than high-efficiency 20+ SEER models. Upgrading from 14 SEER to 18 SEER typically adds $1,200-$3,000 to the equipment price.

Numeric thresholds: 2.0-2.5 ton = common for 1,200-2,000 sq ft; 3.0-4.0 ton for 2,000-3,500+ sq ft. Furnaces: 80-83% AFUE (lower) vs 95%+ AFUE (high-efficiency) adds $800-$2,500.

How Ductwork, Zoning, And Gas-Line Work Affect The Quote

Modifying or repairing ducts, adding zoning dampers, or installing new gas lines increases labor and materials significantly. Minor duct sealing/insulation: $300-$1,200; full duct replacement: $2,000-$8,000.

Assumptions: duct prices vary by linear footage and accessibility; zoning adds $1,000-$3,500 per additional zone installed.

Practical Ways To Cut New Furnace And AC Price

Buyers control timing, scope, and components to reduce cost: choose mid-efficiency units, schedule installs off-season, and bundle furnace + AC with one contractor for labor savings. Replacing both units at once typically lowers per-unit labor costs compared with two separate jobs.

• Accept 14-16 SEER and 80-92% AFUE instead of top-tier models to save $1,500-$4,000.
• Prepare the crawlspace and clear access to reduce labor hours.
• Request multiple detailed quotes and compare line-item prices for parts and labor.

Regional Price Differences And What To Expect In Your Area

Prices vary by region: coastal and urban markets often run 10-25% higher than the Midwest or rural areas due to labor and permitting. Expect 10%-15% higher average pricing in Northeast and West Coast metro areas.

Region	Typical Full Replace	Delta vs National Average
Midwest	$5,000-$9,000	-5% to -15%
South	$4,500-$8,500	-10% to +5%
Northeast	$6,500-$13,000	+10% to +25%
West Coast	$6,000-$14,500	+10% to +30%

Examples Of Real-World Quotes For Common Home Sizes

Three representative quotes show how specs and labor hours change totals. Use these examples to quickly compare similar proposals from contractors.

Scenario	Specs	Labor Hours	Total
Small Home	2.0-ton AC, 80k BTU furnace, basic SEER/AFUE	8-12 hours	$4,000-$6,500
Average Home	3.0-ton AC, 95k BTU furnace, 16 SEER / 95% AFUE	12-20 hours	$7,500-$10,500
Large/Premium	4.0-ton AC, 120k BTU furnace, 18-20 SEER / 98% AFUE, new ducts	24-40 hours	$12,000-$20,000+

Extra Fees, Permits, Warranties, And Common Add-Ons

Allow for permit fees, extended warranties, electrical upgrades, and surge protection when budgeting. Permits and inspections commonly add $100-$900; electrical or service panel upgrades can add $800-$3,500.

• Warranty upgrades: $150-$800 depending on length and parts coverage.
• Rush or emergency install: add 10%-30% to labor.
• Diagnostic or trip fees for quotes: $75-$200 in some markets.