Estimate AC, furnace, heat-pump, mini-split, combo, or boiler replacement by tonnage, efficiency tier, duct replacement %, line-set length, and zone count. 2026 data; not a contractor bid.
| Item | Quantity | Estimated range |
|---|
Got an HVAC quote? Compare it to the planning range.
What this is: a planning-range HVAC calculator informed by Carrier / Trane / Lennox / Mitsubishi / Daikin / Rheem manufacturer pricing, HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor, Homewyse, and licensed cost-estimating references.
Sizing: equipment material scales with tonnage / 3 (3-ton reference) and an efficiency-tier multiplier (basic 1.00, mid 1.25, high 1.65). Mini-splits scale with zone count rather than tonnage. Refrigerant line-set scales per LF; ducts scale per percent replaced.
Labor is modeled from per-unit installed rates with a crew-rate sanity check ($80-$140/crew-hr loaded billing rate), informed by BLS OEWS 49-9021 (HVAC Mechanics).
Section 25C credit: applied to qualifying high-efficiency heat pumps, central AC, and furnaces placed in service on or before December 31, 2025. Projects placed in service in 2026 generally do not qualify under current IRS guidance (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, July 2025). Verify on IRS Form 5695 before relying on it; state and utility rebates may still apply.
Last updated: May 2026. Full methodology →
| Configuration | Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 3-ton AC + furnace combo (mid, existing ducts) | $5,500-$11,500 | 1-2 days |
| 3-ton AC only replacement | $3,500-$8,000 | 1 day |
| Furnace-only replacement (80k BTU) | $3,500-$7,500 | 1 day |
| 4-ton high-efficiency heat pump | $9,000-$18,000 | 1-2 days |
| 3-zone ductless mini-split | $9,000-$16,000 | 2-3 days |
| Add-on: 100% duct replacement | +$3,000-$8,000 | +1-2 days |
| Add-on: 200A panel upgrade | +$1,500-$3,500 | +1 day |
$3.5k furnace-only up to $18k+ for high-efficiency heat pump with new ducts. Combo replacement on existing ducts $5.5-11.5k.
1 ton per 400-600 sf depending on climate. Manual J load calc is the proper sizing method; oversizing causes short-cycling and high humidity.
Basic: 14-15 SEER2 / 80 AFUE / 8 HSPF. Mid: 16-17 / 90 / 9. High: 18+ / 95+ / 10+ — Section 25C credit may apply.
Federal Section 25C applied to qualifying systems placed in service on or before December 31, 2025; projects placed in service in 2026 generally do not qualify under current IRS guidance. Verify on IRS Form 5695. State and utility rebates may still apply.
Refrigerant work requires EPA Section 608 cert. Only DIY-realistic option is mini-split kits with pre-charged line-sets. Everything else is pro work.
