HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator
HVAC replacement cost = base price by tonnage × system type multiplier (AC, heat pump, furnace+AC).
Result
Estimated total
$5,175
3-ton system, installed.
- Tonnage3 tons
- Type base$1500/ton
- SEER multiplier1.15×
- Equipment + install$5,175
- Ductwork$0
- Total$5,175
Step-by-step
- Equipment + install = 3 × $1500 × 1.15 = $5,175.
- Ductwork not added.
- Total = $5,175.
How to use this calculator
- Get tonnage from existing nameplate or use Manual J load.
- Pick system type matching your home.
- Pick SEER tier — code minimum is 14 (Northern) or 15 (Southern) as of 2023.
- Toggle ductwork if existing ducts are leaky or undersized.
About this calculator
1 ton of AC = 12,000 BTU/hr; rule of thumb is 1 ton per 500-600 ft² in moderate climates. A 2,000 ft² home typically needs a 3-3.5 ton system. Equipment + install runs ~$1,500/ton for SEER 14 split AC, ~$2,700/ton for furnace+AC combo. SEER bumps add 15-60% but pay back in 7-12 years through utility savings. Ductwork replacement is the wild card — old returns or undersized supplies need redoing during a system swap.
Frequently asked
Don't guess from square footage alone — get a Manual J load calc. Oversized systems short-cycle, undercool, and shorten lifespan.
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