HomeNestIQ model · Gas furnace + AC
$6,500–$17,200
Unadjusted national model baseline for the selected system. It is an illustrative planning range, not observed contractor pricing.
HVAC project planning
HVAC installation cost
Plan for replacing or installing a central heating and cooling system. The model scales with home size and the selected equipment type.
Planning estimate—not a contractor quote. The model is separate from the published national guide. A ZIP match applies a broad 2024 BEA state index—not ZIP-level contractor pricing.
Project estimator
Estimate your project
Adjust supported details and recalculate without leaving the page. Expand optional inputs only when they fit your project.
Calculated estimate · national model
$6,500 to $17,200
Typical model value $10,500 · per home
United States · HomeNestIQ modeled baseline; no ZIP adjustment
Not saved automatically. Save to your account or use the share link / print controls to keep a copy.
Manage saved estimatesSelected scope · National model
Conditioned home size: 2000 · System type: Gas furnace + AC
This is the current model result for the selected inputs. It is not a contractor quote or a promise of local pricing.
$6,500–$17,200
The Angi national reference below covers central AC replacement only; it is separate from this selected HVAC model and does not price a furnace-plus-AC installation.
Biggest price drivers
- System type and capacity
- Existing ductwork condition
- Electrical and venting updates
Major exclusions / unpriced work
- New or extensively repaired ductwork
- Panel or circuit upgrades, condensate routing, fuel conversion, structural work, and local permit fees
Geographic adjustment
No state adjustment applied
A supported ZIP-to-state match was not available, so no geographic factor was applied. The national model is shown without a geographic multiplier; no ZIP-level contractor prices are available.
National AC replacement reference · central AC only
Angi · AC replacement cost guideUpdated October 22, 2026
$3,887–$8,073
Typical published value: $5,978. Central AC replacement only. This is a component reference, not a complete furnace-plus-AC installation. This central-AC-only benchmark excludes the furnace portion of a gas furnace + AC replacement. No matched independent benchmark for the selected system is currently available in this source set.
Three planning scenarios
Same project inputsThe premium-scope figure is the upper end of this model range—not a price for a named premium product or contractor package.
Data coverage: IllustrativeThe national range comes from HomeNestIQ project assumptions. A published guide reference is displayed separately; it is not a verified local observation or a contractor quote.
Cost reference
Angi · AC replacement cost guideOctober 22, 2026 · Angi reports a 2026 average from 24,979 projects reported by Angi Pros. The figures are a published guide benchmark, not a HomeNestIQ local quote.
Location context
A supported state price adjustment was unavailable; the national model is shown.
Make this estimate your starting budget
Bring the typical illustrative amount into an editable project plan. Add your scope, contingency, and spending; it is not a quote or guaranteed final price.
Build a project budgetThe link contains the project type and starting amount. No ZIP, account information, or scope notes are included.
Written proposal comparison
Compare two HVAC proposals
Compare equipment, installation scope, and warranties—not just the total. A blank item stays marked Not specified.
Planning reference: $6,500–$17,200, typical $10,500 · HomeNestIQ planning model. This is context only—not a verdict on either contractor.
Bid 1
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Bid 2
Not specified
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Comparison summary
Enter both total prices to compare them. Blank totals are Not specified.
No scope differences are recorded. Blank fields are still Not specified; that does not confirm the written scopes match.
Bid details stay in this page's temporary memory; they are not stored, sent to HomeNestIQ, or included in estimate-sharing links. Copy or print only when you choose to keep a summary.
No proposal is rated as fair or unfair. Confirm matching scope, exclusions, site conditions, warranty, and licensing before making a decision.
Methodology, assumptions, and sources
How this result is calculated
HomeNestIQ calculates an illustrative planning range from the selected project inputs. It is not a quote, a bid, or a promise of final cost.
Calculation assumptions
- • Existing ductwork is reusable; home size is a rough capacity proxy, not a load calculation.
- • Illustrative seed model only: no verified local price feed or contractor quote is connected.
- • No supported ZIP-to-state match was available, so the national HomeNestIQ model is shown without a geographic multiplier.
- • This is a model-based planning range; published cost-guide figures are shown separately and are not contractor quotes for this project.
Published reference data
Angi reports a 2026 average from 24,979 projects reported by Angi Pros. The figures are a published guide benchmark, not a HomeNestIQ local quote.
Central AC replacement only. This is a component reference, not a complete furnace-plus-AC installation. Reference updated October 22, 2026.
Angi · AC replacement cost guideEstimate inputs: Conditioned home size: 2000 · System type: Gas furnace + AC · Benchmark data year: 2026. A contractor should inspect the home and provide a written, itemized proposal.
Keep planning without sharing contact details
Your estimate, printable result, and available bid-comparison tools work for guests. No contact form is needed; bid entries stay in this browser unless you clear them.
Published national guide
Reference range—not local pricing
Angi · AC replacement cost guide· updated October 22, 2026- Low
- $3,887
- Angi-published average
- $5,978
- High
- $8,073
Source scope and model assumptions
Published guide scope
Central AC replacement only. This is a component reference, not a complete furnace-plus-AC installation.
Angi reports a 2026 average from 24,979 projects reported by Angi Pros. The figures are a published guide benchmark, not a HomeNestIQ local quote.
Unadjusted HomeNestIQ model baseline
- Low
- $6,500
- Typical
- $10,500
- High
- $17,200
Before supported project inputs or any applicable broad state-level proxy.
High. The national reference is cooling-only, while this model can represent a combined system. Capacity, duct condition, fuel conversion, equipment match, and local code can move the total materially.
Cost factors and bid checklistOpen practical project considerations to review before comparing written proposals.
What influences the final price?
- System type and capacity
- Existing ductwork condition
- Electrical and venting updates
Source notes, regional context, and homeowner guidanceOpen published references, cost drivers, permits, maintenance, hiring questions, and option comparisons.
National AC replacement reference
Central AC replacement guide range—not a complete HVAC-system quote
Low guide value
$3,887
Angi-published average
$5,978
High guide value
$8,073
Scope: Central AC replacement only. This is a component reference, not a complete furnace-plus-AC installation.
Source basis: Angi reports a 2026 average from 24,979 projects reported by Angi Pros. The figures are a published guide benchmark, not a HomeNestIQ local quote.
Source page updated October 22, 2026. Angi is a third-party cost-guide publisher; HomeNestIQ has not independently audited the underlying project reports. The national guide is context, not a verified observation for your ZIP.
Your calculator models a broader heating-and-cooling scope. This published AC-only reference is shown for context and is not substituted for a complete HVAC system price.
HomeNestIQ model baseline: $6,500 low · $10,500 modeled typical · $17,200 high before size, material, scope, and state-index adjustments. This is a model input, not a national contractor-price observation.
Regional labor and materials context
A state index is not a local bid
The calculator may apply a broad BEA state price-parity factor to its modeled range. It is a general purchasing-power proxy, not project-specific labor or material pricing.
BLS occupational wage tables describe employee wages, not contractor bill rates, overhead, insurance, dispatch minimums, or project bids. Neither data source validates a ZIP-level quote. BEA RPP data · BLS OEWS tables.
Common configurations and timing
Scope, options, and schedule
A like-for-like central heating and cooling replacement using the existing distribution system. Home square footage is only a rough sizing input; a qualified load calculation is needed to select equipment.
Typical schedule
Often one to several workdays for a straightforward swap; duct, electrical, structural, or fuel changes extend the schedule. Confirm the contractor’s actual sequence and outage plan.
Specifications that move the price
- A room-by-room load calculation and correct equipment capacity
- Gas, heat-pump, or furnace-only configuration and efficiency tier
- Duct leakage, balancing, returns, controls, venting, and electrical capacity
- Seasonal demand, access, refrigerant handling, commissioning, and warranty terms
Permitting and regulation
Local requirements to verify
- Ask the local building department which permits and inspections apply to equipment replacement, fuel changes, electrical work, venting, or duct modifications.
- Have the contractor identify who files permits, coordinates inspections, and documents required startup or commissioning checks.
Rules vary by jurisdiction and project scope. Confirm requirements with the local building department or utility; this research is not legal or code advice.
Ongoing ownership cost
Maintenance and recurring expenses
Budget for filter changes and periodic professional maintenance. Compare projected energy use using your utility rate and the exact equipment efficiency; this calculator does not promise a payback.
Maintenance notes describe recurring tasks and cost drivers, not a standardized annual dollar estimate. Ongoing maintenance is not included in the one-time project range unless a page explicitly says otherwise; use product documentation, actual service quotes, and your usage to build a separate ownership budget.
Budget completeness
Common cost overruns and extras
- Load calculation and duct leakage testing
- The linked AC guide reports $3,000–$7,500 for ductwork changes; this is not a complete HVAC-system add-on quote.
- Old equipment recovery and disposal; the same guide reports $25–$200 for AC removal.
- Thermostat/control compatibility, air balancing, startup measurements, and labor warranty details
Avoid overspending
- Do not select capacity by square footage alone.
- Compare matched equipment model numbers and commissioning scope, not headline efficiency labels.
- Keep duct, electrical, and indoor-air-quality upgrades optional and itemized unless a measured need or code requirement supports them.
Hiring checklist
When to hire—and what to ask
Use a licensed and insured HVAC contractor for equipment selection, refrigerant work, gas or electrical connections, and commissioning. A second opinion is useful when a replacement is recommended without diagnostic evidence.
Questions for contractors
- Which load calculation supports this capacity and model?
- Are equipment, labor, permits, duct changes, disposal, and commissioning itemized?
- What measured startup results and written parts/labor warranties are included?
Warning signs to investigate
- A quote based only on floor area or the existing unit’s tonnage
- Pressure to choose a larger system without explaining the load calculation
- No model numbers, permit plan, commissioning checklist, or written scope
Compare the trade-offs
Repair, upgrade, or replace?
Repair vs. replace
Compare a diagnosed repair with replacement quotes, age, refrigerant compatibility, comfort, and warranty. There is no single age or repair-cost rule that decides every system.
Budget vs. premium
Standard-efficiency equipment usually lowers initial cost; higher-efficiency heat pumps or matched systems may reduce energy use, but the savings depend on climate, utility rates, sizing, and controls.
DIY vs. professional
Safe preparation: clear access, note comfort issues, and replace user-serviceable filters. Leave refrigerant, gas, electrical, and equipment installation to qualified professionals.
Expected useful life
Equipment service life varies by system, climate, use, maintenance, and installation quality. Ask the technician to document condition and expected remaining life rather than relying on a fixed replacement age.
Learn before you hire
Related project guidance
Questions homeowners ask
Common questions
Does this estimate include new ductwork?+
No. The baseline assumes existing ductwork can be reused. New or extensively repaired ductwork can materially change a project total.
How do I compare HVAC quotes?+
Compare equipment model numbers, efficiency ratings, labor scope, warranty terms, permits, and commissioning—not just the headline price.
Is the national reference a complete HVAC-system price?+
No. The linked Angi benchmark is for central AC replacement. The calculator’s combined-system result is a separate modeled planning estimate and may include different equipment scope.
Does a high-efficiency system always save money?+
No. The result depends on climate, utility prices, run hours, system sizing, installation quality, incentives, and how long you keep the equipment.
Why can two HVAC quotes differ so much?+
They may assume different capacities, duct repairs, electrical work, controls, permit handling, commissioning, and warranty coverage. Compare the written scope line by line.