How Much Does HVAC Installation Cost? Bankrate Caret RightMain Menu Mortgage Mortgages Financing a home purchase Refinancing your existing loan Finding the right lender Additional Resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Bank Banking Compare Accounts Use calculators Get advice Bank reviews Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Credit Card Credit cards Compare by category Compare by credit needed Compare by issuer Get advice Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Caret RightMain Menu Loan Loans Personal Loans Student Loans Auto Loans Loan calculators Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Invest Investing Best of Brokerages and robo-advisors Learn the basics Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Home Equity Home equity Get the best rates Lender reviews Use calculators Knowledge base Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Loan Home Improvement Real estate Selling a home Buying a home Finding the right agent Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Insurance Insurance Car insurance Homeowners insurance Other insurance Company reviews Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Retirement Retirement Retirement plans & accounts Learn the basics Retirement calculators Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content C5Media/Adobe Stock March 02, 2022 Ashlee Tilford is a contributing writer for Bankrate. Ashlee writes about insurance and loans. Troy Segal is Bankrate's Senior Homeownership Editor, focusing on everything from upkeep and maintenance to building equity and enhancing value. Bankrate logo
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Our banking reporters and editors focus on the points consumers care about most — the best banks, latest rates, different types of accounts, money-saving tips and more — so you can feel confident as you’re managing your money. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers. Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Bankrate logo How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. What influences HVAC installation costs
House size
The larger your home, the more square footage the HVAC system will need to heat or cool. The size of the unit installed is determined by the amount of square footage of your home, and if your home is large, you may need more than one HVAC unit to cover it. Your home’s construction also plays a critical role in what HVAC system you need. If you have adequate insulation you may be able to get away with a unit that has less air conditioning and heating capacity. Improper insulation means that the HVAC system will need to work much harder to keep your home cooled or heated, and you may need a unit with more heating and cooling capacity. Ductwork
Ductwork is priced by quantity and averages around $15 per linear foot, says Mischa Fisher, chief economist for Angi. “The average total cost will depend on what material you choose, whether you need to add vents, the size and layout of your home, where you live, and the accessibility of any existing ductwork,” says Fisher. Y It is possible the existing ductwork in your home will be sufficient for a new HVAC system. However, if your ductwork does need to be replaced or extended, you should expect to see significant extra costs — it’s often the most labor-intensive part of the job. New ductwork alone can cost up to $3,000 to install correctly, boosting the overall bill by 30%. Brand of HVAC unit
The brand of the HVAC system you select may have a significant impact on equipment cost, installation cost and warranty. Some of the most common HVAC system brands on the market today include: High-end Middle-range Economical Rheem Bryant SEER value
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which is the rating that results from the ratio used to measure a system’s energy efficiency. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the system will be and the more money you’ll each year. Units with higher SEER ratings cost more, though, and if you live in a moderate climate, it may not make financial sense to spend more on a system with a higher SEER rating. Project difficulty
HVAC systems that are harder to access or older homes that require modifications or custom parts will likely result in higher HVAC replacement costs. Something to keep in mind when you’re shopping for that Victorian manse or Art Deco-era bungalow. HVAC installation costs prices for different parts
Along with the overall HVAC system you will have a variety of optional upgrades or add-ons. Many HVAC companies offer extras like dehumidifiers, air purifiers, zoning systems, smart thermostats, carbon monoxide alarms and UV lamps. Air purifiers
Air purifiers can be a great option for improving indoor air quality in your home. “There are various sizes and prices available on the market, so think about what works best for your home,” says Fisher. Costs can range from $100 to thousands of dollars, depending on size, brand, noise level and various other features. Dehumidifiers
Installing a whole-house dehumidifier can range in cost from $1,300 to $2,800, averaging around $2,000. “Basement models range from $1,300 to $1,800 and crawl space models are closer to between $1,500 and $2,000,” says Fisher. “The cost range depends on the unit capacity, brand, accessibility of the installation area, and whether you decide to add a designated outlet or return duct.” Smart thermostats
are typically more expensive than traditional alternatives, costing $130 to $300 or more, depending on the brand, special features and difficulty of installation. This will often be money well spent, however, as these types of thermostats can save you money over the long run. “Make sure you invest here, smart thermostats can help to save you money by helping you learn about your habits, such as when you leave, when you return, optimizing energy usage and most importantly, vacation modes and the ability to turn on or off your system when you’re on your way to or from home,” says David Steckel, a home expert with Thumbtack. UV lamps
Homeowners are seeing the benefits of lower electricity bills and cleaner air by adding UV lights to their HVAC systems. New bulbs for these types of lamps start at around $100 per bulb and generally need to be replaced each year. “For new parts and installation, you could see a total cost of up to $1,500,” says Fisher. “This seems expensive but will ultimately save you money on monthly bills and help keep your family healthier, especially if you live in an area with poor air quality.” Tips for saving on HVAC installation
You may be able to save money on replacing your HVAC system by using one or more of the following methods. Find the right HVAC size for your home
Speak with more than one professional to help determine an adequately sized HVAC system for your home and needs. Make sure that your HVAC specialist recommends the purchase of a system big enough to meet your needs, but avoid spending the extra money to purchase one bigger, or with more bells-and-whistles, than needed. “Research the different options and talk to the HVAC pros about what might work best for your home based on its size, age and layout,” says Fisher. “Some systems will be more challenging to install in multi-level homes or homes without existing ductwork, so consider what makes sense for your space.” Get multiple quotes
Find an HVAC installer who is fair and upfront about price, but don’t just go for the cheapest. You’ll want the best work for the least money, not the least work for the least money. If you try to cut corners, you could be facing repairs well before you’re ready to. “Get at least three estimates and don’t be shy about asking as many questions as you’d like,” says Fisher. Get referrals
Ask around for referrals and references. All companies are not equal, especially when it comes to the customer service they offer. If an HVAC company has a reputation for terrible customer service but offers you the lowest replacement cost, you may end up spending more in the long run due to the poor service. “Research various local HVAC pros and check out their ratings or reviews online,” says Fisher. “Many high-quality pros will come to your home to check out the issue in person before providing a detailed estimate. You can help ensure the estimate is accurate by understanding your system and providing as many details as possible about the current system, what you need done, what work has been done in the past and any issues you’ve been having.” Keep things up to date
HVAC financing options
Once you’ve determined who you want to hire to replace your HVAC system, determine how you will pay for the replacement. If you don’t have $4,000 to $12,000 in your bank account waiting to be spent, you’re not alone. There are plenty of HVAC financing options available to help you foot the cost of the bill. Home improvement loan
A home improvement loan works like a standard On the upside, personal loans usually offer quick access to funds, which is important if your HVAC system is not functioning correctly. Home equity loan
There may be closing costs and other fees to consider with this type of loan, though, and you’ll have to have equity to qualify. Home equity line of credit
Similar to a home equity loan, a (HELOC) allows you to borrow against the equity in your home; but rather than receiving a lump sum, a HELOC gives you access to a line of credit that you can borrow from repeatedly during the draw period. HELOCs usually offer a low interest rate, but the rate is often variable and can fluctuate. This may be a great option if you have several home improvement or maintenance projects in mind, or if you aren’t sure whether the HVAC replacement will require ductwork and don’t want to have to take out multiple loans to pay for it. HVAC company installment plan
The bottom line on HVAC installation costs
Replacing an HVAC system can be a costly and complicated project. Here are some of the key steps if you plan to move forward with the project. Research will help you make the best decisions. Understand what type of system will work for your home, based on its size, layout, age and existing system. If you need ductwork replaced or installed, it will probably boost the overall cost of the new system by one-third. Add-ons will cost you more. Additional components such as air purifiers, dehumidifiers, smart thermostats and UV lamps will push the price of your project even higher. Understand all of the variables ahead of time, as well as the value of each of these options and how they may impact your long-term costs. Multiple estimates can help save you money. Get at least three estimates and ask a lot of questions before signing a contract to make sure you’re working with a high-quality pro and are not faced with any major surprises along the way. Once a new system is installed, protect your investment by keeping the system in top shape. “Just remember that your HVAC system is your home’s respiratory system and it’s crucial to take care of it with regular maintenance,” says Steckel. Learn more
SHARE: Ashlee Tilford is a contributing writer for Bankrate. Ashlee writes about insurance and loans. Troy Segal is Bankrate's Senior Homeownership Editor, focusing on everything from upkeep and maintenance to building equity and enhancing value. Related Articles