The average cost of a furnace and air conditioner replacement depends on a few factors, but in most cases it will range between $5000 and $15000.
HVAC systems are made up of various components that cool, heat, and ventilate your space to make it more comfortable for you.
However, if these systems are not working as they should, they can be costly to replace. The average cost of a furnace and air conditioner replacement will vary based on different factors that should be carefully considered before you start the installation process.
How do HVAC systems work?
HVAC systems or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are a whole-house solution that help you keep your house cool when it is hot outside, hot when it is cold outside, and keeps the space comfortable by ventilating and purifying the air.
This happens because of a complex system of air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, vents, ductwork, and thermostats, which all have to work together to create a comfortable and safe space in your home, regardless of the weather conditions outside.
Average cost of furnace and air conditioner replacement
Most air conditioners and furnaces can function effectively within a larger HVAC system for about 15 years if they are well-maintained.
If you do notice that the air conditioner and the furnace are not working as effectively as they should, then it may be time to replace these units.
Some manufacturers and experts are of the opinion that all furnaces and air conditioning units in your HVAC system need to be replaced at the same time, to ensure that you do not have a mismatched system.
However, if only the air conditioner or the furnace is not working and your new furnace or air conditioner has the same efficiency as the old one, it is not necessary for you to replace both the air conditioner and the furnace.
If it does happen that you need to replace the furnace and the air conditioner at the same time, the average cost for this replacement would be between $5000 and $10000.
This average price can be broken down into more specific categories, such as the national average for an air conditioner and furnace replacement, which is $7000 in 2022.
This average can also go up to over $15000 if you need to update the ductwork in your home or if there are other extenuating circumstances.
The biggest factors that will contribute to the cost of replacing your furnace and air conditioner is the efficiency of the units you want to install, the size of the units, and the features and technology that is added to these replacements.
How the efficiency affects the furnace and air conditioner replacement cost
Although a higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) number for your air conditioner and a higher Annual Fuel Utilisation Efficiency (AFUE) rating for your furnace will save you money on your electricity bill in the long term, they will cost you more in the initial installation bill.
In order to ensure that your air conditioner and furnace work well together in the long run, you need to make sure that they are similar in terms of efficiency.
High efficiency units may also be pricier to purchase, even without the installation cost, and a relatively high efficiency system of 22 SEER and upwards could cost between $3700 and $8500 to install, as opposed to the $1000 to $4200 installation cost for a 13 SEER unit.
How the size of the units affects the furnace and air conditioner replacement cost
In this case, the main factor driving up the installation cost is not the air conditioner or furnace themselves, but the labour involved in installing bigger units.
When you are paying to replace your air conditioner and furnace as part of a larger HVAC system, one of the biggest factors that determine the overall cost is the labour.
Bigger units are more complicated and need more hands to install them, and this will end up costing more in terms of labour. It may even mean that the construction will take a longer time.
Adding zones to your system for a bigger system can cost about $2000 to $6000 extra per zone.
How the features and technology of the units affect the replacement cost
If you decide to go all out with your replacement and upgrade your entire HVAC system, this can cost you up to $18000.
This includes high-tech add-ons like the inclusion of programmable thermostats, like this Google Nest Learning Thermostat, which has various smart and mobile application compatibilitiy for convenience.
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The installation costs for a programmable thermostat can add about $125 to $275 to your total replacement cost.