HVAC — Heating & Cooling Costs, Repair & Replacement
Heating and cooling is the biggest energy line in most US homes and the biggest-ticket repair category. The guides here cover every major decision: repairing vs replacing, AC-plus-furnace vs heat pump, ducted vs ductless, and the ductwork that determines whether any of it performs.
Two 2026 realities shape every HVAC decision: the refrigerant transition (R-454B/R-32 replacing R-410A) is quietly raising the cost of keeping old leaky systems alive, and the federal 25C tax credit ended December 31, 2025 — state and utility rebates are what remain, and they vary by where you live.
Cost guides
| Guide | Typical | Range |
|---|---|---|
| How Much Does HVAC Replacement Cost? | $12,000 | $7,500 – $19,500 |
| How Much Does AC Replacement Cost? | $7,500 | $4,500 – $12,500 |
| How Much Does Furnace Replacement Cost? | $6,000 | $3,800 – $9,500 |
| How Much Does Heat Pump Installation Cost? | $11,500 | $6,500 – $19,000 |
| How Much Does a Mini Split Cost? | $4,500 | $3,000 – $14,500 |
| How Much Does AC Repair Cost? | $450 | $150 – $2,000 |
| How Much Does Ductwork Replacement Cost? | $6,500 | $3,500 – $12,000 |
| How Much Does Attic Insulation Cost? | $2,800 | $1,500 – $5,500 |
Calculators
Key decisions
Repair or replace?
The $5,000 rule of thumb: repair cost × system age > $5,000 favors replacement. Hard triggers: cracked heat exchanger (safety — replace), compressor failure out of warranty, and refrigerant leaks on old R-410A systems.
Heat pump or AC + furnace?
Price both at every full replacement. Similar installed cost, one system instead of two, and lower annual operating cost across most of the country. Cold-climate models handle northern winters; dual-fuel covers the severest ones. Cheap natural gas is the main case for staying conventional.
Why does my new system underperform?
Usually the ducts: DOE estimates typical duct systems lose 20–30% of conditioned air. Sealing and return-sizing often out-perform an equipment tier upgrade per dollar — check the ductwork guide before blaming the equipment.
Every figure above is an editorial estimate with published assumptions — see how we estimate costs.