HVAC System Cost: Full System Replacement, Heat Pumps, and Maintenance

"HVAC system" usually means the combined heating and cooling setup, a furnace and AC installed together, or a single heat pump that does both, rather than either piece alone. A full system replacement typically runs $6,500 to $18,000, averaging around $10,500. This guide covers the combined-system numbers and the maintenance side (tune-ups, cleaning) that a whole-system owner needs to budget for; for a deeper look at AC or furnace pricing specifically, including repair costs by component, see the dedicated guides linked at the bottom of this page.

Full System Replacement Cost

Replacing furnace and AC together, rather than as two separate jobs down the road, is generally more cost-effective: one labor visit, matched components sized to work together, and often a modest bundle discount compared to two standalone replacements.

Heat Pumps: One System That Does Both

A heat pump moves heat rather than generating it, cooling your home in summer and warming it in winter, eliminating the need for a separate furnace in most climates. Pricing has come down significantly in recent years and now sits in a similar range to a standard central air installation for many homes, while federal and utility rebates can offset cost further for income-qualifying households. Geothermal heat pumps use the ground rather than outside air as the heat source, cost significantly more upfront, but run the most efficiently long-term of any system on this list.

Sizing: Matching System to Home

Central systems are sized in tons of cooling capacity, and a full HVAC system needs the furnace and AC (or the heat pump) sized to work together, not independently. As a rough starting point, homes need about 1 ton of cooling capacity per 400 to 600 square feet, adjusted for insulation, climate, and ceiling height. A proper load calculation, not a square-footage rule of thumb, is what a professional installer should use before quoting a system size.

HVAC Maintenance: Tune-Ups and Duct Cleaning

Combined system tune-up. Servicing both the furnace and AC in one seasonal visit typically runs $150 to $300, somewhat more than a single-system tune-up but usually less than booking two separate visits.

Duct cleaning. A full duct cleaning for a standard home typically runs $300 to $500, worth considering if you're replacing the system anyway, since it's easier to do with components already partially disassembled.

Annual maintenance is the cheapest thing on this page and the most likely to extend the life of an expensive system, worth doing regardless of the system's age.

What Affects the Cost

System type. The single biggest factor, as the table above shows, spanning a wide range between a central AC-only setup and a full geothermal system.

Ductwork condition. Existing, properly sized ductwork keeps installation straightforward. Damaged, undersized, or missing ductwork adds real cost to any system that isn't ductless.

Efficiency rating. Higher SEER (cooling) and AFUE (heating) ratings cost more upfront and less to run, a genuine trade-off rather than a simple upgrade.

Home size and insulation. Larger or poorly insulated homes need higher-capacity equipment, which costs more regardless of system type.

Getting an Accurate Quote

Have ready: whether you're replacing both furnace and AC or just one, your home's approximate square footage, your current system's age and fuel type, and whether you're interested in a heat pump instead of a traditional furnace/AC split.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a new HVAC system cost?

$6,500 to $18,000 for a full furnace and AC replacement, averaging around $10,500. A heat pump system runs $6,000 to $25,000.

How much does it cost to replace an HVAC system in a 2,000 sq ft home?

Typically in the $8,000 to $15,000 range for a matched furnace and AC system sized to that square footage, assuming existing ductwork is in reasonable condition.

Is a heat pump cheaper than a furnace and AC?

Pricing is now comparable for many homes, with heat pumps sometimes cheaper once rebates are factored in, though very cold climates may still favor a furnace backup for extreme temperatures.

How much does an HVAC tune-up cost?

$150 to $300 for a combined furnace-and-AC seasonal service visit.

How much does duct cleaning cost?

$300 to $500 for a standard home.

Is it cheaper to replace furnace and AC together or separately?

Together, generally. One labor visit and properly matched components typically cost less than two standalone replacements done at different times.

Bottom Line

A full HVAC system replacement averages around $10,500, but system type (standard split system vs. heat pump vs. geothermal) moves that number more than almost any other factor. If you're facing a furnace or AC replacement anyway, replacing both together is usually the more cost-effective path than doing them as separate projects down the road.

Related reading

National averages are useful for planning. Verify pricing against a quote for your home before treating any range as final.