HVAC cost guides, itemized for 2026
Every guide below breaks a job into line items with national planning ranges — parts plus labor, rounded, sourced — so you can read a contractor's quote like someone who has seen one before.
How Much Does a New HVAC System Cost?
Full HVAC system replacement runs $7,500–$16,000 for most homes in 2026 — more with ductwork. Line-item ranges, cost drivers, and where the money hides.
Furnace Replacement Cost: What You Will Actually Pay
Furnace replacement runs $4,000–$9,500 installed in 2026. Gas vs electric, 80% vs 96% efficiency, venting surprises, and what moves the price.
Central AC Installation Cost, Itemized
Central air installation runs $5,500–$12,000 for replacements in 2026; first-time installs with ductwork reach $25,000. Ranges by scope, itemized.
Furnace Repair Costs by Part and Problem
Most furnace repairs land between $150 and $1,000 in 2026. Costs by part — ignitor, flame sensor, blower, board — plus the repair-or-replace math.
AC Repair Costs: From Capacitor to Compressor
Typical AC repairs run $150–$1,800 in 2026 depending on the part. Capacitors, fan motors, refrigerant leaks, compressors — plus the replace threshold.
Heat Pump Installation Cost, Before and After Incentives
Heat pump installation runs $7,000–$16,000 in 2026, with cold-climate systems to $20,000 — before the 30%/$2,000 federal credit and utility rebates.
Mini-Split Cost: Single Zone to Whole Home
Ductless mini-splits run $3,500–$6,500 for one zone in 2026, $9,000–$18,000 for multi-zone, and $15,000–$30,000 for whole-home conversions. Full breakdown.
Air Duct Cleaning Cost — and the Coupon Trap
Legitimate whole-home duct cleaning costs $350–$700 in 2026. Why the $99 coupon is bait, what NADCA-method cleaning includes, and when it is worth it.
Ductwork Repair, Sealing & Replacement Costs
Duct sealing runs $500–$4,000, targeted repairs $150–$600, and full replacement $3,000–$8,000+ in 2026. Which tier your house needs, and how to prove it.
HVAC Tune-Up Cost and What a Real One Includes
A professional HVAC tune-up costs $90–$200 per system in 2026; annual two-season plans run $180–$350. What a real checklist includes and what to skip.
Emergency HVAC Service Costs After Hours
After-hours HVAC diagnostics run $150–$300 in 2026, with 25–50% labor premiums. What emergencies cost, what waits till morning, how to avoid gouging.
Attic Insulation Cost and Payback
Blown-in attic insulation costs $1.00–$2.50/sq ft in 2026 — $1,500–$4,000 for typical attics. Air sealing, spray foam, and the 25C credit, all itemized.
Boiler Replacement Cost: The Complete Guide
Boiler replacement runs $5,500–$14,000 installed in 2026 — more for combi and condensing units. Gas vs oil, sizing, and what moves the price.