Cost Guides · HVAC
How Much Does a New HVAC System Cost?
New HVAC system cost from posted prices for a complete furnace and AC system by size, plus installer wages.
What is the new HVAC system cost right now?
Only one retailer in this search posts a firm dollar price on a complete system. No phone call needed. It prices a 2.5 ton system at $4,148 and a 5.0 ton system at $5,480, at the entry SEER2 tier. Every installer we checked quotes the rest of the job on site. This page prices what is public and says plainly where the data stops.
New HVAC system cost by size
Tonnage drives the price. A bigger house needs a bigger system, and the jump between sizes is not small.
| System size | Complete furnace + AC system | Captured |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 tons | $4,148 (13.4 SEER2) | Sept 25, 2026 |
| 3.0 tons | $4,575 (13.4 SEER2) | Sept 25, 2026 |
| 3.5 tons | $5,085 (13.4 SEER2) | Sept 25, 2026 |
| 5.0 tons | $5,480 (13.4 SEER2) | Sept 25, 2026 |
Honest note: only one retailer in this search posts a fixed price on a complete system. Every other seller and installer we checked quotes by phone or gates the price behind a store login.
Why does efficiency change the price too?
SEER2 measures cooling efficiency, and a higher rating usually costs more. The same retailer prices four 2.5 ton systems on different furnace and AC pairings. The 14.0 SEER2 pairing posted lowest at $4,108. The 15.2 SEER2 pairing topped the group at $4,889. That is a $781 spread at one size. The furnace stage changes with the pairing too, so a higher rating is not a straight line.
Turn a job photo into an itemized estimate, free →
What does labor cost on top of the equipment?
HVAC mechanics and installers earn a $31.14 mean and $29.33 median hourly wage nationally. That covers 409,670 workers (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Those are wages paid, not a rate billed. Burden, drive time, disposal, permits, and margin ride on top before it becomes a labor line.
| Wage measure | Hourly figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mean wage | $31.14 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Median wage | $29.33 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Workers counted | 409,670 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
We found no non aggregator publisher that prints a flat installed total bundling this wage into one number. We say so plainly instead of borrowing a figure from a content site. Your labor line depends on the local rate, ductwork condition, and how many hours the swap takes.
How to price a new HVAC system
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Get the size right first
A contractor sizing calculation, not a flat square-footage rule, sets the tonnage. Undersizing runs constantly and never catches up; oversizing short-cycles.
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Price the equipment by tonnage and SEER2 tier
Use the size table above as a floor, then add the efficiency premium for a higher SEER2 tier. Ask your installer to name the exact model pairing.
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Add labor, permit, and disposal as separate lines
The equipment price covers material only. Labor, the mechanical permit, disposal, and any duct work go on as their own lines.
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Get it in writing before you book the crew
A written, itemized quote protects both sides once the old system is torn out. Send it before the homeowner commits to an install date.
SimplyWise Cost Estimator for new HVAC system cost
SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a job-site photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. Equipment, labor, and fee lines stay editable on one quote. Send a branded quote the client signs to approve. It is $29.99/mo or $239.99/yr, about $20/mo on annual, with a 7-day free trial.
Keep reading
- Mini Split Installation Cost: what a ductless system runs by zone.
- Contractor Hourly Labor Rates by Trade: what to bill on top of the wage figure above.
Sources
Equipment pricing
- AC Units For Less, 2.5 Ton 13.4 SEER2, $4,148.00, captured 2026-09-25.
- AC Units For Less, 3.0 Ton 13.4 SEER2, $4,575.00, captured 2026-09-25.
- AC Units For Less, 3.5 Ton 13.4 SEER2, $5,085.00, captured 2026-09-25.
- AC Units For Less, 5.0 Ton 13.4 SEER2, $5,480.00, captured 2026-09-25.
- AC Units For Less, 2.5 Ton 14.0 SEER2, $4,108.00, captured 2026-09-25.
- AC Units For Less, 2.5 Ton 13.8 SEER2, $4,457.00, captured 2026-09-25.
- AC Units For Less, 2.5 Ton 15.2 SEER2, $4,889.00, captured 2026-09-25.
Labor wages
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, occupation 49-9021, HVAC mechanics and installers, verified 2026-09-25.
Product
- SimplyWise Cost Estimator, App Store, 4.8 rating, verified 2026-09-25.
Frequently asked questions about new HVAC system cost
The price
How much does a new HVAC system cost?
One national retailer posts a complete furnace and AC system at $4,148 for 2.5 tons, up to $5,480 for 5.0 tons. That is equipment only, at the entry SEER2 tier. Labor, permits, and ductwork ride on top.
Why does the new HVAC system cost change with efficiency?
SEER2 measures cooling efficiency, and the same retailer’s 2.5 ton systems range from $4,108 at 14.0 SEER2 to $4,889 at 15.2 SEER2. That is a $781 spread at one size. The furnace pairing changes with the tier too, so the increase is not a straight line.
Sizing and labor
What size HVAC system do I need?
Tonnage comes from a contractor’s load calculation, not a flat square-footage rule. Insulation, window count, and climate all move the number, which is why two similarly sized homes can need different tonnage.
What do HVAC installers earn on the labor line?
HVAC mechanics and installers earn a $31.14 mean and $29.33 median hourly wage nationally (BLS, May 2025). That is wages paid, not a rate billed. Overhead, disposal, and margin add to it on your quote.
Can I measure the job with my phone camera instead of a tape measure?
Snap the equipment location and ductwork. SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns that job-site photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. On a Pro iPhone, the room scan captures interior measurements with LiDAR. Every line stays editable before you send the quote.
Does SimplyWise Cost Estimator price a new HVAC system?
It builds material, labor, and fee line items, each with unit, quantity, and price per unit. Enter the equipment price and your labor rate. Send a branded quote the client signs to approve. Pricing is $29.99/mo or $239.99/yr, with a 7-day free trial.
Turn an HVAC job into a bid that holds margin.
Snap a photo and get an itemized estimate with editable lines. Send a branded quote before you book the crew. Free to try, then $29.99/mo or $239.99/yr after a 7-day trial.