A new furnace and central AC installed through Home Depot typically costs about $7,000-$16,000 for both systems, with many standard replacements near $11,000. The final quote depends on home size, equipment efficiency, ductwork, installation conditions, and local labor; Home Depot pricing is generally provided through an in-home estimate from a local HVAC contractor rather than one nationwide installed-price list.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furnace and central AC installed | $7,000 | $11,000 | $16,000 | Standard replacement with existing usable ducts |
| Gas furnace installed alone | $3,000 | $5,000 | $8,000 | About 80,000-100,000 BTU in a typical home |
| Central AC installed alone | $4,000 | $6,500 | $10,000 | About 2.5-4 tons with standard access |
| Combined installed price per home sq ft | $4 | $7 | $11 | Broad comparison; sizing and duct condition matter |
What a new furnace and AC usually cost together
For a straightforward replacement, homeowners often receive combined estimates of $7,000-$16,000, including equipment, removal of the old units, and standard installation. A common midrange project for a 1,500-2,000-square-foot home is about $9,000-$13,000, assuming existing ductwork is serviceable and the electrical and gas connections do not need major changes.
A reasonable starting budget is about $11,000 for a standard matched furnace and central AC replacement. Basic single-stage equipment may land near the low end, while higher-efficiency or variable-speed systems, difficult access, and duct repairs can push the quote above $16,000. Prices vary by market, so a Home Depot estimate should be compared with other written, similarly scoped bids.
Installed furnace-only pricing is often $3,000-$8,000, and central AC alone commonly runs $4,000-$10,000. A combined purchase may save some duplicated labor, but it does not guarantee a discount; the contractor still must size, connect, test, and commission each system. Ask whether the quote includes taxes, permits, disposal, thermostat, and any required code updates.
Assumptions: U.S. pricing for standard replacement equipment, ordinary access, existing ducts in usable condition, and no major electrical or structural work.
How equipment, labor, and removal appear in the quote
Home Depot-connected contractors may itemize work differently, so the estimate should identify equipment models and the work included. These ranges are typical cost components, not guaranteed Home Depot menu prices; local quotes may combine multiple lines into one installed amount.
| Quote component | Typical range | What changes the charge | Common unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furnace equipment | $1,500-$4,500 | Output, AFUE rating, staging, and brand tier | Per furnace |
| AC equipment | $2,000-$5,500 | Tonnage, SEER2 rating, and compressor type | Per system |
| Installation labor | $2,000-$5,000 | Access, venting, line set, and job complexity | Combined labor |
| Removal and disposal | $150-$600 | Old equipment size and local disposal fees | Per project |
| Permits and basic materials | $100-$800 | Local code, drain, pad, fittings, and wiring | Per project |
Labor is frequently estimated as part of the installation package rather than billed at an hourly rate. For comparison, HVAC technician labor may equate to roughly $75-$150 per hour, but that rate does not represent the full installed price or account for a contractor’s overhead, insurance, or warranty obligations.
Ask for separate equipment, labor, disposal, permit, and modification details before comparing totals. A low quote may omit a new refrigerant line set, condensate drain work, startup testing, or a thermostat that another bid includes.
How home size, BTUs, and AC tons change the price
Equipment should be selected from a load calculation, not square footage alone. As a rough reference, many 1,500-2,000-square-foot homes use a 60,000-100,000 BTU furnace and a 2.5-4-ton AC, but insulation, window exposure, ceiling height, climate, and duct design can change those needs. Oversizing can increase upfront cost and cause inefficient cycling.
Moving from a basic furnace to a higher-efficiency model can add roughly $500-$2,000, depending on AFUE, staging, venting requirements, and controls. A furnace around 80% AFUE may use existing metal venting in some homes, while a 95%-plus condensing furnace typically needs PVC venting and condensate drainage. Those changes can add installation expense when the home is not already configured for them.
AC capacity and efficiency also affect the bid. Moving from a 2.5-ton to a 4-ton system can add approximately $500-$1,800 for equipment and related installation, though the price varies by model and region. Higher SEER2 equipment may add $800-$2,500 or more over a basic model. The efficiency premium is most meaningful where cooling use and utility rates are high.
Duct repairs are a major scope variable. Sealing or minor repairs may cost $300-$1,500; replacing extensive ductwork can add $2,000-$8,000 or more. A difficult attic or crawlspace, a long refrigerant line set, or a furnace relocation can add hundreds to several thousand dollars. Confirm that the selected furnace and AC are matched to the home’s measured load and existing duct capacity.
Which installation problems add charges beyond equipment
Standard replacement assumes the new equipment fits the existing location and connections. Common extras include a new AC pad at $100-$400, refrigerant line replacement at $300-$1,500, a condensate pump at $150-$500, and a thermostat at $100-$600 installed, depending on features and wiring. A new disconnect or electrical circuit can add $200-$1,000 when required.
Gas piping, venting, drainage, and combustion-air changes can add $300-$2,000 or more. Local permits and inspections commonly total $50-$500, but some jurisdictions charge more or require additional documentation. If the home has asbestos-containing materials near old equipment, specialized abatement can be a separate project and should not be treated as ordinary HVAC removal.
Check whether the written estimate includes refrigerant recovery, hauling away the old furnace and condenser, startup measurements, thermostat setup, and permit closeout. A contractor may also recommend a new filter cabinet, humidifier, air cleaner, or zoning controls. These are optional in many replacements; ask for the price as a separate line rather than allowing accessories to obscure the system cost.
Unexpected duct, electrical, venting, or access work is more likely to raise the bill than routine disposal. Before signing, request written authorization procedures for change orders and a not-to-exceed amount for any work that cannot be inspected until removal.
How long the furnace and AC replacement takes
A direct furnace-and-AC changeout usually takes a crew of two or three technicians about one to two days. The work includes protecting the home, removing equipment, setting the furnace and condenser, connecting ducts and refrigerant lines, wiring, charging the system, and testing operation. A simple job may finish in one day; a vent, duct, electrical, or drain modification can extend it to two or more.
Labor scheduling can influence the estimate, especially during the first cold snap or a summer heat wave. Emergency replacement may cost more if it requires after-hours service or expedited equipment delivery. Ask whether the quoted installation date is firm and whether temporary heating or cooling is available if special-order equipment delays the job.
Installation quality matters to operating cost as well as the purchase price. The contractor should verify airflow, refrigerant charge, combustion safety, thermostat operation, and condensate drainage. A short commissioning checklist and recorded measurements provide a more useful comparison than a promise of “standard installation.” Budget for at least a full workday, and allow extra time when ducts or venting need alteration.
Why installed prices differ across U.S. regions
Labor, permit rules, climate, and contractor availability create substantial regional variation. A combined furnace-and-AC replacement in a lower-cost Midwest or Southern market may be 5%-15% below the national middle range. Large coastal cities and high-cost metropolitan areas may run 15%-30% above it, particularly where labor is scarce, access is restricted, or code upgrades are extensive.
Climate affects the equipment mix and efficiency choices. In colder northern locations, homeowners may prioritize furnace output and high AFUE ratings; in hot, humid markets, AC capacity, humidity control, and higher SEER2 performance may carry more weight. A heat pump may be considered in some regions, but it is a different system and should not be compared with a furnace-and-AC quote unless the scope and backup heat are clearly specified.
Use local written bids rather than a national average as the decision benchmark. Compare the same furnace capacity, efficiency, AC tonnage, SEER2 rating, thermostat, disposal, permits, and warranty terms. A 10%-20% difference between local quotes can reflect labor or scope rather than a better equipment deal.
Three realistic combined replacement quote examples
These examples show how different scopes can produce different totals; they are not official Home Depot package prices. Regional labor and equipment availability can shift each estimate, and a contractor should verify sizing before final pricing.
| Home and scope | Equipment and work | Estimated installed total |
|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft, straightforward replacement | 60,000 BTU furnace, 2-ton AC, basic thermostat, existing ducts retained | $7,000-$9,500 |
| 1,800 sq ft, midrange upgrade | 80,000 BTU furnace, 3-ton AC, moderate efficiency, new pad and standard permits | $9,500-$13,500 |
| 2,500 sq ft, complex installation | 100,000 BTU furnace, 4-ton higher-efficiency AC, duct repairs and vent changes | $14,000-$21,000 |
The first example assumes normal access and no major code changes. The second includes a typical amount of setup work but no full duct replacement. The third includes a larger system and added site work; extensive duct replacement, difficult access, or a premium variable-speed system could raise it further.
Per-square-foot averages are only a screening tool. In these examples, combined pricing ranges from roughly $6-$8 per square foot for a smaller uncomplicated job to about $6-$8.40 per square foot for the larger, more complex example. Equipment sizing, not a fixed price-per-foot rule, should determine the final selection.
When a furnace or AC repair beats full replacement
A repair may be more economical if one component has failed but the other is in good condition, especially when the system is relatively young and replacement parts remain available. Common repairs can range from $150-$600 for simpler electrical or sensor work to $600-$2,000 for larger component repairs. Compressor or heat exchanger problems may make replacement more practical, but a technician should inspect the specific equipment and provide a written repair estimate.
Replacing both systems together can reduce duplicated labor and avoid pairing an old component with a new one, but it is not automatically the cheapest choice. If the furnace is 8-10 years old and functioning well while the AC is failing, compare an AC-only replacement at roughly $4,000-$10,000 with a combined quote. If both systems are around 15 years old or older, compare repair costs, expected reliability, and efficiency before deciding.
Warranty coverage changes the repair calculation. Check the manufacturer’s parts warranty, registration requirements, and contractor labor warranty; parts coverage does not necessarily pay for diagnosis or installation labor. A lower-priced quote with limited labor protection may cost more if a covered component fails later. Request repair and replacement options when the diagnosis is uncertain or only one system has failed.
How to lower the Home Depot furnace and AC quote
Ask the estimator to price a basic, midrange, and higher-efficiency matched system with the same capacity assumptions. This reveals the actual upgrade cost and helps prevent paying for features that do not fit the home’s climate or usage. Keep accessories such as air cleaners, humidifiers, zoning, and smart thermostats separate so each can be accepted or declined independently.
Get at least two or three local written bids with matching scope. Compare model numbers, furnace BTU and AFUE, AC tonnage and SEER2, labor, disposal, permits, line-set work, startup testing, and warranty. If a bid is much lower, ask what is excluded rather than assuming the difference is a discount. A clear load calculation and duct inspection can prevent paying for oversized equipment or discovering needed work after installation begins.
Homeowners can reduce avoidable labor by clearing access to the furnace, electrical panel, and outdoor condenser before the appointment, while leaving gas, refrigerant, and electrical work to qualified professionals. Scheduling replacement before peak heating or cooling demand may improve appointment availability, though seasonal savings are not guaranteed. The most reliable savings come from controlling scope, comparing equivalent equipment, and declining unneeded upgrades—not from choosing a system too small for the home.
Ask whether Home Depot’s service provider offers financing or a promotional payment option, and compare the total repayment cost, fees, and interest terms with cash pricing. Financing changes the timing of payment, not the installed project value. Review the contract, cancellation terms, warranty, permit responsibility, and change-order process before authorizing work.