In this article…
- How Much Does An HVAC System Replacement Cost? Horizontal and Upflow Systems, Tonnage, And Additions
- How Much Is Too Much For A New HVAC System?
- How Much Is Too Little For A New HVAC System?
- How To Find The Right HVAC System For Your Home
- How To Find The Best HVAC Company To Replace Your HVAC System
Is your AC not cooling your home as well as it used to? Did you recently move into a home with an old HVAC unit? Ready to upgrade your equipment and improve your home’s air quality?
It’s no secret replacing your HVAC system isn’t cheap. However, when you find your unit has given out and lived its life, a full replacement is necessary.
Before wasting your time and effort to look for a company to work with for your HVAC system replacement, the first thing you want to know is how much it will cost.
As a trusted San Antonio HVAC service company since 1979, Wright AC Services has helped hundreds of homeowners replace their HVAC systems and elevate the comfort of their homes.
When embarking on any repair or replacement on your home, knowing how much it will cost and what factors most affect the cost is essential to making the right decision, and we understand this.
We also understand that most people don’t enjoy talking about cost or “exposing” how much their services cost. We’re here to break down the door and provide you with all the information you need to make the best choices for your HVAC replacement.
This article will outline how much an HVAC system replacement costs, what affects the total cost of a replacement, how to avoid being taken advantage of, and how to find the right HVAC system for you.
After reading, you will have a full understanding of how much your HVAC replacement should cost and can find a trustworthy company to work with.
How Much Does An HVAC System Replacement Cost? Horizontal and Upflow Systems, Tonnage, And Additions
Replacing your entire HVAC system consists of replacing the interior unit, typically located either in a downstairs closet (upflow) or in your attic (horizontal), the exterior unit, and the thermostat.
That’s a lot of equipment to remove, replace, and reinstall with new equipment.
A full HVAC system replacement can cost anywhere from $5,900 – $20,000 on average, including the cost of labor.
The full cost of your system replacement depends on several factors, including
- Type of system (upflow or horizontal)
- The tonnage of the system
- Duct modifications or replacements
- Quality of installation
- Quality of warranty
- Indoor air quality upgrades
Let’s look at how each of these factors affects the cost of your system and approximately how much it will add to the total.
1. Type Of System (Upflow or Horizontal)
The type of system is the first element that directly affects the cost of your HVAC replacement.
There are two main types of HVAC systems: upflow and horizontal. Upflow systems have a unit typically installed in a closet within your home. These systems have a receiving vent directly below that pulls air in and filters it up and through the system, through the ducts, and returns the cooled or heated air into your home.
Horizontal systems lay horizontally in an attic and receive, filter, and return the conditioned air through the ducts.
Replacing horizontal systems is more expensive than replacing upflow systems because of the degree of difficulty involved with installation.
It is much easier to replace an upflow system that is located on ground level than a horizontal system in an attic. This cost increase is reflected in labor costs.
A horizontal HVAC system replacement can cost about $500 – $2,000 more than an upflow system replacement, depending on the location of the system and the difficulty of accessing the unit.
2. Tonnage Of The System
The second largest cost factor of your HVAC system replacement is how many tons the new system is.
The tonnage of a system is the capacity at which the unit can remove heat from the home. It determines how quickly and well it can cool your home.
The higher the tonnage on a system, the more it costs because it has a higher capacity to cool your home.
On average, 1.5 – 3 ton systems cost around $12,500 or less. 3 – 5 ton systems cost around $12,500 – $20,000.
Finding the right tonnage for your home depends on the size of your home, how well your home is insulated with windows, doors, and insulation, pier and beam foundations, which direction your home faces in relation to the sun, and how many pets and humans live in the home.
It’s best to replace your current system with the same tonnage as your current system. Upping the tonnage of a new system can actually create problems, like high humidity or short cycling of the system. This will make your home less comfortable, causing you to feel more sticky rather than cool and dry.
Unless you have added square footage to your home or have upgraded windows, doors, and attic insulation, it’s best to stick with the same tonnage of your current system.
The best way to confirm the system tonnage you need is to have the HVAC company perform an engineering analysis or heat load of your home to confirm what size system is needed. Every home is different based on the factors outlined above.
3. Duct Modifications, Repairs, Or Replacements
If your ducts are damaged and need repairing or replacing, this will also add to the cost.
Adding a new system without replacing damaged ducts negates the benefits a new system provides as the newly conditioned will leak throughout the damaged ducts, ultimately causing your system to work harder and shorten its lifespan.
You want to make sure all ducts leading to and from registers, receivers, and return vents are completely sealed and provide a direct path of the airway.
Depending on the current condition of your ductwork, repairing or replacing them can cost between $5,000 – $9,000.
Duct modifications are optional upgrades to improve your ductwork and make your system more efficient.
For example, Aeroseal is a leading duct sealant product that seals your ducts from the inside, ensuring any cracks in your ductwork are sealed to minimize air leakage. Installing Aeroseal with your new HVAC system costs about $2,500 on top of your new system.
Duct repair or replacement may be necessary depending on what your ducts look like now, but adding any duct modifications is optional.
4. Quality Of Installation
The next factor that affects the cost of your new HVAC system is the quality of installation.
In any home renovation project, cost and quality have a direct relationship. The lower the quality of workmanship, the less your project will cost.
Choosing a lower-quality HVAC company with inexperienced or unlicensed technicians can shed thousands of dollars off of the cost of your replacement, however, you end up paying more in future repairs and part replacements than you saved initially.
Remember you always get what you pay for.
Because replacing your HVAC system is a sizable investment, paying for a high-quality system and installation upfront is much better than choosing the cheaper option and regretting it financially in the future.
When searching for the right HVAC company to work with, it’s crucial you know what qualities to look for, like how long they have been in business, their reviews, photos of their technicians, and more.
5. Quality Of Warranty
Similar to the quality of labor and workmanship, the quality of the warranty you receive with your new HVAC system will affect the project’s cost.
Your new HVAC system comes with a manufacturer’s warranty for all parts and components of the system. This outlines what parts are covered under the warranty, what types of damages are covered, what they will provide in terms of a replacement, and what voids the warranty.
While your system comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, the labor warranty is dependent on the company that installed your system. A standard labor warranty may be provided, but a more robust, high-quality warranty can add to the cost of your new system.
For example, Wright AC Services offers an extensive 10-year labor warranty from JB Warranties for an additional $1,592, or about $160 a year.
A higher-quality warranty, whether included or as an addition to the cost of your system, will cost more than a lower-quality warranty or no warranty at all.
The quality of your warranty on both the products and labor reveals the quality of what you are paying for. The better the warranty, the more it will cost.
6. Indoor Air Quality Upgrades
The final factor that affects the cost of your new HVAC system is if you decide to install any indoor air quality (IAQ) upgrades. These upgrades are not part of your HVAC system, but rather additions to improve the IAQ of your home along with your new system.
IAQ upgrades, such as a UV stick light, Reme Halo, or Solaris IAQ system, are installed within your HVAC system and help reduce condensation, microbial growth, allergens, pet odors, cooking odors, dust, dirt, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) while also filtering the air before returning into your home.
Any upgrade you add to your system will add to the total cost.
For example, Solaris IAQ Systems costs around $2,700, while a UV stick light costs around $500.
IAQ upgrades help keep your system clean and improve the overall air quality of your home, helping to reduce dust and allergens and help cool your home faster.
How Much Is Too Much For A New HVAC System?
After understanding the average cost range of a new HVAC system and what factors directly affect the cost, it’s important you also know what cost is too much for a new system.
While many additions and other repairs can increase the cost of your system, the total cost should never be more than $30,000.
Unfortunately at Wright AC Services, we’ve helped many homeowners who were overcharged for a low-quality system, needing frequent repairs or a full replacement soon after the initial installation.
If an HVAC company provides you with a quote higher than $30,000 for a new system installation, it’s best to shop around and gather a few more quotes.
How Much Is Too Little For A New HVAC System?
You never want to get taken advantage of and overcharged for a high-dollar product. On the flip side, you also never want to get ripped off with a “too good to be true” deal that leaves you with nothing but problems.
While lower-end HVAC systems go for around $6,000, we recommend choosing a system that is at least $10,000 or more for long-term homeowners.
Now, we don’t just say this to try to convince you to spend more money if there isn’t any value behind it.
A system less than $10,000 will not last or perform as well as you want it to if you are a long-term homeowner concerned with the longevity of your new system.
But, if you are looking for a short-term, less expensive solution to replacing your HVAC system, choosing the cheaper option may be the right option for you.
How To Find The Right HVAC System For Your Home
Now that you know how much a new HVAC system installation costs and how much you should pay for a new one, you want to know how to choose the right one for you.
Like any product, finding the best one for you depends on your wants, needs, and goals for the product.
When it comes to a new HVAC system, consider what type of system you currently have.
What do you like and dislike about the system? What do you wish it did better? Do you want to upgrade it with something more high-tech? Do you wish you had IAQ upgrades installed?
These are just a few questions to consider when shopping around for a new HVAC system.
Think about how you want your new system to perform and what your budget is. This will help narrow down the decision when working with a professional HVAC company to replace your system.
How To Find The Best HVAC Company To Replace Your HVAC System
Whether your system is starting to slow down, needs frequent repairs and replacements, or isn’t keeping your home cool, finding the right HVAC system to replace your current system is only half the battle.
Even if you find the highest-rated HVAC system on the market, it will fail if not installed by a licensed, professional technician.
At Wright AC Services, our team of experienced, licensed technicians provides high-quality HVAC services no matter your needs.
From simple tune-ups and repairs to full system replacements, our number one goal is to educate you on all you need to know regarding different systems, warranties, and finding the right company for you.
If you’re ready to upgrade your HVAC system, you need to know what to look for to find a trustworthy company that will care for your home and provide you with the services you need.
Check out this article that outlines 12 qualities to look for in a high-quality HVAC company, like the longevity of their business, online reviews, photos of their technicians and their work, and more.
Then, you will be equipped with the right knowledge to identify a trustworthy HVAC company from a lower-quality one and ensure your new system is installed correctly.
