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Air conditioning and furnace replacement cost is one of the biggest home expenses you'll face — and the numbers can feel overwhelming before you even get a quote.
Here's a quick answer to help you budget:
| Scenario | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Furnace only | $3,500 – $7,500 installed |
| Central AC only | $3,800 – $7,500 installed |
| Both together (standard efficiency) | $5,000 – $9,000 |
| Both together (mid-efficiency) | $7,500 – $12,500 |
| Both together (high-efficiency) | $12,000 – $18,000+ |
| Average homeowner spends | ~$8,000 – $13,500 |
Costs vary based on your home size, system brand, efficiency ratings, and local labor rates.
Most Utah homeowners replacing both systems together land somewhere between $8,500 and $17,500, depending on the specifics of their home and the equipment they choose.
This guide walks you through everything — what drives the price up or down, when it makes sense to replace both systems at once, and how to avoid overpaying.
I'm Luke Jordan, owner of iRepair Heating and Air, a family-owned HVAC company serving the Wasatch Front from Ogden to Provo — and I've helped hundreds of homeowners navigate the real numbers behind air conditioning and furnace replacement cost. Let's break it all down so you can make a confident, informed decision.
When we look at the data for 2025 and moving into 2026, the national average for a complete HVAC overhaul typically ranges from $11,590 to $14,100. However, here in the Greater Salt Lake Area, we see a wide spectrum based on the specific needs of the home.
For a standard 2,000 to 2,500 square foot home in Utah, the average cost for a combined air conditioning and gas furnace setup sits around $13,430. If you are looking at a smaller home or a very basic "standard efficiency" package, you might see numbers closer to $6,000–$12,000, which averages out to about $3 to $6 per square foot.
It is important to note that the U.S. Department of Energy efficiency requirements changed recently. As of 2023, AC units must meet a minimum of 14 SEER in northern states (like Utah). These higher standards mean that even the "budget" options are more efficient—and slightly more expensive—than they were five years ago.
Size is the single biggest factor in your quote. In the HVAC world, we don't just guess based on rooms; we use "tonnage" for AC and "BTUs" for furnaces.
| Home Square Footage | AC Size Needed | Furnace Capacity | Estimated Combined Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 – 1,500 sq. ft. | 1.5 – 2 Tons | 40,000 – 60,000 BTU | $5,500 – $9,000 |
| 1,600 – 2,000 sq. ft. | 2.5 – 3 Tons | 60,000 – 80,000 BTU | $8,000 – $13,000 |
| 2,100 – 3,000 sq. ft. | 3.5 – 5 Tons | 80,000 – 100,000+ BTU | $11,000 – $18,000+ |
In our region, including Sandy and Tooele, we perform a professional "load calculation." This looks at your home’s insulation, window types, and orientation to ensure we don't install a system that is too small (which won't keep you cool) or too large (which wastes energy and dies young). Proper sizing is a key part of Getting Your Air Conditioning Ready for Summer.
The "fuel" your home uses will dictate the furnace price.
Beyond just the size of your house, several "hidden" factors can swing your air conditioning and furnace replacement cost by thousands of dollars.
Think of HVAC brands like cars. Some are reliable "daily drivers," and some are luxury performance machines.
Premium brands often come with better warranties, quieter operation, and proprietary technology that allows for finer temperature control. Regardless of the brand, Caring for Your Furnace through regular maintenance is what actually ensures it hits that 15–20 year lifespan.
Labor usually accounts for about $1,500 to $4,000 of your total bill. If your furnace is easily accessible in a basement, labor stays on the lower end. However, if our team has to crawl into a tight crawlspace or navigate a cramped attic in an older Salt Lake City bungalow, the complexity increases.
Other factors that add to the labor cost include:
If you are planning for a winter installation, it’s worth asking, How Do I Get My Furnace Ready for Winter? to see if a simple repair might buy you time, or if a full swap is the safer bet for the coming snow.
We are often asked, "Can I just do the AC now and the furnace later?" You can, but it’s usually more expensive in the long run.
When we install a "matched system," the furnace and the AC are designed to work together. They share the same blower motor and ductwork. According to ACCA’s HVAC Installation Best Practices, matching these components is vital for airflow optimization.
If you put a brand-new, high-efficiency AC on a 20-year-old furnace, the old blower motor might not be able to handle the requirements of the new system. This can lead to:
Regular maintenance, like a Furnace Tune-Up, is also easier when the systems are the same age and brand.
A new, matched system can reduce your energy bills by 20% to 40%. Modern systems also play better with smart thermostats, allowing you to zone your home or control the temperature from your phone while you're away in Park City or down in Provo. Fewer service calls and integrated controls mean that while the upfront air conditioning and furnace replacement cost is higher, the "cost per month" over the next 15 years is significantly lower.
When you look at a quote, you’ll see two main numbers: SEER and AFUE. These are the "miles per gallon" ratings for your HVAC.
High-efficiency units have more complex parts, such as variable-speed motors and secondary heat exchangers.
To help with these costs, we often offer A New Furnace Coupon to take some of the sting out of the initial investment.
The Inflation Reduction Act has changed the game for HVAC pricing. Homeowners can now claim federal tax credits of up to $2,000 for high-efficiency heat pumps or $600 for high-efficiency central AC and furnaces.
Check the ENERGY STAR furnace tax credits page for the latest federal details. Locally, you can also find utility-specific rebates from companies like Rocky Mountain Power or Dominion Energy. A great place to see everything available in Utah is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE).
When budgeting for air conditioning and furnace replacement cost, don't forget the "extras" that often show up during the inspection:
Replacing ductwork for a 2,000 sq. ft. home typically adds $2,100 to $5,000 to the bill. If your ducts are over 15 years old, they may need sealing or new insulation (R-values) to meet modern codes. We always check this during our initial estimate because even the best furnace can't fix bad Heating and Cooling caused by crushed or leaky pipes.
If you aren't ready to pay $10,000+ upfront, financing is a great option. Many homeowners use low-interest HVAC loans to spread the cost over 5 to 10 years.
Pro Tip: Timing matters! If you can plan your replacement for the "shoulder seasons" (Spring or Fall), you might find better manufacturer promotions or off-season discounts. Emergency replacements in the middle of a July heatwave or a January blizzard usually cost more because of the urgency and limited technician availability.
Yes, absolutely. You save between $1,000 and $2,000 on labor and materials because the crew is already at your house, the tools are out, and the system is already disassembled. Plus, you ensure the indoor and outdoor components are perfectly matched for maximum efficiency.
For a standard home, a full swap (furnace and AC) typically takes one full day (8–10 hours). If we need to replace ductwork or perform complex electrical upgrades, it can stretch into 2 to 3 days.
Navigating air conditioning and furnace replacement cost doesn't have to be a headache. While the initial investment of $8,500 to $17,500 is significant, the long-term benefits of lower energy bills, increased home value, and reliable comfort are well worth it.
At iRepair Heating and Air, we take pride in being a family-owned business that treats your home like our own. Whether you're in Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo, or Park City, we offer same-day emergency service and fair, transparent pricing. We won't sell you something you don't need, but we will make sure the system you get is sized perfectly for the Utah climate.
Ready to see what a new system would look like for your home? Claim your new furnace coupon and schedule an estimate today and let us help you get your home back to the perfect temperature.