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Message
Ballpark to replace HVAC system
Posted on 10/10/25 at 1:23 pm
Posted on 10/10/25 at 1:23 pm
Needing to replace entire system in house. Ductwork, heater, AC.
What kind of a budget should I be looking at? Anything to avoid?
3,000 sq ft 2 story home.
What kind of a budget should I be looking at? Anything to avoid?
3,000 sq ft 2 story home.
13
Posted on 10/10/25 at 1:31 pm to blacykaty
Buddy of mine works for Trane and needs two full new units (no ducting) for his home - said he's expecting between $40-$60k including installation but that's for the top-of-the-line equipment.
Posted on 10/10/25 at 1:33 pm to blacykaty
2 units will probably be $35K to 50K 
Posted on 10/10/25 at 1:53 pm to blacykaty
So, is this a raised house so removing and installing new duct work will be happening under the house and the registers in the floor?
With a 2 story house, it is probably better to install 2 separate units, one for each floor with the 2nd floor likely being the smaller unit in overall tonnage.
Too much information not given. What SEER are you looking to install, what brand units, ease of access to remove and install the duct work, etc.
With a 2 story house, it is probably better to install 2 separate units, one for each floor with the 2nd floor likely being the smaller unit in overall tonnage.
Too much information not given. What SEER are you looking to install, what brand units, ease of access to remove and install the duct work, etc.
Posted on 10/10/25 at 2:34 pm to blacykaty
The general rule of thumb is 500 sq ft per ton, and suggest something like $2500-4000 is a air estimate per ton these days. I think some of these guys are shooting way too high, get a bunch of quotes OP. The HVAC season is ending and someone will give you a good bid for the work. There's A LOT of mark up in HVAC units installs.
You likely either have one large unit or two 1.5-2 ton units. If you have 2 units, I'd suggest something like $16,000-20,000. If you have one large unit its probably $14,000-20,000.
You will for sure get quotes pushing $30k if not more.
Why do you need to replace everything? This is a huge sales job and mostly BS.
You likely either have one large unit or two 1.5-2 ton units. If you have 2 units, I'd suggest something like $16,000-20,000. If you have one large unit its probably $14,000-20,000.
You will for sure get quotes pushing $30k if not more.
Why do you need to replace everything? This is a huge sales job and mostly BS.
Posted on 10/10/25 at 2:56 pm to baldona
quote:
Why do you need to replace everything? This is a huge sales job and mostly BS.
That's why I said not enough information given. If the house is a raised one on piers and the 1st floor ductwork is under the house, perhaps animals got to it and destroyed the insulation leaving the bare pipe exposed. I've seen this when I was a much younger man doing that type work. Once the insulation is compromised it is easy for the ductwork to sweat if Joval steel round pipe and that promotes rusting over time.
I replaced my complete unit, inside heater/blower and outside unit and the only ductwork needing changing was a new plenum off the end of the unit so they could hook up the existing ductwork in my attic. I had installed my own ductwork back in 92 when I put in central air and heat and it was still good to go 4 years ago when I had the work done.
Posted on 10/10/25 at 3:23 pm to blacykaty
quote:
Ballpark to replace HVAC system
I initially read this as a headline, and wondered what ballpark was changing their HVAC system.
Posted on 10/10/25 at 3:24 pm to Spelt it rong
quote:
Buddy of mine works for Trane and needs two full new units (no ducting) for his home - said he's expecting between $40-$60k including installation but that's for the top-of-the-line equipment.
My Ruud system spits out air just as cool as that system will, I bet.
Side note: install radiant barrier if you can. I started installing about 30% of my attic this past spring/summer before giving up due to the heat, but I have seen a small decrease already in usage. I plan on finishing it up this winter.
This post was edited on 10/10/25 at 3:26 pm
Posted on 10/10/25 at 4:27 pm to TDsngumbo
quote:quote:
Ballpark to replace HVAC system
I initially read this as a headline, and wondered what ballpark was changing their HVAC system.
So did I
Posted on 10/10/25 at 4:42 pm to gumbo2176
quote:
With a 2 story house, it is probably better to install 2 separate units, one for each floor with the 2nd floor likely being the smaller unit in overall tonnage
This.
Senior HVAC techs around the country that answer homeowner HVAC questions on the HVAC Talk-AOE forum (AOE = ask our experts) almost to man agree - 2 floors (stories) - 2 HVAC systems. They state HVAC techs who really who know zoning & duct work sizing that can install a single HVAC zoned system on a two story house that’s provides the comfort a homeowner expects on both floors are few and far between. Plus the single system zoned approach usually requires more expensive multistage variable capacity HVAC equipment and the duct work sizing better be spot on.
Posted on 10/11/25 at 9:41 am to Spelt it rong
quote:
Buddy of mine works for Trane and needs two full new units (no ducting) for his home - said he's expecting between $40-$60k including installation but that's for the top-of-the-line equipment.
Your buddy is an idiot. I just had a 5 ton system installed(no ductwork) by Total Comfort for $8500
Posted on 10/11/25 at 10:00 am to Howyouluhdat
quote:
buddy is an idiot
The engineer that works for Trane is an idiot? Ok guy on TD
Posted on 10/11/25 at 1:04 pm to Spelt it rong
quote:
The engineer that works for Trane is an idiot? Ok guy on TD
From what you posted it sounds like he is completely overshooting that number, engineer or not
This post was edited on 10/11/25 at 1:05 pm
Posted on 10/12/25 at 4:10 pm to Howyouluhdat
Yup, plus he forgot his employee discount
Posted on 10/13/25 at 5:50 am to blacykaty
18-25k. Had mine done about 18 months ago for a one story 3000sq.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 7:00 am to blacykaty
I paid $22k last summer for a 5 ton two stage system including new duct work. I'm guessing you'll need two smaller units though, So I'd expect somewhere in the $35k range for you for a similar setup.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 8:19 am to TDsngumbo
I was thinking that's a big arsed AC system.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 10:33 pm to LNCHBOX
quote:
I paid $22k last summer for a 5 ton two stage system including new duct work. I'm guessing you'll need two smaller units though, So I'd expect somewhere in the $35k range for you for a similar setup.
Y’all are getting arse raped by HVAC companies my lord. My house was built in 2005. I’ve replaced all 3 units I have in the past 4 years. A 2,4,5 ton systems. All in I paid around 22k for all of them excluding ductwork. I paid in cash though so I got a little of a discount
This post was edited on 10/13/25 at 10:40 pm
Posted on 10/14/25 at 9:02 am to Howyouluhdat
quote:
Y’all are getting arse raped by HVAC companies my lord. My house was built in 2005. I’ve replaced all 3 units I have in the past 4 years. A 2,4,5 ton systems. All in I paid around 22k for all of them excluding ductwork. I paid in cash though so I got a little of a discount
AC systems have skyrocketed over the past 4 years. especially if there is no old stock available and you have to install one of the new systems that uses propane as refridgerant
Posted on 10/14/25 at 9:15 am to Howyouluhdat
quote:
Y’all are getting arse raped by HVAC companies my lord. My house was built in 2005. I’ve replaced all 3 units I have in the past 4 years. A 2,4,5 ton systems. All in I paid around 22k for all of them excluding ductwork. I paid in cash though so I got a little of a discount
I could have spent a lot less money with no ductwork and a smaller single stage system. And 4 years ago pricing was before everything skyrocketed post COVID, so not really helpful for OP
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