Every HVAC cost article we read says the same thing: "Prices vary. Call for a free quote."
That's not an article. That's a lead gen form.
We're going to do something different. We're going to tell you what things actually cost in Utah County in 2026, with real ranges, so when you're getting quotes from us (or anyone else), you know whether the numbers you're looking at are reasonable or if someone is trying to rip you off.
A few caveats upfront:
- These are 2026 prices in Utah County. Labor rates, equipment costs, and permit fees vary by region. Prices in New York or California will be higher. Prices in rural Idaho will be lower.
- These include labor, materials, permits, and tax. Not all quotes include all of these. When you're comparing quotes, make sure you're comparing apples to apples.
- "Typical" means a standard install. Unusual situations (crawlspace furnace, rooftop unit, historic home) can run 20-40% higher.
- We update these ranges as prices shift. Equipment costs have been pretty stable for the past 18 months but can move suddenly when refrigerant regulations change.
With that out of the way:
Furnace replacement
A typical 80,000-100,000 BTU gas furnace replacement in a Utah home with existing ductwork:
| Efficiency / Type | Typical 2026 Cost (installed) |
|---|---|
| 80% AFUE single-stage (basic) | $3,500 – $5,500 |
| 95% AFUE single-stage | $4,800 – $7,000 |
| 96-97% AFUE two-stage | $6,500 – $9,000 |
| 97%+ AFUE modulating + variable speed | $8,500 – $12,500 |
What "typical" includes: removal of old furnace, new furnace, new flue or PVC venting for 95%+, basic electrical work, thermostat connection, gas line connection, system startup and testing, permit.
What drives the high end: tight crawlspace access, needing to run a new PVC vent through a difficult path, gas line upgrade, drywall patching.
What we recommend for most Utah homes: 96% AFUE two-stage. Sweet spot on price, efficiency, and comfort.
Central AC replacement (without furnace)
A typical 3-ton central AC replacement in a Utah home:
| SEER2 / Type | Typical 2026 Cost (installed) |
|---|---|
| SEER2 14.3 single-stage (minimum code) | $5,500 – $7,500 |
| SEER2 16 single-stage | $7,000 – $9,500 |
| SEER2 18 two-stage | $9,000 – $12,500 |
| SEER2 20+ variable-speed | $11,500 – $15,500 |
What "typical" includes: new outdoor condenser, new indoor evaporator coil, new line set, refrigerant, electrical disconnect, startup, permit, warranty registration.
What drives the high end: condensate pump if gravity drain isn't possible, electrical panel upgrade for higher-amperage units, line set routing through finished ceilings, disposal of old R-22 refrigerant.
What we recommend for most Utah homes: SEER2 16 two-stage. Utah's dry summers don't need super-high SEER ratings to be efficient, and two-stage cooling handles humidity changes between spring and late summer better than single-stage.
Combined furnace + AC replacement
If you're replacing BOTH at the same time (which most Utah homeowners should — they age together), you get better pricing than replacing them separately because the labor overlaps:
| Combo | Typical 2026 Cost (installed) |
|---|---|
| 80% AFUE furnace + SEER2 14.3 AC | $8,500 – $12,000 |
| 96% AFUE furnace + SEER2 16 AC | $11,500 – $16,500 |
| 97% AFUE two-stage + SEER2 18 two-stage | $14,500 – $20,500 |
| Modulating furnace + SEER2 20+ AC | $17,500 – $24,500 |
Combined installs almost always save you 10-15% vs replacing separately because the technicians are already there, the disposal is one trip, and the permit is one fee. If you're within 2-3 years of replacing both anyway, time it together.
Heat pump install (air-source)
| Type | Typical 2026 Cost (installed) |
|---|---|
| Standard air-source heat pump (2-3 ton, SEER2 15) | $8,500 – $13,000 |
| Cold-climate heat pump (2-3 ton, rated to 5°F) | $11,500 – $16,500 |
| High-performance variable-speed cold-climate | $14,000 – $19,500 |
Dual-fuel (heat pump + backup furnace) adds $3,000-5,000 to the cost of a heat pump install.
What "typical" includes: Heat pump condenser, air handler or fan coil, new line set, refrigerant, electrical, thermostat compatible with heat pump operation, permit.
Rebates can knock $3,000-6,000 off a heat pump install in 2026, depending on the federal tax credit, Rocky Mountain Power rebates, and state incentives active at the time.
Ductless mini-split
For adding cooling or heating to a room without existing ductwork (finished basement, converted garage, addition):
| Type | Typical 2026 Cost (installed) |
|---|---|
| Single-zone (1 indoor head, 1 outdoor unit) | $4,500 – $7,500 |
| Dual-zone (2 indoor heads, 1 outdoor unit) | $6,500 – $10,500 |
| Tri-zone (3 indoor heads, 1 outdoor unit) | $9,000 – $14,000 |
| Whole-house multi-zone (4-6 heads) | $15,000 – $28,000 |
What "typical" includes: indoor head unit(s), outdoor unit, refrigerant line set, electrical, wall penetration, condensate drain, startup.
Common use case in Utah: Adding AC to a 1990s Utah home that was built with no central AC (they existed — there are plenty of ramblers in American Fork and Orem with furnace-only HVAC).
Ductwork
Not all cost comes from equipment. Sometimes the ducts are the problem.
| Service | Typical 2026 Cost |
|---|---|
| Duct cleaning (professional, whole house) | $350 – $650 |
| Duct sealing with mastic (whole house) | $600 – $1,200 |
| Aeroseal duct sealing (whole house) | $1,800 – $3,500 |
| New ductwork run to a single room | $800 – $2,500 |
| Full ductwork replacement (whole house) | $4,500 – $12,000 |
Which one you need: Most Utah homes from the 2000s-2010s need duct SEALING, not duct cleaning. Duct cleaning only matters if you've had a flood, a dust contamination event, or visible mold in the duct system. Duct sealing fixes a much more common problem — 20-30% of conditioned air leaking out before it reaches your rooms.
Maintenance, tune-ups, and repairs
| Service | Typical 2026 Cost |
|---|---|
| Seasonal tune-up (single system) | $120 – $220 |
| Annual maintenance plan (AC + furnace, 2 visits/year) | $180 – $320/year |
| Emergency service call (after hours) | $175 – $275 trip charge |
| Diagnostic visit during business hours | $95 – $165 |
| Common part replacement (ignitor, flame sensor, capacitor) | $180 – $420 |
| Blower motor replacement | $450 – $950 |
| Gas valve replacement | $550 – $1,200 |
| Evaporator coil replacement (under warranty) | $650 – $1,400 labor |
| Evaporator coil replacement (out of warranty) | $1,800 – $3,500 |
| Compressor replacement (under warranty) | $950 – $2,200 labor |
| Compressor replacement (out of warranty) | $2,500 – $4,800 |
The "repair or replace" math: If a single repair is more than 50% the cost of a new system AND your current system is over 10 years old, replace. If the repair is under 30% the cost of replacement, fix it. The middle is judgment — how's the rest of the system, what's your utility bill trend, are you planning to move?
Thermostats
| Type | Typical 2026 Cost (installed) |
|---|---|
| Basic non-programmable | $75 – $140 |
| Programmable 7-day | $140 – $250 |
| Smart thermostat (Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell T10) | $280 – $480 |
What "typical" includes: Removal of old thermostat, new thermostat, wiring (most modern Utah homes have C-wire for smart thermostat compatibility), setup, walkthrough.
Air quality add-ons
| Service | Typical 2026 Cost (installed) |
|---|---|
| Whole-home bypass humidifier | $550 – $950 |
| Whole-home steam humidifier | $1,400 – $2,400 |
| MERV 13 media filter cabinet upgrade | $400 – $750 |
| UV light for evaporator coil | $350 – $650 |
| ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) | $1,800 – $3,500 |
| Whole-home dehumidifier | $1,600 – $2,800 |
What Utah homes actually need: A whole-home humidifier is the single best air-quality upgrade for most Utah homes because our winters are so dry. An ERV is great for newer tight-envelope construction. Most Utah homes don't need a whole-home dehumidifier — our summers are too dry.
Permits and inspections
Permits aren't optional. Utah requires permits for HVAC replacement and new installs in every city we serve. Typical permit fees are $85-220 depending on the city. That's included in most quotes but always ask.
Why permits matter:
- It protects your manufacturer warranty. Most manufacturers void warranties on installs without a permit.
- It gets you an inspection. A licensed inspector reviews the work. If something's wrong, they catch it.
- It shows up in property records. When you sell the house, the permit proves the work was done to code.
- It protects you legally if something goes wrong later.
Any contractor who offers to skip the permit to save you a few hundred dollars is cutting a corner that will cost you thousands later.
What's NOT in these numbers
Things you might pay extra for that aren't usually included in a standard quote:
- Electrical panel upgrade if your panel can't support new high-efficiency equipment: $2,500-5,500
- Gas line upsizing if your current line is too small for a higher-BTU furnace: $500-1,500
- Drywall repair after line set or vent routing: $150-800
- Asbestos remediation if your old ductwork or furnace has asbestos insulation (rare but possible in pre-1985 homes): $1,500-5,000
- Crane rental for rooftop units in commercial or large residential: $500-1,500
- Mobile home adaptations — mobile home HVAC uses different sizes and mounting: add 15-25% to any residential quote
These aren't scams, they're legitimate scope additions. But they should be disclosed in writing before work starts, not added at the end.
The short version
- Furnace replacement: $3,500 – $12,500 depending on efficiency
- AC replacement: $5,500 – $15,500 depending on efficiency
- Combined furnace + AC: $8,500 – $24,500
- Heat pump: $8,500 – $19,500 (or $11,500-21,500 for dual-fuel)
- Ductless mini-split: $4,500 – $28,000 depending on zones
- Repairs: $180 – $4,800 depending on the part
If a quote you're looking at is 20%+ above the high end of these ranges, ask why. Sometimes there's a legitimate reason (complex install, premium brand). Sometimes there isn't.
If a quote is 20%+ below the low end, be suspicious. Either they're skipping something critical, using off-brand equipment, not pulling permits, or it's a bait-and-switch where the "real" price appears after the crew is on-site.
We're happy to give you an honest quote for your specific situation. We're also happy to look at someone else's quote and tell you whether it's reasonable — no charge, no obligation. We've done this for a lot of Utah County homeowners who wanted a sanity check before signing a $15,000 contract. Sometimes we tell them "that's a fair price, go with it." Sometimes we tell them "that's $4,000 too high, here's what we'd charge." Either way, you walk away knowing more than you did before.