HVAC Replacement Cost Estimator
Answer the four questions that drive an HVAC quote — system type, home size, efficiency, ductwork — and get a low-to-high cost band for Orange County.
Orange County, CA · Updated 2026 · Ranges from our cost guides — your quote will vary by contractor and scope
How this calculator works: it combines the cost bands published in our Orange County cost guides with a few choices about your project. The output is a range — low, typical, high — with the assumptions listed. It is a planning tool, not a contractor bid.
Your project
What drives the cost
- System type — the single biggest driver: full system $7,000–$15,000 vs. furnace-only $3,500–$7,500 (per our 2026 guide).
- Efficiency tier — 16–17 SEER2 adds roughly $1,500–$3,000; 18+ SEER2 adds $3,000–$6,000. Above 18 SEER2 the payback stretches unless usage is high or you have solar.
- Home size / tonnage — bigger homes need bigger (or dual) equipment. Rule-of-thumb sizing is a red flag; proper sizing needs a Manual J calculation.
- Ductwork — leaky ducts in pre-1990 OC homes are the norm; sealing ($800–$2,000) or replacement ($1,500–$4,000) is a common line item.
- Install quality — equipment brand matters less than the installer. Two identical houses can get quotes $4,000 apart, usually for legitimate scope differences.
Estimate, not a quote
These numbers are estimates only — not a quote, not a bid. Bands are computed from the cost ranges published in our Orange County cost guides (2026), which are themselves compiled from contractor-published pricing and industry data. Your actual price depends on scope, materials, access, timing, and the contractor. Always get 2–3 written quotes and compare the scope line by line, not just the total. We don't sell services and we have no contractor relationships.