HVAC System Cost for New Construction
The typical cost for installing a new home HVAC system is around $26,500, with the cost range between $16,500 to $37,000. This includes the HVAC equipment, all duct work, rough in, final installation, start up of the unit, permits and inspections, and all supplies, tools and labor to do the work. To estimate the cost per square foot of a complete HVAC system in a new home, expect to pay between $8 to $16 per square foot.
New Construction HVAC System Cost Factors
Your new home HVAC system installation cost will depend on these factors:
- Home Size: Bigger homes require larger, or multiple HVAC units.
- Ductwork: The expense for ductwork is calculated based on its quantity, with the average cost being about $15 to $20 for every linear foot.
- Installation Difficulty: While new homes are easier to install than existing homes retrofitting a complete system, more complex installations. If however, your new home requires a roof mounted system, expect it to cost more.
- Equipment Type: The choice of HVAC equipment is a significant cost factor.
- Your Preferred Brand: Different brands come at different price points based on quality ratings and reliability.
- Your Local Climate: The climate of your area can affect the type of system you need.
- System Efficiency Ratings: Systems with higher efficiency ratings cost more upfront but can offer savings in the long run.
- Local Regulations: Some areas in the USA require higher efficiency and alternative fuel sources than federal standards.
What is Usually Included in the Price Quote?
- Design and Consultation: Initial consultation to assess the home’s needs based on size, layout, local climate, and your preferences. During this stage, the blueprints for your home will be used to plan the installation. If you hired a GC to handle the build, they’ll coordinate with the HVAC company.
- Heating and Cooling Equipment: The equipment may include a gas or electric furnace for heating and an air conditioner for cooling. In some systems, a heat pump might be used for both heating and cooling. In others, mini split systems.
- Ductwork Installation: For central air systems, installing ductwork distributes the air throughout your home. This includes supply and return air ducts, vents, and registers.
- Thermostat: The installation of a thermostat to control the temperature. Many modern systems include smart thermostats for increased energy efficiency and temperature control.
- Refrigerant Lines: For split HVAC systems that use refrigerant, such as central AC units and heat pumps, the installation will include running refrigerant lines from the outdoor unit(s) to the indoor evaporator coil.
- Electrical Work: The HVAC company will assure your new system is properly connected to the home’s electrical system, including any necessary circuit breakers, wiring, and safety switches as required by local code.
- Condensate Drain: Installing a drain system to handle condensation produced by an air conditioner or high efficiency furnace, typically leading to a floor drain, condensate sump pump, or draining directly out of the home into a French rain outside.
- Duct Insulation: Sealing and insulating ductwork to maintain efficiency and performance of the HVAC system.
- Testing and Balancing: Once installed, your new system needs to be tested to ensure it operates correctly, efficiently, and that air is evenly distributed throughout the home. This is one of the last steps before the installation is completed.
- Final Inspection and Walk-through: A final inspection to ensure everything is installed correctly and functioning as expected, often accompanied by a walk-through with the homeowner to explain the system’s operation and maintenance.
- Cleanup and Disposal: Throughout the installation process, the HVAC company will clean up and dispose of waste materials as they progress with the project. Most often, a dumpster onsite is used to handle this.
Calculate Your Estimated Cost
Using the new home HVAC installation cost calculator below, you can enter the specific information about your home and the type of HVAC system you’d like to install. You’ll receive estimated low and high costs for a complete system installation.
Related Projects
DIY or Hire a Pro
Most homeowners hire a licensed contractor to install their HVAC system. But there are limited options for DIY. Your only real do it yourself option is a DIY mini split system from MrCool or Klimaire, currently the only two prominent brands making systems with full refrigerant charges, ready to install, connect and start up.
- You set the outdoor unit and install the indoor units.
- Wire the outdoor unit to the electrical panel.
- Connect the refrigerant lines, wiring and drains.
- Open a valve to allow refrigerant to flow, and that’s basically it.
Some homeowners comfortable working with electrical wiring and gas lines, etc., can do some of the work. Then a certified HVAC technician charges the system and gives it a close inspection to make sure the work’s done right. But you should find a technician willing to sign off on your work before you consider this route.
Ductwork can be DIY, but it is crucial that the ductwork layout be optimized for your home. Secondly, the sizes for the main trunk of the ductwork and the branches need to be carefully determined to ensure proper airflow and balanced temperatures throughout your home.
Reviewed and edited by Steve Hansen of Costimates
Steve Hansen, that's me, the Senior Editor of Costimates. (Learn more about myself and our team) I'm an avid home improvement professional with more than 37 years experience working on all types of residential new home building, upfits, repairs and remodeling.
"Like most homeowners, I was frustrated with the lack of quality information available on specific home improvement repairs and renovations. In 2015, Costimates was formed to help homeowners learn as much as possible about various projects and their costs so they could make better financial decisions."