HVAC Replacement and Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Cost Guide
A furnace replacement commonly costs a few thousand dollars, a central air conditioner is in the same neighbourhood, and a full heating and cooling system runs into five figures. Commercial rooftop units are priced per ton and climb quickly with size, and a restaurant hood cleaning is a recurring cost in the hundreds to low thousands per visit.
Prices swing more than the equipment alone suggests. Ductwork, electrical capacity, venting, access and permits can add as much as the unit itself, which is why a like-for-like swap costs far less than changing system type. Commercial jobs add crane lifts, curbs and after-hours work.
The ranges below show where a quote should sit in most markets. They are not a price list, and equipment choice, building size, local labour and the condition of your ducts and roof can push the total beyond them.
Typical price ranges
- Furnace replacementUS$2,800 to US$7,000
A typical gas furnace swapped for a new unit with sound ductwork and venting.
- Central air conditionerUS$3,500 to US$9,500
A new condenser and matched coil on existing ductwork in an average home.
- Air-source heat pump (central)US$3,800 to US$12,000
A ducted unit from 2 to 5 tons, before large electrical or duct changes.
- Full system with new ductworkUS$10,000 to US$22,000
Furnace and AC or heat pump for a mid-size home, including duct modification.
- Duct replacement or modificationUS$450 to US$5,000
From a partial section to a larger modification in an average house.
- Commercial rooftop unit (per ton)US$1,600 to US$4,200 per ton
Installed, mid-range, before crane mobilization, curb work and ductwork changes.
- Kitchen exhaust cleaning, restaurantUS$300 to US$1,500 per visit
One to three hoods on a regular schedule, with the full path accessible.
- Complex or neglected kitchen exhaustUS$1,200 to US$2,500 or more
Several hoods, long duct runs or a first cleaning after heavy buildup.
Typical 2025-2026 ranges compiled from published cost guides, including HomeAdvisor, Angi, Fixr, FilterBuy, PickHVAC, Oxmaint, The Furnace Outlet, HoodMart and kitchen hood cost guides from TFP1 and other contractors. Prices are shown in US dollars, many sources are contractor-run, and Canadian and local quotes vary with region, building and access, so treat these as broad starting points.
What drives the cost
- Equipment size and efficiency
- Capacity and efficiency ratings set the equipment price, and a correctly sized unit costs less to run than an oversized one.
- System type
- Switching from gas to a heat pump, or adding cooling to a home without it, costs more than replacing like for like.
- Ductwork
- Leaky or undersized ducts may need repair or replacement before new equipment can deliver its rating.
- Electrical and gas
- Panel upgrades, new circuits and gas line changes can be significant lines on a quote.
- Access
- Attics, crawlspaces, rooftops and tight mechanical rooms take more labour and sometimes a crane.
- Permits and local labour
- Permit fees, inspection rules and hourly rates differ between regions.
- Kitchen size and duct run
- For hood cleaning, hood count, duct length and buildup set the time on site.
- Season
- Heating season in the north and the cooling rush in the south both tighten schedules and raise prices.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Replace before a failure, so you can compare options rather than accept whatever is in stock
- Ask for a quote that compares a like-for-like swap, a higher-efficiency option and a heat pump
- Check provincial, state and utility incentive programs before signing, as many require approval in advance
- Replace a furnace and air conditioner together when both are old, to avoid a second visit
- Put kitchen exhaust cleaning on a regular schedule, since a neglected system costs more to clean
Cost questions
How much does it cost to replace a furnace?
Published guides put a typical replacement at a few thousand dollars, higher for high-efficiency models and for jobs that need new venting or gas work.
Is a heat pump more expensive than a furnace and AC?
A heat pump often costs about as much as a central air conditioner, and may cost more than a furnace alone. It replaces both heating and cooling, and rebates can reduce the net cost.
How much does commercial hood cleaning cost?
Many guides show hundreds to about fifteen hundred dollars per visit for a typical restaurant, with larger or neglected systems costing more. Hood count and duct length are the main drivers.
Why do HVAC quotes differ so much?
Quotes may cover different equipment, ductwork, electrical, permits and disposal. Compare the scope line by line before comparing totals.
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