The cost of a new heating and cooling system in San Leandro depends first on what you install: a furnace on its own, a central air conditioner, a heat pump, ductless mini-splits or a complete system. After that, the size of the home, the condition of the ducts and the efficiency level decide where you land within the range. Below are typical installed prices, what each option is good for, and what moves the number on your quote.
Typical installation costs
| System | Typical range | Good fit when |
|---|---|---|
| Central AC installation (2.5–3 ton) | $4,500–$8,000 | The furnace and ducts are sound and you want cooling |
| Gas furnace installation | $3,000–$7,000 | The furnace is failing and the AC is staying |
| Complete HVAC system | $8,000–$18,000 | The furnace and the AC are both old |
| Heat pump installation | $4,000–$12,000 | You want heating and cooling from one electric system |
| Mini-split (single zone) | $3,000–$5,000 | One room, an addition or a converted garage |
| Mini-split (multi-zone) | $8,000–$20,000 | Several rooms, or a home without ducts |
| Ductwork installation | $3,000–$10,000 | New ducts or major changes to old ones |
| Smart thermostat installation | $150–$350 | New controls, with a new system or on their own |
These are estimates for typical projects. The actual cost depends on your home and the equipment you choose, and you get an exact quote before any work begins.
Furnace and AC together, or one at a time?
When both are near the end of their lives, replacing them together is often the better choice. Matched indoor and outdoor equipment is how efficiency ratings are measured, some warranties require a matched system, and one job saves a second round of labor. In a furnace-and-AC system the air conditioner’s indoor coil is attached to the furnace, so the two are closely tied anyway.
If your furnace is young and only the air conditioner failed, replacing just the AC with a coil matched to it is reasonable. The reverse works too: a new furnace under a newer air conditioner is a common job. Before you replace anything, make sure the old system is really done; our AC repair vs replacement and furnace repair vs replacement pages walk through that decision.
A heat pump instead of a furnace and AC
A heat pump heats and cools with one outdoor unit, paired with an indoor air handler or with your furnace as backup. Mild winters suit heat pumps well, and they are a common replacement when the furnace and the AC are both old.
What moves a heat pump price: whether the electrical service needs a new circuit or panel work, whether the existing ducts can carry the airflow, the efficiency level, and whether you keep the gas furnace as a backup heat source. Here a heat pump usually does more heating than cooling over a year, so its heating rating (HSPF2) deserves as much attention as its cooling rating. See heat pump installation.
Ductless mini-splits
A single-zone mini-split heats and cools one space without ducts. It is the usual answer for an addition, a converted garage or a sun-loaded room that the central system never kept comfortable. Multi-zone systems serve several rooms from one outdoor unit and cost more with each indoor unit added. The length of the refrigerant lines and the electrical work also move the price. See mini-split installation.
What moves the price
System type: the biggest factor. The table above shows how far apart the options are.
Home size and load. Larger homes need larger systems. The right size comes from a load calculation that accounts for the home’s size, insulation, windows and orientation, not from the size of the old unit. A hillside home with large west-facing windows can need more cooling than a bigger home on a shaded lot.
Efficiency rating: moderate. Higher SEER2 ratings for cooling and higher AFUE ratings for furnaces (condensing furnaces run about 90–98%) cost more upfront and save energy. Near the bay the air conditioner runs relatively few hours a year, so mid-range cooling efficiency is often the better value. For a heat pump that carries most of your heating, a higher tier is easier to justify.
Ductwork: moderate to major. New ductwork or major modifications add $3,000–$10,000 or more. Existing ducts in good condition keep the cost down. Many post-war homes here have ducts in the attic or crawlspace, often original or patched over the years, so a good quote says whether they were inspected. See duct repair.
Brand and model tier. Premium brands cost more than value-priced brands, and top tiers more than entry models. The brand matters less than the sizing and the installation; our Carrier vs Trane and Lennox vs Carrier comparisons explain why.
Venting, electrical and controls. A condensing furnace replacing an older 80% furnace needs new plastic venting and a condensate drain. A heat pump or a mini-split may need a new circuit. A smart thermostat installation typically adds $150–$350; see thermostat installation.
How long installation takes
Most installations are completed in 1 to 2 days. Systems that need new ductwork or complex modifications may take 3 to 5 days.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Compare more than one quote, and make sure they cover the same tier and the same scope. We will beat any written quote.
- Ask about rebates and incentives. Programs change, so check what applies at the time you buy.
- Use financing if it helps. Financing is available for installations and replacements.
- Install in spring or fall, when demand is lower and you are not choosing in a hurry during a heat wave or a cold snap.
- Choose the right size. An oversized system costs more, wastes energy and gives poorer comfort.
- Do the furnace and AC together when both are near the end of their lives.
Getting a quote
Our technicians look at the existing equipment, the ducts, the electrical service and the rooms that are hard to keep comfortable, then give you options with upfront prices. For the details of each job, see AC installation and furnace installation.