ManualHarbor

Heat Pump Replacement Cost

Updated October 9, 2026

Replacing a ducted air-source heat pump typically costs $5,000 to $15,000 installed, with a national average of $8,350, according to Fixr. Other 2026 data runs higher: This Old House reports a $10,575 average for an installed central heat pump, and EnergySage's marketplace quotes for ducted systems averaged $14,529 before incentives. Larger homes, variable-speed or cold-climate equipment, and duct or electrical upgrades push quotes toward the top of those ranges, and the federal Section 25C tax credit no longer applies to heat pumps placed in service after December 31, 2025, according to the IRS.

Heat pump replacement prices compared

  • Fixr (updated Jan. 22, 2026) — What it measures: Ducted air-source heat pump, installed, national; Figure: $5,000–$15,000; average $8,350
  • This Old House (updated Aug. 28, 2026) — What it measures: Installed central heat pump; Homewyse estimates plus a survey of 1,000 homeowners; Figure: $10,575 average; its survey also shows $8,007 average for air-source replacements
  • EnergySage (updated Mar. 19, 2026) — What it measures: Quotes from its marketplace, before incentives; Figure: Ducted $14,529; hybrid (heat pump plus furnace) $14,353; all types $15,393
  • Bryant (2026 cost page) — What it measures: Manufacturer planning range for ducted installation or replacement; Figure: $6,000–$25,000; $6,000–$15,000 for a 2,000 sq. ft. home

These figures are not the same measurement. Fixr and Bryant publish ranges, This Old House blends contractor estimates with survey responses, and EnergySage's averages come from real quotes in the markets it serves; its state averages for a whole-home system run from about $8,000 in New Mexico to $33,000 in New York. Use them to bracket a quote, not to price your house.

Cost by size

Heat pumps are sized in tons of heating and cooling capacity. One ton equals 12,000 Btu per hour of output, which is not the same thing as the electrical power the unit draws.

  • 1,000 sq. ft. — Capacity in Fixr's table: 2 tons; Fixr installed range: $5,000–$8,000
  • 1,500 sq. ft. — Capacity in Fixr's table: 2.5–3 tons; Fixr installed range: $6,700–$14,000
  • 1,800–2,000 sq. ft. — Capacity in Fixr's table: 3–4 tons; Fixr installed range: $8,000–$20,000
  • 2,500 sq. ft. — Capacity in Fixr's table: 3.5–5 tons; Fixr installed range: $9,500–$22,000
  • 3,000 sq. ft. — Capacity in Fixr's table: 4–6 tons; Fixr installed range: $15,000–$25,000

Source: Fixr heat pump cost guide (updated January 22, 2026). Fixr's own sizing text gives a much larger tonnage for an 1,800 sq. ft. home than its table does, which shows how rough square-foot rules are.

This Old House says a 2,000 sq. ft. home usually needs about 3–5 tons, costing around $12,000 on average, and that a top-tier high-efficiency system can push the project past $20,000. EnergySage's quotes work out to $3,790 per ton for ducted systems.

Square footage is only a starting point. ENERGY STAR says your contractor should verify the size with a Manual J load calculation, because a system that's too large or too small struggles to keep the home comfortable. A replacement is a good moment to re-check the old unit's size instead of copying it.

Example: sanity-checking a quote

Example, not a measurement. Suppose a contractor's Manual J calculation calls for 3 tons (36,000 Btu/h) in a 2,000 sq. ft. house with usable ducts.

  • EnergySage per-ton yardstick: 3 tons × $3,790 per ton = $11,370
  • Fixr range for a 1,800–2,000 sq. ft. home at 3–4 tons: $8,000–$20,000
  • This Old House average for a 2,000 sq. ft. home: about $12,000

A mid-efficiency quote between roughly $10,000 and $13,000 sits inside all three. A $22,000 quote isn't automatically wrong, but it should be explained by something specific, such as variable-speed or cold-climate equipment, new ductwork, a panel upgrade or difficult access.

Cost by efficiency tier

  • 14–15 — HSPF (as labeled by Fixr): 7–8; Fixr installed range: $5,000–$12,000
  • 16–17 — HSPF (as labeled by Fixr): 8–9; Fixr installed range: $7,000–$15,000
  • 18–19 — HSPF (as labeled by Fixr): 9–10; Fixr installed range: $10,000–$18,000
  • 20+ — HSPF (as labeled by Fixr): 10+; Fixr installed range: $15,000–$25,000

Source: Fixr heat pump cost guide (updated January 22, 2026). Fixr labels the heating column HSPF; current federal ratings use HSPF2, which comes from a revised test, so compare quotes on HSPF2.

For context, DOE's minimum for new split-system heat pumps since January 1, 2023, is 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2 nationwide. ENERGY STAR certification for split systems requires at least 15.2 SEER2, 11.0 EER2 and 7.8 HSPF2. Compressor design also tracks price: This Old House ranks single-speed units as least expensive, two-speed in the middle and variable-speed as the most efficient and most expensive.

Ducted vs. ductless replacement

If your home has ducts in good condition, a ducted split system usually reuses them. This Old House notes that replacements reusing existing ductwork, electrical connections and refrigerant lines typically cost less than jobs that need new ducts, electrical upgrades or structural changes. To compare ducted options, browse ENERGY STAR certified split-system heat pumps.

Ductless systems are priced differently. Fixr lists ductless mini splits at $2,000–$8,000, since they often serve part of a home, and Bryant budgets $2,000–$7,000 per zone. Converting a whole house to ductless heads costs more: EnergySage's ductless marketplace average is roughly $25,400–$26,000 before incentives (the page gives both $25,393 and $25,957), or $9,163 per ton.

What a replacement quote should include

Bryant's heat pump cost page lists what a typical quote covers:

  • Heat pump sized to the home and climate zone
  • Indoor air handler, or integration with an existing furnace
  • Standard thermostat
  • Labor, including removal of the old equipment
  • Refrigerant lines and connections
  • Basic electrical hookups
  • Startup and testing
  • Manufacturer and installation labor warranty

Bryant says these items are often priced separately: major duct modifications, electrical panel upgrades, structural work, permits or inspections (some quotes leave them out), accessories and extended warranties. Fixr describes labor the same way, covering removal and haul-away, the new unit and refrigerant lines, electrical connections and testing, at $75–$125 per hour, with permits and inspections adding $50–$300. Neither heat pump page mentions the outdoor pad, so ask whether the existing pad will be reused, and whether the line set will be reused or replaced and why.

Refrigerant: why swapping only the outdoor unit is complicated

New residential split systems are moving from R-410A to lower-GWP A2L refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32. EPA's restrictions table (last updated August 28, 2026) sets a 700 GWP limit for new residential air conditioning and heat pump systems, with no installation deadline for systems whose specified components were all made or imported before January 1, 2025. Components used to repair existing systems are not restricted. Carrier states that R-454B cannot be used as a direct replacement for R-410A in an existing system. DOE's 2023 standards guidance adds that a new outdoor heat pump unit installed with an older indoor unit is compliant only if the manufacturer certified it as an "outdoor unit with no match." Ask your contractor which refrigerant the new system uses and whether the indoor coil or air handler must be replaced too.

Cold-climate heat pumps

To earn ENERGY STAR's cold-climate designation, a ducted split heat pump must reach at least 8.1 HSPF2 and 15.2 SEER2 (8.5 HSPF2 for non-ducted systems), deliver a COP of at least 1.75 at 5°F, and keep at least 70% of its 47°F heating capacity at 5°F, confirmed with the unit's own controls. ENERGY STAR says these units keep working below 5°F, but pairing them with a backup heat source is most efficient in colder weather, and a contractor can help choose the size and backup.

This Old House says standard air-source heat pumps perform poorly below 0°F and may need a gas furnace or resistance heat as backup, and that cold-climate models typically cost more. EnergySage also describes a premium. Neither source quantifies it, so ask for side-by-side quotes. You can compare certified models from brands such as Carrier and Trane, or start from our full list of ENERGY STAR heat pump guides.

Incentives: what official sources say today

  • Federal Section 25C credit: The IRS page for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (last reviewed April 28, 2026) says you can claim the credit for improvements made through December 31, 2025. The IRS FAQ on the 2025 law changes (FS-2025-05, August 21, 2025) says the 25C credit "will not be allowed for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025." A heat pump placed in service in 2026 therefore doesn't qualify. ENERGY STAR's federal tax credit page also says the credits ran through December 31, 2025, although its air-source heat pump product page still shows an older 2032 end date; rely on the IRS.
  • Rebates: ENERGY STAR's Rebate Finder searches partner rebates on certified products by ZIP code. DOE's Home Energy Rebates page says the rebates are available in select states and tells homeowners to contact their state energy office for status and eligibility.
  • Utilities: Bryant notes that rebates vary by location, system eligibility and program rules, so confirm the exact model qualifies before you sign.

Get any rebate commitment in writing, and ask a tax professional about your own situation.

FAQ

How long does a heat pump last before replacement?

Bryant says a properly maintained heat pump typically lasts 12–15 years, and up to 20 with higher-quality models and maintenance. Fixr cites 10–15 years. If your system is in that range and needs a major repair, get replacement quotes alongside the repair estimate.

How long does a heat pump replacement take?

Bryant estimates 1–3 days, depending on the system's size, the complexity of the installation and whether ductwork needs changes.

Can I replace my heat pump with another R-410A system?

Only if every specified component of the new system was manufactured or imported before January 1, 2025, according to EPA's current restrictions table. Repairs to an existing R-410A system, including replacement components, are not restricted.

Does a hybrid system cost less than an all-electric heat pump?

Not much, by EnergySage's numbers: its marketplace average for hybrid systems (a heat pump paired with a furnace) was $14,353 before incentives, close to $14,529 for ducted heat pumps. On installed price alone the two are similar, so weigh your climate and your local electricity and gas prices instead.

Related guides

Sources