Cost engine
How much does heat pump replacement cost?
National price ranges for heat pump replacement, the unit pricing contractors quote from, and what the same job costs across local markets.
Model reviewed August 2026
Heat Pump Replacement cost
$6,500 – $22,000
Most homeowners pay around $12,400 for heat pump replacement, or $2,400–$5,200 per ton of cooling capacity. Permit fees add $75–$400.
Estimate your job
Run your own numbers before scrolling — the same engine behind the ranges below.
Select a state to re-price the estimate with local labor and material costs.
Net cost after credit
$6,895 – $9,794
Installed, minus the federal 25C credit
- Installed cost before credit
- $9,835
- Federal tax credit
- $2,000
- Simple payback
- 8.7 years
- 20-year net saving
- $10,165
Estimates only. Local pricing, site conditions and code requirements change the real number.
What homeowners reported paying
Invoice amounts submitted by homeowners nationwide, shown beside the model.
Price breakdown
| Budget scope | $6,500 |
|---|---|
| Typical project | $12,400 |
| Premium / complex | $22,000 |
| per ton of cooling capacity | $2,400 – $5,200 |
| Permit fees | $75 – $400 |
| Timeline | 1-2 days of work, 1-3 weeks including permitting and inspection |
What drives the price
- System capacity in tons and the efficiency rating selected
- Whether the indoor air handler or coil is replaced with the outdoor unit
- Cold-climate (variable speed) versus single-stage equipment
- Electrical service, disconnect and circuit upgrades
- Duct condition, line-set replacement and pad or bracket work
Cost by state
The same scope priced through each state's labor, material and code load.
Most expensive states
Least expensive states
Heat Pump Replacement runs about 89% more in Hawaii than in Mississippi for an identical scope — almost entirely a labor and code-load difference.
Cost by city
Same scope, adjusted for local labor, material and permit pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Is a permit required to replace a heat pump?
Nearly every building department treats equipment changeout as permitted mechanical work, and most also require an electrical permit when the disconnect or circuit changes. Confirm the requirement with the local authority before the equipment is ordered.
Should the indoor unit be replaced at the same time?
Manufacturers rate efficiency for matched pairs. Reusing an old indoor coil usually voids the rated performance and often the warranty, which is why most quotes replace both parts of the system together.
Do I need a permit for heat pump replacement?
In most jurisdictions this work is permitted and inspected. Requirements are set locally, so confirm the current application and inspection checklist with your building department before work starts.
How long does heat pump replacement take?
1-2 days of work, 1-3 weeks including permitting and inspection. Permit review and inspection scheduling are usually the largest source of variation.
What changes the price the most?
The largest cost drivers are system capacity in tons and the efficiency rating selected; whether the indoor air handler or coil is replaced with the outdoor unit; cold-climate (variable speed) versus single-stage equipment.
Sources
Sources & verification
Model vintage August 2026. The links above are the issuing agencies' own pages — we publish them so you can confirm the current rule yourself, not as evidence that each fact on this page was re-checked with them today. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing, not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.
