ComfortCostGuide

Metro cost guide

Columbus, Ohio: HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator

Replacing an HVAC system in Columbus typically runs $7,500 to $13,000 installed for a matched central air conditioner and gas furnace, the most common setup in central Ohio homes. If you're only replacing one piece, a gas furnace alone runs $3,500 to $7,000 and central AC alone runs $4,000 to $7,500. Heat pumps land between $6,000 and $12,000 installed, and labor here runs about 2% above the national average.

Worked example

Take a 1,900-square-foot two-story home in the Clintonville area with a 20-year-old furnace in the basement and an outdoor AC unit of similar age. Because both components are at end of life and the refrigerant lines and coil need to be matched, the homeowner replaces the full system rather than one half. With existing ductwork in usable shape and a mid-efficiency furnace paired with a standard-efficiency AC, this job would land in the middle of the Columbus range for a combined system — roughly $10,000 to $11,000 installed. Adding a high-efficiency furnace, a variable-speed blower, or significant duct repairs would push it toward the $13,000 top end.

Frequently asked questions

Does a heat pump make sense in Columbus winters?

Columbus sits in climate zone 5, where winters are cold enough that most heat pump installations here are set up as dual-fuel systems paired with a gas furnace for the coldest stretches. A heat pump installation in Columbus runs $6,000 to $12,000 installed, and the upper part of that range generally reflects cold-climate models or dual-fuel configurations.

Why is the Columbus price range for a full system so wide?

The $7,500 to $13,000 spread for an AC and gas furnace covers everything from a basic single-stage system in a home with good existing ductwork up to a high-efficiency, variable-speed system that also needs duct or venting work. Home size, equipment tier, and how much sheet metal and electrical work the install requires are the biggest swing factors.

What do HVAC contractors charge for labor in Columbus?

The average HVAC technician wage in the Columbus area is about $31.73 per hour, and overall installation labor costs here run roughly 2% above the national average. Keep in mind the hourly wage is what the tech earns, not the billed rate — the shop rate you see on an invoice also covers overhead, insurance, warranty, and truck costs.

How much does a ductless mini split cost in Columbus?

Ductless mini splits in Columbus run $3,500 to $10,000 installed. A single-zone unit for a converted attic, sunroom, or garage sits near the low end, while a multi-zone system covering several rooms of an older Columbus home without ductwork moves toward the top of that range.

Related cost guides