ComfortCostGuide

Metro cost guide

Denver, Colorado: HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator

Replacing an HVAC system in Denver typically runs $3,500 to $7,000 for a gas furnace alone, $4,000 to $7,500 for central air conditioning, and $7,500 to $13,000 when you replace both at once. Heat pumps fall between $6,000 and $12,000 installed, while a ductless mini-split setup ranges from $3,500 to $10,000. Denver labor runs about 10% above the national baseline, with local HVAC technicians earning roughly $34.29 an hour, so labor is a meaningful share of every quote you collect.

Worked example

Take a 1,900 sq ft bungalow in Denver with a 20-year-old gas furnace and an outdoor AC unit that both need to go. Because the ductwork is already in place and the equipment sits in an accessible basement, a matched AC-plus-furnace replacement would land near the middle of the local $7,500 to $13,000 range, around $10,000 installed. Pushing toward the $13,000 end usually means high-efficiency equipment, a difficult attic or crawlspace location, or duct and electrical work bundled into the same job.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace a furnace in Denver?

A gas furnace replacement in Denver generally costs $3,500 to $7,000 installed, including equipment and labor. Simple swaps in an accessible basement with no venting changes sit at the low end, while high-efficiency models and jobs needing new flue or gas line work move toward $7,000.

Is a heat pump worth it in Denver's climate?

Denver sits in climate zone 5, so winters are cold enough that many homeowners pair a heat pump with backup heat rather than relying on it alone. Heat pump installs run $6,000 to $12,000 here, compared with $3,500 to $7,000 for a gas furnace, so the decision usually comes down to your electric and gas rates and whether you also want cooling from the same unit.

Why are Denver HVAC quotes higher than national averages?

Local labor costs run about 10% above the national baseline, with Denver HVAC technicians paid around $34.29 per hour. On a multi-day install that difference shows up directly in your quote, which is one reason a full AC-plus-furnace replacement here reaches $13,000 at the top of the range.

Can I save money by replacing the AC and furnace at the same time?

Usually yes. Replacing both together in Denver costs $7,500 to $13,000, while doing them separately could total $7,500 to $14,500 at the extremes because you pay for two separate mobilizations and sets of labor hours. Matched systems also avoid the efficiency mismatch you get when a new AC is paired with an aging furnace blower.

What does a ductless mini-split cost in Denver?

Ductless mini-splits in Denver range from $3,500 to $10,000 installed. A single-zone unit for an addition or converted garage sits near the bottom of that range, while a multi-zone system covering several rooms in a home without ductwork approaches $10,000.

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