ComfortCostGuide

State cost guide

Missouri: HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator

Replacing an HVAC system in Missouri typically runs $4,000 to $7,500 for a central air conditioner alone, $3,500 to $7,000 for a gas furnace, and $7,500 to $13,000 when you replace both at the same time. Heat pumps land between $6,000 and $12,000 installed, while a ductless mini split system ranges from $3,500 to $10,000 depending on how many zones you need. Missouri labor runs slightly below the national average, with HVAC technicians earning about $30.01 an hour statewide.

Worked example

Take a 1,900-square-foot two-story house outside Springfield with a 21-year-old gas furnace and a matching AC condenser that just failed. Because the two pieces are the same age and share a coil and blower, most contractors will quote the pair together rather than the AC alone. A mid-efficiency furnace with a standard-efficiency AC, reusing the existing ductwork and line set, would land near the middle of the $7,500 to $13,000 combined range — roughly $9,500 to $10,500. Pushing to a higher-efficiency variable-speed setup, or adding duct repairs and a new thermostat, moves the quote toward the $13,000 end.

Frequently asked questions

Does a heat pump make sense in Missouri, or should I stick with a gas furnace?

Missouri sits in climate zone 4, a mixed climate where heat pumps handle most of the heating season but still see cold snaps. A heat pump installs for $6,000 to $12,000, compared with $3,500 to $7,000 for a gas furnace, so the decision usually comes down to your natural gas rates and whether you want one system to handle both heating and cooling. Many Missouri homeowners pair a heat pump with a gas furnace as a dual-fuel setup, which is quoted closer to the top of the heat pump range.

Is it cheaper to replace my AC and furnace at the same time?

Usually yes, on a per-unit basis. Replacing both together runs $7,500 to $13,000 in Missouri, which is less than the $4,000 to $7,500 for AC plus $3,500 to $7,000 for a furnace if you did them in separate visits. You pay for one trip, one permit, and one round of setup labor instead of two.

Why do Missouri quotes vary so much for the same size house?

Equipment efficiency tier is the biggest swing — a basic single-stage system and a variable-speed premium system can sit at opposite ends of the same range. Ductwork condition, electrical upgrades, and whether the installer has to modify plenums or line sets also add cost. Getting three itemized bids is the only reliable way to see which parts of the price are equipment and which are labor.

What does HVAC labor cost in Missouri?

HVAC technicians in Missouri earn about $30.01 per hour, and the state's overall labor index sits at 0.96 — just under the national average. That keeps Missouri installation quotes modestly below what you'd see in higher-cost metro markets, though rates inside St. Louis and Kansas City tend to run higher than in rural counties.

Can a ductless mini split replace my whole system?

It can, but the $3,500 to $10,000 range in Missouri covers everything from a single-zone unit for one room to a multi-zone system serving a small home. Mini splits are most cost-effective for additions, finished basements, or homes without existing ductwork; if you already have good ducts, a conventional central system is usually the better value.

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