ComfortCostGuide

Metro cost guide

Seattle, Washington: HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator

Most Seattle homeowners replacing an HVAC system pay between $3,500 and $13,000 installed, depending on the equipment. A ducted heat pump — the most common full replacement here — typically runs $6,000 to $12,000, while a gas furnace alone lands between $3,500 and $7,000. Labor in the Seattle market runs about 22% above the national baseline, with HVAC technicians earning an average of $37.91 per hour, so labor is a meaningful share of any quote you receive.

Worked example

Take a 1,900-square-foot Craftsman in North Seattle with existing ductwork and an aging gas furnace but no cooling. The owners decide to switch to a ducted heat pump so they get heating and air conditioning from one system. With serviceable ducts, a straightforward electrical panel, and a standard-efficiency unit, this job lands near the middle of Seattle's $6,000–$12,000 heat pump range — roughly $8,500 to $9,500 installed. Pushing toward the $12,000 end usually means a higher-capacity or cold-climate variable-speed unit, duct repairs, or an electrical panel upgrade to support the new equipment.

Frequently asked questions

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

A gas furnace replacement in Seattle typically costs $3,500 to $7,000 installed. Simple swaps of a similar-sized unit in an accessible basement or utility closet sit at the low end, while high-efficiency condensing furnaces that need new venting push toward $7,000.

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

Seattle sits in climate zone 4, where winters are cool but rarely severe, which is well suited to heat pump operation year-round. Expect $6,000 to $12,000 installed for a ducted system, which also gives you air conditioning — something a furnace-only replacement at $3,500 to $7,000 won't provide.

What does it cost to add air conditioning to a Seattle home with a furnace?

Adding a central AC condenser and coil to existing ductwork runs $4,000 to $7,500 in Seattle. If the furnace is also at end of life, replacing both at once costs $7,500 to $13,000 and avoids paying for two separate installation visits.

Why are HVAC quotes higher in Seattle than the national average?

Labor here runs about 22% above the national baseline, with local HVAC technicians averaging $37.91 an hour. On a multi-day install with ductwork or electrical work, that wage difference is the main reason Seattle quotes come in above figures you'll see quoted nationally.

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