What HVAC actually costs here.
Planning numbers for the Tri-Cities, and an honest look at what moves them. None of this is a quote, and anyone who gives you a firm price without seeing the system is guessing.
Typical ranges
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Furnace repair, common failures | $150 - $650 | Ignitor, flame sensor, capacitor, inducer |
| AC repair, common failures | $150 - $700 | Capacitor, contactor, fan motor |
| Refrigerant leak diagnosis and repair | $400 - $1,800 | Higher on R-22 and R-410A systems |
| Gas furnace replacement, 80% AFUE | $4,500 - $7,000 | Vents through existing flue |
| Gas furnace replacement, 90%+ AFUE | $6,000 - $9,500 | Needs PVC venting and condensate drain |
| Central AC replacement | $5,500 - $11,000 | R-454B or R-32 on new installs |
| Heat pump system | $8,000 - $18,000 | Higher for cold-climate and dual-fuel |
| Ductless mini-split, single zone | $4,000 - $7,000 | Each added zone roughly $1,500-$3,000 |
| Seasonal tune-up | $99 - $250 | Often discounted on a maintenance plan |
Why replacement quotes moved up
Two things happened at once. Efficiency minimums tightened when SEER2 replaced the old SEER rating in 2023, and the refrigerant transition forced manufacturers onto entirely redesigned equipment platforms. As of January 1, 2026 new residential systems can no longer be installed using R-410A, so the equipment on the truck today is a different generation than what was there three years ago.
On top of that, the federal 25C tax credit expired on December 31, 2025. That credit was covering part of the cost for a lot of homeowners, and its absence is a real change in what you pay out of pocket in 2026.
What legitimately changes your number
- Ductwork. A quote that includes sealing or resizing ducts costs more and performs better. A quote that ignores obviously bad ducts is cheaper and disappoints you.
- Venting. A 90 percent or higher condensing furnace needs PVC venting and a condensate drain. An 80 percent unit reuses the existing flue.
- Access. An attic or tight crawlspace install costs more in labor than a garage closet.
- Electrical. Heat pumps sometimes need a panel or circuit upgrade that is not obvious until someone looks.
- Timing. Emergency replacement in January costs more than a planned replacement in April.
How to compare bids without getting lost
Ask every contractor for the same four things in writing: the equipment model number, the SEER2 rating, whether a Manual J load calculation was performed, and what is included beyond the equipment itself. Once you have those, the bids become comparable. Without them you are comparing three different jobs that happen to have prices attached.