HVAC Replacement Cost in North Georgia: What Affects the Price
“How much does a new system cost?” is the first question most homeowners ask, and the honest answer is that it depends on your house as much as the equipment. Two homes on the same street can get very different quotes for reasons that have nothing to do with the brand on the box.
This guide explains what actually moves the price of an AC, heat pump or furnace replacement in North Georgia, so you can read a quote, compare quotes fairly, and spot when something important has been left out.
Comfort Medics Starting Prices (as of November 2026)
These are typical installed prices for our replacements in North Georgia, as of November 2026:
- Air conditioner only: starting at $5,000 (typically $5,000 to $10,000)
- Furnace only: starting at $4,000 (typically $4,000 to $8,000)
- Evaporator coil: starting at $2,000 (typically $2,000 to $4,000)
- Heat pump outdoor unit only (air handler not included): starting at $2,000 (typically $2,000 to $6,000)
- Complete system: starting at $7,000 (typically $7,000 to $18,000)
- Complete heat pump system (heat pump + air handler): starting at $7,000
Replacing only the outdoor heat pump works when your indoor air handler is compatible with the new unit and in good condition. Newer outdoor units use newer refrigerants, so an older indoor unit often has to be replaced too. We check that at the estimate.
Your final price depends on your home’s size, ductwork, the efficiency of the equipment and the options you choose, and we quote it after a free in-home estimate. Financing is available through FTL Finance and other lenders, for repairs and new systems (subject to credit approval). The rest of this guide explains what moves a price up or down within those ranges.
1. What You’re Replacing
The biggest single factor is the scope of the job.
- AC only: the outdoor condenser and, in most cases, the matching indoor coil.
- Furnace only: the gas furnace, its venting connections and its gas and electrical hookups.
- Heat pump system: the outdoor heat pump and an indoor air handler or coil, plus backup heat where it’s needed.
- Heat pump outdoor unit only: possible when the existing air handler is compatible and in good shape.
- Complete system: both halves at once, which costs more up front but avoids paying for a second installation a few years later if both are the same age.
If you’re not sure whether to replace one half or both, see repair or replace your HVAC system.
2. The Capacity Your Home Needs
Larger capacity costs more, but bigger isn’t better. An oversized air conditioner cools the house quickly and shuts off before it has removed much humidity, which is a real problem in a Georgia summer. An oversized furnace can short cycle. An undersized system runs constantly and may not keep up on the hottest or coldest days. The right size depends on the house, not on what was installed last time, so a quote that simply copies the old unit’s size is worth questioning.
3. Efficiency Level
Higher-efficiency equipment usually costs more to buy and less to run. The ratings to look for:
- SEER2 for cooling efficiency on air conditioners and heat pumps.
- HSPF2 for heat pump heating efficiency.
- AFUE for gas furnaces: how much of the fuel becomes heat in your home.
Georgia is in the Department of Energy’s Southeast region. Since January 1, 2023, new split-system air conditioners installed here must meet at least 14.3 SEER2 (below 45,000 Btu/h) or 13.8 SEER2 (larger units), and split-system heat pumps at least 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2 nationwide. Anything above those minimums is a choice, and the payback depends on how much you run the system and what you pay for energy.
Furnace efficiency also changes the installation. A high-efficiency condensing furnace needs a different kind of vent and a condensate drain, which can add work if your current furnace is a standard-efficiency model.
4. Ductwork
Your ducts deliver everything the system produces. If they’re undersized, leaky, crushed or disconnected in the attic, a new system can’t perform as rated. A quote may include:
- Reusing the existing ductwork as is
- Sealing, repairing or adding returns
- Replacing sections or the whole duct system
This is where quotes differ most, and it’s worth asking every contractor the same question: did you measure static pressure, and what did it show? A system on ducts that can’t move enough air will be louder, less comfortable and harder on parts. Our article on uneven upstairs temperatures explains why.
5. Refrigerant Lines
The copper lines between the indoor and outdoor units can sometimes be reused. That depends on their size, condition and compatibility with the new equipment. When reusing them is appropriate, they should be flushed. When it isn’t, new lines add material and labor, especially if they run through finished walls or a long attic path.
6. Electrical, Gas and Venting Work
New equipment has to match what the house can supply. Depending on the job, costs can include:
- A new disconnect, breaker or wiring to suit the new unit’s electrical requirements
- Gas line changes for a furnace
- New or modified flue and venting, for example when changing furnace efficiency
- A condensate drain, pump or overflow protection
- A new thermostat that’s compatible with the new system
7. Where the Equipment Lives
A furnace in an open basement is a different job from one in a tight attic or a closet. Attic installs mean carrying equipment through the house, working in heat, and adding drainage protection so a clogged drain doesn’t become a ceiling stain. Hard-to-reach locations add labor time.
8. Permits and Inspections
An HVAC replacement in Georgia generally requires a mechanical permit from your city or county, followed by an inspection. Fees vary by jurisdiction. A quote that leaves the permit out isn’t necessarily cheaper; it may just be skipping a step. Comfort Medics pulls the permit on every replacement.
9. What’s Included After the Install
Two quotes for the same equipment can include very different amounts of work after the unit is set. Commissioning is the step that confirms the system runs the way the manufacturer intended. Ask whether the quote includes, as applicable to your equipment:
- Nitrogen flowing during brazing, a pressure test and a deep vacuum
- Refrigerant charge verified by superheat and subcooling
- Airflow and static pressure measured
- Temperature rise, gas pressure and venting checked on a furnace
- Voltage, amp draws, control settings and condensate drainage confirmed
Those are the checks in the Comfort Medics Installation Standard. They take time, and they’re the difference between a system that’s installed and one that’s installed right. If you already have a new system that isn’t performing, see what a second opinion checks.
10. Warranty and Financing
Warranty coverage affects long-term cost as much as the price does. Read who covers what: parts (manufacturer), labor (contractor) and any extended plan. With Comfort Medics, new systems include a 10-year manufacturer parts warranty on qualifying equipment (registration may be required), a 10-year labor warranty and a lifetime craftsmanship guarantee, with optional third-party extended coverage such as JB Warranties. Financing is available through FTL Finance and other lenders, for repairs and new systems (subject to credit approval).
How to Compare Quotes
- Compare the same scope: one half or both, ductwork included or not.
- Check the efficiency ratings on each quote.
- Ask whether the permit is included.
- Ask what gets measured at commissioning.
- Read the labor warranty, not just the parts warranty.
- Get a second opinion before you decide. Ours is free.
How long it takes: HomeGuide’s 2026 cost guide puts an outdoor-unit-only swap at about 4 to 8 hours, a full indoor and outdoor replacement at about 8 to 14 hours, and a job with ductwork changes at 2 to 3 days. We’ll give you the schedule for your job at the estimate.
Get a Price for Your Home
The only accurate number is one based on your house. Comfort Medics Heating & Cooling does free in-home estimates for AC, heat pump and furnace replacement across North Georgia. We’re family-owned, licensed and insured (GA. REG. CR2011437). See our HVAC replacement and installation page, or find your town on our service areas page.
Get a Free Estimate Call (470) 360-8887
