If you’ve started looking into replacing your HVAC system, you’ve probably seen a wide range of prices. Some quotes come in around $10,000. Others reach into six figures. For homeowners, that can feel confusing and uncomfortable.
According to Sergey Nikolin, co-founder of Product Air Heating, Cooling, and Electric, the reason for that spread is simple.
“It’s very hard to give a price when you don’t know what you’re dealing with,” he says. “Every home and every goal is different.”
The One Thing Most Companies Don’t Talk About
At Product Air, pricing starts with a clear rule.
“All of our quotes are built around a 20% net profit,” Sergey explains. “Whether the system is $10,000 or $100,000, we’re still aiming for the same 20%.”
That means the company isn’t motivated to push bigger systems or unnecessary upgrades. The final price reflects the work, the equipment, and the time required to do the job correctly.
What Actually Changes the Price
Three things drive HVAC replacement cost:
- Labor and difficulty
- The equipment you choose
- What you want the system to do
“The difference between a $10,000 and a $100,000 system is how long it takes to install and what level of comfort you’re trying to achieve,” Sergey says.
Some homeowners only need basic heating and cooling. Others want advanced filtration, zoning for different floors, or very quiet operation. Those choices affect both the equipment and the labor.
Does the Size of Your Home Matter?
Not as much as people think.
“A two-bedroom and a five-bedroom home aren’t dramatically different if the goals are the same,” Sergey explains.
Equipment size does change, but it’s not the main cost driver. Comfort goals matter more. A smaller home with allergy control, zoning, and high efficiency can cost more than a larger home with a simple system.
Why Equipment Tier Makes Such a Big Difference
Most HVAC brands offer multiple levels of equipment. There are basic models, mid-tier systems, and high-efficiency units with advanced controls.
Energy-efficient systems cost more up front, but they can dramatically reduce monthly bills.
“We’ve installed systems that cut energy bills in half,” Sergey says.
That’s why Product Air focuses on Energy Star–rated equipment and designs systems that follow state and federal efficiency standards.
What a Proper Quote Should Include
A real HVAC quote should come with more than a price.
It should include:
- A 10-year manufacturer warranty
- A labor warranty
- A craftsmanship guarantee
“At Product Air, we start with a five-year labor warranty and a lifetime craftsmanship guarantee,” Sergey says. “But all of that depends on maintenance.”
Many companies advertise long warranties but hide conditions in the fine print.
“If you miss maintenance, they cancel your labor warranty,” he explains. “People don’t realize that.”
Why Maintenance Is Part of the Cost
HVAC systems are major investments, but many homeowners don’t treat them that way.
“People spend $20,000 on a car and do oil changes and brake jobs,” Sergey says. “But they spend that much on a heating system and never maintain it.”
Annual service protects efficiency, prevents breakdowns, and keeps warranties valid.
Product Air also designs warranties around real homeownership patterns.
“We do five-year labor warranties because that’s about how long people stay in their homes here,” Sergey says. “And those warranties transfer to the next owner.”
How Heat Pumps Are Changing HVAC Pricing
Washington is pushing hard toward heat pumps and away from gas.
“Energy codes are driving heat pumps,” Sergey says. “Gas is being phased out.”
Heat pumps run on electricity, but they don’t create energy. They move it.
“That’s why the bills stay low,” Sergey explains.
More advanced systems cost more to install, but they reduce long-term operating costs and meet future energy rules.
Cold Weather Performance Matters
Not all systems handle winter the same way.
“I look at performance charts,” Sergey says. “And so far, there’s nothing better than Mitsubishi for cold snaps.”
That kind of data matters in Western Washington, where systems must handle both cold winter nights and warm summer days.
Dual-Fuel and Backup Options
Some homeowners prefer dual-fuel systems that combine a heat pump with a gas or propane furnace.
“In more rural areas, people like having propane,” Sergey says. “If they lose electricity and run a generator, they can still heat their home.”
That kind of backup planning can influence system design and cost.
The Real Bottom Line
HVAC replacement isn’t priced by square footage or made-up rules. It’s priced by:
- The equipment you choose
- The labor required
- The comfort you want to achieve
“We’re not about selling,” Sergey says. “We’re about relationships and helping people reach their goals.”
That’s what really determines the cost.