Heat pump vs HVAC replacement cost at a glance
These live tables preserve the current project profiles in each calculator rather than forcing unrelated systems into a misleading one-row comparison. They use separate US and UK data, currency, and terminology.
| System / Project Type | Low | Typical | High | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US · Air-source / whole-home | $8,000 | $10,500 | $20,000 | installed system |
| US · Ductless mini-split | $2,000 | $9,500 | $17,000 | installed system |
| US · Geothermal | $20,000 | $35,000 | $50,000 | installed system |
| UK · Air-to-water ASHP | £11,000 | £15,000 | £20,000 | installed system |
| UK · Air-to-air ASHP | £2,000 | £3,000 | £4,000 | installed system |
| UK · Ground source heat pump | £18,000 | £34,000 | £50,000 | installed system |
Live planning benchmarks derived from the reviewed HomeCostNest calculator datasets. Selected project additions remain separate.
| System / Project Type | Low | Typical | High | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US · Furnace + central AC | $5,000 | $8,000 | $11,000 | installed system |
| US · Central AC only | $3,300 | $5,950 | $8,300 | installed system |
| US · Furnace only | $2,000 | $3,700 | $5,400 | installed system |
| UK · Existing HVAC heating/cooling replacement | £5,000 | £7,250 | £10,000 | installed system |
| UK · Gas central heating | £4,500 | £5,250 | £6,000 | installed system |
| UK · Electric central heating | £3,230 | £3,790 | £4,350 | installed system |
| UK · Oil central heating | £5,000 | £6,150 | £7,300 | installed system |
Live planning benchmarks derived from the reviewed HomeCostNest calculator datasets. Selected project additions remain separate.
What does the Heat Pump Cost Calculator estimate?
The Heat Pump calculator begins with a selected installed system benchmark, then applies supported equipment tier, ductwork, or retrofit work for the active market. US profiles include Air-source / whole-home, Ductless mini-split, and Geothermal. UK profiles include Air-to-water ASHP, Air-to-air ASHP, and Ground source heat pump.
These are planning profiles, not universal recommendations. The available additions stay attached to the selected market rather than being transferred between different systems.
What does the HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator estimate?
The HVAC Replacement calculator models conventional heating and cooling replacement. The US configuration includes Furnace + central AC, Central AC only, and Furnace only. The UK configuration uses its own HVAC heating/cooling and central-heating profiles.
This differs from the Heat Pump calculator because its baseline equipment choices and supported project additions are different.
Heat pump and HVAC project types are not interchangeable
A conventional HVAC project may replace cooling equipment, heating equipment, or both. A heat-pump project uses its own installed-system methodology. Similar homeowner questions do not make the benchmark models interchangeable.
Start with the calculator whose system profile describes the planned project. Do not manually combine unrelated installed-system benchmarks.
How system type changes the planning estimate
System selection is one of the main benchmark drivers. It establishes the starting Low, Typical, and High range before only the applicable project choices are added.
Heat-pump system profiles
The Heat Pump calculator offers current US and UK installed-system profiles. The selected profile is the base range; selected tier or retrofit choices are not a replacement for that base.
HVAC replacement profiles
The HVAC calculator offers current conventional system profiles appropriate to each market. Compare them as HVAC project types, not as claims that they are the same as a heat-pump system.
How ductwork changes project cost
Ductwork is separate where the methodology supports it. The US Heat Pump calculator includes New/replacement ductwork, but it should not be selected for a ductless system. The US HVAC calculator also exposes new/replacement ductwork as a separate allowance.
UK Heat Pump work can include selected radiators, underfloor heating, or pipework. UK HVAC work can include additional pipework/radiators and controls. Use only the options displayed by the selected calculator and market.
Equipment efficiency and planning adjustments
The US Heat Pump and HVAC profiles provide Standard, High efficiency, and Premium or cold-climate equipment-tier choices. These are HomeCostNest planning adjustments, not published national averages.
UK profiles use their own supported retrofit and heating-system choices. The market selection determines which adjustments are available and how they affect a planning range.
Does home size determine the right system?
No — not by itself. Home size is planning context in these calculators; it does not independently determine professional equipment sizing or choose a system.
Professional assessment and an appropriate load calculation remain necessary for final sizing. This guide provides no DIY sizing formula.
United States vs United Kingdom methodology
US estimates use USD, US heat-pump and conventional HVAC profiles, plus separate equipment-tier and ductwork selections where supported.
UK estimates use GBP, market-specific heat-pump, heating, and HVAC descriptions with their own reviewed retrofit and heating-system methodology.
Selecting a market changes data, terminology, and method. HomeCostNest does not convert a US estimate into GBP.
Understanding Low, Typical and High
Low is a lower planning scenario. Typical is a practical reference estimate and may use documented HomeCostNest conventions; it is not necessarily a published national average. High can reflect upper benchmark ranges, supported complexity, or selected project work.
Use the complete range to frame a project discussion instead of treating one planning number as a final quote.
Why professional quotes can differ
A site-specific quote can differ when the real system and installation conditions are assessed. Useful comparison points include:
- Installed system profile
- Existing distribution or selected new work
- Equipment tier or controls
- Access, ductwork, pipework, and site conditions
Plan your heating and cooling project
Choose the calculator that matches the intended system scope, then select only supported additions that genuinely apply. Heat Pump and HVAC Replacement are separate planning methods, and both provide Low, Typical, and High ranges rather than contractor quotes.
Plan with the right calculator
Enter your project details and select the United States or United Kingdom market for Low, Typical, and High planning estimates.