How much does a new HVAC system cost in Virginia?

There is no single Virginia price for a new heating and cooling system, because no two jobs are the same. A manufacturer's published price guide gives a useful reference point. When we checked on October 26, 2026, Trane's 2026 national guide put its installed central air conditioners at $6,568 to $13,669 and its standard heat pump line at $8,313 to $15,608.^[1] Your real number comes from written quotes after a contractor has looked at your house.

What one manufacturer's 2026 prices look like

Trane publishes installed price ranges for its own equipment by product line. On October 26, 2026, its guide listed:

• central air conditioners from $6,568 to $8,544 for its single-stage line, up to $11,525 to $13,669 for its variable-speed line^[1]
• its standard heat pump line from $8,313 to $10,289 for single-stage, up to $12,778 to $15,608 for variable-speed^[1]
• gas furnaces rated up to 80% AFUE from $5,093 to $6,386^[1]
• gas furnaces rated up to 96% AFUE from $6,630 to $8,390^[1]

Read those as a starting point, not a Virginia quote. Trane says the ranges include the equipment, labor and the basic accessories and services its dealers provide, before tax, but not accessories such as a thermostat, and its footnote adds that the estimates do not include required accessories or installation requirements.^[1] It also says they are based on national averages, and actual costs vary with geography, climate, home size, system size, home configuration and existing ductwork.^[1] A full system that replaces both an air conditioner and a furnace costs more than either line alone, and other brands price differently.

What drives the price

System type. A central air conditioner paired with a gas furnace, a heat pump with electric backup heat, a dual-fuel system and a ductless system are different jobs with different parts lists. For a house that already has a recent furnace, ENERGY STAR notes that adding a heat pump instead of an air conditioner creates a dual-fuel system for a modest extra cost over an AC system.^[3]

Size. Capacity is set by your house, not by the old unit. ENERGY STAR says the contractor should verify the size with a Manual J load calculation.^[3] A correctly sized system is sometimes smaller, and cheaper, than the one it replaces.

Efficiency and staging. Higher SEER2, HSPF2 and AFUE ratings cost more up front and less to run. Staging is a big part of the spread in Trane's ranges: Trane says its variable-speed units can run from 30% to 100% of capacity,^[1] which evens out temperature and humidity but costs more than a single-stage unit that is either on or off.

Ductwork. In a typical house about 20 to 30 percent of the air moving through the ducts is lost to leaks, holes and poor connections.^[4] Sealing, resizing or replacing ducts can add real money, and it is often money well spent. Ask whether each quote includes a duct inspection and leakage test.

Electrical and access. A heat pump with electric backup heat may need a larger circuit, and older panels sometimes need work. Equipment in a tight attic or crawlspace takes longer to replace than equipment in a basement.

Permit. Fees are set locally. Spotsylvania County's mechanical permit application, updated in August 2025, lists an HVAC or furnace replacement at $147.00, which is a $100 trade fee plus a 2% building surcharge and a $45 processing fee.^[2] Spotsylvania adds a 2.70% convenience fee when the permit is paid by debit or credit card.^[2] Other counties and cities charge differently; see do you need a permit to replace an HVAC system in Virginia.

Tax credits and rebates in 2026

The federal tax credit many older guides mention has ended for new work. The IRS says the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit covered improvements made through December 31, 2025.^[6]

Virginia's federally funded rebates are not open yet either. Virginia Energy says the Home Energy Rebates are not available yet, that it cannot give a date, and that it submitted updated application materials in September 2026 that are still subject to U.S. Department of Energy review.^[7] The federal law behind them caps the HEAR rebate for an ENERGY STAR-certified heat pump for space heating and cooling at $8,000,^[7] with the amount a household gets depending on income. Virginia Energy also warns that projects must be completed by a Verified Contractor, that Virginia's list of Verified Contractors does not exist yet, and that it cannot promise a project started before launch will qualify.^[7] Be wary of any contractor who says otherwise.

Utility programs are running now. Dominion Energy's Income and Age Qualifying Energy Savings Program provides no-cost upgrades to eligible customers in its Virginia service territory, and the upgrades listed can include electric HVAC systems.^[8] Customers of other utilities should ask their own provider what it offers.

Getting a quote you can compare

ENERGY STAR advises getting written, itemized estimates and comparing cost, energy efficiency and warranties,^[5] and to sign a written proposal that specifies project costs, model numbers, the job schedule and warranty information^[5] before work starts. For each quote, ask for:

• the load calculation the size is based on
• indoor and outdoor model numbers, capacity and efficiency ratings
• what is included: removal of the old equipment, duct work, electrical changes, thermostat, permit and inspection
• labor and parts warranty terms, and who registers the equipment

Virginia's Board for Contractors requires a residential contract to state the total cost, the amount of the down payment and the schedule of progress payments, and the contractor's licence number and class.^[10]

When to call a licensed pro

For the whole job. A job of this size needs a contractor with at least a Class C licence, which covers a single contract over $1,000 but less than $30,000, or at least Class B for a single contract of $30,000 or more but less than $150,000.^[9] A firm's class also depends on the total value of its work in any 12-month period,^[9] so a larger firm may hold a higher class than your job alone would need. Under the same law, the Board for Contractors requires a master tradesman licence as a condition of licensing an HVAC contractor.^[9] Check the licence before you pay a deposit, and read what installing a new HVAC system involves so you know what a complete quote covers.

Loclis lists DPOR-licensed HVAC businesses with their licence number and class. Browse heating and cooling services, find HVAC businesses in Blacksburg, or read more heating and cooling answers. See pricing for how Loclis charges.

To get prices for your own house, describe the job once and licensed local HVAC businesses quote it.