Summary
A complete new HVAC system (furnace + AC, or a whole-home heat pump) installed in a typical Greater Rochester home runs $10,000 to $20,000 before rebates. Standard furnace + AC combinations land at $10,000-$15,000. High-efficiency two-stage or variable-speed systems run $13,000-$18,000. Whole-home heat pumps are $12,000-$20,000 sticker, $7,000-$14,000 net after NYSERDA, RG&E, NYSEG, and federal tax credits. The honest answer to “how much” depends on your home, ductwork, fuel type, and which rebates apply.
Real new-system cost ranges in Greater Rochester
| Configuration | Standard install | Premium install |
|---|---|---|
| 80% AFUE furnace + 14 SEER2 AC | $10,000-$13,000 | $12,000-$15,000 |
| 95% AFUE furnace + 16 SEER2 AC | $12,500-$15,500 | $14,500-$18,000 |
| Variable-speed furnace + 18 SEER2 AC | $15,000-$18,000 | $17,000-$22,000 |
| Whole-home air-source heat pump | $12,000-$16,000 (net $7,000-$11,000 after rebates) | $16,000-$20,000 (net $9,000-$14,000 after rebates) |
| Dual-fuel (gas furnace + heat pump) | $15,000-$18,000 | $18,000-$24,000 |
| Boiler + AC retrofit | $13,000-$20,000 | $18,000-$28,000 |
“Premium install” usually means an older Pittsford Village home, a 1920s Park Avenue colonial, a Brighton or East Rochester home with chimney lining required, or a home where ductwork modifications are part of the job.
What “complete HVAC system” actually includes
- Heating equipment – furnace, boiler, heat pump, or hybrid
- Cooling equipment – condenser (outdoor unit) and evaporator coil (indoor)
- Air handler / blower – moves the conditioned air through the ducts
- Ductwork – existing ducts inspected, sealed, and modified if needed
- Refrigerant lines – new copper line set on AC and heat pump installs
- Thermostat – smart or programmable control
- Venting – flue or PVC depending on equipment efficiency
- Electrical – circuits, disconnects, condensate pumps
- Permit + inspection – varies by town; Victor, Pittsford, Fairport, and Canandaigua all have slightly different processes
- Disposal of all old equipment, refrigerant recovery, recycling
- Manufacturer warranty registration – we file it for you (10 years parts is standard on most equipment)
Pro Tip
If your AC is 12+ years old when your furnace dies, replace both at the same time. The labor overlap saves 15-25% versus separate jobs, refrigerant changes (R-410A to R-32 / R-454B) get handled cleanly, and matched equipment runs more efficiently than mixed-vintage components. We’ve seen Pittsford and Victor homeowners spend an extra $4,000 doing it as two separate jobs over 18 months.
What changes the price
Two homes on the same street in Penfield can have $5,000 of difference in their HVAC system quotes. Here’s why:
- Square footage and load – properly sized via Manual J, not rule-of-thumb
- Existing ductwork – is it adequate, or does it need rework?
- Fuel type – natural gas (cheapest operating cost in Rochester), oil, propane, electric
- Equipment tier – single-stage, two-stage, variable-speed; standard SEER vs. high-efficiency
- Brand – Goodman / Amana lower; Carrier / Trane / Bosch higher; Daikin / Mitsubishi premium
- Chimney work – high-efficiency furnaces need PVC venting; older homes may need a chimney liner if a water heater stays on the chimney
- Refrigerant transition – the industry is moving from R-410A to R-32 and R-454B; some older AC parts no longer available
- Geography quirks – homes near Canandaigua Lake or in flood-prone areas of Macedon and Palmyra sometimes need elevated equipment platforms
- Rebate eligibility – higher SEER and AFUE qualify for more rebates, which lowers the net price
“I just had a new furnace, AC, and heat pump installed. From beginning to end, the service team at Dalton has exceeded all expectations. They are professional, courteous, and responsive to all requests. They are extremely knowledgeable and work with the customer to come up with the best possible solutions.”
April 2020 · Full new HVAC system install (furnace + AC + heat pump)
Three install scenarios with real Rochester numbers
Scenario 1: Pittsford, 1990s build, 2,200 sq ft, replacing 22-year-old furnace + 18-year-old AC
- System: 95% AFUE 60K-BTU two-stage furnace + 3-ton 16 SEER2 AC
- Sticker: $13,800
- Rebates: RG&E $700 + federal tax credit $600
- Net: $12,500
- Financed at 0% APR for 18 months: ~$695/mo
Scenario 2: Victor, 1920s home, 1,800 sq ft, switching from oil to gas
- System: 95% AFUE 60K-BTU furnace + 2.5-ton 16 SEER2 AC + new gas line + chimney work
- Sticker: $16,500
- Rebates: RG&E $850 + National Fuel oil-to-gas conversion + federal credit $600 = ~$3,000 total
- Net: $13,500
Scenario 3: Fairport, 2,400 sq ft, full electrification (oil-to-heat-pump)
- System: 4-ton air-source heat pump (cold-climate) + new air handler + line set + electrical upgrade
- Sticker: $19,000
- Rebates: NYSERDA $4,000 + NYSEG $1,200 + federal credit $2,000 = $7,200
- Net: $11,800
Get Your Real Number, Not a Phone Estimate
Free in-home HVAC system proposal. We do the load calc, walk you through equipment options, pull current rebates for your address, and quote the all-in price. No upsells, no surprise add-ons.
Family-owned in Victor, NY since 1989.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a new HVAC system in Rochester, NY?
$10,000-$20,000 for a complete furnace + AC or whole-home heat pump system. After rebates and tax credits, most homeowners pay $7,000-$15,000 net.
Should I replace AC and furnace at the same time?
If your AC is 12+ years old when the furnace dies, yes. Doing both at once typically saves 15-25% versus separate jobs and ensures matched, properly sized equipment.
What’s the cheapest reliable new HVAC system?
An 80% AFUE furnace + 14 SEER2 AC from Goodman or Amana installed by a reputable contractor runs about $10,000 in a typical Rochester home. Lower than that and someone is cutting corners on equipment, labor, or both.
How long does an HVAC installation take?
Furnace-only: 4-8 hours. Furnace + AC: 1 to 1.5 days. Whole-home heat pump or full retrofit in older home: 2-3 days. We finish ourselves rather than leaving the home with no heat or cooling overnight.
What HVAC brands do you install?
York, Goodman, Amana, Carrier, Trane, Daikin, Bosch, Mitsubishi, and others. We’re not a single-brand dealer – we recommend the equipment that fits the home and budget.
Can you do free in-home HVAC quotes?
Yes. Free, no-obligation in-home proposals across our entire Greater Rochester service area, including Victor, Farmington, Pittsford, Fairport, Penfield, Henrietta, Honeoye Falls, Mendon, Bloomfield, Macedon, Webster, Brighton, and Canandaigua.
Family-owned in Victor, NY since 1989. Serving Monroe, Ontario, and Wayne counties. Built on Trust. Powered by Principle. The DALTON Team Is On Hand to Help.