Quick Answer

Furnace/HVAC Replacement Cost in San Francisco (2026)

Average cost in San Francisco

US$13,823avg

US$7,250 — US$18,125

US$7 — US$10 per sq ft

+7.5% YoY
9 sources
Updated 4 days ago
Bay Area

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Equipment

15 SEER2/92% AFUE units

US$4,500 — US$8,500

46%

Labor

Licensed C-20 contractor

US$1,500 — US$5,500

35%

Permits & Inspections

SF DBI fees & plan review

US$800 — US$3,000

10%

Materials & Supplies

Venting, linesets, and pads

US$300 — US$800

5%

Disposal & HERS

Old unit haul-away & testing

US$150 — US$600

4%

🧾Sales Tax (7.25%) — California
Base cost + $1,002 tax$14,825

Sales Tax at 7.25%

📋What's Included

Scope

Typically Includes

  • Furnace or AC unit
  • Thermostat
  • Basic ductwork connections
  • Refrigerant
  • Labor & installation
  • Old unit disposal

Typically Excludes

  • Full ductwork replacement
  • Zoning systems
  • Smart home integration
  • Permits & inspections
  • Humidifier or air purifier

Based on a standard 2,000 sq ft home with existing ductwork.

🧮Estimate Your Cost

Interactive

Estimated Cost

US$8,735

US$6,988 — US$10,482

Based on 9 sources and market data for San Francisco. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

US$12,858

Today

US$13,823

Furnace/HVAC Replacement in San Francisco is 7.5% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$964 more on the average project.

Comparison derived from the year-over-year change rate, not a month-by-month price index. We don't store historical snapshots yet — when we do, this will become a real time series.

🏢Top HVAC Replace Contractors in San Francisco

Verified providers
🔨

Heating And Air Experts

748 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA

5.0
★★★★★

804 reviews

🔨

Cabrillo Plumbing, Heating & Air

78 Dorman Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124, USA

4.9
★★★★½

1,183 reviews

🔨

Around The Clock HVAC

737 Lisbon St, San Francisco, CA 94112, USA

4.9
★★★★½

245 reviews

🔨

Magic Plumbing Heating & Cooling

1455 Bancroft Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124, USA

4.9
★★★★½

1,918 reviews

🔨

Hassler Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC

1537 S 56th St, El Cerrito, CA 94530, USA

4.9
★★★★½

651 reviews

Provider data sourced from public business directories. Ratings and reviews are public and may change. LookupCost is not affiliated with listed providers.

💬What People Actually Paid

Community

Common Questions

Yes, but 2026 is the final year for most installations. New legislation passed by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District will outlaw the sale and installation of new gas furnaces starting in 2027 to promote electrification.

San Francisco has some of the highest permit fees in the U.S. For residential HVAC replacements, combined building, mechanical, and electrical permit fees typically range from $800 to $3,000 depending on project valuation.

Under California Title 24 standards effective in 2026, new split-system cooling equipment must meet a minimum of 15 SEER2, and gas furnaces must have a minimum efficiency of 92% AFUE.

Yes, most HVAC replacements in California require Home Energy Rating System (HERS) verification by a third-party inspector to ensure duct sealing and refrigerant charge meet state code, typically adding $150 to $400 to the project.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 5+ verified web sources and cost databases

2

Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides

3

Government construction and labor statistics

4

Community-reported project costs and reviews

Last data collection: 4 days ago. Updates run weekly. All costs in USD.

About this data

Cost figures are estimates synthesized from public market data using AI research and refreshed regularly. Real project costs vary by scope, materials, contractor, and site conditions. Always get verified quotes from licensed contractors for your specific project.

Spotted bad data? Let us know — we'll review and update.