Heating and cooling systems are major investments, with a typical new installation costing $5,000 to $12,500. The price varies significantly based on the system type, efficiency rating, and your home's size. While a new system is costly, it can save you hundreds per year in energy bills.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| New System | $5,000 - $12,500 |
| Central AC | $3,500 - $7,500 |
| Furnace | $2,500 - $6,000 |
| Annual Energy Savings | $200 - $500 |
What Drives the Price
The type of system is the biggest factor: a standard central AC unit costs $3,500 to $7,500, while a furnace runs $2,500 to $6,000. High-efficiency models with a higher SEER rating cost 20% to 40% more upfront. The size of your home and the complexity of the installation also affect the final price.
Replacement vs Repair
If your system is over 15 years old and needs a repair costing more than $1,500, replacement is often the better choice. A new high-efficiency system can reduce energy bills by 20% to 40%, saving $200 to $500 per year. Repairs on older units are a temporary fix and can cost $200 to $1,000 per visit.
How to Compare Quotes
Get at least three quotes from licensed HVAC contractors, and ensure they include a load calculation for your home. Prices can vary by 30% or more between contractors for the same system. Look for rebates from manufacturers or utilities, which can reduce the cost by $300 to $1,000.
What moves the price in Alberta
System size and efficiency rating are key cost factors. Local quotes reflect the items below, so two providers can quote different totals for the same described job without either being wrong.
- Local labour rates and licensing requirements for the trade or professional involved
- Permits, inspections and disposal fees set by the local authority
- Travel and call-out charges for the distance from the nearest provider
- Season and demand peaks, which move both the price and the wait
- Materials, parts or inputs, and how their grade or availability changes the total
- Whether the work is a repair, a partial job or a full replacement
How to compare heating and cooling quotes in Alberta
Write the scope down first, then send the same description to at least three local providers. Compare the quotes line by line against that scope rather than by the headline total.
- Agree the scope: exactly what is being repaired, replaced or supplied, and how far the work extends.
- List the inclusions: labour, materials, permits, inspection fees, disposal and clean-up, each stated separately.
- Ask what is excluded, and what would trigger an extra charge once the work starts.
- Check timing: how soon work can start, how long it takes, and whether out-of-hours rates apply.
- Confirm terms: deposit, payment schedule, warranty on parts and labour, and how changes are priced.
A lower total that leaves out permits, disposal or a necessary second stage is not cheaper once those items are added back. Ask each provider in writing what would change the price.
This page does not quote work and is not a contractor. The range above is an estimate, not an offer.
Common questions
What moves the price of heating and cooling in Alberta?
Is the range on this page a quote?
How should I compare heating and cooling quotes in Alberta?
Can heating and cooling costs be financed?
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