True Cost Guide Heating & Cooling Install an Air Handler

How Much Does Air Handler Replacement Cost in 2025?

Typical Range:

$1,500 - $3,400

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated December 2, 2024

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Highlights

Air handler replacement averages $2,300, with most homeowners paying between $1,500 and $3,400.
Unit costs vary from $600 to $2,100 or more depending on size, type, brand, and other factors.
Hiring an HVAC technician for installation represents about 50% of total project costs.
The size of your home is the main influence on capacity requirements for your air handler.

Replacing an air handler costs between $1,500 and $3,400, including the unit and installation, with most people paying around $2,300. This breaks down almost equal splits between unit costs and installation labor, around $700 to $1,600 for the air handler and $800 to $1,800 for labor.

Average Cost to Install an Air Handler

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$2,300	$3,400	$1,500

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Air Handler Replacement Cost Factors

Air handler replacement costs depend on your home’s cooling load and the specifications of your unit.

Home Size

The size of your home directly influences the size of your air conditioning and air handler, with larger homes requiring more powerful air handlers to ensure even circulation. Small homes, such as those under 1,000 square feet, generally require lower-capacity units that start around $600. Air handler costs generally increase with size, with larger units costing $2,100 or more.

Your air handler’s size and power also depend on your home’s layout, insulation, windows, and other variables. Together, these factors determine cooling load—an appropriately sized unit optimizes AC efficiency, but undersizing or oversizing your unit can lead to inefficient operation and premature wear.

Home Size in Sq. Ft.	Tons	Total Average Cost Range
600–900	1.5	$600–$800
1,000–1,200	2	$700–$1,200
1,300–1,500	2.5	$800–$1,400
1,600–1,800	3	$900–$1,500
1,900–2,100	3.5	$1,000–$1,600
2,200–2,500	4	$1,200–$1,800
2,600–3,000	5	$1,300–$2,100

Air Handler Type

Air handlers come with varying prices based on type, ranging from $700 to $3,500.

Single-Speed

Single-speed air handlers are a standard system that ranges from $700 to $1,200. They operate at one fixed speed and provide consistent airflow. While affordable, they may lack the efficiency of other models.

Multi-Stage

Multi-stage air handlers range from $1,200 to $2,500 and feature two or more fan speeds, usually low and high. The system switches between these speeds based on demand, enabling enhanced efficiency over single-stage units.

Variable-Speed

Variable-speed air handlers cost $1,400 to $3,500. These models feature a motor that continuously varies speed based on demand, allowing for precise airflow control and optimal energy efficiency.

Hydronic Air Handler

Hydronic or chilled water air handler prices range from $1,000 to $3,500, with higher costs generally reflecting more powerful models. Hydronic handlers connect to a boiler or water-source heat pump. The heated or cooled water passes through the coil to warm or chill the air from the blower.

Brand

Air handler prices vary by brand—established brands may come with higher price tags, but they can also provide superior performance, warranties, customer support, and other features. Affordable brands may offer comparable air handlers at lower prices, but they may have fewer means to ship or warranty products.

Air Handler Brand	Unit Cost	Total Replacement Cost
American Standard	$800–$1,500	$2,000–$3,000
Armstrong Air	$850–$1,500	$2,000–$3,000
Bryant	$800–$1,500	$1,800–$3,000
Carrier/AirQuest	$800–$1,600	$1,000–$3,400
Coleman	$700–$1,500	$1,500–$2,400
Daikin/Amana	$500–$1,300	$1,200–$2,800
Goodman	$500–$1,300	$1,000–$2,400
Lennox	$800–$1,600	$1,800–$3,400
Rheem/Ruud	$600–$1,300	$1,000–$2,600
Trane	$750–$1,600	$1,500–$3,400
York	$700–$1,500	$1,500–$3,000

Cost by Part

Repairing an air conditioner averages $350. Some repairs can reach $3,000 or more, exceeding the cost of a new unit altogether. Your warranty may cover qualifying repairs or replacements.

Repair Part	Average Cost
Evaporator coil replacement	$650–$2,400
Blower fan/motor replacement	$500–$1,800
Coil cleaning	$100–$400
Belt	$5–$100
Bearing	$20–$175

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Room

Where your air handler is located can impact its installation costs. Some areas of your home are more difficult to access, potentially adding labor and material costs to the job. These areas typically include attics, crawl spaces, closets, and rooftops.

For example, replacing an air handler in an attic averages $700 to $1,500. Closet air handlers start at a lower cost of $500 but may be limited for sizing unless you opt for drywall modifications. Crawl space installations range from $500 to $2,200.

Other Air Handler Replacement Cost Factors

Consider labor, additional system replacements or repairs, and other factors influencing air handler replacement costs.

Labor

Hiring an HVAC contractor for air handler replacement represents about half of total costs, usually from $800 to $1,800 or about $75 to $150 per hour. Depending on the scale or complexity of your replacement, costs can range from $200 up to $2,100 or more. HVAC technician installation rates generally include removing the old unit, preparing the space, installing and connecting the new handler, and testing the system.

Other System Replacements

When replacing your air handler, other HVAC system components may also need replacement to ensure compatibility and performance.

Heat Pump and Air Handler Replacement

Installing a heat pump costs about $4,200 to $7,600 and usually includes air handler installation. A geothermal heat pump ranges from $4,450 to $24,500.

Condenser and Air Handler Replacement

You’ll pay between $1,050 and $5,000 to replace the condenser and air handler. It's common to replace these two components at the same time to ensure their output and efficiency ratings are compatible.

Ductwork Replacement and Repair

If your ductwork is damaged, replacement or repair can improve efficiency, air quality, and comfort. Replacing ductwork costs around $10 to $40 per linear foot or between $450 and $2,000, while repairs cost about $200 to $700 depending on the type. If the ducts are in reasonably good condition but aren't dirty or clogged, cleaning ducts and vents costs around $390.

Electrical Upgrades

Electrical upgrades may be necessary if your new air handler requires more power than your existing circuits can provide. Hiring an electrician costs around $50 to $100 per hour. Potential electrical repairs or upgrades include:

Rewiring
Circuit breaker upgrade
Dedicated circuit installation

Fan Coil Unit Prices

Fan coil units cost $400 to $3,500, depending on the size and type. Fan coils and air handlers are often referred to interchangeably, but they refer to different types of HVAC components that are responsible for similar tasks.

Air handlers cool and move air to a new location, typically in larger HVAC systems. Fan coils are smaller localized devices that circulate air across a heat exchanger and into a room, generally in setups for a single room or as one zone in a larger system. They’re most often used in apartments and commercial buildings. Like air handlers, fan coil units are available in several types. These types include:

Chilled water fan coil
Variable-speed fan coils
Compact fan coils
Multi-speed fan coils

Air Handler Replacement vs. Repair

Repairing an air handler often offers more cost savings than replacement, particularly if your system is less than 10 years old. Certain fixes, such as coil cleaning or repair, can improve the efficiency and longevity of your system without high expense.

If your air handler requires frequent or costly repairs, replacement may be more cost-effective. Many homeowners opt for replacement if their air handler requires expensive parts since these repairs can cost up to 50% or more of replacement costs. Replacement is especially advantageous if your air handler is outdated or nearing the end of its lifespan.

Does Air Handler Replacement Increase Home Value?

While the impact may not be as significant as major remodels or other projects, air handler replacement can improve your home’s overall appeal and value. Replacing your air conditioner offers several benefits, including:

Improved energy efficiency
Enhanced comfort
Lower maintenance and repair costs
Modern technology

Budgeting for Air Handler Replacement

Effective budgeting can help reduce upfront replacement costs while ensuring a high-quality and reliable system. Try these strategies for saving on your air handler replacement project:

Get detailed quotes from several reputable HVAC contractors to get the best value for your investment.
Shop for unit deals, such as non-premium brands or clearance discounts.
Research incentives or rebate programs for energy-efficient home appliances.
Bundle your services—upgrading your system can save on overall installation costs and ensure optimal efficiency and compatibility.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does an air handler work?

Air handlers draw air across the evaporator coil and use refrigerant or water to absorb heat from the air and release it outside. The unit then blows the treated air, either through the ductwork or directly into the room via the blower motor or fan.

What’s the difference between an air conditioner and air handler?

An air handler is a common part of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump. The exterior compressor unit, condenser, sends refrigerant to the system to remove heat from the air and expel cooled air through the vents. The air handler circulates air over the coils back into the room or through the ductwork.

What is a mini-split air handler?

A ductless mini-split air handler costs around $700 to $2,300 for the first unit and $400 to $1,000 for additional ones. For ductless AC units, homeowners connect multiple smaller handlers to the outside air conditioning equipment. Homeowners with older homes or limited space for ductwork prefer these systems as an alternative to traditional central air.

How do air handlers differ from furnaces and heat pumps?

Furnaces consume coal, oil, gas, or electricity to produce heat. Heat pumps work like air conditioning units, running on electricity to draw heat from outside and transfer it into your home and vice versa. Air handlers circulate conditioned air through the ducts and vents in your home, whether you're using a heat pump or a central air conditioning system.

What size air handler should I get?

Know the square footage of the space to know what kind of air handler to get, then multiply that figure by 25 to calculate British thermal units (BTUs). Divide the total by 12,000, rounding to the nearest 0.5 to find the tonnage. If you have a home that’s 1,000 square feet, for example, your calculations should yield 25,000 BTUs or two tonnes.