Why using cost‑estimators matters
If you’re serious about replacing major HVAC equipment—whether a furnace, heat pump, or full system—having a realistic cost estimate is critical. Without it you risk being under‑budgeted, being surprised by hidden costs, or making decisions on incomplete information.
Tools like a “furnace cost estimator” or “heat pump replacement cost calculator” are your friend because they help you:
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Understand the range of typical pricing in the market
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Break down key cost drivers (unit size, efficiency, location, labor)
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Ask better questions to contractors (so you aren’t simply shopping blindly)
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Compare “should‑be” cost vs your quote, identifying low vs high ball quotes
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Make the decision: Replace now? Wait? Install new? Upgrade?
For example: One HVAC cost calculator shows average system replacement (both heating + cooling) for homes is $11,590 to $14,100 in 2025. (Modernize) Another “furnace cost calculator” shows installing a 96% AFUE furnace costs around $4,810‑$6,230 depending on location. (HVAC Calculator) So you’re armed with benchmarks.
When you’re considering the Goodman bundle (which handles the cooling side + air handler) you also need to consider whether your furnace (or heating unit) needs replacement. That’s where “furnace cost estimator” or “gas furnace replacement cost estimator” come in.
Understanding the bundle and its context
Since you’re looking at the Goodman bundle: It’s a 3‑ton capacity matched indoor and outdoor system (cooling side). That means if you’re replacing cooling gear, you may be primed to consider the heating side simultaneously because major HVAC replacements are best done in one shot if feasible.
Here’s how I (Mike Sanders) break it down:
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The bundle equipment cost is gear only; installation, labor, ducts, wiring, permits add up
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If your heating unit (furnace, heat pump, etc) is aging, you may want to bundle that replacement too
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Estimators/tools for furnace cost, heat pump cost help you decide the when and how of that heating‑side investment
Let’s walk the heating side cost estimators first, then tie back to the bundle and combined decision.
Using a “furnace cost estimator” and “furnace cost calculator”
When you search for “furnace cost estimator” or “furnace cost calculator”, you’ll find tools and data guides that estimate what homeowners typically spend.
Benchmarks from data
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According to This Old House, new furnace costs range between $1,600 to $10,000, with an average around $4,799 depending on fuel type. (This Old House)
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A guide shows that new furnace installed cost averages $3,500 to $7,500+ for standard efficiency models, and up to $11,500 for high efficiency. (HomeGuide)
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For gas furnaces specifically, replacement prices tend to fall in the $2,900‑$6,400 range for typical units.
So if you plug your home size, location, access, fuel type into a furnace cost calculator, you’ll get a realistic target.
How to use it
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Enter your home’s square footage, fuel type (gas, electric), furnace efficiency (AFUE) into the calculator.
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Adjust for complexity: attic installation? tight space? restricted access?
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Note: If you’re installing in an attic (attic furnace installation cost), you should add extra labor and safety cost because attic work is typically more complicated—so your estimate should reflect that.
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Compare your contractor’s quote to the output of the calculator: Are they significantly above? Why? Are they below? Is something missing?
What to ask your contractor
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What brand/model furnace? What AFUE rating?
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Are labor, disposal, permit included?
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Will there be additional attic access or structural cost?
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What about ductwork or connections to the air handler (if cooling system is also new)?
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Does your quote assume standard access or special attic conditions?
By using a furnace cost estimator you become a smarter buyer—not just relying on “what the contractor tells me”.
Using a “heat pump replacement cost calculator”
Often modern HVAC upgrades include heat pumps instead of (or in addition to) furnaces. Searching “heat pump replacement cost calculator” or “commercial HVAC pricing guide” can help you understand that side too.
Thanks to sources:
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According to a heat pump cost guide from Carrier: the average cost to replace an existing heat pump runs from $6,000 to $25,000, depending on size, system, ductwork. (Carrier)
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Heat pump cost calculators (such as those on HVACCalc.org) estimate for central or ductless heat pumps in the $7,000‑$12,000+ range for many homes. (HVAC Calculator)
Why heat pump cost applies here
Since your bundle is cooling side, if you were in a climate where heat pump heating was desirable (instead of furnace), you’d also plug numbers into a heat pump replacement cost calculator to evaluate options.
How to use the calculator
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Enter home size, climate zone, ductwork status, whether you need dual‑fuel or backup heating.
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Adjust for system type: central vs ductless, efficiency level.
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Review output ranges: does the number match your budget?
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Use this as a benchmark when considering replacement of the heating side or choosing between furnace vs heat pump.
Decision lever
If your current heating unit is old, and your cooling system is being replaced (bundle), you might ask: “Should I upgrade now to a heat pump instead of furnace?” The cost calculator helps you quantify that alternative.
Bringing it all together: Combined HVAC replacement cost with the bundle
Now let’s combine these tools with your bundle scenario so you can set a realistic budget for the Goodman 3‑Ton 14.5 SEER2 R‑32 bundle + heating side.
Step 1: Cooling side baseline
The bundle gear might cost ~$3,500‑$4,500 (equipment only) based on typical listing. (See the product listing). Then installation labor, duct tweaks, refrigerant lines, system commissioning will add—so full installed cost might land ~$6,000‑$10,000+ depending on region, size, complexity.
Step 2: Heating side baseline via cost estimator
If you use a furnace cost estimator for a gas or electric or attic install furnace, you might see something like: gas furnace replacement cost estimator gives you ~$3,000‑$6,000 typical installed for many homes. (Based on above data) Attic furnace installation cost would add maybe $500‑$1,500 extra depending on access and complexity.
So you may budget ~$4,000‑$8,000 for making the heating side right.
Step 3: Combine into total budget
If you do both cooling + heating in one go: you might budget $10,000‑$18,000+ depending on your home size, region, ductwork, installation difficulty, choice of equipment (standard vs high‑efficiency).
Using the benchmarks: full system replacement cost $11,590‑$14,100 according to Modernize. (Modernize) Our combined estimate falls nicely around that range.
Step 4: Use tools to check your quote
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Use a furnace cost calculator to check the heating side.
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Use a heat pump replacement cost calculator if considering heat pump route.
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Use an HVAC replacement cost estimator (like the one by Costimates) to check full system cost. (Costimates.com)
If your contractor’s quote is significantly above these calculators, ask: Why? Are there attic access issues? Ductwork replacement? Permit costs? High labor region?
Special topic: Attic furnace installation cost
Because you might install the air handler or furnace in attic space (especially in some homes), it’s important to highlight how attic installations carry additional cost.
Why attic installs cost more
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Access is harder: ladders, confined space, lighting, safety gear
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Working in hot attic conditions adds labor time
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Potential structural or framing modifications to support equipment
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More insulation/ventilation issues during install
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Additional safety/combustion venting/clearance concerns
What you should budget
While data is less precise, you should expect maybe $500‑$1,500 extra on top of a typical furnace install for attic access, depending on region. That means if your standard furnace replacement estimate is $4,000, in attic scenario it may climb to $4,500‑$5,500 or more.
When you plug into a furnace cost estimator, ask the contractor if the estimator input assumed “standard basement/garage access” vs “attic access” and get an itemized cost for the attic premium.
What you should ask your contractor (Mike Sanders style)
When you’re quoting your system (bundle + heating) ask:
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What is the model and tonnage of the cooling bundle (Goodman 3‑Ton 14.5 SEER2 R‑32) and what is included in the quote (equipment, labor, disposal, refrigerant lines, permits)?
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What is the heating system they propose (furnace vs heat pump) and what installed cost do they estimate? Ask for a breakdown using the estimator logic (unit cost + labor + extra access premium).
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Does the quote include attic access costs if applicable? Are ducts in attic or equipment in attic?
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Has a load calculation and duct inspection been done? For both cooling and heating.
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Are the cooling and heating systems matched in terms of airflow and capacity? If you replace cooling bundle now but keep old heating, will the systems integrate properly?
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Are there any hidden costs (ductwork replacement, wiring, breaker upgrade, permit, disposal)?
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Are you using free cost‑estimators/tools (contractor should walk you through numbers) and show you baseline vs upgrade costs.
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What is the warranty on equipment and labor?
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What is timeline and how will disruption be handled?
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What happens if attic install, restricted access, or other complicating factors are present?
Final thoughts: My recommendation
Here’s what I’d tell you:
If your home is ready for a cooling upgrade (bundle) and the heating side is showing age or performance issues, you’ll save money and future hassle by doing both together—cooling + heating. Using furnace cost estimator and heat pump replacement cost calculators gets you grounded in realistic budget ranges. Then you compare your quote and decide if you’re getting fair value.
If your heating system is still good and you want to stagger investment, you could replace cooling now (bundle) and plan heating replacement later—but proceed only if you’re confident the heating side will hold up for several more years and ducts/air handler/blower all align.
Regardless, use the cost tools we talked about to benchmark your quotes:
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Furnace cost calculator: verify heating side
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HVAC replacement cost estimator: verify full system cost
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Heat pump replacement cost calculator: evaluate alternative heating technology
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Attic furnace installation cost premium: adjust for installation difficulty
Armed with these, you’re not shopping blindly—you’re negotiating from strength. The Goodman 3‑Ton 14.5 SEER2 R‑32 bundle is a strong choice for the cooling portion, and with proper matching and installation you’ll get years of value. Now you just need to line up the rest of the system and budget smartly.
