Contractor matching
Furnace & Whole-System HVAC Replacement
A full system replacement is one of the larger purchases most homeowners make — and the quality of the installation matters as much as the equipment on the box. Correct sizing, duct condition, refrigerant work and commissioning determine whether a new system actually delivers its rated comfort and efficiency.
We match you with a screened installation contractor who sizes the system to your home, explains the options at different price points, and stands behind their own installation. Their estimate is theirs — and nothing stops you seeking others to weigh it against.
If only the cooling side is being replaced, or you are weighing a heat pump against a conventional furnace-and-AC pair, those are narrower decisions with their own considerations — the AC installation and heat pump installation pages cover them directly.
Signs you may need this
- Your system is past its typical service life and repairs are getting frequent or expensive
- A major component — compressor, heat exchanger — has failed
- The home never gets comfortable even when the system runs constantly
- You're replacing an older system that uses a phased-out refrigerant
- You want to move from separate heating and cooling to a heat pump, or from window units to central comfort
Questions worth having answers for
These are the questions our request form — and any good contractor — will ask. “I don't know” is always an acceptable answer.
- What are you replacing (furnace, AC, both, boiler, heat pump)?
- What's the approximate square footage of the home?
- Is the existing ductwork in usable condition, or is that unknown?
- Are you interested in comparing a ducted system with a ductless mini-split approach?
- What's your timeline — planned replacement, or is the old system already down?
What happens after you submit a request
- 1
We confirm screened installer coverage in your area.
- 2
Your project details go to a small number of screened, independent installers.
- 3
Each contractor visits, measures and sizes the system — beware of anyone quoting a full replacement sight-unseen.
- 4
You get one contractor's written estimate and decide, with no obligation — and nothing stopping you seeking others to compare it against.
HVACandRoof is a contractor-matching marketplace. The contractors who quote and perform your work are independent businesses — except where the contractor matched to you is HVAC and Roof Corp itself, which we tell you — and we may earn a fee when a request is matched or a job is completed. Read more about what our screening includes.
HVAC Replacement questions, answered plainly
How do I know what size system I need?
Not from square footage alone. Correct sizing uses a load calculation that accounts for insulation, windows, orientation, air leakage and duct condition. An oversized system short-cycles and dehumidifies poorly; an undersized one never keeps up. Expect a serious contractor to measure, not guess.
Should I get more than one estimate?
For a full replacement, yes — that's most of the reason this marketplace exists. Comparing two or three written estimates shows you the realistic price range for your home and surfaces differences in scope (duct repairs, electrical, permits, commissioning) that a single quote hides.
Is a heat pump or mini-split a real alternative to a new furnace and AC?
Often, yes — modern cold-climate heat pumps heat effectively at low temperatures, and ductless mini-splits avoid duct losses entirely in homes without good ductwork. Whether it fits your home and climate is a sizing-and-layout question for the contractor who quotes your job; ask them to price the alternative they would recommend alongside it.
Who handles permits and code compliance?
The installing contractor — permits, code compliance, and manufacturer-required commissioning belong to the independent business you hire. Ask each estimate to spell out what's included. HVACandRoof matches and screens; it does not pull permits or perform work.
Where we match HVAC replacement
Each page covers what this work actually involves in that city — the buildings, the permits and the rebates that genuinely apply there, rather than a national page with a city name on it.
- Chicago, ILHVAC Replacement in Chicago
- Aurora, ILHVAC Replacement in Aurora
- Naperville, ILHVAC Replacement in Naperville
- Joliet, ILHVAC Replacement in Joliet
- Elgin, ILHVAC Replacement in Elgin
- Rockford, ILHVAC Replacement in Rockford
Related services and guides
- AC Installation & ReplacementInstalling or replacing central air conditioning? Get matched with a screened local installer who quotes your job in writing. Free, no obligation.
- Heat Pump InstallationPlanning a heat pump? Get matched with screened, independent installers who size for your climate, ductwork and existing heating. Free estimator, no obligation.
- HVAC RepairFurnace not keeping up or AC blowing warm? Describe the problem and get matched with screened, independent HVAC repair technicians in your area.
- GuideHVAC Repair or Replace: How to DecideA practical framework for the repair-or-replace decision — what matters, what to ask, and which pressure tactics to ignore.
- GuideMini-Split or Central Air: Which Fits Your HouseThe difference is distribution, not principle. Which one fits depends mostly on what your house already has.