What's in a central HVAC system price — the five parts

A central system is five things you pay for: an outdoor unit, the refrigerant line-set, an indoor furnace + coil (or air handler), the ductwork and registers, and a thermostat. Reusing serviceable ducts keeps the price down; new ductwork is the single biggest add-on.

A house cutaway labeling the five parts of a central HVAC system you pay for. 1: the outdoor unit (a condenser, or a heat pump that also heats) on a pad outside. 2: the refrigerant line-set, two lines running from the outdoor unit through the wall. 3: the indoor unit in the basement — a furnace with an A-shaped evaporator coil on top (or an air handler). 4: the ductwork and ceiling registers that distribute the air. 5: the thermostat on an interior wall. A bottom strip notes that reused ducts keep the price down while replacing or adding ductwork is the biggest add-on. — Source: DOE Energy Saver / ENERGY STAR (central system components)

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A house cutaway labeling the five parts of a central HVAC system you pay for. 1: the outdoor unit (a condenser, or a heat pump that also heats) on a pad outside. 2: the refrigerant line-set, two lines running from the outdoor unit through the wall. 3: the indoor unit in the basement — a furnace with an A-shaped evaporator coil on top (or an air handler). 4: the ductwork and ceiling registers that distribute the air. 5: the thermostat on an interior wall. A bottom strip notes that reused ducts keep the price down while replacing or adding ductwork is the biggest add-on.

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