How much does HVAC replacement cost in Savannah, GA? The short answer: most full system replacements on a typical Savannah house land somewhere around $6,500 to $12,000, and older homes that need new ductwork can run well past that. A Savannah cost guide updated in July 2026 puts most mid-size homes with a mid-range heat pump at about $8,000 to $11,000. Your number depends on system size and type, efficiency rating, ductwork, and how hard the old equipment is to reach.
Figures below come from HVACProjectCost's Savannah guide (updated July 2026), HVAC.com's Georgia AC replacement guide (July 2025), and Georgia Power's Home Energy Improvement Program terms. Checked October 28, 2026. These are estimates, not quotes, so use them to budget and then get written bids for your house.
TL;DR: HVAC Replacement Cost in Savannah
- Full system (heat pump or AC plus air handler): roughly $6,500 to $12,000 in Savannah, per HVACProjectCost.
- AC only: about $5,000 to $9,500 for a 2.5- to 3-ton central unit.
- Historic homes with new ductwork: about $10,000 to $16,000.
- Statewide check: HVAC.com puts a 3-ton Georgia system at about $9,800 to $13,700 in 2025 pricing.
- Rebates: Georgia Power customers may qualify for rebates on some heat pump conversions and duct sealing. The federal 25C tax credit ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025.
- Best timing: plan a replacement for the cooler months, before the next cooling season.
What Is the Average Cost to Replace an HVAC System in Savannah?
HVACProjectCost's Savannah guide, updated July 2026, puts a full replacement at about $6,500 to $12,000. That range includes equipment, labor, the city mechanical permit, and removing the old system. The same guide says most 1,500- to 2,500-square-foot homes with a mid-range heat pump fall around $8,000 to $11,000.
HVAC.com's Georgia guide runs a little higher. For a typical 1,500- to 2,000-square-foot home, it lists 2025 prices for a 3-ton system as:
- AC condenser plus air handler: $9,800 to $12,800.
- Heat pump plus air handler: $10,200 to $13,200.
- AC plus gas furnace: $10,600 to $13,700.
How Much Does Each Type of System Cost?
HVACProjectCost's Savannah ranges by system type, installed:
- Central AC only (2.5 to 3 tons): $5,000 to $9,500.
- Heat pump system (2.5 to 3 tons): $7,000 to $13,000.
- Gas furnace only: $3,500 to $6,500.
- Ductwork replacement: add about $2,000 to $5,000.
Many Savannah homes run on a heat pump, which handles both cooling and the city's short, mild winters. If your house has an AC with a gas furnace, ask for quotes on both a like-for-like swap and a heat pump, so you can compare them side by side.
What Makes an HVAC Replacement Cost More in Savannah?
System size
Bigger homes need more tonnage. HVAC.com estimates about $400 to $700 for each half-ton step up in size. A bigger unit is not automatically better, though. An oversized system cools fast but removes less humidity, which matters in Savannah. Ask each contractor to size the system with a Manual J load calculation instead of matching the old unit.
Efficiency rating
New split systems must meet at least 14.3 SEER2, per HVAC.com, and many homeowners pick 16 SEER2 or higher. Higher-efficiency and variable-speed units cost more up front and can trim power bills over a long cooling season. Ask each bidder for the exact model and rating so you can compare like with like.
Ductwork and access
Leaky or undersized ducts, a cramped attic, or an air handler in a tight closet all add labor. Older homes are the classic case. HVACProjectCost notes that duct overhauls in older houses can add several thousand dollars on their own.
Salt air
Homes near the marsh, the river, or the islands deal with salt air, which can corrode outdoor coils. Some contractors offer coated coils for an extra charge. Ask whether it makes sense for your location, and plan on rinsing and cleaning the outdoor unit as part of routine HVAC maintenance.
Local tip: ask every contractor to put the ductwork plan in writing: reuse as is, seal and repair, or replace. Two quotes that look $3,000 apart often differ only on the ducts, and in a humid Savannah attic, the ducts can matter as much as the new unit.
Do You Need a Permit to Replace an HVAC System in Savannah?
Usually, yes. A full replacement inside city limits generally needs a mechanical permit through the City of Savannah's development services office. HVACProjectCost cites a $60 city permit for a stand-alone new AC unit, but the city's own fee schedule is the one that counts. Unincorporated Chatham County and nearby towns such as Pooler and Richmond Hill handle permits separately.
A licensed contractor normally pulls the permit. Ask whether the fee is in your quote, and be cautious about anyone who suggests skipping it. Our HVAC repair guide explains how to check a Georgia conditioned air license before you hire.
Are There Rebates for a New HVAC System in Savannah?
Some, but fewer than a year ago. The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C), which covered many heat pumps, ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025, under the 2025 federal tax law.
If your home has Georgia Power residential service, check the utility's Home Energy Improvement Program. Its terms, valid August 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028, include:
- Electric furnace to air source heat pump conversion: 50% of cost, up to $1,500. The installer must attest that the heat pump replaced an electric furnace, so a simple AC swap does not qualify.
- Duct repair and sealing: 50% of cost, up to $600 for electric systems or $500 for gas, with testing required.
- Smart thermostat: 50% of cost, up to $150.
Georgia Power says you must apply within 60 days of purchase or installation, and rebates are capped at $2,500 per customer per year. Programs change, so confirm current terms with Georgia Power before you sign.
When Is the Best Time to Replace an HVAC System in Savannah?
The cooler months. From late fall through winter, contractors are less swamped than in July and August, so you have time to collect quotes and schedule the install. A system limping along in October is a good candidate for a planned replacement before spring. HVAC.com notes that peak-summer scheduling can raise installation costs.
Should You Repair or Replace Your HVAC System?
There is no single cutoff. Signs that point toward replacement include an older system that needs a compressor or coil, repeated refrigerant leaks, and repairs that come back every season. Ask the technician for the unit's age, the repair price, and a replacement quote side by side. Our Savannah HVAC repair guide covers the repair side in more detail.
How Do You Compare HVAC Replacement Quotes?
Get two or three written quotes and line them up item by item:
- Exact equipment: brand, model numbers for the indoor and outdoor units, tonnage, and SEER2 rating.
- Sizing: whether they ran a load calculation or just matched the old unit.
- Ductwork: reuse, repair and seal, or replace, and what each costs.
- Permit and removal: who pulls the permit and whether hauling away the old system is included.
- Warranty: manufacturer parts coverage, any registration requirement, and the installer's own labor warranty, in writing.
- Rebate paperwork: whether the installer will help with any Georgia Power application.
Be wary of a bid far below the others. It often means a smaller unit, a lower-grade product, or skipped duct work.
Which Savannah HVAC Companies Install New Systems?
Our Savannah HVAC directory groups local companies by specialty. For replacements, start with the HVAC installation listings:
- Savannah Air Factory on Posey St lists installations, repairs, and maintenance, and serves communities from Pooler and Richmond Hill to Tybee and Wilmington Island.
- McCall's HVAC on Heidt Ave lists new installations and system replacements for homes and businesses, plus financing.
- Byrd Heating & Air on Ogeechee Rd focuses on new construction and system replacements.
McDevitt Air, a family-owned company on W 51st St, also lists installation alongside repair and maintenance. Call ahead to confirm current services, service area, and scheduling.
If the job turns into wider work on an older house, the historic restoration contractors in our directory know the Historic District review process. A new heat pump can also mean electrical work, so our best electricians in Savannah guide is worth a look. Planning other big-ticket projects? See our roof replacement cost guide.
Bottom Line: HVAC Replacement Cost in Savannah, GA
Budget roughly $6,500 to $12,000 for a full system replacement on a typical Savannah house, about $5,000 to $9,500 for AC only, and more for larger homes, high-efficiency equipment, or new ductwork. Federal tax credits are gone for 2026 installs, but Georgia Power customers may qualify for some rebates. Plan the job for the cooler months, get two or three itemized written quotes, and start with the local companies in our HVAC installation directory.
