HVAC Replacement Estimates in Portland & Vancouver

Quick answer

Replace your heating or cooling system when repair no longer makes sense, not just because it's old. A fair replacement estimate starts with sizing your home, covers ductwork, electrical, and permits, and shows your options side by side. We look at repair first. You decide, and no work starts until you say yes.

Key facts

Approach	Repair first. Replace only when it makes more sense.
Sizing	Based on a load calculation for your home, not the old unit's size
Scope factors	Equipment, ductwork, electrical, and permits
Incentives	You may qualify. We'll confirm.
Federal tax credit	Ended for equipment placed in service after 12/31/2025
Your decision	No work starts until you say yes

When does replacing your HVAC system make sense?

Replacing your system makes sense when repair no longer does. Age alone isn't the reason. ENERGY STAR suggests having equipment evaluated by a professional if it's more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable. Evaluated, not automatically replaced.

ENERGY STAR also advises fixing big air leaks in the house and duct system before you buy new equipment. Sometimes those are the real source of the problem.

Repairs keep stacking up on the same system
A major part, like a heat exchanger or compressor, has failed
Parts for your system are hard to get
The system runs fine but still can't keep the house comfortable
You want something new, like adding cooling or switching to a heat pump

Should you start with a repair visit or a replacement estimate?

If your system is broken right now, start with a repair visit. A technician finds the cause first. If it can be fixed, we fix it. If replacing makes more sense, we say so and show you why.

If you're planning ahead, ask for a replacement estimate instead. That's a separate path. It's for comparing options before anything fails, or when a repair visit has already shown that replacement is the better call.

Planning ahead has a real upside. You can compare options, check incentives, and choose on your own schedule instead of during a cold snap or a heat wave.

Not sure what's wrong yet?

Start with the safe checks. Many problems are a setting, a breaker, or a filter.

Find your symptom Compare repair vs. replace

Repair first: we fix what can be fixed
You approve the price before work starts
Sources listed for outside facts

What a visit includes

An honest look at whether repair is still an option
Your options explained side by side
A plain explanation of why replacing makes sense, if it does
The price before any work starts
A check of which incentives you may qualify for
Your decision: no work starts until you say yes

What you won't get

Pressure to replace a system that can be repaired
“Today only” pricing
Work you haven't approved
Incentive promises before eligibility is confirmed

Oregon and Washington programs

Programs you may qualify for

Program rules and amounts change. We link to the program's own page instead of repeating amounts. You may qualify — we'll confirm before you rely on it.

Oregon
Energy Trust of Oregon — Heating Solutions
Oregon homes served by participating utilities. Eligibility depends on your utility, your home type, the system being replaced, and the equipment installed.
Check eligibility on the program page before installation. Some offers require a program-approved contractor. Applications have deadlines after installation.
Check the official program details
Last verified 2026-09-24
Washington
Clark Public Utilities — Heat Pump Program
Clark Public Utilities customers with electrically heated homes. The rebate depends on the heat pump type and your current heating method.
The heat pump must be installed by a contractor in the utility's contractor network. Check current rules with the utility before installation.
Check the official program details
Last verified 2026-09-24
Washington
Clark Public Utilities — Ductless Heat Pump Program
Homeowners in Clark Public Utilities territory whose homes are heated with permanently installed electric heat.
Installed by a contractor in the utility's contractor network and properly licensed in Washington. Self-installs do not qualify.
Check the official program details
Last verified 2026-09-24

How should a new HVAC system be sized?

A new system should be sized to your home, not to the old unit. ENERGY STAR says a system that's too large or too small will struggle to keep you comfortable. It says your contractor should verify the size using “Manual J,” a calculation of how much heating and cooling your home needs.

A load calculation looks at things like insulation, windows, air leaks, room layout, and which way the house faces. Matching the old unit's size can repeat an old mistake, especially if you've added insulation or new windows since it went in.

Bigger isn't better. An oversized system tends to run short cycles, which can leave some rooms uneven. Ask any contractor, including us, how they sized the system they're quoting.

What goes into the scope of a replacement?

The equipment is only part of the job. A fair estimate spells out everything else the work needs, so you can compare quotes line by line. ENERGY STAR says improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent.

Scope item	Why it matters	What to ask
Ductwork	ENERGY STAR says 20 to 30 percent of air in a typical duct system is lost to leaks and poor connections	Will the ducts be checked, sealed, or changed?
Electrical	A new system may need a different circuit or more panel capacity	Is electrical work included, or separate?
Permits	Some jobs need one, depending on the work and where you live	Is a permit needed, and is it in the price?
Venting and drains	Furnaces need proper venting, and many systems need a condensate drain	What venting or drain work is included?
Thermostat	Heat pumps need a thermostat set up to manage backup heat	Is a new thermostat included and set up?
Old equipment	Old units need removal, and refrigerant must be recovered	Is removal included?

What are your options when replacing a system?

Many homes have more than one good option. The right one depends on your ducts, your fuel, your comfort goals, and your budget. Here they are side by side, with no brand names and no pitch.

Option	How it works	Often a fit when
Gas furnace, with or without central AC	Burns gas to heat air. A separate AC handles cooling.	You have gas service and want a similar setup to what you have now
Ducted heat pump	Moves heat into the house in winter and out in summer through your ducts	You have ducts and your furnace or AC needs replacing (ENERGY STAR)
Dual fuel	A heat pump does most of the heating. A gas furnace is the backup.	You have a fairly new furnace and an older AC (ENERGY STAR)
Ductless mini-split	Indoor heads on walls or ceilings connect to an outdoor unit. No ducts.	No ductwork, costly electric heat, additions, or hot and cold rooms (ENERGY STAR)

What incentives might you qualify for?

You may qualify for a utility or program incentive. We'll confirm before you rely on it. Rules and amounts change, so we link to each program's own page instead of repeating numbers.

Check eligibility before installation. Some programs require a contractor in their network, so ask any contractor, including us, whether they qualify before you sign.

Energy Trust of Oregon, Heating Solutions (OR): ducted heat pumps, ductless heat pumps, and some high-efficiency gas heating. Eligibility depends on your utility, home type, the system being replaced, and the new equipment.
Clark Public Utilities, Heat Pump Program (WA): central heat pumps in electrically heated homes. Must be installed by a contractor in the utility's network.
Clark Public Utilities, Ductless Heat Pump Program (WA): ductless heat pumps replacing permanently installed electric heat. Self-installs don't qualify.

The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. Don't plan a 2026 purchase around it.

How do you compare HVAC replacement quotes?

Compare quotes by scope, not just the bottom line. Two prices that look far apart may cover very different work.

Be careful with “today only” prices. A fair price should still be fair next week.

Ask how the system was sized, and whether a load calculation was done
Check that ducts, electrical, permits, and removal are listed
Ask for warranty terms in writing, for both parts and labor
Ask for the repair price too, if your current system could still be fixed
Check the contractor's license with the Oregon CCB or Washington L&I

What happens after you ask for a replacement estimate?

A replacement estimate follows the same honest steps as a repair.

1Tell us about your home and your current system, and what you want to change.
2We look at the system and the home, including whether repair is still an option.
3You see your options side by side, with what each one involves and why we'd recommend it.
4You get the price before any work starts.
5You decide. No work starts until you say yes.
6If you go ahead, we do the work, test the system, and clean up.

Common questions

How old is too old for an HVAC system?

There's no single age that means replace. ENERGY STAR suggests having a professional evaluate equipment that's more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable. An evaluation may show a repair is still the smart move.

Is the federal tax credit still available for a new heat pump or furnace?

No. The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. Utility programs like Energy Trust of Oregon and Clark Public Utilities may still apply. You may qualify, and we'll confirm.

Can I switch from a gas furnace to a heat pump?

Often, yes. ENERGY STAR says a ducted heat pump can use your existing ductwork and can be installed as a drop-in replacement in most climate zones. You can also keep the furnace as backup in a dual-fuel setup.

Will a bigger system heat or cool my house better?

No. ENERGY STAR says a system that's too large or too small will struggle to keep you comfortable. The right size comes from a load calculation for your home.

Do I need new ductwork with a new system?

Not always. Many homes can reuse their ducts, but they should be checked first. ENERGY STAR says a typical duct system loses 20 to 30 percent of its air to leaks, so sealing may be worth it.

Do I need a permit to replace my furnace or heat pump?

You may. It depends on the work and where you live. Your estimate should say whether a permit is needed and whether it's included in the price.

Can you give me a repair option and a replacement option together?

Yes. When a system could go either way, we explain what it takes to fix it and why replacing might make more sense. You get the price before any work starts, and you decide.