About HVAC Repair IQ
Data-driven cost estimates. No contractor. No upsell.
"Most homeowners call an HVAC contractor with no idea what fair pricing looks like. HVAC Repair IQ fixes that — one data-driven estimate at a time."
What We Do
HVAC Repair IQ is a free reference tool that gives you realistic cost estimates for heating and cooling work before you call a contractor. We cover 10 major HVAC services across 34 system configurations and 96 US cities — over 32,000 specific estimates in total.
Whether you need a Carrier 3-ton AC installed in Houston or a Lennox furnace replaced in Chicago, we give you a credible ballpark so you can negotiate confidently, spot overcharging, and decide whether a quote is fair.
How Our Estimates Work
Brand and Efficiency
We price equipment by brand tier and SEER rating using an internal editorial multiplier (a Lennox 18 SEER costs roughly 2x a Goodman 14 SEER in our model) — this reflects typical market positioning but is not independently sourced from a published pricing database.
City Labor Rates
Labor estimates start with median hourly wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, by metropolitan area, for HVAC mechanics and installers (SOC 49-9021). We apply a standard industry loading factor (1.15–1.4x) for payroll taxes, workers' compensation, and benefits, then a shop markup range of 3x–4x loaded technician cost — a convention documented in auto repair industry pricing guidance, which we apply consistently across our sites since no equivalently rigorous HVAC-specific citation was found. Estimates are shown as a range reflecting this real variation, not a single precise figure.
Local Fees
Permit costs, refrigerant disposal, and misc fees are factored in as a flat estimated percentage — this methodology isn't independently sourced yet and doesn't vary by city or contractor the way real permit fees would.
Our Coverage
- 10 HVAC service types — from AC installation to ductwork cleaning
- 8 major brands — Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Goodman, Rheem, York, Bryant, American Standard
- Multiple size and SEER configurations per brand
- 96 US cities with BLS-sourced labor rates
- 32,640 unique cost estimates
Disclaimer
All estimates are for informational purposes only. Labor rates are sourced from BLS wage data as described above; equipment and permit-fee figures use an internal editorial methodology that has not yet been independently sourced. Actual costs may vary based on home conditions, contractor availability, and local permit requirements. Always get at least 3 quotes from licensed HVAC contractors before making a decision.