Trades · Cost Guide
How Much Does HVAC Cost in Ontario?
HVAC costs in Ontario range from $3,000 – $6,000 per unit. Prices vary by scope, city, and site conditions.
$3,000+
Starting price
1-5 days
Timeline
10%
Recommended contingency
HVAC Cost Breakdown
| Scope | Low | High | Unit | Labour | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furnace replacement (high-efficiency) | $3,000 | $6,000 | per unit | 35% | 65% |
| Central air conditioner | $3,500 | $6,500 | per unit | 35% | 65% |
| Heat pump (cold-climate) | $5,000 | $12,000 | per unit | 35% | 65% |
| Ductwork modification/addition | $1,500 | $4,000 | per zone | 55% | 45% |
| HRV/ERV installation | $2,500 | $5,000 | per unit | 40% | 60% |
| Duct cleaning | $300 | $600 | per house | 80% | 20% |
Price Ranges at a Glance
Furnace replacement (high-efficiency)
Central air conditioner
Heat pump (cold-climate)
Ductwork modification/addition
HRV/ERV installation
Duct cleaning
What's Included vs Not Included
Typically Included
- Equipment (furnace, AC, or heat pump)
- Installation labour (TSSA certified)
- Basic ductwork connections
- Thermostat (programmable or smart)
- Gas line connection and testing
- Start-up, commissioning, and testing
- Permit and inspection
Not Included (Extra Cost)
- Ductwork modifications for new zones
- Electrical panel upgrade (if needed for heat pump)
- Humidifier or air purifier add-ons
- Zoning dampers and controls
- Asbestos abatement on old ductwork
- Concrete pad for outdoor unit
HVAC Cost by City
Prices adjusted for local labour rates and material costs across 15 GTA cities.
| City | Low | High | vs Toronto | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Toronto City of Toronto | $3,000 | $6,000 | 0% | View |
Mississauga Peel Region | $2,888 | $5,775 | -5% | View |
Brampton Peel Region | $2,817 | $5,634 | -8% | View |
Vaughan York Region | $2,939 | $5,877 | -3% | View |
Markham York Region | $2,928 | $5,856 | -3% | View |
Richmond Hill York Region | $2,909 | $5,817 | -4% | View |
Aurora York Region | $2,857 | $5,715 | -6% | View |
Oakville Halton Region | $3,032 | $6,063 | +2% | View |
Burlington Halton Region | $2,889 | $5,778 | -4% | View |
Milton Halton Region | $2,817 | $5,634 | -8% | View |
Ajax Durham Region | $2,777 | $5,553 | -9% | View |
Pickering Durham Region | $2,817 | $5,634 | -8% | View |
Oshawa Durham Region | $2,726 | $5,451 | -12% | View |
Whitby Durham Region | $2,766 | $5,532 | -10% | View |
Hamilton City of Hamilton | $2,747 | $5,493 | -10% | View |
Permit & Engineering Costs
TSSA Gas Permit
Technical Standards & Safety Authority
Required for furnace or boiler installation (gas appliances). Includes combustion test and venting inspection. Contractor must be TSSA-certified (G2 ticket).
$50-$150
HVAC Mechanical Permit
Municipal building department
Required for AC, heat pump, or ductwork modifications. Inspector verifies refrigerant certification and electrical connections. Some municipalities waive permit for direct equipment swaps.
$100-$300
Electrical Permit (if applicable)
ESA (Electrical Safety Authority)
Required if heat pump needs new 240V circuit or panel upgrade. Electrician pulls separate permit. Heat pumps draw 15-30A depending on size.
$88-$200
Money-Saving Tips
Cold-climate heat pumps qualify for $3,000-$5,000 in provincial rebates — apply before installation.
Replace furnace and AC together to save $1,000-$2,000 on shared installation labour.
High-efficiency furnace (96%+ AFUE) saves $300-$500/year in gas vs a standard 80% furnace.
Schedule HVAC installation in spring or fall — summer and winter are peak seasons with higher prices.
HRV is required by code in new construction — retrofit it during renovation for better air quality.
Related Cost Guides
HVAC Cost FAQs
What size furnace or AC do I need?
Proper sizing requires Manual J load calculation — room-by-room heat loss/gain based on insulation, windows, air leakage, orientation. "Rule-of-thumb" (1 ton per 500 sq ft) ignores these factors and oversizes equipment by 30-50%. Oversized furnaces short-cycle, waste energy, and wear faster. Pay for Manual J load calc ($150-$300) before buying equipment — it saves thousands in wasted energy.
What's the difference between 80% and 96% AFUE furnaces?
80% AFUE = 80 cents of every dollar goes to heating, 20 cents up the flue. 96% AFUE = 96 cents to heating, 4 cents up the flue. High-efficiency furnaces extract so much heat that exhaust condenses — they need PVC vents (not chimney) and condensate drains. Costs $1,500-$3,000 more upfront but saves $300-$500/year on gas bills. Payback: 5-7 years.
Are heat pumps worth it in Ontario winters?
Yes, if you buy a cold-climate model (Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Carrier Greenspeed). Cold-climate heat pumps maintain COP 2.0+ at -25°C — they deliver 2 kWh of heat for every 1 kWh of electricity. Electric baseboards deliver 1:1. Heat pumps cost 50-75% less to operate than electric resistance heating. They struggle below -10°C without backup heat, but that's only 10-20 days/year in most of Ontario.
Why does my AC freeze up?
Ice on the evaporator coil has 4 causes: (1) dirty filter (restricted airflow), (2) low refrigerant (leak in coil), (3) dirty coil (blocked airflow), or (4) running AC below 15°C outdoor temp (refrigerant can't evaporate). Turn off AC, let ice melt, change filter, clean coil. If ice returns, call HVAC tech — low refrigerant means a leak, topping off is temporary. Replace the coil or system.
What's the difference between HRV and ERV?
HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) exchanges heat between outgoing stale air and incoming fresh air — recovers 60-80% of heat. ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) exchanges heat and moisture — recovers 50-70% of heat and prevents winter air from drying out. Use HRV in dry climates, ERV in humid climates or tight homes (Passive House). Both reduce heating/cooling costs by 20-30% vs opening windows.
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