How much does HVAC repair and replacement cost in Greenville, SC?
Most repairs run $150 to $1,500. A full system replacement runs $8,000 to $15,000 installed. Below is every price we charge, not a national average and not a competitor's guess.
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HVAC repair in Greenville costs $150 to $1,500 for most jobs, and the average lands around $350 to $600. A full system replacement runs $8,000 to $15,000 installed. Our diagnostic visit is $85, the same price nights and weekends. Everything below is what First Class actually charges, current as of August 2026. Most HVAC companies will not put a number on a website. We will.
We install Rheem most often, Goodman when the budget calls for it, and Mitsubishi or Durastar on ductless mini-splits. We have access to the other major brands and will install them on request. We service every brand, whoever put it in.
The short version
- Diagnostic visit
- $85, and the same price nights and weekends
- Most AC repairs
- $150 to $1,500, averaging $350 to $600
- Full system replacement
- $8,000 to $15,000 installed
- Single tune-up
- $129, heating or cooling
- Maintenance membership
- $197 a year, or $16 a month
These are typical costs, not a price list
Every number on this page is what most of our jobs actually cost. Some land outside them. A 5-ton variable-speed system costs more than a 3-ton single-stage one. A 19 SEER2 variable-speed replacement typically lands in the high teens, above the $8,000 to $15,000 most full systems fall into. An attic that a technician has to crawl to takes longer than a garage. We tell you your number after we look at your home, and that flat-rate quote is the price you pay.
What moves the number on your quote
Six things move the price more than anything else. Knowing them helps you read any estimate, ours or a competitor's.
System size
HVAC equipment is sized in tons (cooling) and BTUs (heating). A 1,200 square foot home needs far less capacity than a 3,000 square foot home, and a bigger system costs more. We size from a Manual J load calculation, which measures your actual heat gain and loss, not a square-foot rule of thumb.
Efficiency rating
Cooling efficiency is measured in SEER2, heating in AFUE (furnaces) and HSPF2 (heat pumps). New systems start at 14.3 SEER2 by federal minimum. Moving up to a 19 SEER2 variable-speed system adds several thousand dollars up front and cuts what you spend running it.
Labor and access
Installation labor is a large share of any quote. A tight attic, a rooftop unit, or a crawlspace takes longer than a garage install, and that time shows up in the price.
Ductwork condition
Leaky, undersized, or aging ducts add cost to a system replacement. We use even-size flex and round snap-lock trunk line. Sealing or resizing duct protects the efficiency you are paying for, and skipping it wastes the new equipment.
Permits and code
Most equipment replacements require a permit and an inspection. Permit fees vary by jurisdiction and are a normal line item on our quotes, not a markup.
Refrigerant type
The industry is phasing out R-410A in favor of R-454B. R-22, in systems roughly 15 years and older, is no longer manufactured at all, so recharging one is expensive and getting worse. Refrigerant type is a real cost driver on any repair that opens the system.
Installation and replacement
A full HVAC system replacement from First Class runs $8,000 to $15,000 installed for most Greenville homes. Single components cost less: a central air conditioner on its own is $4,000 to $8,000, and a gas furnace is $3,800 to $10,000. Two things push a job past $15,000. A 5-ton system for a larger home costs more than a 3-ton, and a 19 SEER2 variable-speed system typically lands in the high teens.
| Service | Our price | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|
| Central air conditioner (replacement) | $4,000–$8,000 | Priced by tonnage and SEER2 rating. High-efficiency variable-speed condensers run above this range. |
| Gas furnace (replacement) | $3,800–$10,000 | Driven by AFUE rating and BTU output. Upstate winters are mild, so many homes here need a smaller, lower-cost furnace than the national average. |
| Heat pump (ducted, air-source) | $5,000–$12,000 | The most common choice for Upstate homes, because it heats and cools off one system in a climate that rarely sees deep cold. Variable-speed models run higher. |
| Full system (heating + cooling) | $8,000–$15,000 | Matched AC and furnace, or a heat pump with an air handler. A 19 SEER2 variable-speed system typically runs in the high teens. |
| Ductless mini-split (single zone) | $4,000–$7,500 | One indoor head, one outdoor unit. Built for additions, garages, sunrooms, and any room without duct. Mitsubishi or Durastar. |
| Ductless mini-split (multi-zone) | $6,500–$15,000+ | Priced by how many indoor heads you need. Four or more zones, or a whole-home ductless system, runs above this range. |
| Ductwork (new or replacement) | $2,000–$12,000 | Set by home layout and how much of the system is being replaced. We run even-size flex off a round snap-lock trunk, with two plenums per ducted system. |
| Air handler (replacement) | $4,000–$8,000 | Pairs with a heat pump or AC condenser. The price covers a new evaporator coil and lineset work, not just the cabinet. Variable-speed models sit at the top of the range. |
| Smart thermostat (installed) | $200–$500 | Device plus labor. Running a C-wire, which powers the thermostat, adds a little on older homes that do not have one. |
Central air conditioner (replacement)
$4,000–$8,000
Priced by tonnage and SEER2 rating. High-efficiency variable-speed condensers run above this range.
Gas furnace (replacement)
$3,800–$10,000
Driven by AFUE rating and BTU output. Upstate winters are mild, so many homes here need a smaller, lower-cost furnace than the national average.
Heat pump (ducted, air-source)
$5,000–$12,000
The most common choice for Upstate homes, because it heats and cools off one system in a climate that rarely sees deep cold. Variable-speed models run higher.
Full system (heating + cooling)
$8,000–$15,000
Matched AC and furnace, or a heat pump with an air handler. A 19 SEER2 variable-speed system typically runs in the high teens.
Ductless mini-split (single zone)
$4,000–$7,500
One indoor head, one outdoor unit. Built for additions, garages, sunrooms, and any room without duct. Mitsubishi or Durastar.
Ductless mini-split (multi-zone)
$6,500–$15,000+
Priced by how many indoor heads you need. Four or more zones, or a whole-home ductless system, runs above this range.
Ductwork (new or replacement)
$2,000–$12,000
Set by home layout and how much of the system is being replaced. We run even-size flex off a round snap-lock trunk, with two plenums per ducted system.
Air handler (replacement)
$4,000–$8,000
Pairs with a heat pump or AC condenser. The price covers a new evaporator coil and lineset work, not just the cabinet. Variable-speed models sit at the top of the range.
Smart thermostat (installed)
$200–$500
Device plus labor. Running a C-wire, which powers the thermostat, adds a little on older homes that do not have one.
Ranges cover equipment, labor, permits, and startup. Estimates on replacements are free, and your exact number comes from a look at your home.
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What a service call costs
Diagnostic visit
$85
One price: $85. A technician puts gauges on the system, runs a full performance test, finds the actual fault, and hands you a flat-rate quote before any work starts. Nights, weekends, and holidays cost the same $85. We do not charge overtime rates.
Repair pricing
Most of our air conditioning repairs run $150 to $1,500, and the average lands around $350 to $600. A worn capacitor is the cheap end. A failed compressor is the expensive end, and on an older system it usually points toward replacement instead. Our diagnostic is $85, and you get a flat-rate price before anyone turns a wrench.
| Service | Our price | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|
| Run capacitor replacement | $150–$400 | The most common AC repair we do. The spread comes from the capacitor itself: microfarad rating, single versus dual run, and whether it carries a longer parts warranty. We stock the better-warranty parts. |
| Condensate drain clearing | $129–$500 | A plugged drain line backs water up into the pan and trips the float switch, which shuts the system off. Cost depends on how far in the clog is and whether the pan or switch also needs work. |
| Condenser fan motor | $600–$1,300 | Replaces the outdoor fan that rejects heat. ECM and variable-speed motors sit at the top of the range. |
| Refrigerant leak search and recharge | $250–$1,500 | Two variables: how hard the leak is to find, and which refrigerant your system uses. R-22 is no longer manufactured and costs the most by a wide margin. R-410A is climbing as it phases out. R-454B is current. |
| Evaporator coil replacement | $600–$1,500+ | Labor-intensive, and it means opening the refrigerant circuit. On a system past 10 years, a failed coil is usually the signal to replace rather than repair. |
| Compressor replacement | $4,000–$5,500 | Our most expensive common repair, covering the part, labor, and refrigerant recovery and recharge. If the compressor is still under the manufacturer parts warranty, the part is covered and the job runs $1,500 to $2,500. |
Run capacitor replacement
$150–$400
The most common AC repair we do. The spread comes from the capacitor itself: microfarad rating, single versus dual run, and whether it carries a longer parts warranty. We stock the better-warranty parts.
Condensate drain clearing
$129–$500
A plugged drain line backs water up into the pan and trips the float switch, which shuts the system off. Cost depends on how far in the clog is and whether the pan or switch also needs work.
Condenser fan motor
$600–$1,300
Replaces the outdoor fan that rejects heat. ECM and variable-speed motors sit at the top of the range.
Refrigerant leak search and recharge
$250–$1,500
Two variables: how hard the leak is to find, and which refrigerant your system uses. R-22 is no longer manufactured and costs the most by a wide margin. R-410A is climbing as it phases out. R-454B is current.
Evaporator coil replacement
$600–$1,500+
Labor-intensive, and it means opening the refrigerant circuit. On a system past 10 years, a failed coil is usually the signal to replace rather than repair.
Compressor replacement
$4,000–$5,500
Our most expensive common repair, covering the part, labor, and refrigerant recovery and recharge. If the compressor is still under the manufacturer parts warranty, the part is covered and the job runs $1,500 to $2,500.
Furnace and heat pump repairs run $150 to $4,000 depending on the part. An igniter or a flame sensor is a same-visit fix at the low end. A cracked heat exchanger is the one that ends a furnace, because it leaks carbon monoxide and cannot be safely patched.
| Service | Our price | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|
| Furnace igniter | $150–$350 | A common furnace failure and a straightforward fix. Hot-surface igniters are brittle and fail on their own schedule. |
| Flame sensor | $200–$400 | A safety component that proves the burner lit. When it fouls, the furnace lights and shuts down seconds later, over and over. |
| Blower motor | $600–$1,500 | Moves air for both heating and cooling, so a dead blower takes out the whole system. Variable-speed ECM motors are at the top of the range. |
| Heat pump reversing valve | $500–$1,500 | Switches the system between heating and cooling. A stuck valve is why a heat pump blows cold in December. Replacing it means recovering and recharging refrigerant. |
| Gas valve | $400–$800 | Controls gas flow into the burner assembly. A safety part, and not one to defer. |
| Heat exchanger | $2,000–$4,000 | A cracked heat exchanger puts carbon monoxide into your air. We red-tag the furnace. On almost every system this age, replacing the furnace costs less than the repair and resets the warranty. |
Furnace igniter
$150–$350
A common furnace failure and a straightforward fix. Hot-surface igniters are brittle and fail on their own schedule.
Flame sensor
$200–$400
A safety component that proves the burner lit. When it fouls, the furnace lights and shuts down seconds later, over and over.
Blower motor
$600–$1,500
Moves air for both heating and cooling, so a dead blower takes out the whole system. Variable-speed ECM motors are at the top of the range.
Heat pump reversing valve
$500–$1,500
Switches the system between heating and cooling. A stuck valve is why a heat pump blows cold in December. Replacing it means recovering and recharging refrigerant.
Gas valve
$400–$800
Controls gas flow into the burner assembly. A safety part, and not one to defer.
Heat exchanger
$2,000–$4,000
A cracked heat exchanger puts carbon monoxide into your air. We red-tag the furnace. On almost every system this age, replacing the furnace costs less than the repair and resets the warranty.
Maintenance and tune-ups
A single tune-up is $129, heating or cooling. Our Total Comfort Membership is $197 a year, or $16 a month, and covers both visits plus priority scheduling, 10% off repairs, and 50% off trip fees. The membership costs less than two standalone tune-ups before any of the discounts. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that a neglected system loses efficiency every year it runs untended.
| Service | Our price | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|
| AC tune-up (single visit) | $129 | Full inspection, coil cleaning, refrigerant charge check, and performance test before cooling season. |
| Furnace or heat pump tune-up (single visit) | $129 | Same price as the AC tune-up. On a heat pump we check both heating and cooling modes, plus defrost operation. |
| Total Comfort Membership | $197/yr or $16/mo | Both seasonal visits, priority scheduling when everyone else is waiting, 10% off repairs, and 50% off trip fees. |
| Each additional system | $96/yr or $8/mo | For homes with two or more systems. Same coverage on every unit. |
| Air filter replacement | $79–$149 | Media filter, sized to your system. A clogged filter is the single most common cause of weak airflow, short cycling, and a frozen coil. |
AC tune-up (single visit)
$129
Full inspection, coil cleaning, refrigerant charge check, and performance test before cooling season.
Furnace or heat pump tune-up (single visit)
$129
Same price as the AC tune-up. On a heat pump we check both heating and cooling modes, plus defrost operation.
Total Comfort Membership
$197/yr or $16/mo
Both seasonal visits, priority scheduling when everyone else is waiting, 10% off repairs, and 50% off trip fees.
Each additional system
$96/yr or $8/mo
For homes with two or more systems. Same coverage on every unit.
Air filter replacement
$79–$149
Media filter, sized to your system. A clogged filter is the single most common cause of weak airflow, short cycling, and a frozen coil.
Maintenance is the cheapest line item on this page and it prevents the expensive ones. Two visits a year keeps the system at its rated efficiency and catches small failures before they strand you in July.
Efficiency and savings figures: U.S. Department of Energy.
Water heaters
A standard tank water heater is $1,500 to $3,000 installed. A tankless unit is $3,500 to $6,500, and a hybrid heat pump model is $3,000 to $7,000. Tank units last 10 to 12 years. Tankless and hybrid units last 15 to 20, which is where the higher up-front price comes back to you.
| Service | Our price | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|
| Tank water heater (installed) | $1,500–$3,000 | Gas or electric. Price set by tank size, fuel type, and whether the existing connections and venting meet current code. |
| Tankless water heater (installed) | $3,500–$6,500 | Endless hot water and a much smaller footprint. Gas models often need a larger gas line or new venting, which is where the top of the range comes from. |
| Heat pump (hybrid) water heater | $3,000–$7,000 | The most efficient option, pulling heat from the air instead of making it. Qualifies for a Duke Energy rebate in South Carolina. Needs a space with enough air volume around it. |
Tank water heater (installed)
$1,500–$3,000
Gas or electric. Price set by tank size, fuel type, and whether the existing connections and venting meet current code.
Tankless water heater (installed)
$3,500–$6,500
Endless hot water and a much smaller footprint. Gas models often need a larger gas line or new venting, which is where the top of the range comes from.
Heat pump (hybrid) water heater
$3,000–$7,000
The most efficient option, pulling heat from the air instead of making it. Qualifies for a Duke Energy rebate in South Carolina. Needs a space with enough air volume around it.
Standby generators
A whole-home standby generator is $14,000 to $18,000 installed for a 22 kilowatt unit, which is enough to run most homes including the HVAC. A smaller essential-circuits generator is $7,000 to $11,000, and a large home needing 26 kilowatts or more runs $18,000 to $25,000. The price covers the generator, the automatic transfer switch, the concrete pad, the fuel hookup, and the electrical work.
| Service | Our price | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|
| Essential-circuits generator (10–14 kW) | $7,000–$11,000 | Powers the circuits you cannot go without: refrigerator, furnace, well pump, key outlets and lights. Not the air conditioning. |
| Whole-home generator (22 kW) | $14,000–$18,000 | The size most homes land on. Runs HVAC, appliances, and the rest of the house without you managing what is on. |
| Large-home generator (26 kW+) | $18,000–$25,000 | For larger homes, two HVAC systems, or properties with heavy electrical loads like a shop or a pool. |
Essential-circuits generator (10–14 kW)
$7,000–$11,000
Powers the circuits you cannot go without: refrigerator, furnace, well pump, key outlets and lights. Not the air conditioning.
Whole-home generator (22 kW)
$14,000–$18,000
The size most homes land on. Runs HVAC, appliances, and the rest of the house without you managing what is on.
Large-home generator (26 kW+)
$18,000–$25,000
For larger homes, two HVAC systems, or properties with heavy electrical loads like a shop or a pool.
If your electrical panel needs upgrading to 100 or 200 amps to carry the transfer switch, that adds $1,000 to $3,000. We tell you whether you need it before you commit.
Repair or replace?
Multiply your system's age in years by the repair cost. If the result is over $5,000, replacement usually makes more financial sense than the repair. A 12-year-old system facing a $500 repair comes to $6,000, so that one is worth a replacement conversation. A 4-year-old system facing the same $500 repair comes to $2,000, so fix it. If a repair makes more sense than a replacement, we will tell you.
| System | Typical lifespan | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central air conditioner | 10–15 years | Seasonal use. A well-maintained unit can reach 20 years. |
| Gas furnace | 15–20 years | The longest-lived component. A cracked heat exchanger ends it early. |
| Heat pump | 10–15 years | Runs year-round in the Upstate, so it wears faster than a furnace does. |
| Tank water heater | 10–12 years | Tankless and hybrid models last 15 to 20 years. |
Lean toward replacement when
- The system is more than 10 to 15 years old
- The repair cost times the age is over $5,000
- Energy bills keep climbing season after season
- A cracked heat exchanger, failed compressor, or major refrigerant leak
- The system still uses R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer manufactured
Repair usually makes sense when
- The system is under 10 years old and still efficient
- The repair is a single affordable part
- The unit is still under manufacturer warranty
- It has been well maintained and runs reliably otherwise
Paying for it
Financing is available on system replacements through Synchrony Financial and Optimus Financial, including 0% interest options on approved credit. Terms run from 12 months to 10 years. We do not add a surcharge for financing, so the quoted price is the price whether you pay up front or monthly.
No surcharge for financing
Some contractors quote one price for cash and a higher one for financing. We do not. Monthly payments are fixed at the start of the term, with no balloon payment and no variable rate. Most applicants get a decision the same day.
See financing optionsRebates and incentives in 2026
Federal and local incentives lower the real cost of a new high-efficiency system. The picture changed in 2026, so it is worth knowing what still applies before you buy. We confirm what you qualify for during the visit and file the Duke Energy paperwork for you.
Federal 25C tax credit
ExpiredThe federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C), which offered up to $2,000 on qualifying heat pumps, expired on December 31, 2025. Equipment installed in 2026 and later no longer qualifies.
Geothermal heat pump credit
30% (no cap)The federal credit for qualifying geothermal heat pump systems remains in place at 30 percent of cost with no dollar cap. It is one of the few federal HVAC incentives still available.
Duke Energy Smart $aver rebates (SC)
$200–$900Duke Energy offers South Carolina customers rebates on qualifying high-efficiency heat pumps, air conditioners, and mini-splits. Amounts depend on the equipment and your existing system.
Duke Energy conversion rebates (SC)
Up to $2,500Switching from electric strip heat to a heat pump, dual-fuel, or geothermal system earns the largest Duke rebates, because the energy savings are the largest.
Sources: IRS (25C credit status), ENERGY STAR (federal credits), and Duke Energy Smart $aver (South Carolina rebates).
How we price our work
First Class prices flat-rate. We quote the job before we start, so you know the number up front and it does not move because the work ran long or the part was in an awkward spot. We do not charge overtime rates for evenings, weekends, or holidays. Estimates on system replacements are free, and every install carries a 3-year labor warranty. If a repair makes more sense than a replacement, we will tell you. If your system is past its prime, we will lay out the options and let you decide.
Quote before work
You approve the price before we begin.
No overtime rates
Nights and weekends cost the same.
Free replacement estimates
No cost to find out what a new system runs.
Where these numbers come from
The prices on this page come from our own price book, current as of August 2026. They are what we quote Upstate homeowners, not a national average and not a competitor's estimate. We update them when our costs change. The efficiency, lifespan, and rebate figures cited on the page come from the public sources below.
- U.S. Department of Energy: Maintenance efficiency loss and repair-vs-replace guidance (2025)
- ENERGY STAR: Equipment efficiency ratings and federal program details (2025)
- IRS: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) expiration (2025)
- Duke Energy Smart $aver: South Carolina HVAC rebate amounts (chart dated August 2025)
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