CostInMyCity

Columbus, OH / HVAC replacement

HVAC replacement cost in Columbus, OH

Average $7,500; common $5,000–$12,500; up to $22,000 with new ductwork. Central AC $3,900–$7,900; gas furnace $3,800–$10,000; heat pump $4,200–$7,600; labor about $1,500.

Labor for HVAC replacement in Columbus, OH is indexed to the BLS construction-and-extraction occupations mean hourly wage for Columbus, OH of $33.55 (May 2025), applied to the 30% labor share.

Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services (BZS) is the issuing office. The typical permit fee recorded from Columbus BZS 2026 Combined Development Related Fee Schedule, retrieved 2026-09-01, is $275. Fee model: flat.

The national typical for this job is $7,500. Materials stay at the national figure while labor is wage-indexed for Columbus, OH.

Typical all-in

$7,925

Job cost plus the recorded local permit fee at this size.

Low
$5,240
Typical
$7,925
High
$22,715

Breakdown

Labor (allocated)$2,295
Materials (allocated)$5,355
Job subtotal$7,650
Permit$275
All-in typical$7,925

Labor is adjusted for construction wages in this metro. Materials stay at the national figure. This is an estimate, not a contractor quote.

Permit fee

Fee model
Flat fee
Typical fee
$275
Range
$140 – $275
Retrieved
2026-09-01
  • Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (2 inspections) — $275Typical/high. Included.
  • Minor Work Permit (1 inspection) — $140Low, only if the job is on the Approved Minor Work Permit List.

Low minor-work $140. Typical/high MEP $275.

C.C. 4113.63 requires a warm-air heating/ventilation permit to replace a heating unit. Like-for-like 3-ton uses the MEP $275 line unless listed as minor work.

Columbus BZS 2026 Combined Development Related Fee Schedule

Citations

  1. How Much Does HVAC Replacement Cost? [2026 Data] Retrieved Aug 12, 2026. Average $7,500; $5,000–$22,000; labor about $1,500; national permit range $50–$500 (not city-specific).
  2. Columbus BZS 2026 Combined Development Related Fee Schedule Retrieved Aug 31, 2026. C.C. 4113.63 requires a warm-air heating/ventilation permit to replace a heating unit. Like-for-like 3-ton uses the MEP $275 line unless listed as minor work.
  3. BLS OEWS construction wages — Columbus, OH BLS OEWS construction-and-extraction mean hourly wage / national same vintage, applied to laborShare only. Not a city-specific bid survey.

Other projects in Columbus

HVAC replacement in other cities