The same symptom can have a cheap cause or an expensive one. An air conditioner that will not cool might need a capacitor or a compressor; a furnace that will not light might need a flame sensor cleaned or a new control board. These guides give typical ranges for the most common heating and cooling jobs in San Jose, what pushes a job to the low or high end, and how to get a firm price.
Typical ranges at a glance
| Job | Typical range | Full guide |
|---|---|---|
| AC repair | $150–$650 | AC repair cost |
| Furnace repair | $150–$500 | Furnace repair cost |
| Emergency service | $150–$500 | Emergency HVAC cost |
| Maintenance visit | $80–$200 | HVAC maintenance cost |
| Air duct cleaning | $300–$700 | Duct cleaning cost |
| Thermostat installation | $200–$400 | Thermostat installation cost |
| Mini-split installation | $3,500–$12,000 | Mini-split installation cost |
| Heat pump installation | $5,000–$18,000 | Heat pump installation cost |
| Central AC installation | $4,500–$12,000 and up | AC installation |
For a repair, the low end is usually one inexpensive part found and replaced on the first visit. The high end means motors, refrigerant leak work, control boards or equipment that is hard to reach in an attic or crawlspace. For a new system, the spread reflects size and scope: a single-zone mini-split sits near the bottom of its range, and a whole-house variable-speed system with duct and electrical work sits near the top of its range.
What moves the price
- The house: square footage and layout, the number of stories, insulation, the condition of the ducts and how easy the equipment is to reach.
- The equipment: its capacity, its efficiency rating (SEER2 for cooling, AFUE for furnaces), single-stage or variable-speed operation, the brand and line, and the warranty that comes with it.
- The installation: electrical upgrades such as a new circuit for a heat pump, permits, removal of the old equipment and the season. Spring and fall are easier to schedule than a heat wave.
- San Jose specifics: local labor rates and code requirements, and older homes that need duct or electrical work before new equipment goes in.
How to get a firm price
Repairs start with a diagnosis. You see the price before any work begins, with no hidden fees, and the diagnostic fee is waived if you go ahead with the repair.
New systems and replacements get a free estimate. A useful estimate names the exact outdoor and indoor equipment, the efficiency rating of that pair, and what is included: permit, duct work, electrical work and removal of the old unit. When you compare quotes, compare the same scope, not only the total. For a furnace replacement, see furnace installation.
Maintenance costs far less than most repairs and catches weak parts before they fail on the hottest afternoon. Maintenance plans book the visits for you.
Repair or replace?
When a repair on older equipment approaches a meaningful share of a new system, ask whether to replace it at all. The repair-or-replace guide works through the age of the system, the repair history and the cost with a worked example.