Heat Pump Installation
New ducted and inverter heat pumps sized to your Pasadena home, with permits, line sets, electrical and duct checks included in the quote.
Learn moreSystems & Commercial in Pasadena, CA
Full HVAC system replacement in Pasadena, matched and permitted
Furnace, coil and condenser or a heat pump replaced together as a matched system, with duct testing and the city permit handled.
- Answering 24/7
- Price quoted before work
- Pasadena and nearby cities
Quick answer
A full HVAC system replacement swaps the indoor unit, the coil and the outdoor unit together so they are matched and rated to work as one system. In 2026 that also means new A2L refrigerant equipment, a city permit and often a duct leakage test under California's Title 24 rules. Typical Pasadena prices run $11,487 to $24,893 depending on system type and ducts. Call (626) 879-0711.
Full HVAC System Replacement
What full hvac system replacement covers at your home
When a furnace is 20 years old and the AC uses R-22, or an aging R-410A system starts leaking, replacing one piece at a time stops making sense. A new outdoor unit bolted to an old indoor coil rarely performs to its rating, and a new furnace paired with a tired AC means two service lives that do not line up. A full replacement installs the indoor and outdoor equipment as a matched set, rated together, with new or properly flushed line sets, new controls, and a duct system checked to carry the airflow the new equipment needs.
Marco's does the whole job with our own crew: load calculation, equipment selection, removal of the old units, refrigerant recovery, installation, the permit and the inspections that come with it. We explain the choices plainly, including whether a heat pump makes sense for your house instead of a furnace and AC. Every option comes with a written price before work starts. Call (626) 879-0711 to schedule a home visit.
Warning signs
Signs it is time to replace the whole system
Both units are past 15 years
When the furnace and the AC are both well into their second decade, a repair on one usually buys a season or two before the other fails. Replacing together saves a second installation and matches the parts.
The system still uses R-22
R-22 has not been produced for years, and recharging it costs more each season. A leaking R-22 system is usually a replacement, not a repair, because newer refrigerants cannot be added to it.
Repairs keep stacking up
A compressor failure, a cracked heat exchanger or a failed evaporator coil on an older system often costs a large share of a new one. Add up the last few repair bills before deciding.
Rooms never get comfortable
If the house never reaches the setpoint on hot afternoons even after repairs, the system may have been undersized, or the ducts may be the real problem. Replacement is the time to fix both.
Bills rise every summer
Older single-stage systems lose efficiency as coils foul and parts wear. Steady increases on PWP or SCE bills without a change in use point to a system working harder for the same comfort.
Rebuilding or adding on
Major remodels, a second story or rebuilding after fire damage change the heating and cooling load. The old system was sized for a different house and should be resized from scratch.
Why indoor and outdoor units need to match
An air conditioner or heat pump is rated as a system: a specific outdoor unit paired with a specific indoor coil and blower. The efficiency rating, the capacity and the manufacturer's equipment warranty depend on that match. Put a new condenser on an old coil and the metering device, coil size and refrigerant may not line up, so the system runs short of capacity, frosts the coil or overheats the compressor. We select equipment as a matched set listed together by the manufacturer, and we register it so the manufacturer's warranty is on file.
Matching also means the blower can move the right airflow. Many newer furnaces and air handlers have variable-speed blowers that adjust to duct pressure, which helps in older homes with small ducts. We size the system with a load calculation that looks at insulation, windows, orientation and air leakage, not just square footage or the size of the old unit.
The A2L refrigerant change in 2026
Air conditioners and heat pumps made for the US market now use newer refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32 in place of R-410A. These are classed A2L, which means mildly flammable, and the equipment is designed with leak detection sensors and other safeguards built around that. For homeowners, the practical points are simple: new systems use a different refrigerant, the installer follows updated handling and installation rules, and parts for older R-410A systems will gradually cost more to service.
Line sets are another decision. The copper lines between the indoor and outdoor units can sometimes be reused after flushing and pressure testing, if they are the right size and in good condition. Lines that run through a slab, are kinked, or were sized for a smaller system get replaced. We pressure test with nitrogen and pull a deep vacuum before charging, whatever the refrigerant.
- New matched outdoor unit and indoor coil rated for A2L refrigerant
- Leak detection sensor wired in wherever the manufacturer requires one
- Line set flushed and reused only after a nitrogen pressure test passes
- Old refrigerant recovered into a recovery cylinder, never vented to the air
Ducts, Title 24 testing and the permit
California's Title 24 energy rules can require a duct leakage test when a furnace, AC or heat pump is replaced in an existing home, and the ducts may need sealing if leakage is above the allowed level. A third-party rater verifies the result in many cases. In older homes with original attic ducts, failing the first test is common, so we test early and seal before the final verification instead of finding out at the end.
We handle the permit where the city requires one, which covers nearly every system replacement in Pasadena and the surrounding cities. The inspector checks gas lines, electrical disconnects, the condensate drain, clearances and the equipment installation. If the ducts are crushed, disconnected or too small, we tell you before installation and price duct repair or replacement separately.
Furnace and AC, or a heat pump?
Many Pasadena homeowners now choose a heat pump in place of a gas furnace and AC. A heat pump cools like an air conditioner and heats by moving outdoor heat inside, which works well in a climate where winter nights usually stay in the 30s and 40s. It removes the gas furnace, which matters to some households, and can qualify for state incentives when funding is open. A gas furnace with an AC still makes sense for some homes, especially where the electrical panel would need a costly upgrade. We price both so you can compare.
Step by step
How a full replacement project runs
- 1
Home assessment
We inspect the existing equipment, ducts, electrical panel, gas line and attic or closet space, then run a load calculation to size the new system for your house as it is now.
- 2
Written options
You get matched system options with model numbers, efficiency ratings and prices, with any duct, electrical or permit work listed separately, so nothing is added later without your approval.
- 3
Removal and recovery
Old refrigerant is recovered, the old equipment is disconnected and hauled away, and the area is prepared, including a new pad or platform for the outdoor unit if needed.
- 4
Installation day
New indoor and outdoor units go in, line sets are flushed or replaced, pressure tested and evacuated, then wiring, gas, venting and the condensate drain are connected and checked.
- 5
Startup and inspection
We charge and commission the system, measure airflow and temperatures, complete the duct test, and meet the city inspector. Then we show you the thermostat and the filter.
Typical prices
What full HVAC system replacement costs in Pasadena
Replacement prices depend on system type, efficiency, size, access and how much duct or electrical work the house needs. These are typical 2026 ranges in the Pasadena area for a single-family home. The final price comes after a home assessment, and we quote it in writing before we start the work.
| Job | Typical range | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace and AC, standard efficiency | $11,487 to $16,293 | Matched furnace, coil and condenser with permit, startup and duct test |
| Gas furnace and AC, two-stage or variable-speed | $15,437 to $21,879 | Quieter, steadier comfort and better humidity control on long summer runs |
| Ducted heat pump with air handler | $13,689 to $24,893 | Replaces furnace and AC, may need electrical work, incentives sometimes available |
| Duct sealing to pass Title 24 testing | $687 to $2,341 | Sealing joints, boots and plenums in attic ductwork before verification |
| Full attic duct replacement | $5,987 to $11,237 | New insulated ducts sized for the new system's airflow |
Tight attics, rooftop or hillside access, a crane lift, electrical panel upgrades and long line set runs add cost. Higher efficiency equipment costs more upfront. Ask about current PWP, SCE or SoCalGas rebates and state heat pump incentives when funding is open. Compare other jobs in our Pasadena HVAC price guide.
System replacement in Pasadena homes
Pasadena's housing makes replacement more than a box swap. Many Craftsman and Spanish Revival homes got central air decades after they were built, with ducts squeezed through low attics and furnaces in closets that were never meant to hold one. Postwar ranch homes often have the furnace in the garage or hall and the outdoor unit in a narrow side yard close to the neighbors. New equipment may be larger than the old, and setback and noise rules for outdoor units can matter, so we check placement before ordering anything.
The Eaton Fire in January 2025 changed the picture for many families in Altadena and along the edges of Pasadena and Sierra Madre. Some homes that are still standing had smoke and ash pulled through their ducts, and others are being rebuilt from the foundation up. For a rebuild, the system should be designed with the new house plans, including duct layout and electrical service. For homes with smoke-exposed ducts, we inspect and clean or replace them before connecting new equipment.
Related work
Often booked with full hvac system replacement
Ductwork Replacement
New attic ductwork sized for your rooms and equipment, sealed with mastic and leak tested before we call the job done.
Learn moreFurnace Replacement
An old furnace swapped for a right-sized new one in the same attic, closet or garage, with venting, ducts and permit handled.
Learn moreAC Replacement
Swap a worn-out air conditioner for a correctly sized SEER2 system, with duct testing and permit work handled in one job.
Learn moreWhere we do full hvac system replacement
Our technicians handle this work all over Pasadena and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley. A few of the places we cover:
Questions
Full HVAC System Replacement questions from Pasadena homeowners
You can keep a furnace that is in good condition and fairly new, and replace only the AC and coil. The coil must match the new outdoor unit, and the furnace blower must deliver the airflow it needs. If the furnace is more than about 15 years old, replacing both at once usually costs less overall than two separate jobs a few years apart, and it lines up the service life of both pieces.
New air conditioners and heat pumps use A2L refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32 instead of R-410A. You cannot mix them, so a new outdoor unit needs a matching A2L coil, not your old one. The equipment includes safety features such as leak sensors, and installers follow updated rules. Your existing R-410A system can still be repaired, but parts and refrigerant may get more expensive over time.
In many cases, yes. California's Title 24 rules can require ducts to be tested for leakage when heating or cooling equipment is replaced, with results verified by a third-party rater. Some exceptions apply, such as very short duct runs in unconditioned space or ducts with asbestos insulation. We test early, seal leaks before the verification visit, and include that work in the written price so it is not a surprise.
Most single-family replacements take one to two days of installation. Duct replacement, an electrical panel upgrade or moving equipment to a new location can add a day or two. Permit scheduling and the final inspection happen after that. We plan the work so you are not without heat or cooling overnight when possible, which matters during heat waves and on cold January nights.
Many rebuilding families choose a heat pump because the house is being designed from scratch, so the electrical service, duct layout and equipment can be planned together. A variable-speed heat pump handles Altadena's hot summers and cool foothill nights well. Some families still prefer gas heat. We review the plans, run a load calculation for the new house, and price both options so you can decide.
Need heat or cooling back today?
Call our Pasadena line any hour. A person answers, asks a few questions about the system, and gives you an arrival window.
(626) 879-0711Answering 24 hours, 7 days