Every calculator on Cost of Owning gives you a range, not a single number. Home project prices genuinely vary by region, contractor, season and the details of your house, and a single “average” hides that. This page explains how our ranges are built.
What a range includes
Unless a calculator says otherwise, an installed-cost range covers:
- Equipment or materials at typical retail and contractor pricing
- Labor for a standard installation, reflecting the spread between lower-cost and higher-cost US regions
- Common extras that most jobs need (mounting, line sets, basic electrical hookups, disposal)
It does not include unusual work such as panel upgrades, structural changes, permits in high-fee cities, or repairs discovered once a job starts.
Where the numbers come from
We build ranges from manufacturer list prices, published contractor pricing, utility and government efficiency program data, and the rules of thumb installers use for sizing. Ranges are reviewed and updated as prices move; each calculator shows when it was last updated.
How to use the estimates
- Use the calculator to understand the ballpark and what drives the price.
- Get at least three written quotes from licensed, insured contractors.
- If a quote falls far outside our range, ask the contractor to explain the difference — there is often a good reason, and sometimes there isn’t.
Limits
Our calculators are planning tools, not quotes or professional advice. Sizing rules of thumb are not a substitute for a proper load calculation, and safety-related work (gas, electrical, refrigerant) should always be done by qualified professionals.
Spotted a number that looks off for your area? Tell us — reader feedback is how we keep ranges honest.