HVAC Tune-Up Cost — AC & Furnace (2026)
Updated October 2026
An AC tune-up runs $65–$200 per visit (about $133 average, This Old House), and a furnace tune-up runs $70–$200 depending on fuel (Bob Vila). The spread you'll see between quotes reflects service level — a basic checkup and a complete-care visit are different jobs — and the add-ons (coil cleaning, refrigerant recharge, duct cleaning) are priced separately.
Tune-up cost at a glance (per visit)
| Job | What it costs | Source |
|---|---|---|
| AC tune-up, overall | $65–$200 (avg $133); Today's Homeowner basic $175–$350, premium up to $550 | This Old House; Today's Homeowner |
| AC tune-up, central system | $85–$200 (avg $143) | This Old House |
| AC tune-up, by service level | basic $80–$300; mid-level $300–$450; complete $450–$550 | Today's Homeowner |
| Furnace tune-up, overall | $70–$200 (typical $100–$200) | Bob Vila; This Old House |
| Furnace tune-up, by fuel | gas $80–$170; oil $100–$200; electric $70–$130 | Bob Vila |
| Heat pump / mini-split | heat pump $80–$350; mini-split $200–$550 | Today's Homeowner; This Old House |
| Annual maintenance plan | $120–$360/yr (1–2 visits, 10–20% repair discounts); furnace plans $150–$500/yr | This Old House; Bob Vila |
Get local quotes
A national range is a planning number, not a price. Compare free written quotes from local HVAC pros — same scope, same materials — before you commit.
Get HVAC quotes near youWhy two “tune-ups” can differ by 4×
Today's Homeowner prices the visit by service level: a basic checkup ($80–$300), a mid-level visit ($300–$450), and complete care ($450–$550). When a $79 “tune-up special” and a $400 quote are on the same street, they are usually not the same job — compare the checklist below to what each quote includes before comparing prices.
What's included (the checklist)
- Inspect/replace the air filter; clean condenser coils; flush the condensate drain line
- Test electrical connections, capacitors, and contactors; lubricate moving parts
- Calibrate the thermostat and test airflow; check refrigerant pressures
- Furnace visits add: burner/flame-sensor/heat-exchanger check, fuel-line service (gas/oil), blower check, ignition and safety-control test, carbon-monoxide check, and a written report
Scope corroborated by both This Old House and Today's Homeowner (cooling) and Bob Vila (heating).
Add-ons priced separately
| Add-on | Cost |
|---|---|
| Condenser / evaporator coil cleaning | $100–$400 |
| Refrigerant recharge (check is included; recharge is not) | $200–$500 |
| Drain-line cleaning | $75–$200 |
| Pro filter replacement add-on (a filter itself is $10–$30) | $75–$200 |
| Thermostat replacement | $100–$600 |
| Duct cleaning (separate job) | $250–$1,000 |
| Repairs discovered during a furnace tune-up | $100–$600 |
All bands from This Old House and Today's Homeowner (cooling) and Bob Vila (heating), kept per-source and per-scope — never averaged.
DIY vs pro
Both cooling-side sources recommend DIY service for window and portable units — professional service isn't cost-effective there — and a professional tune-up for central systems, heat pumps, and mini-splits. Labor is most of the visit cost: Bob Vila prices furnace tune-up labor at $75–$125/hr for 1–2 hours (after-hours emergency rates $140–$210/hr).
The repair-vs-replace line
Bob Vila's working threshold: if the repairs a furnace needs add up to more than 30% of the cost of a new furnace, replacement is often the better investment. See our HVAC replacement cost page for the installed bands and the furnace & AC replacement article for the line items.
FAQ
How much does an AC tune-up cost?
Typically $65–$200 per visit (about $133 average per This Old House). Service-level bands from Today's Homeowner run $80–$300 basic, $300–$450 mid-level, and $450–$550 complete care.
How much does a furnace tune-up cost?
$70–$200 per visit (Bob Vila; typical band $100–$200). By fuel: gas $80–$170, oil $100–$200, electric $70–$130.
Are annual HVAC maintenance plans worth it?
Plans commonly run $120–$360/yr for one or two visits (spring AC + fall furnace) and often include 10–20% repair discounts; furnace-specific plans run $150–$500/yr (Bob Vila). Whether it pencils out depends on your repair history — the plan buys scheduled visits, not immunity from repairs.
Is a tune-up the same as an inspection?
No. Bob Vila prices a standard furnace inspection at $70–$130 (component check + report) and an advanced inspection at $130–$200 — the advanced tier adds the full tune-up work, filter changes, and a diagnostic report.
Sources
- This Old House — HVAC maintenance cost (AC tune-up by type/level, coil cleaning, filter, refrigerant, maintenance-plan bands)
- Today's Homeowner — AC tune-up cost (service-level bands $80–$550, heat pump, mini-split, maintenance-plan ref)
- Bob Vila — Furnace tune-up cost ($70–$200 by fuel, standard vs advanced inspection, $75–$125/hr labor, repair-vs-replace 30% rule)