HVAC Quote Comparison Calculator
Put up to four contractor quotes side by side and compare price per ton, yearly cooling electricity and total cost over the years you expect to keep the system.
Method reviewed October 25, 2026. Version 1.0.0. How it works
Result
- Quote with the lowest total
- 3
- Its price + electricity over the period
- $16,538
Over 12 years, quote 3 has the lowest price plus cooling electricity: about $16,538.
- Cost is only part of the comparison. Check that each quote is sized from a load calculation, and compare what is included: permits, removal, duct work, thermostat and the labour warranty.
Price + 12 years of cooling electricity
- Quote 1
- $17,745
- Quote 2
- $19,224
- Quote 3
- $16,538
Cooling electricity per year
- Quote 1
- $520
- Quote 2
- $452
- Quote 3
- $553
Installed price per ton
- Quote 1
- $3,833
- Quote 2
- $4,600
- Quote 3
- $3,300
Show the working
- Quote 1$11,500 + 12 × $520/yr (3 t, SEER2 15.2) = $17,745; 2-year labour warranty
- Quote 2$13,800 + 12 × $452/yr (3 t, SEER2 17.5) = $19,224; 10-year labour warranty
- Quote 3$9,900 + 12 × $553/yr (3 t, SEER2 14.3) = $16,538; 1-year labour warranty
Compare the total, not just the price
A cheaper quote with a lower SEER2 rating can cost more over the life of the system, and a higher-efficiency quote does not always pay back. For each quote, the calculator works out the yearly cooling electricity from its size and SEER2 rating, then adds the installed price to that electricity over the years you enter. The lowest total is highlighted. The labour warranty is shown alongside, because a short one shifts repair risk to you.
What to check before comparing numbers
- Are the quotes the same size? If one contractor quoted a different size, ask what load calculation it was based on.
- What is included: permits, removal and disposal, duct sealing or repairs, a new thermostat, a pad, line set, electrical work?
- Is the system an AHRI-matched combination of outdoor and indoor units? The rated SEER2 applies only to matched systems.
- Who handles warranty registration, and how long does labour coverage last?
Worked example
These are the example values the calculator opens with, and the result the engine calculates for them.
Inputs
- Number of quotes
- 3 quotes
- Full-load cooling hours per year
- 1,200 h
- Electricity price
- 0.183 $/kWh
- Years you expect to keep the system
- 12
- Quote 1: installed price
- 11,500 $
- Quote 1: cooling size
- 3 tons
- Quote 1: SEER2
- 15.2
- Quote 1: labour warranty (years)
- 2
- Quote 2: installed price
- 13,800 $
- Quote 2: cooling size
- 3 tons
- Quote 2: SEER2
- 17.5
- Quote 2: labour warranty (years)
- 10
- Quote 3: installed price
- 9,900 $
- Quote 3: cooling size
- 3 tons
- Quote 3: SEER2
- 14.3
- Quote 3: labour warranty (years)
- 1
Result
- Quote with the lowest total
- 3
- Its price + electricity over the period
- $16,538
Over 12 years, quote 3 has the lowest price plus cooling electricity: about $16,538.
Assumptions
- Cooling electricity per year = tons × 12,000 × full-load hours ÷ SEER2 ÷ 1,000 × price. Heating, maintenance and financing are not included.
- Money is not discounted over time (no interest or inflation).
Limitations
- Rated SEER2 assumes a proper installation. A cheaper quote that skips the load calculation, duct fixes or commissioning can cost more in the end.
Frequently asked questions
What is a reasonable price per ton?
It varies widely by region, equipment tier and how much work the job involves, so we do not publish a typical figure. Price per ton is useful for comparing quotes for the same house, not for judging a single quote.
Does this include heating costs?
No. It compares cooling electricity only, which is the main running-cost difference between AC quotes. To compare heat pump quotes, use the Annual Operating Cost Calculator for each one.
Why is money not discounted over time?
To keep the comparison transparent. With modest interest and electricity-price changes, the ranking between quotes rarely changes, and simple totals are easier to check.
Sources
- 2023 Central Air Conditioner Standards — FAQ — U.S. DOE, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Regional SEER2 / EER2 / HSPF2 minimum efficiencies effective 2023.
- Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A — average price to ultimate customers — U.S. Energy Information Administration. U.S. residential electricity price, 18.31 ¢/kWh in July 2026.
- Manual J Load Calculations vs. Rules of Thumb — ACCA HVAC Blog (A. Bailes). Square feet per ton is not a sizing method; Manual J results commonly exceed 1,000 ft² per ton.
Spotted an error? Report a problem with this calculator — see our corrections policy.