HVAC Installation and Replacement | Franklin County HVAC | Franklin County, OH
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New furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and complete system replacements for homes and businesses

Franklin County HVAC helps homeowners, landlords, and business owners across Franklin County, Ohio, plan and complete HVAC installation and system replacement. That includes new gas furnaces, central air conditioners, heat pumps, ductless mini splits, and commercial equipment. A good installation starts with proper sizing and an honest look at your ductwork, not a quick swap of the old unit. Schedule a conversation about your project, or call (614) 418-6074.

Key takeaways

  • Proper sizing comes from a load calculation, not from the size of the old unit or square footage alone.
  • Replacement cost depends on equipment type, size, efficiency, ductwork, electrical and venting work, and permits.
  • A straightforward residential replacement may take about a day, while ductwork changes and commercial projects take longer.
  • The federal 25C tax credit for qualifying heating and cooling equipment ended on December 31, 2025, so check current utility rebates instead.

What types of HVAC systems can be installed?

The right system depends on the building, the fuel available, the existing ductwork, and your comfort and budget goals. These are the most common options in central Ohio:

  • Gas furnace with central air conditioning: the most common setup in Franklin County homes. The furnace heats, and the outdoor AC unit cools through the same ductwork.
  • Heat pump: heats and cools with one outdoor unit by moving heat rather than burning fuel. Modern cold-climate models can handle Ohio winters, often with backup electric heat.
  • Dual-fuel system: a heat pump paired with a gas furnace. The heat pump runs in milder weather, and the furnace takes over in deep cold.
  • Ductless mini split: wall or ceiling units connected to an outdoor unit without ductwork. A practical fit for additions, finished attics, garages, and older homes with radiators.
  • Commercial rooftop units and split systems: packaged equipment for offices, retail stores, restaurants, and warehouses.

When should you replace your HVAC system?

Replacement is worth considering when equipment is aging, keeps breaking down, or no longer keeps the building comfortable. Common triggers include:

  • A major failure, such as a compressor or a cracked furnace heat exchanger
  • Several repairs in the last few seasons
  • Rising energy bills without a change in how you use the system
  • Rooms that are always too hot or too cold, or poor humidity control in summer
  • A renovation, addition, or change in how the building is used
  • Buying or selling a property where the HVAC system is near the end of its life

If the furnace and air conditioner are both older, replacing them together usually avoids mismatched equipment and a second installation a few years later.

How is the right HVAC system size determined?

The right size comes from a load calculation that measures how much heating and cooling the building actually needs. Manual J is the common residential method. It accounts for the home’s size, insulation, windows, air leakage, orientation, and the local climate.

Sizing matters because:

  • An oversized system turns on and off in short bursts, wastes energy, wears out parts faster, and leaves humidity behind in summer.
  • An undersized system runs constantly and struggles during the coldest and hottest days.

Many older homes were fitted with equipment sized by rule of thumb, and insulation or window upgrades since then may have changed the load. Ask any installer whether the quote is based on a load calculation.

What happens during an HVAC installation?

  1. Consultation and assessment. Discuss your goals, then inspect the existing equipment, ductwork, venting, electrical service, and the space.
  2. Load calculation and equipment options. Review system types, sizes, efficiency ratings, and price ranges side by side.
  3. Written proposal. The estimate should list the equipment, scope of work, permits, timeline, and warranty terms.
  4. Permits and scheduling. Many jurisdictions require mechanical permits and inspections for equipment replacement. Requirements vary by city and township.
  5. Removal and installation. Old equipment is disconnected and removed, and the new system is set, connected, and sealed.
  6. Startup and testing. The system is started, refrigerant charge and airflow are checked, and safety controls are verified.
  7. Walkthrough. You learn how to use the thermostat, change the filter, and keep the system maintained.

How much does HVAC replacement cost in Franklin County?

HVAC replacement cost varies too much to quote without seeing the property. The total depends on:

  • System type: a furnace alone, an AC alone, a complete split system, a heat pump, or a dual-fuel setup
  • Capacity and efficiency: higher AFUE furnaces and higher SEER2 air conditioners and heat pumps cost more upfront but use less energy
  • Ductwork: repairs, sealing, resizing, or new duct runs
  • Electrical and venting: new circuits, disconnects, or PVC venting for high-efficiency furnaces
  • Refrigerant line set: whether existing lines can be reused or must be replaced
  • Access and labor: attics, crawlspaces, tight closets, and rooftop cranes for commercial units
  • Permits and inspections required by the local jurisdiction

An on-site evaluation is the most reliable way to get an accurate number for a home in Grove City, Columbus, Reynoldsburg, or anywhere else in the county.

What changed for HVAC rebates and refrigerants?

Two recent changes affect HVAC replacement decisions.

Federal tax credits. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C), which covered qualifying heat pumps, central air conditioners, and furnaces, ended for property placed in service after December 31, 2025, under the 2025 federal budget law. Utility and local rebate programs may still be available, so check with your electric and gas utilities before buying. ENERGY STAR keeps a rebate finder for current offers.

Refrigerants. New residential air conditioners and heat pumps increasingly use lower global-warming-potential refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32. In May 2026, EPA finalized a rule removing the January 1, 2026, installation deadline for residential systems that use higher-GWP refrigerants like R-410A, but only for equipment made or imported before 2025. Ask which refrigerant a proposed system uses, and consider how service and refrigerant costs may change over its life.

Who needs HVAC installation or replacement?

  • Homeowners replacing aging furnaces and air conditioners, often after a fall breakdown or a summer heat wave.
  • Real estate investors renovating homes across Southwest Columbus and Prairie Township who need a reliable system before resale or rental.
  • Landlords and apartment owners planning replacements across multiple units to reduce emergency calls.
  • Owners of older homes in neighborhoods like German Village, where ductless systems can add cooling without major demolition.
  • Businesses in Columbus, from offices near Easton to warehouses in the Rickenbacker area, replacing rooftop units or planning new commercial installations.

How do you compare HVAC installation quotes?

Comparing quotes on price alone can be misleading. Check that each estimate includes:

  • A load calculation, not just matching the old unit’s size
  • Exact equipment model numbers and efficiency ratings
  • Ductwork, electrical, venting, and line set work spelled out
  • Permits and inspections
  • Equipment and labor warranty terms in writing
  • Removal and disposal of old equipment

Ohio licenses HVAC contractors through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board, and you can check a license status through the state’s eLicense portal. Many localities also require registration and permits.

FAQs

How long does HVAC installation take? A straightforward residential equipment replacement may take about a day. Complex installations, ductwork changes, new heat pump systems, and commercial projects may take longer.

How much does furnace replacement cost in Columbus, Ohio? Furnace replacement cost depends on the furnace’s size and efficiency rating, venting and gas line needs, ductwork condition, permits, and labor access. An on-site evaluation is the most reliable way to get an accurate estimate.

How much does HVAC replacement cost in Grove City, Ohio? It depends on system type, size, efficiency, ductwork, electrical work, and permits. A load calculation and on-site inspection give the most accurate estimate for a specific Grove City home.

Are heat pumps suitable for Ohio winters? Modern cold-climate heat pumps can perform well in Ohio, although system selection, sizing, and backup heating requirements should be evaluated for the property. A dual-fuel setup with a gas furnace is another option.

Is heat pump installation available in Dublin and Grove City? Yes. Heat pump and ductless mini split installation is available in Dublin, Grove City, and throughout Franklin County. Part of Dublin extends into neighboring counties, so confirm availability for your address.

Can I still get a federal tax credit for a new heat pump or furnace? The federal 25C credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. Utility or local rebates may still apply, so check current programs before you buy.

Related Topics

Related Resources

Sources

  • Honkamp, “Impact of the One Beautiful Bill Act on Residential Energy Credits,” 2025: https://www.honkamp.com/insights/article/impact-of-the-one-beautiful-bill-act-on-residential-energy-credits/
  • ACHR News, “EPA Removes R-410A Installation Deadline,” May 2026: https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166226-epa-removes-r-410a-installation-deadline

Planning an HVAC Installation or Replacement?

Exploring a new heating or cooling system? Schedule a conversation about your project and the available next steps, or call (614) 418-6074.

Supporting Ohio Communities Through Local Sponsorship

Franklin County HVAC is a proud sponsor of community events throughout the state of Ohio. As your local heating and cooling specialists, we believe in giving back to the Central Ohio communities we serve, including Columbus, Grove City, Hilliard, Westerville, Groveport, and surrounding areas.

Our Ohio Community Commitment

From Grove City summer festivals to Columbus charity fundraisers, we actively support events that bring Ohio families together. Local school programs, community celebrations, and neighborhood improvement initiatives all benefit from the sponsorships we provide. These efforts help make Franklin County a stronger and more connected place to live and work.

Discover Local Events

Looking for family-friendly activities in Ohio? Visit Ohio Free Events for comprehensive listings of sponsored community gatherings, festivals, and activities throughout the state.

When you choose Franklin County HVAC for your HVAC repair, furnace repair, or AC installation needs, you’re supporting a local business that reinvests in Ohio communities. Contact us today or call (614) 418-6074 to learn more about our heating and cooling services.

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