HVAC System Replacement Cost in Aurora, Colorado
Full HVAC system replacement in Aurora runs about $17,600 for a typical job. Basic installs start near $10,700. High-efficiency equipment with duct or electrical work can reach $23,300.
Aurora Weather and HVAC Load
In a normal year, Aurora racks up 5,836 heating and 675 cooling degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals). Heating is the bigger job here, and furnaces and heat pumps in Aurora put in far more hours than the air conditioner. A normal year brings 172 nights at or below freezing and 47 days over 90°F. Snowfall averages about 49 inches. For a 2,000 sq ft house, this climate points to a heating load somewhere near 65,000 BTU/h. Treat that as a starting number. A Manual J calculation will move it up or down based on insulation and windows.
| Heating degree days / year | 5,836 |
|---|---|
| Cooling degree days / year | 675 |
| Nights at or below 32°F | 172 |
| Days above 90°F | 47 |
| Average low / high | 34.7°F / 66.8°F |
Aurora Housing Stock
Census figures put the median build year in Aurora at 1985, so a typical house here has about 41 years on it. Plenty of houses from this period still run original 1990s or early-2000s equipment, which is past its expected service life. Owners live in 63.3% of occupied homes, roughly 91,000 households. With a median household income of $84,320 and a median home value of $444,500, local labor rates come out above the national middle in our model.
Between 2020 and 2025, NOAA's Storm Events Database logged 20 hail days and 24 days with damaging thunderstorm winds in Arapahoe County. The largest hail reported was 2.5 inches across. Hail flattens the thin aluminum fins on condenser coils and cuts airflow. After a big storm, take a look at the outdoor unit; homeowners insurance often covers the damage. Arapahoe County also had 5 tornado days in that period.
When Replacement Makes Sense
- An old R-22 AC paired with an aging furnace
- Both units keep needing repairs
- Some rooms are uncomfortable, and the energy bills are high
What Moves the Price
- Permits and electrical work
- Duct repair or replacement
- Furnace plus AC, or heat pump plus air handler
- Equipment sized to the house and climate
- Thermostat and zoning upgrades
- Efficiency ratings: SEER2, AFUE and HSPF2
For Aurora we raised the national figures about 26%, based on local income, home values and climate-based equipment sizing. Get at least three written quotes; real bids can land outside this range.
What the Quote Should Cover
- Startup, testing and warranty registration
- Duct connections and sealing
- Removing the old equipment
- A load calculation and system design
- New, matched heating and cooling equipment
Colorado Permits, Efficiency Rules and Rebates
Colorado falls in the DOE's North region. New split central air conditioners must meet at least 13.4 SEER2, and heat pumps sold anywhere in the U.S. need 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2. Equipment replacements in Aurora generally need a mechanical permit, and a reputable contractor will pull it for you. Ask for their Colorado license or registration number and a certificate of insurance with the quote. The federal 25C tax credit ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025, so incentives now come mostly from utilities and state programs. Check your electric and gas utility's rebate page before you pick equipment.
Before You Hire
- Replacing both pieces at once usually costs less than two separate jobs a few years apart.
- Get one quote for a heat pump system and one for a furnace plus AC.
- Ask for a duct leakage test. Leaky ducts can lose 20 to 30% of what the system puts out.
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HVAC System Replacement Questions from Aurora Homeowners
How much is full HVAC system replacement in Aurora?
Plan on $10,700 to $23,300, with most jobs near $17,600. Equipment efficiency, house size and the condition of the ducts and wiring decide where your quote falls.
When is the best time to schedule full HVAC system replacement in Aurora?
Between late spring and early fall. Aurora averages 172 freezing nights a year, and heating calls spike from November through February.
Can I replace only the AC and keep my furnace?
Yes, as long as the indoor coil and blower work with the new AC. A mismatched system loses efficiency and can void the warranty.
How often should an HVAC system be replaced?
Most systems get replaced every 15 to 20 years. AC units and heat pumps usually wear out before gas furnaces do.
HVAC System Replacement Near Aurora
- Denver $11,600 to $25,200
- Colorado Springs $10,600 to $23,000
- Fort Collins $11,200 to $24,300
- Lakewood $11,300 to $24,600
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates 2019-2023 and 2024 population estimates; NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station Cherry Creek Dam; NOAA Storm Events Database 2020-2025, Arapahoe County. Prices are our estimates, not contractor quotes. Updated 2026.