By 
If your furnace or air conditioner is near the end of its life, you’ll likely be asked: gas furnace, heat pump, or both? Here’s how the options compare for Northwest Ohio homes.
The short answer
- Have natural gas and a working AC? A high-efficiency gas furnace is still the lowest-cost replacement up front.
- Replacing both furnace and AC? Get a quote for a heat pump or a dual-fuel system (heat pump plus gas furnace backup).
- No gas line (propane or electric heat)? A cold-climate heat pump usually saves the most.
Do heat pumps work in Ohio winters?
Modern cold-climate heat pumps keep heating efficiently well below freezing, and many are rated down to around -5°F or lower. On the coldest nights, a dual-fuel system switches to gas automatically.
Installed costs in Ohio
| System | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| High-efficiency gas furnace | $4,000 – $9,000 |
| Central AC | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Ducted heat pump | $6,000 – $16,000 |
| Dual-fuel (heat pump + furnace) | $9,000 – $20,000 |
The federal 25C tax credit, which covered up to $2,000 of a heat pump, ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Utility and manufacturer rebates may still apply, so ask your contractor what’s available.
Questions to ask every HVAC contractor
- Will you do a Manual J load calculation, or just match my old unit’s size?
- What’s the heat pump’s rated capacity at 5°F?
- Does the quote include ductwork changes, the thermostat, permits and haul-away?
- What do the equipment and labor warranties cover, and for how long?
Next steps
Not sure whether to repair or replace? Try the free HVAC repair-or-replace tool and the AC size calculator. Then compare heat pump installers and furnace replacement pros, or browse all HVAC contractors and the HVAC cost guide.
