HVAC Company Quote Comparison Calculator
Compare up to three HVAC contractor quotes side-by-side. Enter each quote's details to see a true cost-of-ownership comparison over your chosen time horizon, factoring in equipment cost, labor, warranty value, and estimated annual energy savings.
| Field | Quote A | Quote B | Quote C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Name | |||
| Equipment Cost ($) | |||
| Labor / Installation Cost ($) | |||
| Additional Fees (permits, disposal, etc.) ($) | |||
| SEER2 / Efficiency Rating | |||
| Equipment Warranty (years) | |||
| Labor Warranty (years) | |||
| Rebates / Discounts Offered ($) |
Formulas Used
Upfront Quote Total:
Upfront = Equipment + Labor + Fees − Rebates
Annual Energy Cost (new system):
AnnualCost_new = (BaselineKwh × BaseSEER / NewSEER) × ElecRate
The new system uses proportionally less energy based on the SEER ratio.
Annual Energy Savings vs. current system:
AnnualSavings = (BaselineKwh × ElecRate) − AnnualCost_new
Warranty Value (monetized):
WarrantyValue = (EquipWarrantyYrs + LaborWarrantyYrs) × AnnualServiceCallValue
Total Cost of Ownership over N years:
TCO = Upfront − (AnnualSavings × Years) − WarrantyValue
A lower TCO indicates better long-term value.
Value Score (higher = better):
Score = (AnnualSavings × Years + WarrantyValue) / Upfront × 100
Assumptions & References
- SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the 2023+ DOE standard; higher SEER = more efficient. Minimum federal standard is 14 SEER2 (South) / 13 SEER2 (North) as of 2023.
- Energy savings are calculated proportionally: a 16 SEER unit uses 10/16 = 62.5% of the energy a 10 SEER unit uses for the same cooling load.
- Baseline annual kWh represents your current cooling energy use. Check 12 months of utility bills or use an energy audit estimate.
- U.S. average residential electricity rate ≈ $0.13/kWh (EIA, 2024); rates vary widely by state ($0.09–$0.35/kWh).
- Warranty value is a simplified monetization: each warranty year is valued at one estimated service call, since covered repairs would otherwise cost that amount out-of-pocket.
- This calculator does not account for financing interest, inflation, or maintenance contracts. For financed purchases, add total interest paid to the upfront cost.
- Typical central AC/heat pump lifespan: 15–20 years (ENERGY STAR). Gas furnace: 15–20 years.
- Federal tax credits (IRA 2022): up to 30% of cost (max $600 for AC, $2,000 for heat pumps) for qualifying high-efficiency equipment — not included here but should be factored in separately.
- Source: U.S. DOE SEER2 standards; EIA Electric Power Monthly; ENERGY STAR HVAC guidelines.