About Best HVAC Repair Guide
Free, independent HVAC tools for homeowners: diagnose the problem, check what the fix should cost, and decide whether to repair or replace before you call anyone.
What this site is
Best HVAC Repair Guide is a set of free calculators and guides for U.S. homeowners with central air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps and mini-splits. We are not an HVAC contractor, we do not sell equipment or services, and we do not take payment from contractors to appear on the site.
How we build the numbers
- Prices
- National installed ranges from the HomeGuide 2026 cost guides. We show ranges, never a single "exact" price, because real quotes vary by region and home.
- Sizing
- The ENERGY STAR room air conditioner sizing method and its published adjustments.
- Rules and rates
- EIA electricity prices, EPA refrigerant rules, DOE efficiency minimums and the IRS for tax credits.
- Our own math
- When a figure is derived by us (for example an efficiency adjustment), the drawing shows a dashed line and the page says so.
Every tool lists its sources and the date we last checked them at the bottom of the page.
Safety first
Our troubleshooting steps only cover checks that are safe for homeowners. Gas, refrigerant and high-voltage work must be done by a licensed technician, and the tools say so at the point where you should stop.
Advertising and independence
The site is free because it shows ads served by Google AdSense. Ads never change the numbers in the tools. If we ever add product recommendations with affiliate links, they will be clearly labeled.
Corrections
Found a number that looks wrong or out of date? Write to [email protected] with the page and the source you are comparing against. We review every correction and update the page date when we change a figure.
Estimates for planning only. Prices vary by region, home, and contractor. Gas, refrigerant, and high-voltage work must be done by a licensed technician.