How Much Does a New Air Handler Cost in Greater Puget Sound?

Real price ranges, what moves the number, and where we land. No runaround.

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The Short Answer

$13,900 – $17,200

That is what most of our customers paid for a new air handler, fully installed, before rebates. Most are installed together with a new heat pump. The typical job is about $15,900. After utility rebates and Mayster discounts, most paid $9,700 – $13,100.

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Air Handler Price Ranges

Installed prices: equipment, labor, permits and cleanup, shown before rebates. Your exact price comes after we see your home.

Good

Standard-Heat System

About $13,800

A new air handler with a matched standard heat pump outside. A solid fit for most homes with ductwork in good shape. Most paid about $10,300 after rebates and discounts.

Better

High-Heat System

About $16,100

A new air handler with a matched high-heat heat pump that keeps heating on our coldest nights and leans less on backup heat strips. Most paid about $11,000 after rebates and discounts.

Best

High-Heat, Larger Homes (4–5 Ton)

About $16,400

A bigger high-heat system with a matched air handler for larger homes, installed together with full warranty. Most paid about $11,600 after rebates and discounts.

What Pushes Your Price Up or Down

1

Matching Your Outdoor Unit

The air handler has to match your heat pump. An older outdoor unit may limit options or make a full swap smarter.

2

Location

Closet and garage installs are simplest. Attics and crawlspaces take more labor.

3

Backup Heat Strips

The size of the electric backup heat (kW) changes the unit price and the wiring needed.

4

Duct Connections

New units are often a different size, so transitions to your ductwork may need to be rebuilt.

5

Electrical Work

Bigger heat strips can mean a bigger breaker and wire. We are electricians too, so it is one crew.

6

Drain & Safety

A new drain pan, float switch and condensate line protect your ceilings and floors.

Why Some Quotes Are Cheaper

Mismatched equipment that voids the warranty, reused drain pans, or skipping the permit. Always ask what is included.

Why Some Quotes Are Pricier

Big ad budgets, commission-heavy sales teams and add-ons you didn’t ask for. Higher price doesn’t always mean a better install.

Where We Land

We’re usually right in the middle. Not the cheapest bid, not the priciest. What you get for it: a Bryant Factory Authorized install, an air handler matched to your heat pump so the warranty stays intact, permits pulled, and the electrical done by our own electricians. Every new install comes with our 10-year labor and materials warranty. Our customers rate us 4.9 on Google across 731 reviews, and they keep mentioning the same things: we show up on time, explain every option, and leave the house clean.

Common Questions

It is the indoor half of a heat pump system. It holds the fan and coil that push warm or cool air through your ducts, plus backup heat strips for the coldest days. It usually sits in a closet, garage, attic or crawlspace.

Not always. If your heat pump is fairly new, we can often replace just the air handler. If it is 10+ years old or uses older refrigerant, replacing both together usually makes more sense: the parts are matched, it runs more efficiently, and the whole system is covered by warranty. Most of our air handler jobs are done together with a new heat pump.

Most of our installs take just one day. We set everything up properly, connect it all, and test the system to make sure everything works before we leave. Then we walk you through how it works and answer any questions you have.

Every new install gets our 10-year labor and materials warranty, and Bryant covers the manufacturer parts for 10 years.

Yes, we can give you a ballpark on the phone. For a faster and more accurate number, try our online pricing tool. Answer a few questions about your home and you’ll see a price range in about 2 minutes.

David Mayster, Owner of Mayster Heating • Air • Electric

About the Author

David Mayster, Owner

David has been in the HVAC trade since 2013. He started as an apprentice, learned the work from the ground up, and opened Mayster in 2019. Today he runs a team of techs, installers and electricians serving King, Pierce and Thurston Counties.

Updated October 2026 · Read David's full bio →

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