HVAC Replacement Draper UT | Draper Heating & Air

Full HVAC System Replacement in Draper, Utah

A full HVAC replacement — both the heating system and the cooling system, typically in a single coordinated installation — is the largest mechanical investment most homeowners make in a south Salt Lake Valley home. The decision to replace is usually triggered by a failed component (compressor, heat exchanger, blower motor) on a system old enough that repair cost approaches replacement cost, or by a pre-planned upgrade from an aging 80% AFUE furnace and aging R-22 condenser to a current-generation high-efficiency system. Either way, the decision deserves the same engineering rigor as a new system installation: a documented load calculation, altitude-corrected equipment selection, a permit, and a commissioning process that confirms the installed system actually performs to its specifications.

We provide free in-home HVAC replacement estimates that include a documented ACCA Manual J load calculation, not a “same-size replacement” proposal based on the nameplate of the unit we are replacing. The existing system’s nameplate is not evidence that the system was correctly sized when it was installed.

When Full Replacement Makes Sense

The Repair-vs-Replace Calculation

The industry rule of thumb — multiply the system’s age in years by the repair cost; if the result exceeds $5,000, replacement is likely more economical than repair — is a starting point, not a complete analysis. For south Salt Lake Valley homes, the calculation has additional inputs:

  • Refrigerant type: R-22 systems (installed pre-2010) cannot use newly manufactured refrigerant; only recovered, recycled, or reclaimed R-22 is available at $80–$150/lb. A compressor failure on an R-22 system adds $160–$600 in refrigerant cost on top of the compressor replacement, in addition to the ongoing cost of any subsequent refrigerant service. The economics of R-22 compressor replacement versus R-454B system replacement are rarely favorable beyond the most minor repairs.
  • Altitude derate history: A furnace at SunCrest that ran without altitude derate for its entire service life has accumulated heat exchanger fatigue at an accelerated rate. A 14-year-old SunCrest furnace without derate history may have the equivalent thermal wear of an 18-year-old valley-floor furnace with correct installation. We assess derate history by pulling the manufacturer’s installation records if available or by measuring the current manifold pressure against the altitude-corrected specification — a manifold pressure at sea-level spec confirms the derate was never performed.
  • Remaining component life: A replacement compressor on a 12-year-old system with original capacitors, original contactor, and original evaporator coil is not a full system restoration. We assess every major component during the diagnostic that leads to a replacement recommendation so the homeowner understands whether the repair extends a system with healthy supporting components or extends a system with multiple components approaching simultaneous end of life.

Age and Efficiency Upgrade Economics

For proactive replacement of a functioning but aging system, the economics are driven by three factors:

  • Efficiency delta: An 80% AFUE single-stage furnace replaced by a 96% AFUE modulating furnace produces approximately 16 percentage points of efficiency improvement. At Dominion Energy’s current residential gas rate and Draper’s approximately 5,650 annual heating degree days, this translates to $200–$350 per year in heating cost savings for a typical 2,000–2,500 square foot home. Simple payback on the efficiency premium: 7–12 years depending on gas rates and the specific home’s heating load.
  • Rebate availability: IRA 25C (up to $600 for 95%+ AFUE furnaces, up to $600 for qualifying central AC, up to $2,000 for qualifying cold-climate heat pumps), Dominion Energy Thermwise ($400 for qualifying furnaces), and Rocky Mountain Power Wattsmart (variable for qualifying equipment) are available on new installations but not on repairs. A replacement that qualifies for $1,000–$2,600 in combined rebates and tax credits changes the payback calculation significantly.
  • End-of-life risk management: A 15-year-old furnace at SunCrest without altitude derate history that fails on a January night with –5°F outdoor temperature is a qualitatively different event than a planned replacement in September. The cost difference between a planned replacement and an emergency replacement on a peak winter demand day — when lead times for preferred equipment extend to 1–2 weeks and the homeowner accepts whatever is available on the truck — is real and measurable.

The Full Replacement Process

Estimate Visit

The estimate visit includes an ACCA Manual J heating and cooling load calculation at the actual installation address. We collect:

  • Home geometry (conditioned square footage by level, ceiling heights, attached/unattached garage thermal boundary)
  • Envelope insulation levels (attic R-value verified, wall construction, floor type)
  • Window inventory (area by orientation, glazing type, frame material)
  • Infiltration estimate (construction type and age, visible sealing condition)
  • GPS-confirmed elevation at the equipment location
  • Design temperatures: 9°F heating / 96°F cooling for Draper valley floor; adjusted for SunCrest and Traverse Ridge addresses

We also assess the existing duct system for Manual D compliance and identify any duct modifications the replacement requires. We inspect the existing venting (B-vent condition for 80% AFUE replacements, or new PVC routing requirements for condensing system upgrades). We note the CSST bonding status and include bonding in the installation scope if it is incomplete.

The estimate is itemized: equipment cost, labor by phase (removal, installation, electrical, venting, refrigerant work, commissioning), permit fees, any required duct modifications, and venting materials. We do not bundle these into a single number that obscures where the costs are.

Installation Day

Installation follows the same sequence documented on our individual Furnace Installation and AC Installation pages, combined into a single crew day (or two-day installation for systems requiring significant duct modification or new PVC venting routing):

  • Protective floor covering, before photos
  • Existing refrigerant recovery per EPA Section 608 (not vented)
  • Old system disconnection and removal (we haul the old equipment)
  • New furnace installation with altitude derate and combustion air verification
  • New condenser installation on leveled pad with manufacturer clearance verification
  • New line set installation: copper lines brazed with nitrogen purge, insulated, supported
  • Electrical connections at both units and at the panel
  • Venting installation per UMC Section 510
  • CSST bonding per IRC G2411 where applicable

Startup and Commissioning

  • Heating side: Combustion analysis (CO air-free target under 100 ppm, O₂ 5–9%), manifold pressure at altitude-corrected target, temperature rise within manufacturer’s rated range, all firing stages verified
  • Cooling side: Vacuum to 500 microns minimum, held 15 minutes, refrigerant charge set by superheat and subcooling at actual outdoor ambient
  • System-level: Static pressure across air handler, thermostat staging verified, communicating system link confirmed for communicating systems
  • Documentation: Full commissioning report provided, permit card posted, manufacturer warranty registered within required window

Equipment Options

For full system replacement, we configure the heating and cooling systems as matched pairs where possible to maximize AHRI efficiency ratings and communicating system integration:

  • Carrier Infinity pair: 59TN6 modulating furnace + 24VNA6 variable-capacity heat pump or 24ACC0 two-stage condenser + Infinity thermostat. The highest-efficiency and most full-featured system we install. AHRI-certified system efficiencies up to 20.5 SEER2 / 99% AFUE equivalent on the dual-fuel configuration.
  • Trane S9V2 + XV series: S9V2 variable-speed furnace + XV17i or XV21i condenser + ComfortLink II thermostat. Robust manufacturing tolerance and strong utility in the south valley’s dusty return air conditions.
  • Lennox SLP99V + XC21: The highest-rated AFUE and SEER2 combination we install. Installation sensitivity is higher than the Carrier or Trane equivalents — we install this system only on homes with confirmed duct static pressure compatibility and a committed homeowner who will maintain the iComfort S30 communicating system.
  • Rheem R98MV + RA20: Rheem’s modulating pair. Strong builder program presence in Daybreak and Rosecrest new construction; competitively priced for homeowners prioritizing total installed cost.
  • Dual-fuel heat pump + gas furnace: Cold-climate heat pump (Carrier 24VNA6, Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat, Daikin Aurora, or Bosch IDS Premium 2.0) paired with a gas furnace for backup at outdoor temperatures below the heat pump’s economic balance point. The configuration with the best total annual heating cost for south Salt Lake Valley homes at current Dominion Energy gas and Rocky Mountain Power electricity rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does full HVAC replacement cost in Draper?
Full HVAC replacement (furnace + AC condenser + air handler, with new line set, electrical, and permit) in the south Salt Lake Valley typically runs $9,500–$18,500 installed depending on efficiency tier, equipment brand, home size, and installation complexity. A mid-efficiency 80% AFUE / 16 SEER2 package replacement in a Draper valley-floor home with straightforward access runs $9,500–$12,500. A 96% AFUE modulating furnace / 20 SEER2 variable-capacity heat pump dual-fuel system at SunCrest with new PVC venting, CSST bonding, and altitude derate adds $12,500–$18,500 installed. These are installed costs including permit. After IRA 25C credits and Dominion Energy Thermwise rebates, qualifying installations reduce by $600–$2,600 in combined incentives.
Is it worth replacing both the furnace and AC at the same time?
Usually yes, for three reasons: (1) Labor efficiency — the sheet metal, electrical, and permit work that overlaps between furnace and AC replacement is done once rather than twice, reducing total installation cost for the combined replacement versus two separate replacements. (2) System matching — replacing both units at the same time allows AHRI-certified matched system selection that maximizes efficiency ratings and enables communicating system integration (Infinity, ComfortLink II, iComfort S30) that requires matched outdoor and indoor units. (3) Remaining life alignment — a new furnace installed with a 12-year-old condenser means the condenser will need replacement in 3–6 years, at which point the sheet metal and electrical disturbed for the furnace replacement may need to be accessed again. The two-system install prevents that overlap.
How do I know if my existing ductwork can handle new high-efficiency equipment?
Manual D duct verification is part of our estimate process. The most common duct compatibility issue with high-efficiency replacements in older south valley homes: the existing flex return duct sizing is adequate for a 3-ton 80% AFUE furnace but produces high static pressure on a 3-ton 96% AFUE modulating furnace where the variable-speed ECM blower attempts to maintain design airflow against the resistance. This produces louder operation, higher motor energy consumption, and reduced efficiency rather than the equipment’s rated performance. We identify this at the estimate and include the required duct modification in the quote.
What happens to my old equipment?
We remove and haul the old furnace and condenser as part of the installation scope. The old refrigerant is recovered per EPA Section 608 before the condenser is removed — we do not vent refrigerant regardless of the refrigerant type (R-22, R-410A, or R-454B). Recovered R-22 is returned to a certified refrigerant reclaimer; recovered R-410A and R-454B are recycled through our service cylinder exchange program. Old furnaces, condensers, and air handlers are disposed of through Utah-licensed metal recycling facilities. If the old equipment has salvage value you want to retain, notify us at the estimate visit and we will adjust the scope accordingly.

Contact Draper Heating & Air Conditioning

Free in-home HVAC replacement estimates across Draper, Sandy, Bluffdale, Riverton, South Jordan, and Herriman. The estimate includes a Manual J load calculation and a side-by-side efficiency payback comparison, not just a price quote.

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