What Rockland Homeowners Actually Pay for HVAC
HVAC in Rockland County costs 10 to 18% above the national average. Most homes were built in the 1960s through 1980s with heating systems that are past their useful life. Natural gas is available through Orange & Rockland Utilities (O&R) in most areas, which keeps fuel costs lower than oil or propane.
Central air installation costs $4,800 to $10,000. A new furnace runs $4,000 to $8,000. Heat pumps cost $5,500 to $10,500. And if you need a full system (heating and cooling), budget $10,000 to $18,000.
Here's what people are paying.
2026 HVAC Cost Breakdown
These prices come from HVAC contractors working in Rockland right now. Your total depends on system size, efficiency rating, and whether ductwork needs modification.
| Job Type | Typical Range | What Affects Price |
|---|---|---|
| Central air installation (new) | $4,800 – $10,000 | 2-4 ton system. Ductwork modification extra. |
| Gas furnace replacement | $4,000 – $8,000 | 90-98% AFUE. Higher efficiency costs more upfront. |
| Heat pump (air source) | $5,500 – $10,500 | Heating and cooling in one. NYSERDA rebates available. |
| Full HVAC system (heat + AC) | $10,000 – $18,000 | Complete replacement. 15-20 year lifespan. |
| Ductless mini-split (1 zone) | $2,500 – $5,000 | No ductwork needed. Each zone adds $1,500-2,500. |
| Boiler replacement (gas) | $5,000 – $10,000 | Common in older Rockland homes. Radiator systems. |
| AC repair or service call | $150 – $600 | Refrigerant recharge, compressor replacement, diagnostics. |
How Costs Vary by Town
Where you live changes HVAC costs.
Nyack has a lot of older homes with radiator heat and no central air. Adding AC means installing ductwork, which pushes costs higher. Many homes are on oil heat. Converting to natural gas adds $3,000 to $6,000 if O&R service is available on your street.
New City and Nanuet have mostly 1960s-1980s homes with forced-air systems and existing ductwork. Straightforward replacements. Natural gas is widely available through O&R. Pricing lands in the middle of the range.
Spring Valley and Suffern have a mix of single-family homes and multi-family buildings. Gas heat is common. HVAC work in multi-family buildings requires coordination with other units and sometimes building board approval.
Pearl River has post-war homes with aging furnaces and boilers. Many are hitting 20 to 25 years old. Natural gas is available. Expect steady pricing in the middle of the range.
Permit Requirements in Rockland
HVAC work requires permits in every Rockland town. Your contractor must be licensed by Rockland County for HVAC work. Permits cost $100 to $350 depending on the scope.
Here are the permit offices: - Clarkstown Building Department: (845) 639-2100. Covers New City, Nanuet, West Nyack. - Ramapo Building Department: (845) 357-5100. Covers Spring Valley, Suffern, Monsey. - Orangetown Building Department: (845) 359-8410. Covers Pearl River, Tappan, Blauvelt. - Haverstraw Building Department: (845) 942-3710. - Suffern Village Building Department: (845) 357-2603.
Your HVAC contractor should pull the permit and coordinate the inspection. Gas line work also requires a separate permit from O&R.
Natural Gas vs. Oil Heat
Natural gas costs less to run than oil. A lot less. Oil prices swing between $3 and $5 per gallon. Natural gas from O&R runs about $1.20 per therm, which works out to 30 to 50% cheaper for the same heat output.
If your home is on oil and O&R gas service is available on your street, the conversion costs $3,000 to $6,000. That includes running a gas line from the street, installing a gas meter, and replacing your oil furnace or boiler with a gas unit. The payback period is usually 5 to 8 years depending on how much you heat.
Some areas of Rockland don't have natural gas service. If you're in a rural part of Ramapo or northern Haverstraw, you might be on propane or oil with no gas option. In that case, consider a heat pump. It runs on electricity and can cut heating costs by 30 to 50% compared to oil.
Best Time to Schedule HVAC Work
HVAC contractors are slammed in summer (AC failures) and winter (furnace breakdowns). The best time to replace a system is spring or fall when demand is lower.
Book furnace replacements in September or October before the first cold snap. Book AC installations in April or May before the heat wave. You'll get better pricing, faster scheduling, and more attention to detail than if you wait for an emergency replacement in January or July.
How to Save Money on HVAC
Schedule replacements during off-season (spring or fall) for 10-15% savings. Check NYSERDA for rebates on heat pumps, high-efficiency furnaces, and insulation upgrades. Rebates can offset $500 to $3,000 of the project cost. Get three written estimates and compare efficiency ratings (SEER for AC, AFUE for furnaces). Higher upfront cost pays back through lower utility bills. And replace your furnace before it fails, not after. Emergency replacements cost more and leave you without heat while you wait for parts.
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Alex Colombo is the founder of Westchester AI, a technology consulting firm serving businesses across Westchester County and the tri-state area. When he's not helping local companies modernize their operations, he's researching what home improvement actually costs in the area so homeowners don't walk into quotes blind.