What a complete furnace, AC or heat pump quote includes

By Dana Whitlock. Updated October 13, 2026. How we work.

Ask for the AHRI number first

One line on a central AC or heat pump quote does more work than the rest: the AHRI certified reference number. AHRI rates air conditioners and heat pumps as matched systems, meaning a specific outdoor unit with a specific indoor coil or air handler, and sometimes a specific furnace. Trane's glossary is blunt about it. Without being part of a matched system, the performance ratings are not certified.

Get that number from every bidder for the exact combination they plan to install, and check that the outdoor unit, indoor coil or air handler and any furnace all match the certified record. The number confirms the SEER2 and HSPF2 the contractor is promising. Many state and utility rebate programs ask for it on the application, too.

Equipment lines that should be on every quote

Federal minimums set the floor. DOE's 2023 standards require at least 13.4 SEER2 for split AC in the North and 14.3 SEER2 for most smaller split AC systems installed in the Southeast and Southwest, and at least 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2 for split heat pumps nationwide. In the South the AC standard goes by installation date, so a leftover unit that misses it can't legally be installed there.

• Brand and full model number of each piece: outdoor unit, indoor coil or air handler, and furnace if one is included
• AHRI certified reference number for the matched combination
• Cooling size in tons or BTU per hour, and furnace input in BTU per hour
• SEER2 (cooling efficiency) for AC and heat pumps, HSPF2 (heating efficiency) for heat pumps, AFUE for furnaces
• Refrigerant type
• Single-stage, two-stage or variable-speed, for both the compressor and the furnace blower
• Manufacturer parts warranty length and whether it depends on registration

Refrigerant after 2025

Since January 1, 2025, federal rules have capped the global warming potential of refrigerants in new residential AC and heat pump equipment at 700, which rules out R-410A in newly made systems. Manufacturers moved to R-454B and R-32. Rheem's regulatory guide classes both as A2L, meaning mildly flammable, and notes that converting an older system to an A2L refrigerant violates EPA rules and safety standards.

One wrinkle. In 2026 EPA dropped the federal installation deadline for qualifying R-410A systems built from components made or imported before 2025, so R-410A equipment from existing stock may still turn up in a bid. That's legal. Ask about it directly anyway. Future service will depend on a refrigerant that is being phased down, and a mixed system, such as a new R-454B outdoor unit on an old R-410A coil, is not a valid combination. A quote for a new outdoor unit should normally include a new matching coil.

Installation items that separate good bids from cheap ones

• Load calculation: a Manual J calculation for your house, instead of sizing by the old unit's tonnage. ACCA calls Manual J the national ANSI-recognized standard for residential load calculation, and says national building codes and most jurisdictions require one.
• Line set: whether the copper refrigerant lines will be reused or replaced. If they stay, ask the contractor to confirm the existing size and length meet the new unit's installation instructions and that the lines will be cleaned and pressure tested.
• Pad or wall brackets for the outdoor unit.
• Electrical: a new outdoor disconnect and whip (the short flexible conduit to the unit), and any breaker or wire changes needed to match the new unit's rating plate.
• Condensate drain and, for attic or upstairs equipment, a secondary pan or float switch.
• Thermostat: kept, replaced or upgraded, and whether it works with a two-stage or variable-speed system.
• Ductwork modifications: transitions to fit the new cabinet, return air changes, or sealing. DOE notes that low airflow, leaky ducts and incorrect refrigerant charge are common heat pump installation problems, and fixing low airflow often takes duct changes.
• Refrigerant charge verification: how the installer will confirm the charge after setup (superheat or subcooling against the manufacturer's chart). Split systems are charged in the field, and too much or too little refrigerant cuts efficiency.
• Permit and inspection, with the fee shown or stated as included.
• Removal and disposal of old equipment, including proper refrigerant recovery.

Warranty registration and rebate paperwork

Many manufacturers tie the longer parts warranty to online registration. Daikin's warranty for its AC and heat pumps, for example, requires registration within 60 days of installation for the extended term. Unregistered units get up to 5 years of parts coverage instead of up to 12. Some states don't allow that condition. The safe move is a quote that says who registers the equipment and by when.

If a utility or state rebate is part of the plan, the quote should say who files the paperwork, what the program needs (AHRI certificate, model numbers, invoice, sometimes pre-approval before work starts) and whether any rebate is already subtracted from the price. A rebate deducted on the quote and then denied becomes your bill. Our rebates by state guide has current program status.

Red flags in an HVAC quote

• Sizing by "same as the old one" or by square footage alone, with no load calculation offered.
• An outdoor unit quoted without the indoor coil or air handler, and no AHRI number.
• A SEER2 figure that doesn't match the AHRI record for the listed models.
• R-410A equipment offered with no mention that it is older stock.
• Silence on the line set, the disconnect or the thermostat.
• A rebate amount deducted up front with no detail on the program or approval.
• A price well outside the range above with no itemized explanation.
• Pressure to sign the same day, or a quote that expires in hours.