HVAC Facts and Statistics (2024)
It’s easy to take for granted the hidden systems in the buildings we frequent that help regulate our internal temperatures. However, there’s more to heating and cooling a structure than simply adjusting the thermostat.
We analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Energy, The Weather Channel, the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Star, the National Weather Service, and other resources to uncover HVAC statistics and trends.
Our analysis also incorporates tips on how to save on energy bills during the summer and winter months. If you’re worried about being covered in case of an HVAC failure during the hot summer ahead, a home warranty with comprehensive HVAC coverage could provide more peace of mind.
Key Findings
- HVAC installation typically ranges from $5,000–$12,500, including the cost of permits, labor, and the HVAC unit itself.
- Most HVAC systems last up to 20 years with proper maintenance.
- St. Louis was the hottest city in the last 15 years, followed by cities in Florida, Hawaii, Arizona, and Idaho.
- Nearly 90% of American households have air conditioning units. Alaska has the fewest households with air conditioning at only 7%.
- In 2023, HVAC technicians earned a median rate of $27.55 an hour. The top 10% earned more than $84,000 annually.
What Is HVAC?
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems rely on a thermostat to control your home’s interior temperature and humidity levels by circulating filtered air. Individual components within your home’s HVAC system include a heater, an air conditioning unit, and a ventilation system. Split HVAC systems separate parts based on location, while packaged systems house almost all components at a central site on your property, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Examples of heaters include furnaces, heat pumps, space heaters, boilers, and radiators. Central air conditioners, wall-mounted air conditioning units, mobile air conditioners that sit on a window sill, and ductless mini-split cooling systems work to lower the temperature in your home. Ventilation describes the network of ducts that circulate air throughout your home and vent to the atmosphere, such as through a chimney.
Cost of HVAC Installation and Repair
Installing an HVAC system typically costs between $5,000 and $12,500.* Your initial investment covers the cost of required permits and inspections, specialized equipment use, labor, and any upgraded materials or features. The U.S. Department of Energy states that most HVAC systems last 15–20 years with proper maintenance, but varying circumstances may require emergency repairs or premature replacements.
The average cost of HVAC system repair is $350 but varies widely based on the part replacement or repair needed. For example, replacing the evaporator and condenser coils costs between $400 and $1,500, while a broken compressor in your AC unit could cost up to $2,000 to replace. Repair estimates often factor in material costs and the labor required to diagnose, remove, and replace the failed components.
HVAC system replacement costs, including installation, vary depending on the affected elements and what, if any, ductwork requires attention. For example, replacing your ductless mini-split costs $2,000 on the lower end, while central AC units set you back between $3,900 and $7,900. Furnaces or heat pumps tip the scales between $1,700 and $10,000, with exact replacement costs dependent upon fuel type.
*Cost data in this section was sourced via Angi.
Home Cooling Trends
Summer 2024 promises scorching temperatures and a corresponding demand for the cooling effects provided by air conditioning units. Perpetually hot states continue to turn up the heat, but the hottest city in the nation over the last decade and a half may surprise you. We also have tips to help you shelter your budget from hefty cooling costs this summer.
High Summer Temperatures in 2024 Threaten To Strain Your AC Unit
The Weather Channel reports a sweltering 2024 summer, with temperatures predicted to increase as we approach August. Seasonal weather patterns characterized by a transition from El Niño to La Niña will elevate temperatures across a large portion of the Midwest, from the Rocky Mountains toward the East Coast. National hotspots include New Mexico and Texas in June and the Mountain West to the East Coast in July and August. These blistering summer temperatures promise to elevate cooling costs and tax air conditioning units nationwide.
Industry experts advise that most AC units can efficiently reduce outside temperatures by a maximum of 20 degrees inside the home. That means achieving a balmy 70 degrees Fahrenheit in your home is possible in external temperatures of 90 degrees or less, a benchmark many cities in the United States far surpass in the summer months. AC units also work less efficiently at higher temperatures (regardless of size), limiting homeowners from living comfortably with air conditioning alone.
If past summers offer any insight, several of the hottest states will reach high temperatures this summer. Florida, Hawaii, and Arizona ranked as the three hottest states within the last 15 years, according to a climate change study that analyzed data from January 2009 to October 2023. The 25 hottest cities have average daily temperatures that range from 69 to 83 degrees.
How Many Americans Have AC Units?
Roughly 110 million American households (89% of the total number of households in the nation) are equipped with air conditioning units, according to the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey completed by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Households without AC units number 14 million, with a significant portion (3.6 million) of those homes located in California. Even in Hawaii, only 57% of households claim air conditioning use.
The following table breaks down the states with the lowest percentage of households with AC:
| State | Percent of Households With AC |
|---|---|
| Alaska | 7% |
| Washington | 53% |
| Hawaii | 57% |
| Montana | 65% |
| Vermont | 67% |
| Maine | 70% |
| Wyoming | 71% |
| California | 72% |
| Oregon | 76% |
| New Hampshire | 78% |
Year-round temperatures typically dictate the installation and use of AC units. Lower average temperatures, like those seen in Alaska or Washington, often allow homeowners to forego these cooling systems. The cost of electricity can influence air conditioning use, which may be the case in Hawaii, where electricity comes at a premium.
Environmental Impact of Home Cooling Systems
Climate change and air conditioning use remain interrelated, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). A growing global dependence on air conditioning contributes to and results from higher temperatures due to climate change. More specifically, air conditioning units negatively impact the environment in three primary ways, per the NREL:
- Electricity consumption during operation
- Use and potential leakage of chlorofluorocarbon-based refrigerants
- Greenhouse gases emitted during the production and delivery of AC units
Using AC units releases roughly 1,950 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, per NREL data. A total of 820 million tons of CO2 stems from manufacturing and transport emissions and refrigerant leakage. Removing humidity from the air contributes to nearly 600 million tons of CO2, while the energy necessary to control temperatures comprises 531 million tons of CO2. Innovations that rely on splitting the temperature and humidity control units promise increased efficiency, but such technology remains in the developmental stages.
How To Save Energy This Summer
Improving your home’s energy efficiency this summer can help reduce your annual heating and cooling costs. The average home spends about $1,900 every year on utilities, according to Energy Star, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. Energy-Star recommended methods for reducing your household energy consumption include the following:
- Upgrade your home’s HVAC system to Energy Star-certified products to use 10% less energy on a typical $70 annual operating budget.
- Invest in a smart thermostat to optimize your home’s temperature and save around $100 yearly.
- Insulate your home and seal windows and doors to save up to $190 per year.
- Replace aging windows to reduce your heating and cooling bills by up to $200 annually.
- “The recommended thermostat setting for air conditioning in the summer to balance comfort and energy savings is 78 degrees for a good mix of comfort and energy efficiency. You can always adjust this, as needed, to find your comfort zone.” —Braden Cook, Sr. Director, Product Management, Training, and Service at Carrier
Turning your thermostat back 10%–15% for just eight hours can save you up to 10% yearly on your bills. This could be done overnight while you sleep or while you’re at work. Heating water for showers, clothes washers, and dishwashers makes up roughly 18% of your home’s energy consumption, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Setting the maximum temperature at 120 degrees Fahrenheit can lower that heating threshold and your utility costs.
Home Heating Trends
Brisk, single-digit winter days are far from ideal operating temperatures for most machines, including your home’s heating system. Explore the environmental effects of heating your home this winter and discover how to reduce emissions, save energy, and minimize your heating costs.
Cold Winters Affect Your Heating System
January 2023 ranked seventh in the top 10 coldest months recorded from 2020 to 2024, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The monthly average temperature reached just over 35 degrees Fahrenheit in January 2023, according to the NCEI, and the National Weather Service (NWS) recorded multiple winter storms. Wintry conditions included multi-hazard atmospheric river events on the West Coast and winter storms from the Rockies to New England and spanning the Northeast and Southern Plains, per the NWS.
Despite an active 2023 winter, electricity, natural gas, and propane use remained consistent or lower than the winter before, according to data from the EIA. Electricity use didn’t significantly change, but natural gas use fell by 21%, while propane dropped by 6%. Heating oil, on the other hand, rose in expenditures by 8%. Natural gas ranks as the top heating fuel among 46% of American households, while electricity accounts for 42%.
The 25 coldest cities by average daily temperature over the last 15 years, according to the same climate change study cited above, have temperatures ranging from less than 30 degrees to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Similar to extremely hot weather, cold weather can prove dangerous and even fatal in certain circumstances, according to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Blustering winds, blizzard conditions, and ice storms can knock out power lines and expose homes to the elements. Failure to turn off a space heater can cause a fire, a lack of ventilation can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, and leaky attics or excess humidity can promote mold growth.
Environmental Impact of Home Heating Systems
Winter emission levels outpace typical levels during the summer based on the home heating system’s fuel source. Boilers fed by coal emit the most pollutants compared to natural gas, solar, geothermal, diesel oil, and bioenergy heating sources. However, natural gas and oil also emit large amounts of CO2 and other greenhouse gases.
Buildings generate 26% of global energy-related emissions, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), with 18% of emissions stemming from electricity and heat and 8% from the building itself. Commercial buildings also accounted for almost a third of global energy consumption, and energy use increased by 1% in 2022. Additional environmental risks posed by home heating systems include noise pollution, gas emissions, and global warming.
How To Save Energy in the Winter
Improving your home heating system’s efficiency can help lower costs while maintaining a comfortable temperature. The U.S. Department of Energy advises performing your own home energy assessment to spot optimizable areas. For example, properly sealed heating and cooling ducts can increase efficiency by up to 20%, according to Energy Star.
Routine maintenance also increases your home heating system’s efficiency and longevity. Schedule reminders to replace your furnace filters every three months, regardless of how dirty they appear. Cleaning your chimney, flushing and insulating your water heater, and setting your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise to redistribute heat can optimize your home energy usage, according to the National Association of Realtors.
HVAC Industry Statistics
Quarters three and four of 2020 saw the HVAC industry begin to recover after a slow start during the pandemic, according to Grand View Research. The industry came back in full force within the next several years, as evidenced by a $1.91 billion increase in the U.S. market share from 2022 to 2023. In total, Americans spend an annual average of more than $10 billion on HVAC repair and maintenance, with two to three million HVAC system replacements on average.
Experts forecast that HVAC industry revenue will top $32.46 billion in 2024 and $49.7 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. Market Data Forecast predicts a 5.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2029, but Grand View Research’s viewpoint remains more optimistic at 7.4% from 2024 to 2030. Predictions also favor residential HVAC systems (38% revenue share) over commercial (6.6% revenue share) and cooling (55% revenue share) in contrast to heating, per Market Data Forecast.
Extreme seasonal fluctuations due to global warming, a growing desire for energy efficiency, and a thriving real estate market support prevailing trends within the HVAC industry, according to Grand View Research. Experts predict that exponential growth within the commercial real estate sector will drive high CAGRs. Innovations such as automation, smart systems, and sensors continue to push the HVAC industry toward new frontiers.
HVAC Employee Statistics
The median pay for HVAC installation and maintenance technicians in 2023 was $27.55 an hour or $57,300 annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The top 10% of earners made $84,250, while the lowest 10% made $37,270. Experts predict a 6% increase in jobs (an additional 23,000 jobs) from 2022 to 2032.
Most HVAC technicians install, repair, and replace components inside but also spend time outdoors. Full-time HVAC work includes an irregular schedule, with time spent on call during evenings and weekends. Two-thirds are contractors, while 8% are self-employed. Along with the ability to navigate small spaces, HVAC technicians must contend with the possibility of electrical and chemical burns, strained muscles, and other injuries while on the job.
Top Cities and States for HVAC Employees
Florida, California, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania have the highest HVAC employment numbers nationwide, with anywhere from 18,980 to 37,370 people employed in the industry, per the BLS. Additional BLS data reflects the following metropolitan areas with the highest employment in the HVAC industry:
| Metropolitan Area | Number Employed in HVAC |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 22,780 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 10,060 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 9,540 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 9.080 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 8,440 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 8,180 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 7,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 7,590 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 7,230 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 6,610 |
HVAC industry employees in Washington, D.C., Alaska, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Washington benefit from some of the highest wages and annual earnings. A $37.49 average hourly rate in Washington, D.C., translates to nearly $78,000 in annual wages. Washington State sits just below $35 an hour for comparison. Below are the HVAC industry’s top-paying metropolitan areas nationwide:
| Metropolitan Area | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43.99 | $91,500 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $38.40 | $79,870 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $38.12 | $79,280 |
| Anchorage, AL | $37.55 | $78,090 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $37.08 | $77,130 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $36.20 | $75,290 |
| Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI | $36.15 | $75,180 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $35.15 | $73,120 |
| Bellingham, WA | $35 | $72,800 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $34.72 | $72,220 |
FAQ About HVAC
What does HVAC stand for?
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and cooling. This acronym describes the systems in commercial and residential buildings that regulate temperature and humidity.
How long is HVAC school?
Most HVAC programs at a local trade school or community college last between six months and two years, according to the BLS.
What are the different types of HVAC systems?
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems all fall under the HVAC umbrella. Specific systems include your furnace or heat pump, air conditioning unit, and the ductwork necessary to ventilate your home.
Is it cheaper to cool or heat a house?
It’s cheaper to cool a house than to heat it. It costs more to heat your house than any other HVAC system in your home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The cost of heating your home makes up 29% of your bill on average.
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