Quick answer
Read in 4 minA real HVAC estimate lists the exact model numbers, the load calculation method, the refrigerant type, the warranty terms, and what's included for permits, electrical, condensate, and disposal. A vague estimate that says '3-ton system installed, $9,500' is the cheapest way to hide $2,000 in scope. Knowing what should be on the page is how you compare two quotes honestly.
- 01 Demand model numbers (AHRI-matched), not generic capacity.
- 02 Demand the load calculation method (Manual J, not 'rule of thumb').
- 03 Refrigerant should be named (R-454B is the future-proof choice).
- 04 Permits, electrical disconnect, condensate, and old-unit haul-off are real costs that hide in vague quotes.
- 05 Warranty terms vary 5-12 years on parts; labor coverage is separate and often optional.
Section 02
Comparing two or three quotes
You've collected estimates that are $3,000-$5,000 apart and you can't tell why. Some line items match; others don't appear. This page tells you what's missing from the cheap one and whether the expensive one is padding.
Section 03
First HVAC replacement experience
If this is your first time buying HVAC, the line items might as well be in another language. We'll translate: tonnage, SEER2, AFUE, AHRI match, condensate management, electrical disconnect, line set, lockout protection, and warranty registration. Knowing what's normal protects you from both overcharging and corner-cutting.
Section 04
Suspicious of a 'too good' price
If one estimate is 25% cheaper than the others on a similar-sounding system, something is missing — usually permit, electrical work, condensate pump, refrigerant lines, or warranty registration. Read this page before you sign that one.
Compare your options
The choice, honestly compared.
Line items that should be on every estimate
Equipment model numbers for both outdoor and indoor units (e.g. Trane 4TWR4036G1000 + 4TXCB037BC3 — never just '3-ton AC'); AHRI certificate number proving the match; SEER2/AFUE/HSPF2 ratings; refrigerant type (R-454B going forward, R-410A is being phased out); permit costs (Vanderburgh, Gibson, Posey counties charge $50-$200); electrical disconnect (if needed, $150-$400); condensate pump or gravity drain plan; line set length and material; old-unit disposal; warranty registration; labor warranty length (1-2 years standard, 10-year extended available). All in writing.
Line items that are often missing (the gotchas)
Manual J load calculation (this is the #1 missing item — a real quote shows the calculated load in BTU/hr, not a rule-of-thumb tonnage); duct evaluation (static pressure test, leak check); proper return-air sizing (often undersized in older homes); pad or stand for the outdoor unit; surge protector ($150-$350, worth it); float switch on the secondary drain pan (Indiana code requires it in attic installs); thermostat (sometimes assumed reused, sometimes an upcharge). If these aren't called out, they're either being skipped or being billed later as a change order.
Warranty language to read carefully
Parts warranty (5-10 years standard, requires registration within 60 days), heat exchanger warranty (often lifetime, transferable to next homeowner), labor warranty (often 1 year from installer; some offer 10-year add-on for $300-$800), and what voids the warranty (skipping annual maintenance, mismatched components, non-approved refrigerant). 'Lifetime' warranties on parts usually mean the unit's lifetime, not yours. Read the words, not the brochure.
Key terms in context
Vocabulary you'll see on a real estimate.
This guide is written for heating & cooling decisions in Southwest Indiana. It uses the same terminology you'll hear from techs, inspectors, and the permit office.
Failure mode 01
Signing on tonnage alone
Two 3-ton systems can have radically different SEER2, refrigerants, blower types, and warranty terms — and prices that match up wrong if you only compare tonnage. Always compare model-to-model with AHRI numbers.
Failure mode 02
Trusting verbal promises not in writing
If a salesperson promises a 10-year labor warranty or a free service call but it isn't on the signed estimate, it doesn't exist when you need it. Demand everything in the document.
Proof, process & local validation
- 01 We publish a sample estimate on our website so you can see what 'real' looks like before you collect quotes.
- 02 Every Perfect Climate quote ships with the AHRI cert and Manual J printout — we want you to verify.
- 03 If a competitor's quote is missing something important, we'll point it out without slamming them — facts only.
How we build this guidance
- Every Perfect Climate estimate includes the AHRI certificate number for the matched system — you can verify it online.
- We provide the Manual J printout with every replacement quote; no quote without a measured load.
- Pat reviews second-opinion quotes from competitors weekly — we know exactly what 'too cheap' is hiding.
Methodology · Estimate review based on Indiana mechanical code, ACCA standards, and the AHRI directory — we cite the source, you can verify everything.
Last updated 2026-06-24
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Common questions
Questions, answered.
01 How do I verify an AHRI match number?
Go to ahridirectory.org, enter the certificate number from your estimate, and confirm the model numbers match what's quoted. A real match guarantees the rated SEER2/AFUE the salesperson promised. Without it, you may be buying components that don't deliver the rated efficiency.
02 What's a fair price for a 3-ton AC install in SW Indiana?
For SEER2 14-15 single-stage on R-454B, expect $7,500-$9,500 installed in 2026. SEER2 16-17 two-stage runs $9,000-$11,500. SEER2 18+ variable-speed runs $10,500-$14,000. Big swings come from line-set length, electrical work, and warranty add-ons. Anything dramatically under those ranges is missing something.
03 Why do estimates vary by thousands?
Equipment tier (single-stage vs variable-speed), refrigerant type, warranty terms, and scope inclusions. We see the same home get quoted at $7,800 and $12,500 — same square footage, totally different systems. The cheap one is usually missing scope; the expensive one is usually a bigger or more efficient system. Read the line items.
04 Should I get three quotes?
Yes, but make them three real quotes from licensed Indiana contractors — not three guesses from the guy with a truck. Apples-to-apples means same tonnage, same SEER2, same AHRI match. If the conversations are very different, the quotes will be too.
05 Are permits really required?
Yes — Indiana mechanical code requires permits for furnace and AC replacement in every county we serve. A contractor who skips the permit saves $50-$200 and leaves you with an uninspected install that can void homeowner's insurance after a fire or leak. Always insist on a permit number on the estimate.
