Example inputs & cost sources

Source review: October 3, 2026 (UTC). Model v6.1.5 examples and equations are unchanged.

These are static reference snapshots, not a live price feed. Calculator starting values are examples, not verified market averages. Replace them with your written quotes, bills and realistic estimates. A reference range does not automatically set an input or establish eligibility.

Cost references, with scope

Equipment-only prices exclude installation. Limited-scope installation guides are not complete matched-system quotes. The selected product samples below are not representative market data.

Standard tank basic replacement

$1,600–$2,400 · USD per installation · installed basic replacement

Retailer-published national planning band, not a quote. Extra work may exceed it.

Source: The Home Depot. Reviewed 2026-10-03; next review 2026-11-02.

Hybrid heat-pump water-heater basic replacement

$2,500–$5,000 · USD per installation · installed basic replacement

Retailer-published national planning band. Conversion/electrical/space changes may cost more.

Source: The Home Depot. Reviewed 2026-10-03; next review 2026-11-02.

Selected Trane standard heat-pump tiers

$8,313–$15,608 · USD pre-tax planning cost · product plus basic labor limited scope

Envelope of three product-tier planning bands, not a market confidence interval or a complete matched-system quote.

  • Choice 15 single-stage: $8,313–$10,289
  • Priority 17 multi-speed: $9,921–$12,648
  • Premier 20 variable-speed: $12,778–$15,608

Source: Trane. Reviewed 2026-10-03; next review 2026-11-02.

Selected Trane 96% AFUE furnace tiers

$6,630–$8,390 · USD pre-tax planning cost · product plus basic labor limited scope

These are 96% products, not a quote for the calculator's illustrative 95% furnace. Cooling and conversion work are separate scope questions.

  • Choice 96 single-stage: $6,630–$6,946
  • Priority 96 two-stage: $6,851–$7,412
  • Premier 96 variable-speed: $7,569–$8,390

Source: Trane. Reviewed 2026-10-03; next review 2026-11-02.

Three selected top-freezer refrigerator listings

$699–$999 · USD equipment listing price · equipment only sample

Sample min/max only; not a typical price range for every refrigerator or appliance. Leave the $1600 example editable; add verified extras once.

  • WRT314TFDW: $699
  • WRT518SZFM: $779
  • WRT318FZDM: $999

Source: The Home Depot. Reviewed 2026-10-03; next review 2026-10-10.

Inputs in all five calculators

Every starting value below is illustrative, a user choice, or a conservative zero-incentive assumption. None is asserted to be an exact market default. Repair life, future repairs, residual values, maintenance and operating costs need situation-specific evidence. Do not add an installation cost twice when a quote already includes it.

appliance repair vs replace

Retail equipment samples apply only to selected top-freezer refrigerators. Repair life, replacement life, operating costs and $200 extras have no empirical market support in this package.

  • applianceType: Refrigerator — user choice; no exact market value supported.
  • applianceRepair: 550 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • applianceReplacement: 1600 — illustrative example; related cost reference, not an exact default.
  • repairYears: 3 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • replacementYears: 12 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • currentOperating: 120 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • newOperating: 80 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • replacementExtras: 200 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • applianceAge: 9 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.

Context: The Home Depot.

car repair vs replace

No universal repair, used-car or resale range is supported here. Use vehicle-specific written estimates and valuations. The current numbers remain examples.

  • currentValue: 8000 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • repairCost: 2500 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • replacementPrice: 30000 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • years: 3 — editorial horizon; no exact market value supported.
  • keepMaintenance: 1800 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • keepEndValue: 3500 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • fees: 2000 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • interest: 2500 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • replaceMaintenance: 700 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • replaceEndValue: 21000 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • fuelSavings: 0 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.

Context: AAA.

heat pump vs gas furnace

Quotes must cover equivalent heating/cooling work. Seasonal COP, heating therms, local rates and annual maintenance remain user-specific examples.

  • hpInstalled: 12000 — illustrative example; related cost reference, not an exact default.
  • furnaceInstalled: 7000 — illustrative example; related cost reference, not an exact default.
  • annualTherms: 700 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • electricRate: 0.16 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • gasRate: 1.5 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • hpYears: 10 — editorial horizon; no exact market value supported.
  • currentAfue: 80 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • newAfue: 95 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • seasonalCop: 2.8 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • hpIncentives: 0 — zero unverified incentives; no exact market value supported.
  • furnaceIncentives: 0 — zero unverified incentives; no exact market value supported.
  • furnaceAcCost: 0 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • hpMaintenance: 200 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • furnaceMaintenance: 200 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.

Context: Trane, U.S. Department of Energy, Internal Revenue Service.

hvac repair vs replace

The $11000 whole-system example is not validated by a heat-pump-only or furnace-only band. Get an equivalent-scope installed quote and a technician's remaining-life estimate.

  • hvacRepairCost: 2500 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • replacementCost: 11000 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • repairLife: 3 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • hvacYears: 5 — editorial horizon; no exact market value supported.
  • currentEnergy: 1800 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • currentMaintenance: 500 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • extraRepairs: 500 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • newEnergy: 1400 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • newMaintenance: 250 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • incentives: 0 — zero unverified incentives; no exact market value supported.

Context: Trane, Internal Revenue Service.

water heater repair vs replace

Existing $2200 tank and $4200 heat-pump examples lie within sourced basic-installation bands, but are not source averages or local quotes. Annual operating and repair-life numbers remain unsupported examples.

  • whRepairCost: 900 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • whRepairLife: 2 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • whYears: 10 — editorial horizon; no exact market value supported.
  • tankInstalled: 2200 — illustrative example; related cost reference, not an exact default.
  • hpwhInstalled: 4200 — illustrative example; related cost reference, not an exact default.
  • fallback: tank — user choice; no exact market value supported.
  • currentOperating: 650 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • whFutureRepairs: 300 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • tankIncentives: 0 — zero unverified incentives; no exact market value supported.
  • tankOperating: 600 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.
  • hpwhIncentives: 0 — zero unverified incentives; no exact market value supported.
  • hpwhOperating: 250 — illustrative example; no exact market value supported.

Context: The Home Depot, Lowe's, Internal Revenue Service.

Appliance life presets (years): Refrigerator 12; Dishwasher 10; Clothes washer 10; Clothes dryer 13; Range / oven 14; Freezer 15. These are illustrative starters without an empirical lifespan source in this review, not expected-life promises.

Primary sources & review schedule

The Home Depot

United States; national retailer planning estimate. Basic replacement scope includes unit, labor, materials, permits and removal. Extra electrical/plumbing/space/code work may increase the total. Not a personal quote; no incentive eligibility assumed.

Publication date: not established; reviewed 2026-10-03; next review 2026-11-02 (UTC).

Trane

United States; manufacturer planning estimates for selected product tiers. FAQs describe product plus basic labor/services pre-tax; footnotes exclude required accessories/installation requirements. Treat as limited-scope planning references, not complete HVAC system quotes. Air-handler, duct, electrical, permit and cooling scope must be confirmed with the contractor.

Publication date: not established; reviewed 2026-10-03; next review 2026-11-02 (UTC).

The Home Depot

United States storefront; no store/ZIP selected. Three selected top-freezer model listings, not all refrigerators or appliances. Promotional and store prices may change. Taxes, delivery, installation, hookup parts and haul-away require separate checkout confirmation. No feed or availability guarantee.

Publication date: not established; reviewed 2026-10-03; next review 2026-10-10 (UTC).

Lowe's

United States; service scope varies by market. Installation is quoted as a product/labor package. Basic same-location/same-fuel replacement scope and extra-fee conditions do not establish a universal installed price.

Publication date: not established; reviewed 2026-10-03; next review 2026-11-02 (UTC).

AAA

United States; selected new-vehicle models, five years and 75000 miles. Not an old-car repair quote, used-car price range or residual-value estimate. Methodology differs from the 2025 study; total ownership cost includes categories beyond this calculator. No number from this study is copied into a field.

Publication date: 2026-09-15; reviewed 2026-10-03; next review 2027-01-01 (UTC).

U.S. Department of Energy

United States; federal-purchasing comparison for northern-region furnace examples. Illustrated 80% and 95% AFUE ratings support plausible example efficiencies, not a measured furnace rating in a visitor's home or a current local gas price.

Publication date: not established; reviewed 2026-10-03; next review 2027-01-01 (UTC).

Internal Revenue Service

United States; 2025 Form 5695 instructions. Instructions state 25C does not apply to expenditures/property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Older retailer/manufacturer credit references may be stale. This does not determine utility/state incentives or individual tax treatment; obtain qualified advice.

Publication date: not established; reviewed 2026-10-03; next review 2026-10-10 (UTC).

Incentive examples remain zero. Confirm current local and utility rules before entering a benefit; older credit advertisements may be stale. Tax treatment requires individual review. Review dates are manual editorial targets, not promises of automatic refresh.

Machine-readable references and full input inventory · Model & assumption history