NSNorth Shore HVAC
North Shore · Lake County, IL

HVAC Replacement in Highwood, Illinois.

HVAC replacement in Highwood typically runs $4,500-$18,000 installed in 2026 - furnace-only changeouts start around $4,500-$9,000, while full furnace-plus-AC systems run $9,000-$18,000, before utility rebates.

Highwood is a compact, older North Shore city of small-lot homes, many still on boilers and radiators. Boiler modernization and ductless cooling retrofits make up most of the local work.

Replacement services in Highwood

Repairs and maintenance plans

Not ready to replace? Each service has its own page with what a visit covers and what it costs.

Systems common in Highwood

Highwood's housing stock shapes the kind of work we do. We regularly service and replace Steam and hot-water boilers, Small-footprint furnaces, Ductless mini-splits, Townhome and condo split systems, High-efficiency systems across this area. Each calls for a different approach - boilers and steam systems differ from forced-air furnaces, and older homes often need careful venting and duct work.

Why Highwood homes plan replacements early

Highwood is the dense exception on this stretch of the North Shore: small lots, narrow frame houses, and a housing stock that skews older and much tighter than Highland Park or Lake Forest on either side of it. Many of those homes still run steam or hot-water boilers with radiators and were never ducted, so cooling arrives as window units or mini-splits rather than central air. Where forced air does exist it is often a small furnace squeezed into a closet or a low basement, and equipment selection is driven as much by physical clearance as by load. Right-sizing matters more here than almost anywhere on the North Shore, because an oversized unit in an 1,100-square-foot house short-cycles itself to death.

Talk it through - (847) 752-4418

Neighborhoods we serve in Highwood

Local crews familiar with the area. Recent work across:

Downtown HighwoodFort Sheridan borderHighland Park borderPrairie Avenue

Around Highwood

We work homes throughout Highwood, including areas near Fort Sheridan Historic District, Highwood Metra station, Everts Park, Downtown restaurant district. Whether it's a single-family home, a townhome, or an HOA-managed property, we bring the same local knowledge to every project.

Typical installed costs in Highwood (2026)

Furnace Replacement in Highwood$4,500-$9,000
AC Replacement$4,000-$8,000
Full System Replacement$9,000-$18,000
Boiler Replacement in Highwood$7,000-$15,000
Heat Pump Installation$10,000-$22,000
Ductless Mini-Split Installation in Highwood$4,000-$14,000
Tankless Water Heater Installation$3,500-$6,500
Emergency HVAC Replacement$4,500-$18,000

Rebates in Highwood

High-efficiency systems installed in Highwood often qualify for Nicor Gas and ComEd rebates, and heat pumps can earn tiered ComEd rebates. We size and select equipment to hit rebate thresholds and hand off the paperwork you need to claim them.

Frequently asked - Highwood

Do you serve all of Highwood?

Yes. We cover every neighborhood in Highwood, including Downtown Highwood, Fort Sheridan border, Highland Park border, Prairie Avenue and surrounding areas.

What does a new system cost in Highwood?

Most Highwood replacements run $4,500-$18,000 depending on whether it's a furnace, AC, full system, or boiler, plus efficiency and home configuration. You get a written, itemized estimate from a free in-home visit - with ComEd and Nicor rebates factored in.

Are you available 24/7 for emergencies in Highwood?

Yes. We run a 24/7 line for no-heat and no-cool emergencies in Highwood and can prioritize an emergency replacement.

How much does a new furnace or AC cost on the North Shore?

Installed furnace replacements typically run $4,500-$9,000, central AC $5,000-$10,000, and a full furnace-plus-AC system $9,000-$18,000. Boilers (common in older North Shore homes) run $7,000-$15,000, and heat pumps $10,000-$22,000 before rebates. Final pricing depends on system size, efficiency, and how your home is configured. Every quote is written and itemized after an in-home estimate.

Should I repair or replace my system?

As a rule of thumb, if a system is 15+ years old, needs a repair that costs more than about a third of a new unit, or has failed more than once in a season, replacement usually saves money over time. We give an honest recommendation - if a repair makes more sense, we'll say so, and we'll do the repair.

Do you do repairs, or only replacements?

Both. We repair furnaces, air conditioners, and boilers, with a $99-$169 diagnostic that is credited toward the repair and a flat repair price you approve in writing before any work starts. Most repairs run $180-$950 depending on the equipment and the fault. Replacement is what we specialize in, but that does not mean we push it - a good system with a failed part gets the part.

Do you offer a maintenance plan or service agreement?

Yes. Plans run $199-$399 per year depending on tier and how many systems the home has, and cover two seasonal visits - heating in the fall, cooling in the spring - plus priority dispatch and a discounted repair rate for members. A one-off tune-up without a plan is $129-$199. Most manufacturer warranties require documented annual maintenance, so a plan also keeps that coverage intact.

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