HVAC replacement is one of the largest single home expenses most Southern California homeowners face, usually somewhere between $6,000 and $18,000 depending on system size, equipment tier, and ductwork condition. The right financing path is part of the project, and we treat it that way: every install quote shows financing options side by side with the cash price, with rebates already deducted so you see what you are actually financing.
The framing matters because a bad financing decision can add 25–40% to the lifetime cost of a system. This page walks through the financing programs we work with, the realistic pros and cons of each, and the rebates that should reduce the financed amount before you ever sign anything.
Synchrony Financial options (12–60 months)
Synchrony is the most common HVAC consumer-finance program in California and the one we recommend for most projects under $15,000. Programs include:
- 12 or 18 month 0% promotional financing on qualifying purchases (deferred interest, no payments required if balance is paid off within the promo window. Important: if you do not pay off in time, full interest accrues from day 1 of the purchase) this is the single biggest financing trap to avoid.
- 60-month equal-payment plans at reduced fixed APR (typically 9.99–14.99% in 2026): predictable monthly payment, no deferred-interest risk.
- Standard revolving credit at typical 24–29% APR: avoid this option; it is the worst-case math.
GreenSky financing
GreenSky is a contractor-finance platform owned by American Express, with home-improvement programs that often have slightly more lenient credit underwriting than Synchrony. Useful for borrowers in the 620–680 FICO range. Promotional 0% offers (typically 12–18 months) and longer-term fixed-rate plans (60–120 months) are both available depending on project size.
0% promotional periods (when they make sense)
Promotional 0% financing is genuinely useful if you can pay off the balance during the promo window. Rule of thumb: if the project is $9,000 and you can comfortably pay $750/month for 12 months, the 12-month 0% works. If you would only be paying $300/month, the deferred-interest accrual when the promo ends will cost you more than a HELOC or personal loan would have. We do the math at quote time so you can compare honestly.
Same-as-cash options
Same-as-cash is a marketing term for short-term 0%, usually 90 days or 6 months. The pitch is that you pay no interest if you pay off in time. The reality is most homeowners cannot pay off a $9,000 install in 90 days, and the back-loaded deferred interest at the end is steep. We mention these options because they exist; we generally recommend a real 12–18 month promo or a longer-term fixed-rate plan instead.
PACE financing (California-specific)
Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a California-specific financing mechanism that ties an HVAC project (specifically energy-efficient equipment) to your property tax bill. The advantages: underwriting is based on property equity rather than credit score, so it approves borrowers who do not qualify for traditional consumer financing; the obligation transfers with the property if you sell; the interest portion is potentially tax-deductible as part of property tax. The drawbacks: PACE liens take priority position over your mortgage, which can complicate refinancing and (in some cases) sale, lenders sometimes require the PACE balance be paid off at sale or refinance. We will explain the trade-offs honestly. PACE is right for some projects, wrong for others.
Manufacturer financing (Carrier, Lennox, Trane)
Carrier, Lennox, and Trane each run branded financing programs (typically through Synchrony or Wells Fargo on the back end) with periodic 0% promotional offers tied to specific equipment lines. When the timing aligns (for example, a Carrier Infinity 26 install during a Carrier-branded 18-month 0% promo) this can be the cheapest financing option available. We track these promos as they are announced and apply them at quote when applicable.
Rebates that reduce the need to finance
The amount you finance should be the net cost after rebates, not the gross cost. We structure quotes this way:
- LADWP heat pump rebate (LADWP territory only): $1,250 per ton ducted, $1,500–$2,500 per ton ductless. Largest active 2026 incentive in LA city limits. Homeowner-submitted with our documentation packet at job close-out.
- SoCalGas furnace rebate: up to $25 per kBtuh on 97%+ AFUE units (~$2,000 on a typical 80,000 BTU furnace), $10 per kBtuh on 95–96% AFUE. Active through December 31, 2026.
- TECH Clean California heat pump rebate: $3,000 (standard income), $4,000 (moderate income, 80–150% AMI), or up to $8,000 (qualifying low-income, <80% AMI) per qualifying heat pump install when funded. Status as of May 2026: single-family heat pump HVAC funds fully reserved November 14, 2025; new reservations go on a waitlist. We submit the reservation as part of the project. Full guide.
- Federal IRA Section 25C tax credit: terminated December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The $2,000 heat-pump credit, $600 furnace/AC credit, and $150 energy-audit credit are no longer available for 2026 installs. Equipment placed in service on or before December 31, 2025 can still be claimed on a 2025 tax return (Form 5695).
- Utility rebates: SoCalGas furnace-removal incentives, LADWP and SCE residential efficiency rebates, sometimes time-limited. We pull the active programs at quote time.
- Manufacturer rebates: brand-specific instant rebates on qualifying equipment, applied at point of sale.
On a typical $12,000 ducted heat pump install, the rebate stack often comes back $4,000–$6,000, meaning you finance $6,000–$8,000 net: not $12,000.
Repair vs. replace — the financial decision
If your AC or furnace failed and you are weighing repair against replacement, the framework:
- Under 8 years old, repair under 50% of replacement: repair.
- 12+ years old, repair over 30% of replacement: usually replace, especially if R-22 refrigerant is involved.
- 8–12 years old, mid-cost repair: real conversation. Look at expected remaining life, energy bill impact, and rebate eligibility.
- Replacement also unlocks rebates: a $14,000 replacement net $8,000 after rebates often lands within $2,000–$3,000 of "just doing the repair" once you account for the next 8–12 years of energy savings.
How to apply
- Schedule a free in-home estimate (or a flat $85 diagnostic visit if the system is currently failed). Request an estimate.
- Receive a written quote with cash price, financing options side-by-side, and rebates deducted.
- Apply for financing at the estimate visit if you choose: most consumer finance applications take 5–10 minutes online with same-day decision.
- Review and sign. Installation typically scheduled within 5–10 business days for replacements; same-day for emergency repairs.
- Rebate paperwork is filed by us, the rebate is paid to us, and we deduct it from your invoice at install.
Call (424) 766-1020 or request a free estimate online. We will quote cash price, financing options, and rebates side-by-side so you can compare honestly. CSLB #1138898 (C-20).