Costco members looking to replace an aging air conditioner, furnace, or heat pump have another reason to compare HVAC systems in 2026. Costco is currently promoting special savings on qualifying heating and air-conditioning purchases, including a 15% Costco Shop Card promotion on qualifying HVAC purchases through October 18, 2026.
Costco's HVAC program connects members with professional installation providers and major equipment brands, including Lennox and Carrier. The program covers heating, cooling, heat pumps, ductless systems, smart thermostats and indoor air-quality products, depending on location and project requirements.
The headline promotion is a 15% Costco Shop Card on qualifying heating and air-conditioning purchases made through Costco's HVAC program.
The current promotional period runs from September 21, 2026, through October 18, 2026. Costco states that the Shop Card amount is calculated using the pretax price of qualifying installed purchases, with certain exclusions such as preparation work and some additional products.
This is different from an instant price reduction on the HVAC equipment.
For example, if a qualifying installed project had a pretax qualifying price of $10,000, a 15% Shop Card would represent $1,500 in Costco Shop Card value, subject to the promotion's terms and exclusions.
The Shop Card is not simply a cash rebate. Costco states that Shop Cards generally are not redeemable for cash except where required by law.
Costco's current HVAC program highlights two major equipment manufacturers:
Both brands offer heating and cooling equipment covering different home sizes, efficiency levels and installation requirements.
The exact equipment selected for a home depends on factors such as heating and cooling load, existing ductwork, home size, climate, electrical or gas infrastructure and the equipment configuration recommended after an in-home assessment.
Costco's Lennox program focuses on whole-home heating and cooling systems.
Lennox systems can include air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps and indoor air-quality equipment. Costco currently promotes Lennox HVAC purchases with the same 15% Costco Shop Card promotion running through October 18, 2026.
A Lennox installation can involve more than simply replacing the outdoor air-conditioning unit.
Depending on the home, a project can involve:
The final system configuration depends on the home's heating and cooling requirements.
Carrier is another major HVAC brand featured through Costco.
Carrier's current Costco program includes air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, smart thermostats and indoor air-quality products.
Carrier also highlights variable-speed technology on higher-end systems. Variable-speed equipment can make smaller adjustments rather than repeatedly switching between full output and completely off, which can help maintain more consistent indoor temperatures.
Carrier's Infinity system represents its premium heating and cooling lineup and includes advanced comfort and control technologies.
Heat pumps have become increasingly important in residential HVAC because a single system can provide both heating and cooling.
Carrier's Costco program includes heat pumps, and Costco's broader HVAC program is designed around year-round heating and cooling.
A heat pump moves heat rather than creating heat through conventional combustion.
During warm weather, it removes heat from the home.
During cooler weather, the system reverses operation and moves heat into the home.
This makes heat pumps particularly relevant in moderate climates, although modern systems can also be designed for colder regions.
Not every home has traditional ductwork.
Carrier's Costco HVAC program also includes ductless mini-split systems. These systems can provide heating and cooling to individual rooms or areas without requiring a conventional central duct system.
Ductless systems can be considered for:
The appropriate configuration depends on the home's layout and heating and cooling requirements.
Costco describes a process that begins with an in-home consultation.
The general process includes:
Carrier's current Costco information says its authorized dealer will discuss equipment, take measurements, finalize the system design and confirm project cost before installation.
This process is important because HVAC systems should be sized according to the home's actual heating and cooling requirements rather than simply choosing the largest available system.
A larger HVAC system is not automatically better.
An oversized air conditioner can cool a house quickly but may cycle on and off too frequently. That can affect comfort and humidity control.
An undersized system can struggle during periods of extreme outdoor temperatures.
Professional load calculations consider factors such as:
A properly sized system can provide more consistent performance than simply selecting equipment based on home size alone.
The current promotion can make the Costco HVAC program particularly interesting for members planning a major replacement project.
Consider a hypothetical qualifying project:
| Qualifying project price | 15% Shop Card value |
|---|---|
| $6,000 | $900 |
| $8,000 | $1,200 |
| $10,000 | $1,500 |
| $12,000 | $1,800 |
| $15,000 | $2,250 |
These figures are mathematical examples rather than quoted Costco project prices. Actual Shop Card value depends on the qualifying pretax purchase amount and the promotion's exclusions and terms.
The value can therefore become significant on larger HVAC projects.
Costco's HVAC page also highlights an Executive Member benefit.
Eligible Executive Members can earn a 2% annual reward on eligible purchases, up to $1,250, subject to Costco's terms, conditions and exclusions.
This means an eligible member may want to consider both the HVAC Shop Card promotion and the Executive Member reward when calculating the overall value of a qualifying purchase.
The two benefits should not automatically be assumed to apply to every portion of every HVAC project because Costco's terms and exclusions govern eligibility.
HVAC replacement differs from buying an appliance or another product directly from a warehouse.
The equipment needs to be properly selected, installed and configured for the home.
Costco's program connects members with professional HVAC providers rather than requiring members to perform the installation themselves. Costco states that approved professionals handle the installation process, although service structure varies by location.
In some areas, Costco sells the equipment while installation is handled separately by a recommended dealer. Costco specifically notes that the structure can differ by location.
Costco states that its HVAC home-improvement service is not offered in every location.
The company recommends contacting Costco to determine whether the HVAC program serves a particular area.
This is important when comparing the promotion because the Shop Card promotion depends on a qualifying purchase under Costco's program.
Local availability, contractor arrangements, equipment choices and installation requirements can all affect the final project.
The Costco HVAC program covers several categories.
Central air-conditioning systems provide cooling through ductwork and are commonly paired with indoor coils and furnaces.
Gas furnaces provide heating and can be paired with central air-conditioning equipment.
Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling and can be particularly useful for households seeking a single system for year-round climate control.
Mini-splits can provide heating and cooling without conventional ductwork.
Smart thermostats can automate temperature schedules and provide remote control through compatible systems.
HVAC projects can also include equipment designed for filtration, humidity management and indoor air quality.
Carrier's Costco program specifically lists all of these categories.
The purchase price is only one part of HVAC economics.
An efficient system may consume less energy than an older, inefficient system, although actual savings depend on climate, usage, equipment efficiency, home insulation and many other factors.
Carrier states that high-efficiency systems can help reduce energy costs and may qualify for federal tax credits or local rebates, depending on the equipment and applicable requirements.
Federal incentives can change over time, so any tax-credit calculation should be checked against current federal requirements rather than assumed from an older HVAC advertisement.
A replacement project can make sense when an existing system is experiencing repeated failures, rising repair costs or declining performance.
Other signs can include:
A repair may still make economic sense for a relatively young system, while replacement can become more attractive when major components fail on an older unit.