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During freezing winter days and scorching summer ones, we rely on our heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to keep us comfortable in our homes. When that system is working well, it regulates temperatures, humidity and air quality. But when it breaks down, it can become a big problem for homeowners quickly.

That’s why it’s important to get an HVAC replaced ASAP if necessary — and that comes at a cost. There are many variables that go into determining the price of an HVAC replacement, such as the size of ductwork and the current situation of a home, says Josh Conder, division operations manager for ARS Central Division.

“We go to the home and do a full energy analysis and a heat-load calculation to determine what really works best for their individual situation,” Conder says. “You can go from an 80% furnace on the basic end to a multistage communicating system with 96% efficiency on the high end. So the range can be anywhere from $8,000 to $35,000.”

If a cash purchase that large isn’t feasible, don’t panic. There are ways to finance your HVAC replacement so you can get it done when it’s needed but pay it off over time.

What is HVAC financing?

HVAC financing allows you to pay for your replacement over time via a payment plan or a loan instead of having to cover the full amount upfront. It’s a similar process to financing a new car or getting a mortgage for a new home. The terms and loan will vary depending on your specific loan.

How to finance your HVAC replacement

There are several ways to spread out payments for your HVAC replacement so you don’t have to pay up front. Here are five ways to finance the replacement.

1. Contractor financing, or in-house payment plans

Some homeowners opt to finance their HVAC replacement directly through their contractor. Often, contractors will partner with lenders to offer payment plans to customers at the point of sale. If you’re looking for a super fast approval, this may be the way to go: You can typically apply online and may even get same-day approvals. Terms vary, but you can likely choose short-term financing (think six to 18 months) or long-term financing up to 10 years.

Contractors will often offer promotions when you finance this way, such as 0% interest. Without a promotion, interests can vary widely so it’s important to review all your options. Going this route may require a hard credit check, though some lenders offer pre-qualification processes that won’t affect your credit score.

2. Manufacturing financing

Some HVAC manufacturers also partner with financial institutions to offer financing. Unlike if you finance through a contractor, financing this way is tied to a specific manufacturer’s products. The process has similar terms and interest rates to contractor financing, and you’ll often be able to find promotions.

Just keep in mind that with manufacturing financing, you’re limiting yourself to products from the specific manufacturer. Similar to if you apply for other types of loans, the lender will likely have to pull your credit report.

3. Home equity line of credit (HELOC)

A home equity line of credit or HELOC allows you to borrow against your home’s home equity, essentially using your house as collateral. It’s a revolving line of credit, meaning you can borrow as you need up to a certain limit (that’s different from a home equity loan, which offers a single lump sum with a fixed rate). HELOCs tend to have lower interest rates and larger borrowing limits than unsecured loans.

But on the downside, you’re putting your home at risk: Defaulting on the HELOC could result in your home going into foreclosure. This type of line of credit also has adjustable interest rates — so your rate could go up over time — and slower approval processes than manufacturer and contractor financing.

4. Personal loans

A personal loan is not specifically for home-related costs such as HVAC system replacements, but you can use them for these projects. Unlike HELOCs, they don’t require you to borrow against your home equity.

Typically, if you’re approved, you’ll get a lump sum of cash. Then you’ll pay it (plus interest) back in monthly installments. Many personal loan companies allow borrowers up to five years to pay back the money, though you can find loans with longer term lengths. The interest rates can vary widely and depend on your credit score. A hard credit check is required, which could temporarily lower your credit score.

5. 0% promotional financing offers

In addition to finding 0% promotional financing offers through a contractor, you may be able to use a 0% annual percentage yield (APR) credit card. These cards offer an introductory period — typically between six and 18 months — before the APR jumps. Because many credit cards come with APRs above 20%, these cards are ideal for people who will be able to pay off the balance before the introductory term ends.

Opening a new credit card can ding your credit card temporarily since it requires a hard check. But if you make on-time payments, having another credit card can boost your score by building up your payment history, diversifying your credit mix and lowering your credit utilization ratio.