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How much does is cost to replace a furnace?

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The national average cost of furnace replacement is $3,880, with most homeowners spending between $2,250 and $5,516.  This is just for the furnace replacement without replacing the ductwork.
Whether you need to replace a dead furnace or install an entirely new heating system, you’re looking at a significant investment. Before you even start shopping for a shiny new furnace, give us a call and we can look at your particular house – its size, configuration, age – and help you determine the best and most cost-effective way to heat it. Boer Brothers takes the view that a quality installation and quality high efficiency equipment pays for itself many times over the lifetime of the equipment. We hire top installers, purchase and install only reliable equipment and make sure that you are full satisfied with our work. With furnace installations estimates it is important to remember, sometimes the cheapest option is actually the most expensive in terms of lower efficiency, equipment breakdowns, safety issues and general headaches. That disclaimer out of the way the first question to hash out with your HVAC contractor is the kind of fuel you should use: gas, electric, oil or something else. Most homeowners stick to whatever their homes already had to minimize the labor and costs associated with extra installation of things like duct work or running electric lines. But there could be reasons to change. Your location, house size, and energy bills will all factor in to your final decision on which furnace type, model, and size is right for your home.

Table of Contents
Average Furnace Prices
Gas Furnaces
Electric Furnaces
Oil Furnaces
Furnace Installation Factors
Types of Furnaces to Install
Furnace Replacement Considerations
Home Size & BTU Calculations
Load Calculations
Duct Work
Warranties

Average Furnace Prices

There are a lot of brands out there to choose from, and it’s important to do your research ahead of time before deciding which furnace brand you will go with. The one that works best for your house might not be the one that you recognize from radio or TV ads. You will need to factor installation cost into your overall price if you plan on having it installed by a professional, which is recommended unless you have specific HVAC training. Keep in mind that top-rated brands come at a higher cost for the furnace as well as installation since HVAC installers who choose to align themselves with higher-priced furnaces often charge extra for their services.
Average Prices for Gas Furnaces

Gas furnaces are the most commonly used furnaces, particularly in areas that endure harsh winters. The prices listed for the furnaces below represent prices for an average house with average needs, which is an 80,000 BTU furnace with a 3-Ton blower that is installed in a first floor utility room of a 1600-2000 square foot house.
If you prefer to use propane instead of natural gas, make sure to factor the price of conversion into the estimates below. Gas furnaces can generally be converted to propane for a minimum fee. In most cases, the conversion process includes replacing the gas valve, the burners, jets, or any combination of these parts depending on the furnace. A conversion from $225-$500. 

Gas Furnace Brand Estimated Furnace Cost Estimated Installation Cost (See our blog on the reliability of these brands which significantly effects how much the installation will cost you over the life of the unit. Some of the less expensive brands tend to be averages of less efficient models and to have higher levels of equipment malfunction). 
Payne $680 $1,820
Goodman $695 $1,860
Coleman $780 $2,360
York $785 $2,100
Heil $860 $2,300
Amana $897 $2,385
Nordyne $925 $2,490
Bryant $980 $2,570
Rheem $1,100 $2,940
Carrier $1,164 $3,095
Ruud $1,185 $3,180
Trane $1,275 $3,560
American Standard $1,350 $3,620
Lennox $1,410 $3,990
Average Cost $1,215 $2,370

Average Prices for Electric Furnaces

Electric furnaces are most common in parts of the country that don’t endure harsh winters. These systems are less in-demand than gas furnaces. Electric furnaces themselves can operate at a high efficiency; however they are usually more expensive to operate since they use a lot of electricity to heat a home.
The average prices for the following electric furnaces are based on the typical setup for a 1500 square foot home in the southeastern United States, in a climate that rarely sees temperatures drop below freezing. For electric furnaces, brands really do make a big difference in pricing, and often the more well-known brands also attract better qualified HVAC professionals, so installation for top brands will be at a premium.

Electric Furnace Brand Estimated Furnace Cost Estimated Installation Cost (See our blog on the reliability of these brands which significantly effects how much the installation will cost you over the life of the unit. Some of the less expensive brands tend to be averages of less efficient models and to have higher levels of equipment malfunction). 
Goodman $395 $1,657
Payne $425 $1,720
Heil $440 $1,590
Amana $460 $1,720
Coleman $480 $1,800
Rheem/Ruud $520 $1,945
Bryant $540 $1,800
York $610 $2,050
Carrier $753 $2,100
Trane $1,130 $2,265
Lennox $1,145 $2,420
American Standard $1,165 $2,457
Average Furnace Cost $665 $1,950

Average Prices for Oil Furnaces

Oil furnaces have been used longer than gas or electric furnaces, and they are commonly used in parts of the country that have a high availability of oil. Due to current oil prices, they are generally considered obsolete. As with gas and electric furnaces, installation costs are generally higher for the pricier furnaces since they are installed by HVAC professionals with more experience. The oil furnace prices listed below are based on the size of a furnace needed to heat a standard home that is 1600-2000 square feet. The 275-gallon oil tank would be freestanding in either the yard or the basement.
Oil Furnace Brand Estimated Furnace Cost Estimated Installation Cost
Armstrong $1,360 $4,640
Ducane $1,650 $5,415
Rheem $1,660 $5,440
Olsen $1,695 $5,475
Williamson $1,750 $4,681
Miller $1,850 $5,950
Carrier $1,890 $6,050
Lennox $1,950 $6,225
Thermo Pride $2,260 $7,040
Trane $2,300 $6,872
Average Furnace Cost $1,836 $5,780

Furnace Installation Factors

Furnace Efficiency

Regardless of fuel type, you’re going to want to consider how efficiently your furnace heats your home. Furnaces all must come with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating that spells it out for you. For the most part, higher ratings equate to less fuel consumed.
Mid-efficiency furnaces operate at 80%-83%. High-efficiency furnaces operate closer to 96%. The federal government encourages fuel efficiency by giving the best-performing furnaces their Energy Star rating, essentially their seal of approval. Gas furnaces with the Energy Star perform at 90% or better in southern states and at least 95% in northern states. Oil furnaces with the Energy Star operate at 85% or better.
Get out your calculator to determine how long it will take you to recoup the cost of buying a new, more efficient unit. There are several steps to do this:
Determine how much you already pay for your gas/oil or electric costs. Perform this calculation by multiplying your total gas or electric bill by 12. If you want a more accurate assessment (especially for your electric furnace, since so many appliances run on electricity), you can have your utility company come out to evaluate your furnace. They should be able to give you a good estimate of how much of your utility cost comes from your furnace versus the rest of your home.
Calculate the price of your furnace including installation.
Subtract any government incentives or rebates. This includes ones from your utility company and/or furnace manufacturer from this amount to get the final cost of your furnace.
Take a look at the yellow tag on your new furnace. This tag should give you an estimate of how much energy it will use annually, based on usage for an average home.
Multiply this number by the cost of energy for your area. You should be able to get this information from your utility bill.
Subtract the cost of operating your new furnace for a year versus operating your old furnace for a year.
Divide the final cost of your furnace by the energy cost savings. That way you find out how many years it will take for the furnace to pay for itself in energy savings.
If it will take more than 10 years to get to your break-even point, you may want to go with a cheaper, less-efficient alternative. Also, consider that efficiency goes beyond the quality of your furnace. You can improve the system’s efficiency by making less expensive repairs like sealing leaky ductwork and adding more insulation.

Labor Costs for Furnace Installation

Labor costs for furnace installation vary depending on your location and the HVAC professional performing the installation. As you will see in the section on average furnace and installation prices, higher rated furnaces that cost more money also come with an increased installation price. This is because HVAC professionals who choose to align themselves with top-rated furnaces are generally more experienced, thus they charge a premium price. You can expect to pay anywhere between $50 and $75 per hour for a licensed furnace installer, along with up to $50 per hour per person additional for their team members.
In some municipalities, a permit may be required to install a furnace, and that will add to the cost — potentially $50 to $150, depending on where you live. You might also need to get it inspected. Overall, the project cost will depend on the current set-up of your home and whether you need to repair or install new ductwork.

What Type of Furnace Should You Install?

Electric Furnaces – $670 to $2,000

Electric is the cheapest way to go in terms of initial costs. Electric furnaces don’t require special venting, fuel pipes or storage tanks. They’re easy to maintain. The units are small and inexpensive to install. They tend to be fairly safe since there’s no fuel combustion involved. And they last a long time – 15 to 20 years on average. Unfortunately, electric furnaces, though more efficient than they were 10 years ago, are still the least efficient alternative and may bring higher bills.
Electric furnaces are most common in parts of the country that don’t endure harsh winters. If you live somewhere that requires you to use your heat for the better part of the winter, then you will wind up spending a small fortune annually to heat your home. The monthly payout isn’t worth it to make up for the initial price savings.
Gas Furnaces – $1,200 to $2,400

Natural gas furnaces often cost a bit more than electric, and unless you’re replacing an existing unit, they come with the added expense of putting in gas lines from the street and building extensive ductwork. But they’re usually much more efficient, and that can translate to lower utility bills. A fairly abundant resource in the United States, natural gas has become a relatively inexpensive fuel source.
Natural gas furnaces also have the advantage of warming up the home extremely quickly compared to other fuels, so consider that you’re not only paying for efficiency, you’re paying for convenience and comfort. You can convert a gas furnace to propane for a minimal expense. Gas furnaces are recommended for anyone, but especially for homes that endure harsh winters as it is less expensive to heat your home with gas than it is to heat it with electricity.
Popular Furnace Brands

Amana: Amana’s standard models are the AMCV8/ADCV8, AMEH8, AMH8, AMS8, ADSH8 and ADSS8. All are AFUE 80 and come with a 10-year limited warranty on parts. Most models meet California’s emissions requirements. The average price for a standard Amana natural gas furnace is $1,160.

American Standard: The standard line of furnaces from American Standard is the Silver series: Silver ZI, Silver XI, Silver SI, and Silver SI+. Warranties on parts range from five to 10 years. Heat exchangers all have a 20-year warranty except for the Silver ZI, which has a lifetime warranty. The average price for a standard AFUE 80 natural gas furnace is around $1,200.

Carrier: Carrier’s standard furnace comes from the Comfort series. The Comfort 80 has a 10-year warranty on parts and a 20-year warranty on the heat exchanger. Aimed at regions with mild winters and long summers, the average price of a Comfort 80 is around $1,000. Carrier also offers a Base series. The 58STA and 58STX are both AFUE 80. These small, compact furnaces have only a single-speed blower, but they are the most affordable of the Carrier furnaces, with average prices of $850 to $900.

Rheem: This brand is known for its low-maintenance products, and in 2009, Consumer Reports commended Rheem for having the lowest percentage of units that required repairs. Rheem offers a number of AFUE 80 models, but the Classic series is the brand’s most popular line of standard models. The Classic series models all have a sleek, low profile. They also feature upflow and downflow configurations, so they can be installed in either an attic or a basement. Parts warranties vary from five to 10 years, while the heat exchanger warranty lasts for 20 years or the lifetime of the product, depending on the model. The average price of a Rheem furnace is around $1,100.

Trane: Trane’s standard line includes the XT80, XB90, XR80, XL80 and XC80. All models are AFUE 80. Warranties range from five to 10 years on parts and 20 years or lifetime on heat exchangers. Trane’s big advantage is its reputation for quiet motors on all models. The Trane CleanEffects™ air cleaner offers up to 99.98 percent removal of allergens and other harmful particles in the air. The average price of a Trane standard furnace is around $1,280.

Natural Gas Furnace Replacement Costs

Replacing or installing a natural gas furnace tends to be a very complex job. Often, this project doesn’t end with just the furnace replacement. It can also include:

Replacing or installing ductwork.
Requiring inspections to ensure that the equipment operates safely. Inspections and permits can be relatively inexpensive. Expect them to add around $100 to the total project cost. Some local gas providers like California’s PG&E offer free inspections, so shop around before settling on an inspector.
Removal of the old furnace. Removal can be fairly inexpensive, but local safety or environmental regulations may add to the cost. Some local recyclers will pick up old furnaces for free, while others charge a nominal fee, often around $60.
Existing ductwork and ventilation inspected. Existing work may need resealing to prevent mold, dust and gases from working their way into the home. Since these are major contributors to respiratory illnesses and lung cancer, according to the EPA, it’s important to treat ductwork and ventilation carefully. Leaky ducts can also cost homeowners about 10 percent to 30 percent in efficiency. This will make a 96 AFUE high-efficiency furnace run at 66 percent to 86 percent and make an economical 80 AFUE not much better than an open fireplace. The cost to replace ductwork is about $8 to $12 per linear foot of ducting.

Oil Furnaces – $1,800 to $5,800

When oil was cheap, oil furnaces dominated the market, particularly in the northeastern United States. They do require storage tanks, but that gives consumers the option of buying large amounts at one time, getting rid of the monthly heating bill. As oil prices rose, oil furnaces became the dinosaurs of the heating market, and the federal government gave rebate incentives for homeowners to convert to natural gas. They are still available, though, if you happen to live somewhere that has an abundance of oil for a low cost.

Green Furnace Options

Solar panels, geothermal and other environmentally focused heating systems can be investments not only in your home but in a more sustainable planet. Still, consult experts before you buy. You might live in a valley or wooded area without enough sunlight for solar. You might live in a bad region for geothermal. Consider that the upfront costs are high, and at current energy rates, you may not recoup your initial investment, even over the life of your home. But if traditional fuels grow considerably more expensive, these eco-alternatives may start looking like smarter choices.
You can also get government rebates for these green alternatives. The U.S. Department of Energy offers a 30% tax credit for some types of heating systems. For instance, a $20,000 geothermal system would translate to $6,000 on your next tax return.

Considerations for Furnace Replacement

Home Size and BTU Calculations

Since the difference in price between various heating capacities can span thousands of dollars, getting one that far exceeds the home’s size requirements can waste over $10,000. On the other hand, getting a furnace that is too small to meet the home’s needs means the furnace will run constantly. This level of use can drive up utility bills and require repair or replacement sooner than usual.

To figure out the average heating capacity that a home requires, calculate the square footage of the home. Homes typically require 30 to 60 BTUs per square foot. Whether a home needs more or fewer BTUs depends on the climate zone where the home is located. The U.S. has five different climate zones. In warmer climes, 30 to 35 BTUs is sufficient to warm a typical home. New or remodeled homes tend to have better insulation and can operate in the 30 BTU range. In colder climates, most homes need 50 to 60 BTUs. Homes in temperate climates require 40 to 45 BTUs.

Example: 2,500 square foot house with newer insulation:

Warm climate: 2,500 x 30 = 75,000 BTUs
Temperate climate: 2,500 x 40 = 100,000 BTUs
Cold climate: 2,500 x 50 = 125,000 BTUs
Very cold climate: 2,500 x 60 = 150,000 BTUs
Keep in mind that just because a furnace has a 100,000-BTU capacity doesn’t mean that it can properly heat a house that requires 100,000 BTUs. Remember to take the furnace’s AFUE rating into account. A 100,000-BTU furnace with an AFUE rating of 80 will only push 80 percent, or 80,000 BTUs, of the total capacity into the home. To determine if a furnace can sufficiently heat the home, convert the efficiency rating to a percentage and multiply it by the listed BTUs. This figure reflects the number of BTUs that will actually heat the home.

Example: standard efficiency calculations:

AFUE 80: .80 x 100,000 BTUs = 80,000 BTUs
AFUE 90: .90 x 100,000 BTUs = 90,000 BTUs
AFUE 80: .80 x 125,000 BTUs = 100,000 BTUs
AFUE 90: .90 x 125,000 BTUs = 112,500 BTUs
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Load Calculations

A more precise way to determine the best furnace size for a space is to do a load calculation. Prior to the age of computers, many contractors shied away from this calculation. It’s very involved and requires a lot of information, but it results in a more exact calculation. With an accurate load calculation in hand, it’s much easier for homeowners to make an informed purchase. The load calculation relies on the following data:

Foundation type
Roof type
Roof color
Insulation values
Type, location and number of windows
Type, location and number of exterior doors
Ideal temperature that the house will maintain
Location
House size
House’s orientation or direction
Primary construction materials
Landscaping that affects how much sun or wind hits the house
Otherwise known as a Manual J Calculation, some contractors include this in their estimates. This is a required part of the permitting process in some areas, so be sure to check local regulations.

Time to Upgrade?

The average lifespan of a well-maintained furnace is 15 to 25 years, so if you have a furnace that is less than 15 years old and well-maintained, there is a good chance you can avoid replacing it with a new furnace by making some minor repairs instead. However, newer furnaces are more efficient, so upgrading to a more efficient furnace might end up saving you money in the long run depending on what is wrong with your current one. In addition, many gas companies offer rebates for customers who switch to a more energy efficient model. Here are a few other things to take into consideration if you’re considering replacing your current furnace:

Newer Units

Newer units have higher standards for efficiency as mandated by the U.S. government. Furnaces that operate at 55%-72% AFUE are obsolete, and have been since 1992. These non-compliant furnaces should be replaced with a furnace that at least meets the minimum guidelines of 80% AFUE. This new minimum was implemented in 2013, replacing the 1992 standard of 78%, so even if your furnace was installed after 1992, if it is operating at 78% AFUE it is now obsolete.
In addition to being more cost efficient, newer furnaces are quieter and more eco-friendly than older models. If your gas or oil-burning furnace was installed before 1992, you are probably wasting 30% or more of your energy dollars in addition to pumping up to 4 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.

Duct Work

Most furnaces won’t work properly if the ductwork, vents, or filters aren’t installed or adjusted properly for the new heating system. Replacement furnaces often have different sizes or capacities than the ones they’re replacing, which means it’s necessary to update the existing forced air system. Keep in mind that the furnace is just one part of a larger system. It relies on the filter, vents and ductwork to move the hot air throughout the house.

If you want to convert from an electric furnace to a gas furnace, you will need to have gas piping and ductwork installed first. This will add an additional up-front cost to the furnace and installation process of around $5,000 to $15,000 or more depending on the space. If you simply need to repair duct work, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000.Factors that affect the cost of ductwork repair and installation include: how many total floors the house has; the total number of intake and output vents that are needed to create comfortable temperatures throughout the house; the number of separate temperature-control zones; the extent of repairs needed for the floors, walls and ceilings after the ducts are installed; and overall accessibility of the ducts.

Warranties

A major benefit of installing a new furnace is that it will come with a warranty, which will leave you off the hook for future repairs during a pre-determined period of time. Warranties vary depending on the brand of furnace you have installed. Generally, basic (meaning lower efficiency) furnaces have a shorter warranty than premium furnaces, so you will want to explore the warranty options of your top picks before making a final decision. Warranties generally cover parts for 5-10 years, though some offer full replacement for 10 years. Most furnace companies also offer customers the option to purchase additional warranties that will cover parts and service for a longer period of time.

Standard Furnace Parts

Different furnace models have a variety of features that set them apart from others in the market. All furnaces, however, have several standard parts in common.

Power Switch: Natural gas furnaces require electricity to function. The blower motor and circuit boards that send signals to and from the thermostat run on electricity, and some units won’t operate without electricity for safety reasons. Fortunately, newer furnaces are efficient enough that the impact on the average electric bill is minor.
Shut-Off Valve: This is a simple lever attached to the line that brings gas into the home and to the furnace. It’s important to know where the shut-off valve is located in case of an emergency. Note that when this valve is closed, latent gas remains present in the line for about ten minutes before it dissipates.
Pilot Light: This is the flame used to ignite the gas burner. In older systems, the pilot light was always lit, which proved wasteful. Newer systems use electricity to ignite the dormant pilot light, which then ignites a larger gas burner.
Blower: The blower is the part that does the brunt of the furnace’s work. This is the motor that blows warm air through the duct system. Be sure to check the blower chamber periodically to ensure it’s free of debris and other obstructions.
Burners: The burners are the origin of the furnace’s hot gases. The pilot light provides the small flame that lights the larger burners, which then send the heated gases into the heat exchanger. A burner cover shields the burners to keep stray particles like dust out of the heat exchanger. The burner cover also prevents accidental contact with the burners’ flame.
Heat Exchanger: This is a curved section of metal piping that transports the gases heated by the burners. As the gas heats the metal, the blower passes air over the heat exchanger. This heats up the air as the blower pushes it through the ductwork.
Combustion Chamber: The combustion chamber creates the draft that pulls the hot gases through the heat exchanger and sends them to the exhaust stack, which channels them safely outside where they dissipate harmlessly. A draft hood prevents the gases from escaping into the home.
Supply Duct: This is a ductwork component that sends the heated air into the home. The supply duct has a damper that can be used to regulate the flow of air as it leaves the furnace. Some dampers are manually operated by a small handle, but others are powered by electricity and respond to signals from the thermostat.
Return Duct: The return duct pulls cool air into the furnace. This part passes the fresh air supply through a filter before it enters the blower chamber.
Condensate Drain: Passing cool and warm air through a system inevitably draws humidity out of the air. The condensate drain passes accumulated moisture safely out of the system to prevent corrosion in the furnace.