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CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Electrical, HVAC & Energy Efficiency > Gas Furnace

Gas Furnace Cost


How Much Does a Gas Furnace Cost?

 
low costWall- or Floor-Mount: $1,400-$5,000+ Installedaverage costStandard-Efficiency Central Furnace: $1,700-$8,000+high costHigh-Efficiency Central Furnace: $2,500-$12,000+

Gas furnaces can be powered by natural gas (from a utility company) or propane (LP). Capacity is measured in British thermal units (one BTU is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit). A furnace rated 50,000 BTU consumes 50,000 BTUs an hour.

Typical costs:

  • Furnaces that are the heart of a gas central heating system are typically sold by an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) contractor, with installation included, and the AFUE rating is a major factor in the price. Replacing an aging gas furnace with a standard-efficiency model (80% AFUE, which means that 80% of its fuel is converted to heat) starts at about $1,700-$4,000, including installation, but depending on complexity and location it can cost $5,000-$8,000 or more.
  • Installing a new high-efficiency (90%-97% AFUE) gas furnace starts at about $2,500-$6,000 but depending on complexity and location it can cost $7,000-$12,000 or more. CostHelper readers report paying $2,695-$5,000 for basic installation of a 95%-96% gas furnace, at an average cost of $3,465.
  • Replacing an oil furnace with a gas-fired model can cost thousands of dollars more than replacing one gas furnace with another, because of the cost to remove the old oil tank ($500-$3,000 or more) and to install new gas lines, fittings, valves and other parts of the system to work with the new gas furnace. A CostHelper reader reports paying $6,500 to replace an oil furnace with a gas unit.
  • A wall-mounted gas furnace that provides hot air directly to the surrounding space can cost $400-$2,500 for just the unit, depending on size, BTUs, AFUE rating, air outlet location (top outlets are typically slightly cheaper than bottom outlet models) and the controls (a wall-mount or cabinet-mount thermostat or a remote control). Installation can bring total costs to $1,400-$5,000 or more. For example, the low-profile (25.25" high, 22.25" wide, 9.5" deep) HouseWarmer HWDV181BDV 18,000 BTU Wall Furnace[1] vents directly on an outside wall, has a built-in blower and thermostat, is rated to heat up to 525 square feet and costs about $500-$830 (without installation) in propane or natural gas.
  • Replacing a gas floor furnace (the heat rises from a grill flush with the floor) typically costs about $900-$2,500 for just the unit, depending on size, BTUs and features like the type of thermostat; installation brings the total cost to $2,000-$4,500 or more. At 14" wide the Cozy Challenger 90N30 Narrow 30,000 BTU Natural Gas Floor Furnace[2] fits between standard 16" floor joist spacing and costs about $900-$1,000 without installation.
Related articles: Central Heating, Electric Baseboard Heater, Radiant Floor Heating, Heat Pump, Propane, Installing a Gas Line

What should be included:
  • A furnace in a central heating system typically has a burner, where the fuel is delivered and consumed; a heat exchanger (or exchangers) to transfer heat from the burner to the air; and blowers/fans to distribute the heated air into the ductwork. Mr. Fix-It has a detailed overview[3] that includes basic terms and standard system set-ups.
Additional costs:
  • A building/mechanical permit is usually required to replace a furnace. Fees are typically about $50-$300 or more. Many contractors include getting the proper permits and inspections as part of the installation process.
  • Replacing aging, leaking or inadequate ductwork typically costs about $35 -$55 a linear foot for labor and materials, or $1,000-$5,000 or more for a single-family home, depending on the length and type of ducts.
  • Older ductwork might contain asbestos, creating unpredictable additional costs for asbestos removal.
  • Replacing a low- or mid-efficiency furnace with a high-efficiency model may require installing a chimney liner for about $300-$700.
Discounts:
  • The database of State Incentives for Renewables & Energy Efficiency[4] tracks energy-efficiency incentives offered by utilities and by state, federal and local government agencies. For example, utility companies in Wisconsin[5] pay a $125 "reward" for furnaces with a 90% AFUE rating and $275 for 95% models.
Shopping for a gas furnace:
  • The Environmental Protection Agency lists tips for hiring a heating and cooling contractor[6] .
  • Referrals are available from the North American Technician Excellence certification program[7] and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America[8] .
  • Request and check references; ask about length and type of experience; and be sure they are properly bonded, insured and licensed.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Gas furnace replaced
Amount: $6,000.00
Posted by: Harish Kumar in Parsippany, NJ.Posted: March 4th, 2019 11:03AM
Type of Gas: Natural gasAFUE Rating: 80
AJ Pierri, 120k BTU for 3200 sqft, carrier performance series with filter replacement and 1 year service
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Gas Furnace Replaced
Amount: $1,600.00
Posted by: waytzu in Buffalo Grove, IL.Posted: October 30th, 2012 08:10AM
Type of Gas: NaturalAFUE Rating: 80
Very good service. Job done in 3 hours.
10 years Warrantee on parts, 1 year on labor.
American Standard, 120,000 BTU for 2300 SQ house.
Quite, safe and warm now.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


 

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External Resources:
  1.  ecsretail.com/documents/HWDV/specs-HWDV-80-180-DV.pdf
  2.  www.cozyheaters.com/pdfs/products/floor_furnace.pdf
  3.  www.htoyh.com/content/replace_your_furnace.pdf
  4.  www.dsireusa.org/
  5.  www.focusonenergy.com/residential/efficient-products-appliances/residential-rewards
  6.  www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_contractors_10tips
  7.  www.hvacradvice.com/
  8.  www.acca.org/consumer/find-a-contractor/
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