Search thousands of topics on CostHelper

BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children  cars  consumer electronics health & personal care home & garden personal finance  pets  schools small business sports weddings
CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Electrical, HVAC & Energy Efficiency > Furnace Tune-up

Furnace Tune-up Cost


How Much Does a Furnace Tune-up Cost?

 
average costDo-it-Yourself Maintenance: $10-$30high costProfessional Tune-Up: $70-$200

Regular furnace tune-ups[1] can extend the life of the furnace, cut heating costs, prevent breakdowns and limit repairs, and reduce the amount of smoke and other pollutants released into the atmosphere. Oil-fired furnaces should be tuned up and cleaned annually, gas systems every two years and heat pumps every two to three years.

Typical costs:

  • Simple maintenance tasks (such as replacing filters or cleaning vents) can be a do-it-yourself project for $10-$30 in materials. For example, pleated-material filters[2] typically cost $4-$30 each, depending on size and thickness and whether they are sold in packs of one, two, six or 12.
  • A professional furnace tune-up can cost $70-$200 or more but typically is about $100-$125, depending on location and the type of furnace. For example, Horizon Services[3] in Delaware and Pennsylvania offers an $89 online special, while Seider Heating & Air Conditioning[4] in Wisconsin charges $110 for a gas furnace or gas boiler and $180 for an oil furnace. (If simple parts like a nozzle or thermo coupler need replacing, it can add $50-$150 or more to the total.)
Related articles: Programmable Thermostat, Furnace, Chimney Sweep

What should be included:
  • Do-it-yourself maintenance can include checking the thermostat to be sure it's working correctly; checking and replacing the filter; cleaning exposed surfaces; and oiling the motor and other moving parts (newer ones may be self-lubricating). The Family Handyman Magazine gives furnace maintenance instructions[5] , estimating the project is moderately difficult and takes less than three hours for a natural gas or propane furnace. Family Handyman suggests a professional tune-up should be done at least every three years, and warns that oil furnace combustion chambers should only be maintained by professionals.
  • A professional furnace tune-up should include checking and cleaning all the major parts of the furnace; adjusting the pilot and burner if needed; inspecting and replacing filters if needed; lubricating all motors (although newer models may be self-lubricating); and performing a combustion efficiency test. DIYNetwork.com illustrates the typical steps included in a professional furnace tune-up[6] .
  • The commonwealth of Massachusetts lists what should be included in an annual fuel oil burner cleanout. A complete professional tune-up of an oil-fired furnace typically takes one to two hours, according to the National Oilheat Research Alliance[7] .
Additional costs:
  • Some companies use tune-ups to spot needed (and sometimes unnecessary) repairs; make sure that any additional work will not be performed automatically only if the homeowner approves. Routine furnace repairs might cost $100-$600 but average about $300-$400. However, complex furnace repairs can cost $1,000-$2,500 or more, depending on the type of problem and the parts needed.
Discounts:
  • Since tune-ups can improve efficiency, some utility companies offer a furnace tune-up rebate of $20-$50. For example, City Utilities[8] in Missouri offers a $30 rebate for a furnace tune-up; and DTE Energy[9] in Michigan offers a $50 rebate for a diagnostic tune-up on a forced air furnace or boiler, but the work must meet specific standards and be done by a participating contractor (DTE Energy provides a list).
Shopping for a furnace tune-up:
  • Many companies provide a written checklist of the work being done. Ask about training, and whether the technicians are certified by the National Oilheat Research Association[10] or North American Technician Excellence Inc.[11]
  • ThisOldHouse.com provides tips for selecting a furnace maintenance company[12] . Referrals are available through North American Technician Excellence Inc[13] and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America[14] .
  • Check that the company is properly bonded, insured and licensed.
post Post   Comments (15)  
CostHelper News


7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013


7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013

‣ All CostHelper Blog Posts


What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Oil burner vacuum and tune up
Amount: $462.00
Posted by: Kathryn Pannelli in Long Island, NY.Posted: January 12th, 2022 02:01PM
Is this reasonable?$150.00 was a diagnostic fee.We called and told them the problem!
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Gas High Efficiency Boiler
Amount: $450.00
Posted by: Homeowners woburn in Woburn, MA.Posted: December 20th, 2021 01:12PM
Felt like I got a good deal. Flushed system,checked all the Electrical & Gas connections. Cleaned the inside of Boiler Chamber, Changed Igniter & Rescheduled for the following year.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Gas furnace tune-up
Amount: $170.00
Posted by: ServiceDispatcher21 in Allentown, PA.Posted: November 28th, 2021 11:11AM
Propane or natural gas furnace annual tune-up current cost is $170.00. I work for an HVAC service company in Lehigh Valley PA
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Furnace tuneup
Amount: $534.00
Posted by: Taken in Denver in Denver, CO.Posted: April 10th, 2019 08:04PM
Tech cleaned blower; removed electrostatic filters but couldn't clean them because it was snowing out so left furnace with no filters in it.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
No heat oil furnace
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: N.H.P. in Wolcott, CT.Posted: November 2nd, 2017 04:11AM
Need to replace the filter and can at oil tank old one had rusted out. Also did screen and nozzle transformer and brushed out jackets and chimney clean out.Then need new gasket on heating coil was leaking bad 1 bolt broken when done all new bolts stainless steel.Also called out repair man for no heat tank needed to be drained to remove water and slug from bottom then an addtive was installed.I was hoping someone would have a cost for the repair took 8 hours to to job and 1 trip to supply house.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Think
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: a user in Harrisburg, PA.Posted: February 2nd, 2017 05:02PM
Recognize the overhead costs of the company. ie, truck maintenance,gas, hourly pay of tech, cost of parts etc... any reputable company is not ripping you off.In fact service calls and preventative maintainence account for very little profit in the hvac world. What they are good for is building and keeping a good reputation which keeps other contractors out and in tenfold creates buisness through recommendations. However, if you hire jo blow because he was the cheapest, or "was supposed to be" you get what you asked for.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Maintenance & repair
Amount: $600.00
Posted by: MARIUS in Jersey City, NJ.Posted: October 5th, 2016 08:10AM
Replaced the pressure valve, inlet valve, expansion tank
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Oil Fired Boiler / Cool Tech Air
Amount: $258.00
Posted by: JacobJ33 in Jarrettsville, MD.Posted: November 29th, 2015 08:11AM
Cleaned our boiler in our apartment building, changed oil filter, nozzle, cleaned and set electrodes. Cleaned flue pipe. Performed an electronic combustion test and performed a complete tune up, also re-adjusted barometric damper. Inspected all pumps and controls. got us a 89.3% efficiency. Had this guy come out before, and he is awesome with boilers. Guaranteed his work, and did not leave a big mess like the company I use to use did.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Oil heat complaints
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Adam's Oil in North Attleboro, MA.Posted: November 5th, 2015 10:11AM
I am a licensed and respected oil heating tech. If you're tech seams like they are brushing you away or are doing a tune up on an oil unit in under and hour they aren't doing it well. A cleaning takes me 1:20 on average. Pricing will vary by state and area. I service metro-west and a tune up with filters runs around $200. I am at probably the 75% for cost but I do quality work. Don't be afraid to ask questions, if you have a good tech they won't mind. For those of you who thing 75-100 is to much for a prime and start. Get out of bed at 2am drive 30 minutes in freezing temps, get the smell of fuel oil on you, fill out paper work, drive home, then replace the fuel you just used, pay all the insurances, pay all the maintenance and then give uncle sam 40%. Now, is 75-100 bucks still too much?
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Oil furnace tune up
Amount: $170.00
Posted by: Jazzo in Enfield, CT.Posted: August 21st, 2015 07:08AM
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Terry plumbing Gorton, New london, Waterford, CT
Amount: $950.00
Posted by: Riped off by TERRY PLumbing in Gorton, CT.Posted: May 2nd, 2015 03:05PM
This guy is a rip off. He charged $950.00 to clean an oil furnace, that was working fine, and to replace to small pipes that had nothing to do with the furnace. Will never use him again. He bought two young men with him to help, and they were in and out of the house. THIS APRIL 2015, THE YEAR IN THE BOX BELOW WONT CHANGE TO CURRENT YEAR.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Oil Burner Prime
Amount: $80.00
Posted by: Aaron R. in Pataskala, OH.Posted: March 8th, 2015 08:03AM
Mark you were not ripped off most places charge $80-100 just to show up at your house that is fair considering the cost of them sending a tech to your home. Hopefully you watched him do it it is a simple task.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Watch out Mar's Oil in Chelsea
Amount: $0.20
Posted by: bad company buster in CHELSEAS, MA.Posted: February 13th, 2015 04:02AM
They are out of control! Not only serious or repeated rude, degrading, or offensive remarks at all times-zore customer skills. They make sure you have to work at their convenience; very good with avoiding early prevention for scheduling tune up "Nobody is doing that anymore" they claimed so that they wait until your furnace break down to charge $85 just to come out plus high repair fee
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Oil burner prime
Amount: $80.00
Posted by: Mark Stevens in Stoneham, MA.Posted: January 31st, 2015 12:01PM
This seems like a lot of money to prime an oil burner. A task that takes 5 minutes and a bill for $80.00? Am I being "ripped off?"
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Furnace Fan Replacement
Amount: $400.00
Posted by: Buckeyezan in Cleveland, OH.Posted: March 29th, 2011 02:03PM
My mom just paid $400.00 to have a fan replaced on her Lennox furnace. That's all the service tech. did. He did not change the filter.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


 

Comment On Your Experience With a Furnace Tune-up
 
Subject:  *
Amount Spent:  *
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.
 



External Resources:
  1.  www.aceee.org/consumer/heating#improve
  2.  www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_15?url=search-alias%3Dtools&field-keywords=furna...
  3.  www.horizonservicesinc.com/reference/special-offers-coupons/special-offers/furnace...
  4.  www.seider.com/faq.html
  5.  www.familyhandyman.com/diy-projects/heating---cooling/furnace-repair/fall-furnace-...
  6.  www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-complete-a-furnace-tune-up/index.html
  7.  www.oilheatamerica.com/index.mv?screen=faq46
  8.  www.cityutilities.net/conserve/pgm-furnacetuneup.htm
  9.  www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/saveEnergy/rebates/furnaceTuneUp.html
  10.  www.oilheatamerica.com/index.mv?screen=faq39
  11.  www.hvacradvice.com/How_NATE_benefits_you/default.aspx
  12.  www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,218945,00.html
  13.  www.hvacradvice.com/
  14.  www.acca.org/consumer/find-a-contractor/
More Home and Garden Topics
Check Out All Costs for Home and Garden How Much Does a Kitchen Remodeling Cost? How Much Does a Propane Tank Cost? How Much Does a Plumber Cost?

Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com

 
Today's Featured Cost Articles

About CostHelper
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit
Paid: 147.00
Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
-nervouschomper
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Paid: 150.00
I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
-Gregory Richardson
Interpreter Cost
Dat
Paid: 495.00
This is how much I am paying... [more]
-Calista Christian
Dental Admission Test Cost
Shingrix
Paid: 48.00
... [more]
-Not that BB
Shingles Vaccine Cost
Skin prick allergy test
Paid: 573.00
Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]
-D’s mom
Allergy Testing Cost
Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat
Paid: 0.00
13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more]
-Terrimarie
Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost