Furnace Replacement cost: Augusta-Richmond County vs Dunwoody (2026)
In 2026, furnace replacement is about 1% less expensive in Augusta-Richmond County than in Dunwoody. Most homeowners pay around $5,100 in Augusta-Richmond County versus $5,150 in Dunwoody — a gap of roughly $50.
Augusta-Richmond County GA
Lower costTypically around $5,100
Dunwoody GA
Typically around $5,150
Augusta-Richmond County vs Dunwoody: full breakdown
| Factor | Augusta-Richmond County | Dunwoody |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $5,100 | $5,150 |
| Estimated range | $3,650–$6,550 | $3,700–$6,600 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×0.95 | ×0.96 |
| Climate zone | Hot | Hot |
| Climate factor | ×0.95 | ×0.95 |
| Local permit | $200 | $225 |
| Labor share | $3,050 | $3,100 |
| Materials/equipment | $2,050 | $2,050 |
Furnace replacement numbers here are 2026 planning ranges, adjusted per city — useful for budgeting, not a substitute for an actual quote.
How much should this gap actually matter?
A 1% difference on furnace replacement is minor — you'll typically see a wider spread just from getting multiple quotes in the same city, so don't let location drive the decision.
Furnace replacement by type: Augusta-Richmond County vs Dunwoody
Every furnace replacement type gets its own localized price for each metro, using the same labor, climate and permit adjustments — a true apples-to-apples comparison.
| Type | Augusta-Richmond County | Dunwoody |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace | $3,550–$6,450 | $3,600–$6,500 |
| High-efficiency gas furnace | $3,200–$6,450 | $3,250–$6,500 |
| Electric furnace | $2,000–$4,250 | $2,050–$4,350 |
Furnace replacement numbers here are 2026 planning ranges, adjusted per city — useful for budgeting, not a substitute for an actual quote.
Furnace replacement by home size: Augusta-Richmond County vs Dunwoody
Furnace cost scales with the heating capacity (BTU) your home needs — roughly 40–45 BTU per square foot in a mixed climate. Larger homes need a bigger unit and more ductwork.
| Size | Augusta-Richmond County | Dunwoody |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft (≈45,000 BTU) | $2,750–$4,900 | $2,800–$4,950 |
| 1,500 sq ft (≈68,000 BTU) | $3,200–$5,650 | $3,250–$5,700 |
| 2,000 sq ft (≈90,000 BTU) | $3,650–$6,550 | $3,700–$6,600 |
| 2,500 sq ft (≈110,000 BTU) | $4,200–$7,450 | $4,250–$7,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft (≈130,000 BTU) | $4,700–$8,350 | $4,800–$8,450 |
| 3,500+ sq ft (≈150,000 BTU) | $5,250–$9,250 | $5,350–$9,350 |
Localized 2026 planning estimates — not quotes. Each city adjusts the national furnace replacement range for local labor, climate and permits.
What hvac pros earn in each metro
Since labor accounts for around 60% of what a furnace replacement job costs, it's the biggest lever behind any price gap between cities. What you're seeing below is actual BLS metro wage data for skilled installers — not a guess.
No BLS metro wage series for Augusta-Richmond County; we use Georgia regional price parity instead.
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro · about 7% below the US average installer wage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metro wages for HVAC installers (used as a trade-labor index).
Cheapest time for furnace replacement in either city
Demand for HVAC work falls off a cliff in the shoulder months, and contractors discount to keep their crews booked. Wait for a 100-degree day or a hard freeze, though, and you're paying emergency rates for a system that just quit.
How much should you really budget for HVAC in 2026?
Ask five contractors for an HVAC quote and you'll get five different numbers — usually because they disagree on sizing, efficiency and equipment tier. Here's how our editors think through those trade-offs.
The budget-first case
Run a Manual J load calculation, then buy the standard tier — 80% AFUE, 14.3 SEER2 — and stop there. Where summers are short and winters are gentle, the equipment idles most of the year, so premium efficiency never gets enough runtime to earn back its price. Paying for SEER2 you'll rarely tap is the classic way a mild-climate homeowner overspends.
The longevity case
Brand is a footnote; sizing and install quality write the story. A right-sized mid-tier system that's properly commissioned and serviced once a year will outlive an oversized premium unit that short-cycles itself to an early grave. Put the money into the crew and the setup rather than the nameplate.
The efficiency-first case
High runtime changes the math. In a demanding climate the extra efficiency of a heat pump or a top-tier SEER2/AFUE unit gets paid back month after month on the utility bill, and state and utility incentives can shave the upfront figure further now that the federal 25C/25D credits have expired. Price the lifetime bills, not just the tag, before you default down.
Get the sizing and the commissioning right and the brand debate mostly disappears. Insist on a Manual J, pick an efficiency tier your climate can justify, and pocket every incentive that still applies after the federal credits lapsed.
Augusta-Richmond County vs Dunwoody
Is furnace replacement cheaper in Augusta-Richmond County or Dunwoody?
Yes — Dunwoody costs more. Expect around $5,150 for furnace replacement there against $5,100 in Augusta-Richmond County, about $50 (1%) apart in 2026.
Why does furnace replacement cost more in Dunwoody than Augusta-Richmond County?
The main driver is local labor rates: Dunwoody's labor index is 0.96 versus 0.95 in Augusta-Richmond County. Climate zone (hot vs hot) and permit fees also shift the total.
How much is furnace replacement in Augusta-Richmond County, GA?
furnace replacement in Augusta-Richmond County runs $3,650–$6,550 as of 2026 — most jobs land near $5,100.
When is the cheapest time to buy furnace replacement — and does it differ by city?
It doesn't vary by location — Spring and fall (Mar–May, Sep–Oct) is the discount window in both Augusta-Richmond County and Dunwoody (roughly 5–15% off), while peak summer and mid-winter tends to be the most expensive in either city.
Should I choose where to live based on furnace replacement cost?
Probably not. Yes, $50 is a real gap, but it's a one-time cost you can partly offset in Dunwoody with off-season timing and tighter bids. Long-term factors like energy prices and home condition matter more than this one number.
Compare furnace replacement in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik