HVAC · national cost guide
Furnace Replacement cost (2026)
Furnace replacement costs $3,800–$7,000 in 2026, or about $5,400 for a typical job. Replacing a residential furnace, including the unit and installation labor. That national figure is the starting point — labor rates, climate and permit fees move it, so a furnace replacement in San Jose prices differently than in El Paso.
Homeowners typically pay about $5,400 as a national figure — your city changes the number.
Furnace Replacement cost by type
National ranges by option. Localize any of these to your city below.
| Type | National 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Gas furnace | $3,700 – $6,900 |
| High-efficiency gas furnace | $3,300 – $6,900 |
| Electric furnace | $2,000 – $4,500 |
Furnace Replacement cost by home size
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.
| home size | National 2026 range |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft (≈45,000 BTU) | $2,800 – $5,200 |
| 1,500 sq ft (≈68,000 BTU) | $3,300 – $6,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft (≈90,000 BTU) | $3,800 – $7,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft (≈110,000 BTU) | $4,400 – $8,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft (≈130,000 BTU) | $5,000 – $9,000 |
| 3,500+ sq ft (≈150,000 BTU) | $5,600 – $10,000 |
National ranges before local adjustment — pick a city below to localize any row.
Furnace Replacement cost by efficiency tier
Efficiency is measured in AFUE — the percentage of fuel turned into heat. Higher AFUE costs more upfront but cuts fuel bills, and in cold (northern) regions the DOE requires ≥95% AFUE gas furnaces.
| Tier | National 2026 range |
|---|---|
| 80% AFUE (standard)Lowest upfront; fine in mild climates | $3,000 – $5,500 |
| 90–95% AFUE (high-efficiency)Best all-round value in most regions | $3,800 – $7,000 |
| 96%+ AFUE (condensing, premium)Lowest fuel bills; required in cold zones | $5,000 – $9,500 |
Where this number comes from
The 2026 national range for furnace replacement ($3,800–$7,000) is anchored to published industry, contractor and manufacturer pricing for the equipment plus typical installation labor. City pages take that range and adjust it three ways: the labor share is repriced from BLS OEWS metro trade wages where available and the BEA Regional Price Parity index elsewhere, the hvac load is adjusted for the IECC climate zone, and a typical local permit fee is added.
- LaborBLS OEWS metro wages · BEA RPP
- ClimateIECC / DOE climate zones
- IncentivesIRS 25C/25D status · DSIRE
Every figure here is a research estimate, not a quote. Read the full method and sources in how we estimate costs.
Additional furnace replacement costs to budget for
Quotes usually price the main job only; the items below are what turn an estimate into the final invoice.
| Old furnace removal & disposal | $50 – $330 |
| New ductwork (vs. repair $300–$1,500)Only if ducts are missing or failing | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Gas line run or upgrade | $250 – $800 |
| Chimney liner (for high-efficiency venting) | $600 – $2,500 |
| Smart thermostat | $150 – $500 |
How long does furnace replacement last?
Gas furnaces typically last 15–20 years; well-maintained units can reach 30.
An annual tune-up keeps efficiency up and protects the warranty.
Signs you need furnace replacement
- The furnace is 15+ years old (near or past its service life)
- Heating bills keep climbing despite no change in usage
- Some rooms are warm while others stay cold (uneven heating)
- Frequent repairs — you've called for service more than once or twice recently
- Banging, rattling or screeching noises on startup
- A yellow or flickering burner flame instead of steady blue (have it checked immediately)
- More dust, dryness, or a stale smell when the heat runs
Repair or replace?
Repair if…
- The unit is under ~10 years old and otherwise efficient
- The fix is a single inexpensive part (igniter, flame sensor, capacitor)
- It's still under manufacturer warranty
Replace if…
- It's 15+ years old and needs a major part
- The heat exchanger is cracked (a safety issue — replace, don't repair)
- The repair costs more than about half of a new system
- It's an 80% AFUE unit and your fuel bills are high in a cold climate
Popular furnace replacement estimates
The most-searched cities for this project, each with its local 2026 range.
furnace replacement guides & advice
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2026 estimates for major U.S. cities, fully localized. Tap through for any city's full breakdown.
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Furnace Replacement cost by state
Choose your state below; we've localized this project for 558+ cities across 51 states.
- Alabama9
- Alaska3
- Arizona15
- Arkansas7
- California73
- Colorado8
- Connecticut7
- Delaware2
- District of Columbia1
- Florida39
- Georgia14
- Hawaii3
- Idaho8
- Illinois16
- Indiana11
- Iowa9
- Kansas8
- Kentucky8
- Louisiana9
- Maine3
- Maryland5
- Massachusetts14
- Michigan15
- Minnesota9
- Mississippi5
- Missouri12
- Montana5
- Nebraska3
- Nevada7
- New Hampshire1
- New Jersey10
- New Mexico6
- New York22
- North Carolina16
- North Dakota5
- Ohio12
- Oklahoma3
- Oregon8
- Pennsylvania13
- Rhode Island2
- South Carolina10
- South Dakota3
- Tennessee13
- Texas39
- Utah8
- Vermont1
- Virginia16
- Washington18
- West Virginia4
- Wisconsin17
- Wyoming3
Prefer a full list? Browse all 558+ cities →
What affects the price
- Fuel type (gas vs electric) and AFUE efficiency rating
- Heating capacity (BTU) needed for your square footage
- Condition of existing ductwork and venting
- Whether a chimney liner or new gas line is required
Ways to cut the cost
- Get at least 3 quotes — installed prices vary widely
- Right-size the unit; oversizing wastes money and cycles hard
- Look for utility rebates on high-efficiency models
- Schedule in the off-season (spring/summer) for better rates
Cheapest time for furnace replacement
Why spring and fall are cheaper: contractors have open calendar space and compete harder for the work. Why summer and deep winter are expensive: a broken system in extreme weather isn't optional, so you lose your negotiating leverage.
Questions to ask HVAC contractors
Run this list past each contractor. Where two bids diverge, the reason is almost always in one of these answers.
- 1Did you run a Manual J load calculation to size the system, or estimate from square footage?
- 2What AFUE/SEER2 rating is this unit, and what's the payback vs. the next tier up?
- 3Is removal of the old equipment, the permit, and startup testing included in the quote?
- 4Will my existing ductwork and venting work as-is, or is repair/resizing needed?
- 5What's covered under the labor warranty vs. the manufacturer's parts warranty?
Furnace Replacement cost questions
How much does furnace replacement cost in 2026?
Nationally, furnace replacement runs about $3,800–$7,000, with most homeowners paying around $5,400. Your city moves this based on local labor, climate and permits — El Paso, TX is among the lowest ($4,600) and San Jose, CA among the highest ($7,000).
What are the main types of furnace replacement and how do they compare?
Gas furnace ($3,700–$6,900); High-efficiency gas furnace ($3,300–$6,900); Electric furnace ($2,000–$4,500). Pick a city below to localize any of these to your area.
What affects the cost of furnace replacement?
Fuel type (gas vs electric) and AFUE efficiency rating; Heating capacity (BTU) needed for your square footage; Condition of existing ductwork and venting; Whether a chimney liner or new gas line is required.
Furnace Replacement cost by home size?
1,000 sq ft (≈45,000 BTU): $2,800–$5,200; 1,500 sq ft (≈68,000 BTU): $3,300–$6,000; 2,000 sq ft (≈90,000 BTU): $3,800–$7,000; 2,500 sq ft (≈110,000 BTU): $4,400–$8,000; 3,000 sq ft (≈130,000 BTU): $5,000–$9,000; 3,500+ sq ft (≈150,000 BTU): $5,600–$10,000. These are national ranges before local labor, climate and permit adjustments.
What extra costs should I budget for beyond the quote?
Old furnace removal & disposal ($50–$330); New ductwork (vs. repair $300–$1,500) ($1,000–$5,000); Gas line run or upgrade ($250–$800); Chimney liner (for high-efficiency venting) ($600–$2,500). These sit outside most base quotes.
How long does furnace replacement last?
15–30 years is the typical service life. Gas furnaces typically last 15–20 years; well-maintained units can reach 30. Budget $70–$300 a year for maintenance.
Should I repair or replace?
The $5,000 rule: multiply the repair quote by the furnace's age in years. If it tops $5,000, replacement is usually the smarter spend. Repair makes sense when the unit is under ~10 years old and otherwise efficient. Replace when it's 15+ years old and needs a major part.
When is the cheapest time for furnace replacement?
The best window is spring and fall (mar–may, sep–oct), when demand drops and installers discount — typically 5–15% off peak pricing. Avoid peak summer and mid-winter.