Furnace replacement makes sense when a furnace is old, needs costly repairs, heats unevenly or raises safety concerns. Many furnaces last around 15 to 20 years. A new, correctly sized furnace heats more evenly and often uses less fuel.
The installer should size the furnace with a load calculation, check venting and gas lines, and test carbon monoxide safety.
When you need furnace replacement
- A furnace more than 15 to 20 years old
- Repairs that keep adding up
- Uneven heating or rising bills
- A cracked heat exchanger or other safety problem
- Yellow flames, soot or carbon monoxide alarms
What the job involves
- Do a load calculation and choose the right size and efficiency.
- Remove the old furnace.
- Install the new furnace, venting, gas connection and filter.
- Test operation, airflow and carbon monoxide safety.
- Register the warranty and pass any inspection.
What affects the cost
Sifixit does not quote prices, because every job is different. These are the things that move the price up or down, so you can compare quotes fairly:
- Furnace size and efficiency rating
- Single stage, two stage or variable speed
- Venting changes, especially for high efficiency models
- Gas line or electrical work
- Pairing with a new air conditioner or heat pump
- Permits
Insurance
Insurance pays for a furnace only when it is damaged by a covered event, such as a fire or flood under flood insurance, not for age or wear.
Licensing by state
Rules differ a lot between states. Here is who licenses this work in the states Sifixit covers most. Always ask for the license number and check it with the state.
- Texas: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licenses air conditioning and refrigeration contractors.
- California: Contractors State License Board, C 20 license.
- Florida: Construction Industry Licensing Board, Class A or B air conditioning contractor.
- Arizona: Registrar of Contractors.
- Nevada: Nevada State Contractors Board.
- Georgia: Division of Conditioned Air Contractors.
- Everywhere: technicians who handle refrigerant need EPA Section 608 certification.
Read our guide: carbon monoxide safety at home.
Local help for furnace replacement
- Heating and cooling in Aurora, CO
- Heating and cooling in Colorado Springs, CO
- Heating and cooling in Denver, CO
- Heating and cooling in Anaheim, CA
- Heating and cooling in Henderson, NV
- Heating and cooling in Irvine, CA
Quick answers: furnace replacement
How long does a furnace last?
Often around 15 to 20 years.
Repair or replace my furnace?
Replacement often makes sense for older furnaces with costly or repeated repairs.
How long does furnace replacement take?
Often a day.
Is a cracked heat exchanger dangerous?
Yes. It can leak carbon monoxide. Stop using the furnace and call a technician.
Who replaces furnaces?
A licensed HVAC company. Sifixit can connect you with a local HVAC technician.
Looking for furnace replacement? Call the number on this page to be connected with an independent local provider. For more background, see ENERGY STAR’s heating and cooling advice.
This site is a free service to assist homeowners in connecting with local service contractors. All contractors are independent and this site does not warrant or guarantee any work performed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to verify that the hired contractor furnishes the necessary license and insurance required for the work being performed. All persons depicted in a photo or video are actors or models and not contractors listed on this site.
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