Furnace cleaning costs $150 on average, but you could pay anywhere between $60 and $1,000, depending on the type and size of the furnace.
The average furnace cleaning cost is about $150, although prices often range from around $70 to $400, depending on the type of furnace, size of the furnace system, and where the furnace is located in your home. Additional factors, like how long it’s been since your last furnace cleaning and whether you opt for a basic or deep clean, can also influence the cost.
Experts recommend you schedule a furnace cleaning at least once per year. That’s because dust and debris can quickly build up in the furnace. Not only does this mean your furnace has to work harder to warm your space, leading to higher heating bills, but it can also wear it down faster and cost you more in repairs.
Furnace cleaning costs range from $60 to over $400. Cleaning an electric furnace that’s in good condition and is in a small home may start at around $60 while cleaning a larger oil or gas furnace system tends to be more expensive. If your furnace is located in a hard-to-reach space, you’ll also pay more for any cleaning or repair services.
Electric, gas, and oil are three common furnace types. Because of their more complex system designs, gas and oil furnaces tend to cost more to clean, while electric furnace cleaning costs fall on the lower end of the average $60 to $400 price range.
Type | Cost |
---|---|
Electric | $60–$150 |
Gas | $60–$175 |
Oil | $100–$1,000 |
The size of your home can influence the cost of cleaning the furnace because a larger system will require more time to service. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median home size is about 2,300 square feet. Homes larger than this can expect to spend over $150 for a furnace cleaning.
If it’s been a long time since you’ve last scheduled a furnace cleaning, you’ll need to pay extra for a deeper clean. While a standard furnace cleaning costs about $60 to $150, you’ll spend around $150 to $400 for an advanced cleaning package. Even if you keep up with regular cleanings, from time to time you’ll need to spend a little more for the deep clean to make sure your furnace is in tip-top shape, inside and out.
Looking to schedule a furnace cleaning a few weeks before winter hits? Prepare to get in line—and to pay a premium. Fall and winter are some of the busiest times of year for furnace professionals, as many people rush to make sure their furnaces will reliably heat their homes as the winter chill begins to set in. You may be able to save by scheduling an appointment earlier in the year, but having a pro inspect and clean the furnace shortly before you need it is best for furnace efficiency.
The more difficult it is to access the furnace and all of its parts, the more you’ll need to pay for the cleaning service. If you have an attic furnace or your appliance is located in a cramped crawlspace, expect to spend $150 or more for the cleaning.
Typically, pros will charge for furnace cleaning services on a project basis, but you may also come across furnace cleaning companies that charge by the hour. In that case, you can expect to spend about $50 to $150 per hour, and this job takes about two to three hours to complete.
From changing out a furnace filter every season to scheduling an inspection alongside your annual cleanings, there are additional costs you may encounter when you get your furnace cleaned.
Be sure to change furnace filters at least once every 90 days. This task is DIY-friendly and will cost about $1 to $35, depending on the type of filter your furnace requires.
During the cleaning, a furnace expert may notice wear and tear or damage that requires repairs. Furnace repairs cost about $130 to $500 on average, although the repairs may range from $65 to over $1,400, depending on the type of furnace and the extent of the damage.
"As a professional, I'd never miss out on routine servicing for my heating system. It's really easy to skip servicing your unit, but it can lead to breakdowns and high energy bills. It can be a safety issue, too."
— Yashar Mosaferi, President of Klondike AC, British Columbia, Canada
A furnace inspection costs about $80 to $100 on average. Inspections may include light cleaning services, but for a more thorough clean, you should consider scheduling both services. For an inspection and furnace cleaning, you’ll spend a total of about $110 to $600.
Aside from swapping out furnace filters every few months, you shouldn’t attempt to clean a furnace yourself. This is a dangerous job because making a mistake or damaging the furnace during the cleaning could lead to electric shocks and/or gas leaks. Performing a cleaning without a licensed professional could also void your furnace warranty.
You can handle filter replacements on your own, which will cost you about $1 to $35 per filter. Change filters at least once every three months.
Most of the cost of cleaning a furnace is the labor, but hiring a local furnace cleaner is a worthwhile investment. The pros can thoroughly clean your furnace system and even spot potential problems before they become costly and inconvenient damages. This ensures your furnace is working efficiently and safely, and over time, this can save you money on heating bills and repairs.
After your furnace cleaning, you may consider some additional home improvement projects to give your furnace an efficiency boost or make your rooms even warmer ahead of the cold months. Some common furnace projects you may consider include:
Oil tank replacement cost: $800–$3,800
New furnace cost: $2,815–$6,810
Air duct cleaning cost: $270–$500
Boiler installation cost: $600–$12,000
Heat pump cost: $4,195–$7,620
Radiant floor heating cost: $1,700–$6,000
Furnace cleaning costs are just part of owning a home, but there are ways to save on this annual maintenance project. If you want to get the best deal on furnace cleaning services, be sure to:
Schedule regular cleanings: Keeping up with regular furnace maintenance, like cleanings and inspections, will save you money on future repairs and furnace replacements.
Look for seasonal discounts: Fall and winter are busy times of the year for furnace services, so you could save money by scheduling services in the spring or summer instead.
Check for rebates: Some city utility companies may offer rebates of about $20 to $50 for annual furnace cleaning and inspection services.
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You should schedule a furnace cleaning at least once per year, typically before winter. That way, a professional furnace cleaner can make sure the system runs properly before cold temperatures blow into town. Additionally, make sure to schedule an air duct cleaning every three to five years for smooth HVAC performance.
It will take a professional about two to three hours to clean a furnace. However, if it’s been more than a couple of years since your last cleaning or you have a furnace in a big home, it could take more than three hours to thoroughly clean the furnace and all of its parts.
You will know if your furnace needs cleaning if your furnace seems to be working less efficiently than normal. You may notice your bedroom is chilly, but the living room is extremely warm, or perhaps the furnace isn’t heating the house properly at all. The furnace may also make weird noises, like bangs or whistles, or emit a rubbery or smoky smell when it is dirty. Of course, these symptoms could also be signs of other issues, so call in an HVAC pro to take a look as soon as possible.