Furnace inspections cost $100 on average, depending on the type of furnace and its size. Most people spend between $80 and $200.
A furnace inspection costs $100 on average, but prices can range from $50 on the low end to $300 or more. You can save on the cost of furnace inspections by scheduling in the off-season or if you’re heating a smaller home, while bigger furnaces and oil furnaces in particular cost more to inspect. You should be scheduling a furnace inspection at least once a year, typically ahead of winter, to catch and repair any issues before the cold weather sets in and a working heating system is a must.
From the type of furnace to the size of your home, several different cost factors influence what you’ll pay for a furnace inspection. In general, you can expect to spend about $80 to $100 for this service, and you’ll want to budget to pay for an inspection every year. Luckily, these small costs can add up to big savings, since HVAC professionals will be able to catch any potential problems before they get worse and warrant expensive repairs.
| Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Electric | $70–$150 |
| Gas | $80–$175 |
| Oil | $100–$200 |
The cost to inspect a furnace ranges from around $50 to about $200. Inspections for gas and oil furnaces typically cost more than electric furnace inspections, because these types of furnaces have additional components to inspect. For example, an HVAC professional will need to check for any carbon monoxide leaks, which can lead to headaches, chest pain, eye and throat irritation, fatigue, shortness of breath or unconsciousness. Longer exposures may also cause brain damage and can be fatal.
The bigger the home, the more the furnace inspection will be. That’s because a larger home requires a larger HVAC system, and a professional will have more parts to inspect. According to U.S. Census data, the median home size is about 2,300 square feet. For homes bigger than the median, you’re likely to pay $100 or more for the cost of a furnace inspection. Smaller homes will be at the lower end of the cost spectrum.
Most people schedule their furnace inspections in the fall or early winter when the weather begins to turn, so demand can be high around this time of year. And if you try to schedule an inspection in the middle of winter when temperatures drop dramatically, you’ll likely see higher rates, as HVAC pros tend to be especially busy with emergency services. You’ll spend on the lower end of the average range, around $50 to $100, by scheduling a furnace inspection from spring to late summer.
If it’s been a few years since you’ve hired someone to inspect your furnace, you can expect a bigger bill this time around. The furnace will likely need a tune-up, which will cost about $130 to $200, in addition to a thorough inspection.
For a furnace inspection, you’re paying entirely for the labor and expertise of a pro, rather than spending money on parts and materials. Although HVAC contractors will typically charge a project rate for a furnace inspection, you could pay by the hour. HVAC contractors charge about $50 to $150 per hour, with an inspection taking about one hour or up to two hours for an advanced inspection that includes a tune-up.
Typically, when you schedule a furnace inspection, you’ll also need to budget for some standard maintenance tasks or minor repairs as well. However, these additional costs can save you money in the long term by minimizing the need for emergency repair services down the road.
A basic furnace inspection costs about $80 to $100 on average, but you can get additional services, like light cleaning and a tune-up, for the cost of an advanced furnace inspection—about $125 to $200. Outside of professional inspection and maintenance services, you should also install a new furnace filter about every 90 days. New filters cost about $1 to $35 apiece.
Furnace repairs cost about $130 to $500, depending on the type of damage. Inspections can catch minor issues that cost less to repair compared to bigger problems or a furnace breakdown that requires emergency repairs. You should schedule regular furnace inspections even if you don’t suspect anything is wrong, but be prepared to pay for any necessary repairs if there is an issue. Otherwise, you could risk going without a furnace for a day or two in the middle of winter if it breaks down when you need it most.
If your furnace breaks outside of typical hours, you’ll pay about $150 to $215 per hour for emergency services, in addition to the standard cost of furnace repairs. Ideally, you can avoid these costly emergency repairs by keeping up with annual furnace inspections.
Unless you have HVAC experience under your belt, inspecting a furnace is a job best left to licensed professionals. Whether electric, gas, or oil, furnaces can be dangerous to handle. Oil and gas furnaces pose risks of hazardous leaks, and electric furnaces come with the risk of shock. However, you can save a little money by installing new filters every few months, which will cost you $35 or less and only a few minutes of your time.
You should always hire a local furnace maintenance company to handle your furnace inspections. Even simpler electric furnace systems involve many different parts, any of which can wear down and cause a wide range of issues.
From blowing out cold air to rattling sounds coming through the vents, each furnace part can contribute to a variety of the most common furnace problems. While you might not know whether the problem is a clogged burner or a dirty air filter, a furnace maintenance pro will. Not only that, but they’ll be able to fix the problem quickly, and your home will be warm and cozy again in no time.
When it’s time to schedule a furnace inspection, there are some other HVAC upgrades and repairs you may want to consider tackling at the same time. In fact, you could save money by upgrading the furnace and AC system all at once compared to paying for individual repairs here and there. Some common add-ons include:
New thermostat cost: $115–$265
Heat pump cost: $4,195–$7,620
Home energy audit cost: $200–$680
HVAC repairs cost: $100–$2,000
Oil tank replacement cost: $800–$3,800
Regular furnace inspections are well worth the money you spend on them each year. That’s because they can keep your furnace healthy and running properly. Still, if you want to save a little money on this routine work, be sure to:
Keep up on maintenance: Changing filters, keeping air ducts clean, and staying on top of other maintenance tasks reduces wear and tear and saves you money in the long run.
Schedule off-season inspections: Many people start scheduling inspections in the fall, so you might find some deals by scheduling a little earlier, toward the end of summer.
Get multiple quotes: Don’t settle on the lowest service cost. Instead, compare quotes from at least three contractors and consider what services the inspections include.
Find a pro you trust: Once you decide on a contractor, stick with them year after year. Your loyalty could earn you some discounts for being a regular customer.
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It takes about one to two hours to complete a thorough furnace inspection, including light cleaning and tune-ups. This service might take longer if the pro finds any problems that require attention. However, you should be wary of furnace inspections that are done in less than an hour, especially for furnaces in larger homes. A quick inspection may mean the pro didn’t inspect all of the system parts.
You need to check your furnace at least once a year, especially before winter arrives and temperatures drop. This inspection should accompany other regular maintenance tasks, like cleaning the furnace every year and changing the filters at least every few months. It’s common to schedule furnace inspections in late summer or fall and air conditioner inspections in the spring to keep the entire HVAC system running optimally.
You should replace a furnace after about 15 to 20 years. HVAC systems last an average of 20 years, although the type of furnace and how well you maintain it can influence its lifespan. Regular furnace inspections will help prolong the life of your HVAC system.
