The average furnace repair costs $317. Because rates can vary widely based on furnace type and which part needs repair, a homeowner could spend anywhere from $132 to $501 on furnace repairs.
| Furnace Part | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Thermostat | $100–$600 |
| Blower motor | $150–$2,000 |
| Draft inducer motor | $200–$1,500 |
| Ignitor | $150–$500 |
| Flame sensor | $150–$250 |
| Gas valve | $200–$600 |
| Circuit board | $200–$600 |
| Flue pipe | $400–$800 |
| Relay switch | $150–$300 |
| Transformer | $100–$175 |
| Combustion chambers | $100–$600 |
| Heat exchanger | $100–$1,500 |
| Coils | $600–$2,000 |
| Burners | $150–$450 |
| Furnace filter | $1–$35 |
Regardless of whether they are electric or gas, furnaces are complex beasts that have a lot of working parts. Some of those parts significantly influence furnace repair costs, while others are simpler and less expensive.
If you’re having problems with your furnace, a good place to start investigating is the thermostat. Broken thermostats can really mess with your utility bills, whether as a result of faulty wiring, a blown fuse, or simply age. Repairing a thermostat costs between $100 and $300. If you choose to replace your thermostat or upgrade to a smart model, that can cost upwards of $600.
The blower motor pushes air through your ducts, which is an essential function of your furnace. Simple blower motor repairs can be between $150 and $450, while a replacement could cost up to $2,000.
The draft inducer motor’s function is a bit more complex than the blower motor. It pulls gasses through the heat exchanger and out the flue to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Carbon monoxide buildup is a serious safety issue that can lead to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if left unchecked, so repairing this element is essential. Draft inducer motor repair or replacement costs run between $200 and $1,500.
The ignitor is the problem child of most furnaces, and it fails more than any other part. Ignitor replacement typically costs $150 to $250, unless it happens after hours or in the middle of the night. Hiring an emergency furnace repair service near you can bump that cost up to $350 to $500. Regular maintenance of the ignitor keeps it clean and prevents the frequency of failure.
Thermocouples are the sensors in furnaces that detect whether or not the pilot light is lit. Usually found in all types of gas furnaces, these gadgets cost $150 to $250 to replace, mostly due to labor. They usually fail due to poor maintenance, so it’s important to adhere to a gas furnace maintenance checklist.
A gas furnace needs natural gas or propane to work, and gas valves allow those substances to flow into your unit safely. Gas valves cost between $200 and $600 to replace.
Depending on the brand and age of your furnace, replacing a control board typically costs between $200 and $600. It’s the main circuitry that operates the components, and high-efficiency models are usually more expensive to replace.
The flue is an important safety feature of your furnace, as it carries toxic carbon monoxide and any leftover combustion gasses out of your home. Depending on the accessibility and the length, a replacement costs between $400 and $800.
This part allows electricity to reach the electrical components inside your furnace. The part alone costs between $5 and $20, but labor and diagnostics run the cost up to between $150 and $300.
The transformer converts electrical power flowing into your home into a lower voltage to be used in your furnace. The part itself costs around $20 to $40, with labor tacking on another $80 to $135, making the total between $100 and $175.
Oil combustion chambers are found on oil furnaces and are made up of two components: the molded ceramic fiber oil combustion chamber and the actual oil chamber. Oil sits in the oil chamber before being transferred to heat in the combustion chamber to heat your home efficiently. The combustion chamber costs $200 to $600 to replace, while the oil chamber costs anywhere from $100 to $200.
The heat exchanger is the part responsible for heating the air that’s pushed through your home. As this part ages, it can develop cracks that allow carbon monoxide to leak into your home. Repairs on heat exchangers run from $100 to $200, with a total replacement costing $500 to $1,500.
A furnace condenser or evaporator coil is actually part of the air conditioning system, but it lives inside the main furnace duct and uses the blower and ductwork. Furnace coils usually cost between $600 to upwards of $2,000 to replace.
Burner repairs cost about $150 to $450. The burners combine air with the furnace’s fuel source to create heat. The burners should last the life span of the furnace, however, a pro does need to come in at least once per year to clean the burners.
A new furnace filter costs about $1 to $35, and it’s easy to replace yourself. In fact, the furnace filter needs to be changed at least every 90 days, so it’s convenient to learn how to install a new furnace filter on your own.
A furnace requires regular maintenance in order to operate efficiently. Otherwise, dust and other debris can clog burners, the pilot light, and other parts, causing more wear and tear on the system.
A furnace inspection costs about $80 to $100 on average, and you need to schedule an inspection at least once per year to keep your system running smoothly. An advanced inspection, which typically includes cleaning and a tune-up, costs about $125 to $200.
Additional maintenance costs will include filters and air duct cleanings. You need to replace the filters at least once every 90 days, which will cost about $4 to $140 per year. Schedule duct cleanings every 3 to 5 years, and expect to spend about $275 to $500 for the cost of cleaning air ducts.
Furnace repair costs vary not only based on parts but also on location. Here are some ranges for a few markets:
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $60–$2,576 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $59–$1,500 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $100–$450 |
| Aurora, IL | $60–$950 |
| Cleveland, OH | $70–$2,500 |
| Augusta, GA | $110–$970 |
| Raleigh, NC | $80–$1,050 |
| Houston, TX | $50–$1,800 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $80–$910 |
| Rochester, NY | $80–$900 |
| Portland, ME | $100–$500 |
Furnace repairs cost about $50 to $150 per hour for the labor, plus you’ll need to budget for the cost of parts. Typically, small repairs may be billed at a $100 to $200 minimum rather than by the hour.
One of the quickest repairs is to replace a dirty filter, which only takes a few minutes and is easy to DIY. Some of the more difficult, time-consuming parts to repair include the blower motor, the draft inducer motor, coils, and the heat exchanger.
You should always hire a professional to do any sort of furnace repair or replacement. Attempting to repair a furnace is potentially dangerous, especially if it’s a gas furnace, which most of them are these days. A poorly done repair job can let toxic gasses into your home, endangering you and your family.
DIY-ing electric furnace repairs is also dangerous. You could get a nasty high-voltage shock, and repairing these furnaces incorrectly poses a fire hazard.
Aside from being dangerous, diagnosing the problem with a furnace is a difficult task for the untrained professional. For most everything that goes wrong, there are multiple potential culprits, and professionals are trained to assess exactly what’s happening and fix your furnace in an efficient and safe manner. In some areas, it’s actually illegal to repair your furnace without proper certifications. A professional will also be more efficient, and that’s important if your furnace malfunctions while it’s freezing outside.
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Emergency furnace repairs cost about $300 to $1,200, or you may pay about $150 to $215 per hour to hire a professional furnace repairperson for emergency or after-hours services. While emergency furnace repairs are more expensive, it’s not a time to attempt to DIY to save some money. Furnaces with broken parts can pose a risk of fire or exposure to combustion gasses, so it’s important to have the problem fixed as soon as possible.
Furnaces last 15 to 30 years on average, and most are only efficient up to 20 years. However, that range depends on how you run the furnace and how well you maintain it. Furnaces in colder regions that see a lot of use might wear down sooner than those in areas with milder winters simply because you’re using them more.
If your furnace is making unusual noises, rooms aren’t heating evenly, or your utility bills are suddenly skyrocketing, those are signs that your furnace is having problems. Contact a local furnace repair company to assess the problem and get quotes and recommendations. The longer you wait, the worse the damage can get, so be sure to have someone come to inspect the furnace as soon as possible.
Changing your filter is the easiest way to keep your furnace running smoothly, but it’s a task some homeowners don’t do frequently enough. Your furnace filter should be changed at least once a month, and possibly more often if you have pets or members of your family have bad allergies or breathing problems.
Your HVAC system should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year, preferably twice a year before each major usage season (winter and summer). This is a good time to have the blower fan cleaned and have the air ducts inspected for leaks.
Because a new furnace costs anywhere from $2,500 to $6,400, make sure you really need a new model before forking over your cash. A good rule of thumb is if the repairs will cost more than half the price of a new unit and your furnace is more than seven years old, it’s time to consider buying a new one.
However, furnaces have a life span of 15 to 20 years, so if yours is only a few years old and you’ve been taking care of it, you shouldn’t be having major problems.
