How Much Does Furnace Repair Cost?

What happens when your furnace breaks down? Few things are worse than waking up and realizing that the appliance responsible for heating your entire home has broken. In that case, given the average price of installing a new furnace, it's easy to start worrying about just how much a furnace repair will cost you.

On average, furnace repair costs $287 nationally, with some homeowners spending as little as $60 while others paying $900 for furnace maintenance. Repairs to an electric furnace can run you $300 or less, while gas furnace repairs can be more complex and range from $375 to $1,200, depending on the what needs service. Most homeowners spend between $133 and $456 to fix their furnace. Here is what you need to know, along with the various factors that could affect the price of your furnace repair.

On This Page:

1. Heater Repair Cost Estimates
   1. Electric Furnace
   2. Propane Gas Furnace
   3. Natural Gas Furnace
   4. Forced Air Heating
   5. Boiler Repair
   6. Heat Pump
2. Estimated Price of Repairing Furnace Parts
1. Blower Motor
2. Heat Exchanger
3. Igniters
4. Flame Sensors
5. Thermostat
3. Repair vs. Replace
1. How Much Does It Cost to Replace Your Furnace?
2. Other Variables in Deciding Repair vs. Replace
4. Furnace Maintenance Tips to Prevent the Need for Repairs
1. Annual Furnace Inspections
2. Changing Your Furnace Filters
5. Get a Quote For Your Furnace Repair

Heater Repair Cost Estimates

Various types of furnaces will come with differing repair sticker prices. As a result, understanding the type of furnace in your home is your first step to understanding your repair costs.

Electric Furnace

An electric furnace provides warmth by moving air over and through a series of coils. Ductwork and vents then distribute that air to the individual rooms in your home. Repair costs will depend on both the brand and the exact nature of the problem, but tend to be lower than some of the options above. That's because the units are small, and issues tend to be contained within the heating elements themselves. Expect to spend less than $300 on your electric furnace repair, depending on the exact problem.

Propane Gas Furnace

This type of furnace is fueled by liquid propane gas, which is burned to push hot air through your home. A pilot light ignites the burners within a combustion chamber, which push heat into the heat exchanger and eventually through your entire home. Repairing this type of furnace can be more expensive than its electric alternative. For example here are some common propane gas repairs and their costs:

• Repair damaged flame sensor = up to $375
• Replace a gas valve = up to $675
• Replace heat exchanger = up to $1,200

Natural Gas Furnace

Natural gas furnaces operate similarly to the above, using a pilot light to ignite the burners and heat up the air. Also similar to propane gas, your average repair costs for a natural gas furnace will range anywhere from $125 for small repairs to $1,200 if you have to replace the entire heat exchanger. The difference between both options is not necessarily the actual furnace, but the type of gas used to burn through it and heat your home. As a result, the repair costs tend to be close to identical.

Forced Air Heating

Put simply, any home that uses air pushed through ductwork for heating purposes takes advantage of forced air heating. In other words, this term refers not to your furnace, but to the delivery method of the heat throughout your home. Forced air heating is possible with electric or gas furnaces, or a heat pump. Any issues with this delivery system that aren't directly related to the furnace likely have to do with the duct work, which costs between $35 and $55 per linear square foot to repair, or the air handling unit.

Boiler Repair Costs

If your home is not heated using forced air, chances are a boiler will make sure you stay warm during cold nights. A hot water system delivers hot water through a network of pipes that run to every room in your house. The heating effect gets maximized through radiators. The most common issues with hot water heating tend to be not be major, but small problems that add up over time. Mineral deposits within the water tank, a pilot light malfunction, or an issue with a radiator itself can require professional repair. On average, you will pay between $183 and $582 for these problems. The exact amount will depend on the exact problem, as described in our boiler repair cost guide.

Heat Pump

As touched on by their name, heat pumps function by transferring heat energy indoors during the winter and outdoors from your home during the summer. They're often attached to air conditioning units, using the surrounding air to transfer energy. However, geothermal heat pumps and water source heat pumps are also available. The cost to repair a heat pump, again, depends on the specific problem. Replacing a faulty thermostat may cost up to $300 including labor, while a worn or damaged defrost control board can set you back up to $600. For more details on your potential repair costs using this heating source, visit our heat pump repair cost guide.

Estimated Price of Repairing Furnace Parts

Given the broad price ranges above, it's easy to recognize that the cost of your furnace repair varies drastically based on which parts need attention. As a result, it makes sense to gain a better understanding of the parts that heat your home, and how much they cost to repair. Repairing or replacing your furnace’s blower motor can cost you anywhere between $150 and $450, depending on the extent of the damage. Heat exchanger repair costs can vary greatly, from as little as $100 for a simple fix to as much as $1,200 for a full replacement. Repairing a furnace igniter will only cost you $300 at most, while flame sensor repairs generally fall between $80 to $250. The average cost to repair your Thermostat will range from $108 to $282.

Blower Motor

Any forced air system in your home - whether it is powered through electric or gas-generated energy - requires a blower motor. This component consists of an electric motor and fan, and is responsible for pushing air evenly through the furnace. As hvac.com points out, you can easily identify the blower motor in your furnace as the part that looks similar to a hamster wheel at the bottom of the unit. If it stops working, the air needed to heat your home will no longer be pushed through the furnace to be heated and distributed evenly. In that case, you need to inquire about potential repairs. Blower motor repair typically costs between $150 for a simple fix, and $450 for complete replacement and installation of the part. Where you land on that range depends on the exact damage.

Heat Exchanger

You might guess it from the name: the heat exchanger is the part of your furnace that actually heats the air your blower motor pushes through the furnace. It consists of a chamber in which the heat energy produced by natural or propane gas is transferred to the forced air. At the same time, this part also includes a vent through which the gases themselves are safely removed from the unit and the air that enters your home. Because of these gases, a problem with your heat exchanger needs to be dealt with promptly. Over time, cracks in the exchanger can result in carbon monoxide leaks. Taking care of the problem once again means understanding the existence of a range: repairing your heat exchanger can cost as little as $100, but a full replacement may cost up to $1,200.

Igniters

When you change the temperature on your thermostat, or the temperature in your home drops, a signal lets the furnace's igniter know that it's time to turn on. Igniters exist in both hot water boilers and forced air furnaces, replacing pilot lights as the switch your unit needs to kick on. Naturally, this is a core part in making sure it works reliably. When it stops working, your unit will not longer know when to actually heat your home. Fortunately, furnace igniter repair doesn't tend to be a major budget problem, and costs less than $300 on average.

Flame Sensors

Your furnace's flame sensor is essentially a safety mechanism. As a thin metallic rod in front of the flame inside the unit, it's sole purpose is to confirm that your gas valves only open when a flame actually exists to burn that gas. When the flame sensor stop working, on the other hand, gas leaks can occur. To repair your furnace's flame sensor, expect to spend between $80 and $250. Even a full replacement of this part typically does not go above that range.

Thermostat

Finally, don't underestimate the thermostat as a potential reason why your furnace is not working. Everything on the heating unit itself may function perfectly, but your home still will not heat right if the console you use to set the temperature doesn't communicate your input. A faulty thermostat can either be due to the wall unit itself, or the wiring that connects it to your furnace. Average thermostat repair costs are between $108 and $282, including labor. Replacement costs, of course, depend on the thermostat you choose. Visit our thermostat repair cost guide to learn more about this type of issue.

Calculating the Cost of Repairing vs. Replacing Furnace

At some point, there may come a time when replacing your furnace is actually more advantageous than continuously paying for expensive repairs. The average life of a furnace is between 15 and 20 years, and some can break down even before that. To make the right decision, it's crucial to understand the variables involved.

How Much Does it Cost to Replace Your Furnace?

The cost to replace your entire unit is around $4,000. That expense can range from $2,500 to $5,900, depending on the type and brand of furnace you choose. Brands particularly have an impact on that price. A Goodman electric furnace, will only cost about $2,100 for the unit and labor. On the other hand, a Trane oil furnace may cost up to $9,000 all things considered. Our Furnace Installation Cost Guide can give you a better idea on both the general cost and the differences for brands like Amana, Bryant, Coleman, and others. The brand also plays into the repair cost for your furnace. Especially the prices of individual parts can change; a York heat exchanger, for example, can cost up to $1,900, while the same component from Heil will cost as little as $400.

Other Variables in Deciding Repair vs. Replace

A number of other variables can influence your decision on whether to repair or replace your furnace, as well. In addition to cost and brand, consider the expected lifetime of your furnace. If it is more than 15 years old, it might make more sense to invest in a new unit even if it costs more than simply repairing the current problem. Long-term costs also play into the equation. For example, your new furnace may be more energy efficient than the current unit. Even though you will pay more for the actual installation, you might be able to make back your investment through lower energy bills. To make your decision, consult with a reliable professional on what to do. In inspecting your furnace, they will be able to make an informed recommendation that looks not just to the next year, but years into the future. That way, you can make the best possible decision for your home and budget long-term.

Furnace Maintenance Tips to Prevent the Need for Repairs

Ultimately, the best way to prevent high furnace repair costs is being proactive. Through regular maintenance, you can extend the life of both the unit itself and its individual parts, reducing the risks for expensive repairs or even replacements.

Annual Furnace Inspections

An annual inspection of your unit can ensure that the various potential problems mentioned above are detected early, and before they require complete replacement. During this inspection, for instance, a professional might find small cracks in your heat exchanger or a faulty seal in your blower motor. Some manufacturer's warranties even require these annual inspections to maintain validity. Typically, your furnace inspection will cost between $80 and $150 depending on the area in which you live and the professional you work with.

Changing Your Furnace Filter

The main purpose of your furnace filter is to ensure that none of the additional materials your fans pull back into the unit - such as hair and dust - actually damage the furnace or its parts. In the process, it also improves air quality in your home. Some annual inspections will include changing and cleaning this part of the unit. That said, you can also clean or change your furnace filteryourself. Costs for new filters range based on brand, but tend to be around $30.

Get a Quote For Your Furnace Repair

Ultimately, the cost to repair your furnace depends on a wide range of variables. From the brand of the units to the damaged or broken parts, you need a reliable and trusted professional who can evaluate the issue and recommend next steps. If you're unsure whether to repair or replace your furnace, or even where to begin, connect with a local furnace repair professional who can make sure that your home heats well both now and in the future.