Furnace Repair Costs by Part

Repairing or replacing your furnace’s blower motor can cost you anywhere between $150 and $1,500, depending on the extent of the damage. Heat exchanger costs can vary from as little as $100 for a simple fix to as much as $1,500 for a full replacement. Repairing a furnace igniter will only cost you $300 at most. Flame sensor repairs fall between $75 to $250. The average cost to repair your thermostat will range from $100 to $400.

Blower Motor Costs

Simple blower motor repairs might run $150 to $450 while complete blower motor replacement could cost up to $2,000 depending on the brand. This motor and fan, known as a squirrel cage fan, pushes the air through your ducts. Lack of regular cleaning leads to unbalanced or damaged blades.

Heat Exchangers

Heat exchanger repairs cost $100 to $200 with a complete replacement running $500 to $1,500 depending on the brand. This component heats the air that the blower pushes through your home. Over time, cracks in the exchanger can result in carbon monoxide leaks. Keep a carbon monoxide detector in your furnace area.

Furnace Gas Valve Replacement Costs

A furnace gas valve costs anywhere from $200 to $600 to replace. This part allows natural gas or propane to flow to your unit. It’s usually attached to the thermocouple for emergency cutoff when necessary.

Furnace Control or Circuit Board Replacement Costs

Replacing a furnace control board typically costs $200 to $600 or more depending on brand and age. It’s the main circuitry responsible for operating the components. High efficiency models will cost close to $600 while simple, single-stage models may only run you $75 to $200, the price of a service call.

Draft Inducer Motor Replacement Cost

A draft inducer motor costs $200 to $1,500 to repair or replace. A simple fan wheel might cost $20 in parts with another two hours in labor. Replacing the entire unit runs $600 to $1,500, depending on the model and brand. For the part alone, prices vary by brand, such as:

• Carrier & Bryant: $150-$750
• Lennox: $100-$1,000
• Trane: $100-$900

A draft inducer motor pulls the combustion gasses through the heat exchanger. From there, it pushes those gases out the flue to prevent carbon monoxide buildup, so it’s very important to fix if broken.

Ignitor Replacement Cost

An ignitor replacement costs $150 to $250 unless it happens in the middle of the night. After hours or emergency service fees can raise that to $300 to $500. This part fails more than any other. Regular maintenance keeps it clean and working longer.

Cost to Replace a Thermocouple on a Furnace

Replacing a thermocouple costs $150 to $250, mostly due to labor time. On older models without an ignitor, it checks to make sure your pilot light is lit. If it’s not, it’ll shut the gas off.

Furnace Coil Replacement

Replacing a furnace condenser or evaporator coil costs $600 to $2,000 or more. It’s not actually part of a furnace but part of the air conditioning system. However, part of it does reside in the main duct and uses the furnace blower and ductwork.

• AC condenser coil replacement costs: $700-$4,000
• AC evaporator coil costs: $600-$2,000

Flue Pipe Prices

A flue pipe costs $400 to $800 depending on accessibility and the overall length. The flue carries carbon monoxide and any leftover combustion gases out of your home.

Relay or High Limit Switch Costs

Relay switches cost $150 to $300 to replace. They might cost $5 to $20 for the part alone with the rest in labor for the trip, diagnosis and replacement. This part allows electricity to flow to the various electrical components inside your unit.

Furnace Flame Sensor Replacement

To repair your furnace's flame sensor, expect to spend $75 to $250. It’s a thin metallic rod in front of the flame inside the unit used to detect a flame. If it doesn’t detect any flame, it turns the gas off. Cleaning this component as part of a yearly cleaning and tune up is critical to avoiding costly maintenance calls.

Oil Furnace Combustion Chambers

A molded ceramic fiber oil combustion chamber costs $200 to $600 to replace. The chamber itself runs anywhere from $100 to $200. Oil fires in the combustion chamber to produce heat for the furnace and to help use the oil efficiently.

Cost to Replace a Furnace Transformer

Replacing a transformer in a furnace costs $100 to $175. The part alone only runs $20 to $40 with labor making up the rest. The transformer converts incoming electrical power into lower usable volts.

Cost of a Thermostat for a Furnace

Repairing a thermostat costs $100 to $300. Replacing it or upgrading it might run upwards of $600 for a newer smart style for a connected home. If you’re having issues with your furnace, check the thermostat first.

Tune Up, Inspection & Furnace Cleaning Cost

Furnace cleaning and inspection costs $100 to $300. Duct cleaning costs an additional $275 to $500.

Annual Furnace Inspections Costs

If you want an inspection without a tune up or cleaning, you’ll pay between $50 to $100. In some cases, you can purchase an annual inspection package when you install a new furnace.

Annual inspections detect problems early before they require complete replacement. Some manufacturer's warranties even require these annual inspections to maintain validity.

Trip Fees & Furnace Service Costs

Labor rates vary by location, but you’ll typically spend between $75 to $125 per hour to hire an HVAC professional.

• Service calls: minimum fee of $100-$200 for about 1-2 hours of work.
• Emergency services (after regular business hours, weekends): $200-$300.

Changing Your Furnace Filter

Costs for new filters range based on brand but tend to be around $10 to $30. The filter keeps dust and dirt from your furnace components and improves your air quality. Some annual inspections will include changing and cleaning this part of the unit. Clean or replace your filter every month.

Heating System Repair Costs vs. Furnace Replacement

Installing a new furnace costs $4,000 on average. 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 costs about $2,100 for the unit and labor.

On the other hand, a Trane oil furnace may cost up to $9,000. 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.

In addition to cost and brand, consider:

• The expected lifetime of your furnace. Consider replacing furnaces over 15 years old.
• Long-term efficiency costs. Monthly energy savings on new units might offset installation costs. It’s possible to get some of that investment returned through lower energy bills.

Oil, Electric & Gas Heater Repair Cost Estimates

Electric Furnace Repair Cost

Expect to spend less than $300 on your electric furnace repair, depending on the exact problem. Adding a new heating element runs $50 to $200 with a labor cost of $100 to $300.

Propane & Natural Gas Furnaces

Propane & natural gas furnace repairs cost between $300 to $1,200. Repairing this type of furnace can be more expensive than its electric alternative.

Oil Furnace Repairs

Repairing an oil furnace costs about the same as gas or propane, or about $300 to $1,200 depending on what’s wrong with it. They operate in much the same way as their gas counterpart and run into many of the same issues.

DIY Repairs vs. Hiring a Furnace Repair Service

Furnace repairs are difficult to diagnose and fix and can be a major safety concern. It’s worth it to call a reliable 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, find a furnace pro who can help.

FAQ

Where can I get free furnace repair estimates?

Check with a local furnace repair pro for free estimates.

How much do furnace repairs cost per hour?

You’ll pay anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour for repairs plus any materials and replacement parts.

How long will my furnace last?

The average life of a furnace is between 15 and 20 years, and some can break down even before that.

How often should you have your furnace cleaned?

You should have your furnace inspected and cleaned every other year until they’re 10 years old, then every year after that. You should also:

• Change your filter once a month during the heating season.
• Clean the blower fan once a year.
• Check the air ducts for leaks and dirt annually.
• Clean the ignitor and flame sensors at least every other year.

How long does it take to clean a furnace?

Changing a filter should take only a few minutes for most people. For hard to reach filters, it might take 15 minutes.

Are annual furnace inspections really necessary?

To maximize the life of your furnace and avoid prematurely replacing parts, an annual inspection is necessary, especially once your system reaches 10 years old.

How much does it cost to service AC and furnace?

Servicing both an AC and a furnace at the same time generally doubles the average price of $250 to $500. However, it depends heavily on the types of services you’re having done.