Gas Furnace Cost
Gas Furnace Costs 2021 (Installation, Replacement, Pricing)
Are you looking for accurate cost information for a gas furnace?
If so, you're in the right spot. In this guide, you'll learn:
- How a gas furnace works: Master the ins and outs of how your gas furnace actually operates.
- The average cost of a gas furnace: Learn how much a gas furnace costs as well as how to tell when it needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Size and annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating information: Learn what specifications your gas furnace must meet in order to work at optimum efficiency.
- How to maintain and save money on your gas furnace: Acquire the skills you need to get the most out of your gas furnace.
Whether you're a first-time owner or a homeowner trying to cut down on the heating costs associated with your gas furnace, this guide is for you. Keep reading to learn more about your gas furnace, how much it costs to operate, and how you can reduce those costs while still keeping your home warm and cozy.
How Does A Gas Furnace Work?
If you're a homeowner with a gas furnace, chances are you usually just turn it on and forget about it. But, do you know how it actually works?
A furnace heats the air around it and then distributes that air throughout your home.
The furnace kicks on when the thermostat in your home recognizes that heat is needed. At that point, the gas inside the furnace (which is typically propane or natural gas) ignites in the area known as the burner.
The flame that’s produced then heats up the heat exchanger, which is made of metal. Next, the heat exchanger moves the hot air throughout your cold home.
As the exhaust is shunted out of the flue, the hot air (by a mechanism called the blower) fills the ducts inside your house, keeping you nice and warm, while pushing any remaining cold air back into — you guessed it, the furnace. That cold air gets heated up inside the furnace, and the process begins again.
Because your gas furnace consumes air, it's a smart — and safe — idea to add a fresh air supply vent to your home. Buy this product today and install your very own fresh air supply vent to keep your old or new furnace operating at its best.
Check out this video below for more information:
What Is The Average Cost Of A Gas Furnace?
The upfront costs of gas furnaces vary widely, especially now that energy-efficient gas furnaces are becoming the norm. In general, depending on the model you want to install, you can expect to pay anywhere between $2,000 and $7,000 for a gas furnace. On average, many homeowners pay around $3,000 for a natural gas furnace.
However, there are additional costs to watch out for. If your ductwork needs to be repaired, there’s a problem with your gas line, or other installations are needed, you may be looking at anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 in labor costs (i.e. for hiring a HVAC contractor).
Although the expense seems high, don't despair. Gas furnaces are much less expensive than oil furnaces. They also typically come with a good warranty, and their high energy efficiency ratings make them ideal for use over a long period.
Gas Furnace Replacement vs. Repair?
It can be difficult to determine when to repair or replace your gas furnace. However, there are some helpful measures to guide you in making an informed decision.
First, if your gas furnace is more than 15 years old, it's probably worth replacing. Additionally, if you're noticing excessive dust in your home, humidity issues, rattling noises caused by faulty ductwork, or cold rooms, it's likely that your gas furnace needs to be replaced.
Still not sure if it's better to repair or replace? Try this trick: use the Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick to determine your home’s energy efficiency rating. Is your score less than five? You may be able to cut down on your furnace costs and improve your HVAC system by installing a new gas furnace.
What Size Gas Furnace Do You Need?
Ideally, the size of your gas furnace should be determined by its ability to heat your entire home. The heating capacity of a gas furnace is expressed as British thermal units per hour (Btu/h); residences are required to have furnaces with heating capacities of less than 225,000 Btu/h.
In general, a good HVAC professional should be able to help you find the right-size furnace for your home.
A furnace that’s too big will heat up spaces too quickly, thus kicking on and off too frequently and increasing your energy costs. Meanwhile, a furnace that’s too small will run continuously, driving up your energy bills and damaging your heating system.
Finally, another consideration is determining what type of furnace to get. A single-stage furnace (which can only be turned on or off) may be perfect for heating a small house. However, larger homes may need a two-stage furnace (which can run in high- and low-power modes). All of these factors can influence the size of the gas furnace that’s optimal for your home.
What AFUE Rating Do You Need For A Gas Furnace?
The annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating measures the efficiency of a central furnace. More specifically, an AFUE rating reflects the percentage of fuel that’s converted to heat by a furnace.
For example, a furnace with an AFUE rating of 90% reflects the fact that 90% of the energy inside a gas furnace will be converted to heat, while the remaining 10% will be lost elsewhere in the ductwork.
While oil furnaces must have an AFUE rating of 85% or more, gas furnaces must have higher AFUE ratings of 90% or 95%, depending on the state in which you live.
Some furnaces available now have AFUE ratings of up to 98%. Although these gas furnaces may be more expensive, they can save you thousands of dollars in average heating costs over their lifetimes.
What Is The Average Cost Of A Gas Furnace By Brand?
Furnace prices vary widely due to factors such as the size of your house, the current condition of your ductwork, and installation costs. However, it's possible to get a sense of how much different brands of furnaces can cost. Read on to learn more about the average costs of different gas furnaces by brand.
American Standard Furnaces
American Standard Furnaces tend to range in price from $1,600 to $6,000, and they are known for their durability. Some of the high-efficiency models qualify for local rebates, which can lead to a lower total cost for consumers, and many of the furnaces boast a higher efficiency rating than required, with AFUE ratings of 97% or more.
Bryant Furnaces
Bryant Furnaces offer variable-speed gas furnaces (which use variable-speed blowers to more precisely control airflow). You can choose between single-stage and two-stage furnaces to help control your home's energy costs. In general, the average cost of a Bryant furnace is roughly $2,300, although rebates are available on many models.
Carrier Furnaces
If you're looking for a high-efficiency furnace, Carrier Furnaces offers deluxe models with up to 98.5% AFUE that range in price from $2,000 to $5,000. Although the upfront costs aren't cheap, the high efficiency rating can help reduce heating costs over time, thus making the brand a potentially cost-effective option.
Lennox Furnaces
If you're swapping out an old furnace for a new one, the pricing for a Lennox furnace typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,500. Add the cost of installers and your final price will be closer to $2,500 to $4,000. Since Lennox is closer in price to less expensive brands such as Amana and Goodman, it’s an ideal choice for keeping your replacement costs low.
Rheem Furnaces
Rheem Furnaces offer home-heating capabilities with a low square-foot commitment, making them ideal for homes of all sizes. Similar to its competitor Ruud, Rheem Furnaces generally range in price between $1,200 and $2,000, not including labor costs.
Trane Furnaces
Trane Furnaces offer standard gas and electric furnaces as well as varieties of the classic heat pump, which acts like an air conditioner in the summer and a heater in the winter. These gas furnaces range in cost from between $2,000 to $8,000.
How Can You Maintain Your Gas Furnace?
Maintaining your gas furnace is a great way to prolong its life and keep your home heated to your liking.
Simple maintenance tests, such as checking the heat exchanger, cleaning the blower, removing soot that has built up in the furnace, and testing for carbon monoxide (which can potentially be lethal) are crucial for keeping your furnace working smoothly for years to come.
As much as you may want to, you can't do it all on your own. Occasionally, you should bring in a professional technician to assess the combustion efficiency of your furnace and ensure that the ductwork in your home is in good condition.
Keep an eye on your furnace all year round and note anything that may be cause for concern. If your gas furnace is showing changes in its condition or becoming louder over time, it may be a problem that you need to identify with the help of a technician.
Finally, if your house is still cold with the heat on and you've been keeping up with maintenance requirements, you may have a furnace that's not properly sized for your home.
Consider replacing your furnace or bringing in a HVAC contractor to help optimize your HVAC system. It's crucial to know when to repair or replace your furnace before it starts to drive up your heating bills.
How To Save Money On Your Gas Furnace
It's easy to save money on your gas furnace with some effort. First, to cut down on upfront costs, check for rebates. You can likely save up to hundreds of dollars on your gas furnace that you can use to help cover labor costs during the installation.
Second, try to save money during the coldest seasons: fall and winter. Turn your thermostat down while you sleep or are out of the house — this can save you up to 10% a year on your heating bills.
Open your drapes to let in sunlight to warm your home, but seal your windows to prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering. Finally, keep your gas furnace in good condition. A well-maintained furnace can help you save money over time and keep your home warm without driving up your energy bills.
