Average Furnace Repair Cost
Furnace repair costs can vary quite widely – from $100 on the low end to $3,000 on the high end. Exact costs depend on the needed repair, furnace brand, and more.
By Anne Fonda
Does your furnace smell funny? Is it making strange noises? Is the furnace blowing cold air? All of these scenarios may mean you need to schedule furnace repair.
Depending on where you live, you may have already turned on your furnace this year. Although the official start of autumn isn’t for another couple of weeks, chilly nights aren’t far away. If you live in the northern part of the country, you may run your furnace from September through April, depending on how harsh and long the winter is.
The longer your furnace runs, the more likely you are to need furnace repair. In this blog, you’ll learn about the factors that affect the cost of repairing a furnace, some of the most common furnace repair issues, and how regular furnace maintenance can help reduce the need for costly repair services.
Factors that affect furnace repair costs
Before we dig in, investigate and do some furnace troubleshooting if you’re having problems with your oil furnace or gas furnace. If it’s a simple issue such as changing the furnace filter, you could save some money. If you can’t fix the problem yourself, at least you’ll have an idea of what the problem is.
Furnace repair costs can range from $150-$3,000, depending on what part(s) may need to be replaced. If you need to call for repairs, here are some of the factors that can affect your total costs.
#1: Your location
If you live in a large metropolitan area with a high cost of living, your repair costs may be higher than someone who lives in a small town. Local labor rates may be higher in a large city or if company workers are unionized. But small-town living doesn’t guarantee you lower rates. Your total repair bill may vary based on how many HVAC companies serve your area, and how competitive the market is.
#2: Service call fee
It’s a part of doing business with a service provider. Any HVAC company you call is going to charge a service fee just to have an HVAC technician step foot in your home. Most companies will either list the fee on their website or tell you what it is over the phone. It can average between $50-200. Some companies may apply the service fee towards your repair costs if you choose them to do the work.
#3: Type of furnace repair you need
Some furnace repairs are simpler and less expensive than others. Your total cost will depend on the complexity of the repair and the cost of the replacement part(s), if any. Many HVAC companies charge an hourly rate of between $75 and $150. So the more complex the repair, the more it will cost. More information on the types of furnace repairs and their costs is below.
#4: If you need emergency furnace repair
If your furnace won’t turn on or is blowing cold air during sub-zero temperatures, you must decide if you can bundle up and use space heaters or the fireplace until Monday. Some heating and cooling companies offer 24/7 service but charge a higher service fee to perform HVAC repair outside normal business hours. There may be a weekend rate as well as a holiday rate. HVAC emergency repair rates can be as much as double to triple the regular hourly rate.
#5: Furnace age and condition
If you have a newer (less than 10 years) premium brand furnace like a Trane furnace, chances are good that there is only one issue with it. However, with an old furnace, an HVAC technician may find multiple problems that should be fixed. It happens with wear and tear. If you’ve been keeping up with changing your furnace air filter, furnace tune-ups, and yearly furnace inspections, the technician may be able to catch issues while they’re still small.
How long should a furnace last?
Depending on the quality of the brand, quality of installation, and how well you have kept up with furnace maintenance, a gas furnace should last 15-20 years.
#6: If the furnace is under warranty
If your furnace is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, certain replacement parts may be covered. Unless you have an upgraded warranty or separate labor warranty with the original furnace installer, you may have to pay for labor costs.
#7: If you’re an existing customer
Your total furnace repair cost could be less than someone down the street if you’re an existing customer and you are signed up for the company’s HVAC maintenance plan. Some HVAC companies offer discounts on replacement parts and diagnostics to their customers with a service plan. You may also qualify for priority service.
Now that you know of some of the variables that can affect your furnace repair costs, let’s look at some common furnace repairs and the average cost to complete them.
Common furnace repair scenarios and their costs
Your furnace is a high-tech piece of equipment, with a lot of important parts. Which part is causing the problem will greatly affect your furnace repair costs. In many situations, the repair doesn’t mean fixing a part - it means replacing it.
The table below can give you a general idea of the cost of furnace repair based on the replacement part. We’re focusing on gas furnaces, as they are the most common. Oil furnace repair costs will be similar. But remember, these are estimates only. Call your local HVAC professional for specific costs.
As you can see, replacing a flame sensor is a lot cheaper than replacing a cracked heat exchanger or evaporator coil. A smart thermostat will be on the higher end of the thermostat replacement scale but can pay for itself in energy cost savings over time.
Be prepared for the furnace repair or furnace replacement conversation
If you have an older HVAC system or you’re spending more money on more frequent repairs, it may be time to consider HVAC system replacement. Learn more about how to make a smart decision in our Repair or Replace Guide.
If you decide it’s time to replace your furnace, you’ll likely want to replace your AC unit at the same time, assuming it’s about the same age. A matched system runs more efficiently and may be eligible for offers to help offset the cost of replacing an older system.
You may also want to consider taking this opportunity to upgrade to a dual-fuel heat pump system. With all the federal tax credits, state rebates, and utility rebates, there’s never been a better time to upgrade your HVAC system.
How do I find a qualified furnace repair technician near me?
If this is the first time you’ve had to schedule furnace repair, you may not have a favorite HVAC company saved in your contacts. If you’re a new homeowner or new to the area, you’ll find some helpful tips on finding the right furnace repair service in our blog How to Find the Best HVAC Service Near Me.
Schedule furnace repair
Whether you need furnace repair in Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, or Dayton, our network of Trane Comfort Specialists has you covered. Find a dealer near you and stop shivering. Consider setting up a regular HVAC maintenance schedule to keep your system running at peak performance no matter what time of year it is.
Anne Fonda
Content Writer, Trane Technologies
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by John Kim, Senior Product Manager, Furnaces
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