Furnace repair costs average about $270 per visit. While more expensive than annual maintenance, furnace repair is still significantly less expensive than replacing the furnace.
Meet the Expert
- Danny Pen is President of New Era Plumbing & HVAC, an HVAC repair company in Dracut, Massachusetts.
- Mark Woodruff is Senior Product Manager at Trane Residential, an HVAC systems manufacturer.
Average Furnace Repair Cost
During a furnace’s lifespan, occasional repairs are expected. Most furnace repairs cost between $140 and $400.
It’s a good idea to reserve some money each year for a possible furnace repair, says Danny Pen, President of New Era Plumbing & HVAC.
“If you’re not sure what’s wrong with your furnace, it’s a good idea to budget up to $500 for repairs,” Pen says. “Costs can vary quite a bit, but this covers most issues.”
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Signs That Your Furnace Needs Repair
A furnace that’s not working is an obvious sign that you should call an HVAC company to repair the furnace. But you’ll also need to fix the furnace for:
- Poor heating: A furnace that runs but doesn’t blow hot air should be repaired.
- High energy use: If your furnace uses more energy than usual, yet temperatures have generally been consistent, it’s time to repair it.
- Strange odors: The smell of burning plastic or metal indicates serious problems with the furnace that need to be repaired immediately.
- Water leaks: Leaks around the furnace usually mean that the condensate pump isn’t working or that the condensate lines are cracked or broken.
- Noises: Odd noises are a matter of concern, says Mark Woodruff, Senior Product Manager at Trane Residential. It often means either the blower motor or the inducer motor could be close to failure.
Cost by Repair
Furnace repair costs start at around $150 for straightforward gas valve or blower motor repairs to $2,000 or more when a major item like a heat exchanger needs to be replaced.
Replace or Repair Heat Exchanger
The average cost of replacing a furnace’s heat exchanger is about $2,000. Some heat exchangers may be able to be replaced for $500 to $1,500.
Of all of the furnace repair costs, Pen says, replacing a heat exchanger is typically the most expensive. The heat exchanger is the core furnace part that heats up. The heat exchanger works with the blower motor to push heated air into your home.
If the heat exchanger only needs repair, not replacement, expect to pay between $325 and $1,025, for an average cost of $675.
Replace or Repair Blower Motor
When a furnace blower motor needs to be replaced, the average cost is $1,425, and ranges from a low of $850 to a high of $2,000. Repairing a blower motor costs from $150 to $450, for an average cost of $300.
The blower motor pushes hot air from the heat exchanger through the home’s ductwork. Cool air in the home is cycled back to the furnace through the air return duct.
Repair or Replace Gas Valve
Repairing a gas valve costs about $160, while the cost of replacing the valve ranges to a high of around $735.
A blocked gas valve can easily be cleared. In most cases, it’s best to entirely replace the gas valve to prevent future problems.
Replace Control (Circuit) Board
Replacing a furnace’s control or circuit board ranges from a low of $275 to a high of around $770, for an average cost of $520.
A control board receives signals from the thermostat and translates them into the furnace’s heating cycle. Moisture can ruin a furnace’s control board, making replacement necessary.
Replace Draft Inducer Motor
Replacing a furnace’s draft inducer motor costs about $1,115. Draft inducer motor replacement may cost as little as $725 or as much as $1,500.
The draft inducer motor is an air blower that sucks in fresh air for combustion and expels carbon monoxide.
Replace Gas Ignitor
Replacing a gas furnace’s ignitor is a relatively simple fix that costs from $150 to $270.
The ignitor is the spark that ignites gas or propane to heat your home. Gas ignitors have limited lifespans that are often engineered into the product by the manufacturer. Fortunately, this is a fairly simple replacement by HVAC technicians.
Replace Thermocouple
The average cost of replacing a furnace thermocouple is about $190. Thermocouple replacements range from a low of $125 to a high of $250.
A vital part of a gas furnace, a thermocouple senses when a pilot light has extinguished so it can close the gas valve. This prevents gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Replace Furnace Coil
Expect to pay an average of $1,300 to replace a furnace coil. Furnace coil replacements start at around $600 and range up to $2,000 per project.
Replace Transformer
Replacing a furnace transformer costs an average of $140, though some may cost as much as $400.
The transformer steps down high voltage electricity so it can be used by your furnace. Transformers fail mostly due to electrical surges or shorts.
Replace Thermostat
Expect to pay an average of $325 to replace a thermostat. The costs range from $110 to $540 per thermostat replacement.
To save money on your energy bill, install a programmable thermostat, since it can be scheduled to turn off and on at various points, even if you’re not home.
Cost by Type
On average, electric furnaces are four to five times less expensive to repair than gas or propane furnaces.
| Type of Furnace | Average | Low | High |
| Electric | $175 | $50 | $300 |
| Gas or Propane | $750 | $300 | $1,200 |
Best Time to Repair Your Furnace
Emergency furnace repairs critical to safety should be done immediately. But when the weather is temperate, you can schedule repairs and maintenance to lower the cost of repairs.
Off-season periods such as late spring and early fall are often best for scheduling repair jobs or maintenance, Pen says. Depending on the type of work, you might be able to save up to 20-percent on work scheduled during off-peak periods.
Maintenance Costs
The best way to limit furnace repair costs is good preventative maintenance.
Expect to pay about $120 for annual furnace maintenance, Pen says.
“This includes cleaning the unit and internal parts, checking the crucial parts for possible issues, and doing efficiency tests.”
Changing air filters every one to three months will ensure proper airflow, Woodruff says. A clogged filter can restrict airflow and reduce your system’s efficiency.
When to Replace a Furnace
When repairs become too costly or frequent, consider replacing the furnace.
While there are many reasons to replace a furnace, Pen narrows it down to three: the furnace is over 15 years old, it’s not meeting your heating needs, or the heat exchanger needs to be replaced.
In addition, consider replacing your furnace when:
- It breaks down at least once a year.
- It’s not the right size of furnace.
- It’s a low-efficiency furnace.
- Repair bills begin to cost as much as a furnace.
- You have built an addition.
- It constantly cycles on and off and can’t be repaired.
Furnace Repair vs. Replacement Costs
Most furnace repair costs are worthwhile when compared to furnace replacement costs.
You’ll pay about $4,745 to replace an electric furnace and about $7,235 to replace a gas furnace.
At an average cost of $270 per visit, furnace repair is much less expensive than replacing the furnace. Even expensive furnace repairs like replacing the heat exchanger or blower motor (each about $2,000) are about 30- to 40-percent of the cost of replacement.
DIY vs. Pro Repair Costs
“Most issues require a trained technician and special tools,” Woodruff says. So, it’s common for homeowners to leave furnace repairs to the professionals. Still, a motivated and experienced DIYer can:
- Change the filter.
- Clean the condensate pump reservoir.
- Replace the condensate pump.
- Flush the condensate line.
- Inspect and clean visible HVAC ductwork.
- Install a thermostat.
FAQ
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The most expensive repair on a furnace is replacing the heat exchanger, blower motor, or draft inducer motor. The cost to replace the heat exchanger or blower motor is around $2,000. Replacing a draft inducer motor costs just over $1,000.
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Given the high cost of replacing a furnace, it’s usually worth it to fix a furnace. Fixing a furnace costs about $270 per repair visit, while the cost of replacing a furnace is $4,745 for an electric furnace and $7,235 for a gas furnace.
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You can tell if your furnace is broken if it’s heating up but hot air isn’t blowing, it gives off unpleasant burning smells, it’s leaking water, it’s making strange sounds, or if your energy bills are unusually high.
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