The typical cost to repair a furnace is $130 to $1,200
A cozy night in can quickly turn sour if your furnace decides to break down. Simple repairs on an electric furnace can run as low as $100, while more extensive repairs to a gas furnace can be as high as $2,000. The cost to repair a broken furnace averages around $300.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Furnace by Part?
Regardless of whether they are electric or gas, furnaces are complex beasts that have a lot of working parts. Some of those parts are costly to repair, while others are simpler and less expensive.
Thermostat
If you’re having problems with your furnace, a good place to start investigating is the thermostat. Broken thermostats can really mess with your utility bills, whether as a result of faulty wiring, a blown fuse, or simply age. Repairing a thermostat costs between $100 and $300. If you choose to replace your thermostat or upgrade to a smart model, that can cost upwards of $600.
Blower Motor
The blower motor pushes air through your ducts, which is a pretty essential function of your furnace. Simple blower motor repairs can be between $150 and $450, while a replacement could cost up to $2,000.
Draft Inducer Motor
The draft inducer motor’s function is a bit more complex than the blower motor. It basically pulls gases through the heat exchanger and out the flue to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Carbon monoxide buildup is a serious safety issue, so repairing this element is essential. Draft inducer motor repair or replacement costs run between $200 and $1,500.
Ignitor Replacement
The ignitor is the problem child of most furnaces, and it fails more than any other part. Ignitor replacement typically costs $150 to $250, unless it happens after hours or in the middle of the night. Hiring an emergency service near you can bump that cost up to $350 to $500. Regular maintenance of the ignitor keeps it clean and prevents the frequency of failure.
Flame Sensor
Thermocouples are the sensors in furnaces that detect whether or not the pilot light is lit. Usually found in gas furnaces, these gadgets cost $150 to $250 to replace, mostly due to labor. They usually fail due to poor maintenance, so it’s important to keep them clean.
Gas Valve
A gas furnace needs natural gas or propane to work, and gas valves allow those substances to flow into your unit safely. Gas valves cost between $200 and $600 to replace.
Control or Circuit Board
Depending on the brand and age of your furnace, replacing a control board typically costs between $200 and $600. It’s the main circuitry that operates the components, and high-efficiency models are usually more expensive to replace.
Flue Pipe
The flue is an important safety feature of your furnace, as it carries toxic carbon monoxide and any leftover combustion gases out of your home. Depending on the accessibility and the length, a replacement costs between $400 and $800.
Relay or High Limit Switches
This part allows electricity to reach the electrical components inside your furnace. The part alone costs between $5 and $20, but labor and diagnostics run the cost up to between $150 and $300.
Transformer
The transformer converts electrical power flowing into your home into a lower voltage to be used in your furnace. The part itself costs around $20 to $40, with labor tacking on another $80 to $135, making the total between $100 and $175.
Oil Combustion Chambers
Oil combustion chambers are found on oil furnaces and are made up of two components: the molded ceramic fiber oil combustion chamber and the actual oil chamber. Oil sits in the oil chamber before being transferred to heat in the combustion chamber to heat your home efficiently. The combustion chamber costs $200 to $600 to replace, while the oil chamber costs anywhere from $100 to $200.
Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger is the part responsible for heating the air that’s pushed through your home. As this part ages, it can develop cracks that allow carbon monoxide to leak into your home. Repairs on heat exchangers run from $100 to $200, with a total replacement costing $500 to $1,500.
Coils
A furnace condenser or evaporator coil is actually part of the air conditioning system, but it lives inside the main furnace duct and uses the blower and ductwork. Furnace coils usually cost between $600 to upwards of $2,000 to replace.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair A Furnace Near You?
Furnace repair costs vary not only based on parts, but also on location. Here are some ranges for a few markets:
| Location | Cost |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $60 – $2,576 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $59 – $1,500 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $100 – $450 |
| Aurora, IL | $60 – $950 |
| Cleveland | $70 – $2,500 |
| Augusta, GA | $110 – $970 |
| Raleigh, NC | $80 – $1,050 |
| Houston | $50 – $1,800 |
| Philadelphia | $80 – $910 |
| Rochester, NY | $80 – $900 |
| Portland, ME | $100 – $500 |
Can I Repair My Furnace Myself?
You should always hire a professional to do any sort of furnace repair or replacement. Attempting to repair a furnace is potentially dangerous, especially if it’s a gas furnace, which most of them are these days. A poorly done repair job can let toxic gases into your home, endangering you and your family.
DIY-ing electric furnace repairs is also dangerous. You could get a nasty high voltage shock, and repairing these furnaces incorrectly poses a fire hazard.
Aside from being dangerous, diagnosing the problem with a furnace is a difficult task for the untrained professional. For most everything that goes wrong, there are multiple potential culprits, and professionals are trained to assess exactly what’s happening and fix your furnace in an efficient and safe manner. In some areas, it’s actually illegal to repair your furnace without proper certifications. A professional will also be more efficient, and that’s important if your furnace malfunctions while it’s freezing outside.
FAQs About Furnace Repair
What are the signs a furnace needs repair?
If your furnace is making unusual noises, rooms aren’t heating evenly, or your utility bills are suddenly skyrocketing, those are signs that your furnace is having problems. Contact a professional or professionals to assess the problem and get quotes and recommendations.
How can you avoid furnace repairs?
Changing your filter is the easiest way to keep your furnace running smoothly, but it’s a task some homeowners don’t do frequently enough. Your furnace filter should be changed at least once a month, and possibly more often if you have pets or members of your family have bad allergies or breathing problems.
Your HVAC system should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year, preferably twice a year before each major usage season (winter and summer). This is a good time to have the blower fan cleaned and have the air ducts inspected for leaks.
When should you replace vs. repair a furnace?
Because investing in a new furnace can run you anywhere from $2,500 to $6,400, make sure you really need a new model before forking over your cash. A good rule of thumb is if the repairs will cost more than half the price of a new unit and your furnace is more than seven years old, it’s time to consider buying a new one.
However, furnaces have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, so if yours is only a few years old and you’ve been taking care of it, you shouldn’t be having major problems.
