How Much Does Furnace Repair Cost in Chicago? [2025 Data]

The average furnace repair cost in Chicago is $291, but residents of the Windy City often spend between $124 and $476 on this project. To accurately estimate your repair bill, you’ll need to know which furnace part (or parts) need fixing and how much your contractor charges for labor. Here’s what to expect when budgeting for furnace repairs in Chicago.

Furnace Repair Cost Factors 

There are two main factors that influence your furnace repair costs in Chicago, IL: the part you need fixed and the price of labor. Here’s how they affect your project budget.

Repair Cost by Part

Regardless of their fuel source, furnaces are complex appliances that have a lot of working parts. Some of those parts significantly influence furnace repair costs, while others are simpler and less costly to repair.

Here is the average furnace repair cost based on the part:

Maintenance Cost

A furnace requires regular maintenance in order to operate efficiently. Otherwise, dust and other debris can clog burners, the pilot light, and other parts, causing more wear and tear on the system. 

A furnace inspection costs $80 to $100 on average, and you need to schedule an inspection at least once per year to keep your system running smoothly. An advanced inspection, which includes cleaning and a tuneup, costs $125 to $200. 

Additional maintenance costs include filters and air duct cleanings. You need to replace the filters once every 90 days, which will cost $4 to $140 per year. Schedule duct cleanings every three to five years, and expect to spend $275 to $500 for the cost of cleaning air ducts.

Cost per Hour

Furnace repairs cost $50 to $150 per hour for the labor, plus you’ll need to budget for the cost of parts. Small repairs may be billed at a $100 to $200 minimum rather than by the hour. 

One of the quickest repairs is to replace a dirty filter, which only takes a few minutes and is easy to DIY. Some of the more difficult, time-consuming parts to repair include the blower motor, the draft inducer motor, coils, and the heat exchanger.

HVAC Pro Costs

Although the cost of furnace parts and labor will eat up a large chunk of your project costs, there are several other factors to consider, as well, including sales tax and tips.

Licensing and Certification

Neither Chicago nor Illinois has an HVAC licensing requirement, but there are still some things you should look for before hiring an HVAC pro in Chicago, IL. For starters, they should have several years of experience in the field and carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Good HVAC pros will also have a list of references you can contact to learn how they’ve worked with clients like you in the past.

Ideally, your furnace repair professional should be certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE), the country’s biggest non-profit certification organization for HVAC and refrigeration (HVACR) professionals.

Sales Tax

Chicago’s sales tax rate is a hefty 10.25%, so make sure to factor this in when budgeting for furnace parts or other materials. For example, if you need a $75 ignitor and a $500 heat exchanger, you’d pay $59 in tax on top of the cost of parts.

Tipping

You don’t need to tip your HVAC repair person, but you can if you want to show your appreciation. For repairing a broken furnace, a standard tip ranges from $20 to $50 per worker. However, it’s important to ask about the company’s tipping policy before handing over any cash because not all companies let workers accept tips.

Do Furnace Repairs Increase Home Value?

In Chicago’s freezing winters, you need a working heating system to stay safe and comfortable inside your home. If you have an inefficient or damaged furnace that isn’t doing its job, consider fixing it before it shuts down completely and you have to spend extra money on emergency repairs. 

It’s also worth considering fixing a broken furnace before putting your home on the market. After all, upgrading your HVAC system can boost your house’s appeal in the eyes of potential buyers and add 5% to 7% to its resale value.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.