Repairing a furnace costs an average of $317
Average furnace repair costs range from $132 and $501, with an average total of $317.
Fuel type, unit age, and part availability strongly influence repair expenses.
Frequent or recurring issues in older furnaces may signal the need for replacement.
Budgeting and addressing minor issues by promptly hiring a furnace repair pro can prevent more costly breakdowns.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Furnace repair costs range from $132 to $501 on average, with most homeowners paying $317. Electric models often cost less to fix, while natural gas, propane, and oil units run higher, especially when a part has to be swapped out instead of simply cleaned or adjusted. Unit age, parts, and maintenance are other important cost factors. Regular tune-ups and setting aside a repair fund up front keep those numbers from stinging later.
Furnace repair costs vary widely depending on the furnace type, the type of repair and associated components, the unit’s age, and other factors.
Your furnace’s fuel source—electric, gas, oil, or propane—dictates what parts go inside and what you’ll pay to fix them. Because each fuel type has its own specialty parts, repair (and eventual replacement) prices swing widely.
The older your furnace gets, the more often you’ll be calling a pro—and the more those visits will cost. Worn heat exchangers, out-of-date circuit boards, and hard-to-find parts can quickly drive up the bill. Additionally, many vintage models can’t accommodate newer, high-efficiency components, so repairs may require expensive, custom-made parts.
Not all parts are created equal. Some are quick fixes; others eat up hours of labor and special-order components. In most cases, patching a part is cheaper than swapping it, but certain items—like flame sensors—simply get tossed and replaced once they quit. By contrast, a blower can sometimes be revived and spared the cost of a full replacement.
Part | Average Cost Range |
---|---|
Blower motor | $150–$2,000 |
Heat exchanger | $100–$1,500 |
Gas valve | $200–$600 |
Control or circuit board | $200–$600 |
Draft inducer motor | $200–$1,500 |
Ignitor | $150–$500 |
Flame sensor | $150–$250 |
Burners | $150–$450 |
Flue pipe | $400–$800 |
Relay or high-limit switch | $150–$300 |
Oil combustion chambers | $100–$600 |
Transformer | $100–$175 |
Thermostat | $100–$600 |
Coils | $600–$2,000 |
Furnace filter | $1–$35 |
Pros charge $50 to $150 an hour for labor, plus parts. Expect a flat “trip fee” equal to at least one hour, and budget extra if you need them on a weekend, holiday, or in the middle of the night. When comparing estimates, ensure each quote clearly outlines those surcharges upfront.
Keeping up with maintenance will help extend the lifespan of your furnace and keep it running at optimal performance. Here are the costs associated with standard furnace maintenance services.
Plan on $80 to $100 for an inspection and $125 to $200 for a full tune-up. Many local HVAC repair companies bundle these visits into annual plans that offer a discount on future repairs. During a tune-up, the tech will inspect, clean, and adjust everything from the blower motor and heat exchanger to vents, ducts, and fuel lines.
Filters keep dust and dirt from your furnace components and improve indoor air quality. Annual inspections include filter replacement, but replacement is also necessary every four to 12 weeks, depending on usage. Costs for new filters range depending on brand and type, but are $1 to $35, with high-efficiency filters costing more. Other routine cleaning tasks include cleaning fans, the cabinet interior, flame sensors, and any exposed parts.
Deciding whether to repair or replace a furnace comes down to age, cost, and peace of mind. If your system is fairly new, still under warranty, and just needs a small part, like a dirty flame sensor, repair is almost always cheaper.
Once a unit gets older, less efficient, and starts racking up bills, replacement looks smarter. A common benchmark: if the repair quote is more than half the price of a new furnace, start shopping. A fresh model will run safer, quieter, and more efficiently.
Furnace repairs can add up quickly, but smart budgeting can keep costs under control. Try these tips:
Compare at least three quotes so you know exactly what parts, labor, and call-out fees will run.
Check your warranty first—coverage could slash or even erase the bill.
Jump on small issues right away to dodge wallet-draining breakdowns later.
Book a yearly tune-up to keep wear and tear (and costs) in check.
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real 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.
Most furnaces last 15 to 30 years, and electric models often outlast gas units. Hitting the high end of that range comes down to you: swap filters on schedule, book yearly inspections, and tackle repairs quickly. Climate plays a role, too—systems in frigid zones work harder and may retire sooner. Treat the equipment well, and it can deliver safe, efficient heat for decades.
Signs your furnace needs help show up fast: rooms that won’t warm up, odd banging or squealing, musty or burning smells, or utility bills that suddenly spike. Any of those red flags point to a part that’s failing—or worse, a safety issue. Shut the system off, check the filter, and call a local HVAC pro. Quick attention keeps minor glitches from snowballing into bigger, more expensive breakdowns.
A basic filter swap takes five minutes, but a full furnace cleaning is a different story. Pros need 60 to 90 minutes to vacuum the cabinet, brush burners, inspect the heat exchanger, and flush the condensate line. Add extra time if ductwork or coil cleaning is on the agenda. Aim for this deeper service once a year; it boosts efficiency, spots safety issues early, and keeps warranties intact.
Use the 50-percent rule: if the repair quote is more than half the cost of a new furnace, and the unit is pushing 10 years, start pricing replacements. Younger systems with minor problems often deserve a quick fix, especially if they’re still under warranty. Newer models bring higher efficiency, quieter operation, and stronger safety features, so the upfront spend often pays you back through lower monthly bills.