How Much Does Furnace Repair Cost in 2025?

Furnace Repair Cost Factors

Furnace repair costs vary widely depending on the furnace type, the type of repair and associated components, the unit’s age, and other factors.

Fuel Type

Furnaces are built with varying components, technologies, and designs based on their fuel type. Certain fuel-specific components can dramatically influence associated repair costs. Likewise, furnaces have different unit replacement cost ranges depending on fuel type, which can be an important decision factor for choosing between repairing or replacing your unit.

Electric Furnace

Expect to spend $300 or less for most electric furnace repairs. Compared to other furnace fuel types, electric furnaces feature relatively simple designs and don’t have the added safety challenges related to combustion safety systems and exhaust. They most commonly experience issues with faulty heating elements, thermostats, or blower motors. Repairs exceeding $300 are most often associated with blower faults or similarly complex components.

Natural Gas Furnace

Gas furnace repairs range from $300 to $1,200. These units use both gas and electrical components, adding to the complexity of both design and repairs. Common problems stem from the components associated with the gas delivery and regulating system, such as gas valves, burners, and flame sensors. Gas furnaces also have complex safety systems, which means repairs may take longer or require more specialized knowledge.

Propane Furnace

Propane furnaces operate similarly to natural gas furnaces and carry comparable repair costs of about $300 to $1,200. Repairing the unit altogether, however, can cost more than $4,000 than the cost of replacing a gas furnace.

Oil Furnace

Repairing an oil furnace costs $300 to $1,200. With combustion-based heating, they operate in much the same way as their gas counterparts and, as such, experience similar problems or breakdowns.

Unit Age

As furnaces age, their repairs become more frequent and labor-intensive. They also become more prone to critical breakdowns relating to heat exchangers and similarly costly components. Many older units aren’t compatible with newer, efficient parts, which can lead to increased repair parts if your technician must source obsolete or custom-fabricated parts.

Furnace Repair Cost by Part

Furnace components vary in terms of complexity, availability, and labor intensity for repairs or replacements. Some parts are simpler to repair or replace, while others may require more labor time, specialized skills, or expensive materials.

Repairing furnace parts is usually more cost-effective than replacement, but some parts can’t be repaired. Flame sensors, for example, typically need replacement once they fail since repairing them is generally impractical and inefficient. In comparison, repairing a blower is more cost-effective than replacement if possible.

Blower Motor

Blower motor repairs are $150 to $450 while replacing a complete blower motor costs up to $2,000. This motor and fan, known as a squirrel cage fan, pushes the air through your ducts. Poor system maintenance leads to unbalanced or damaged blades. Repair is possible if the motor has simple issues, such as worn bearings or lodged debris. Replacement may be necessary if the motor is burnt out or severely damaged.

Heat Exchangers

Heat exchanger repairs cost $100 to $200. Replacing a heat exchanger is about $500 to $1,500. This component heats the air before it circulates to the blower and throughout your home. Cracks in the exchanger increase the risk of carbon monoxide leaks—repairing these cracks isn’t necessarily practical or safe, and most heat exchangers consequently require replacement when they fail.

Gas Valve

A furnace gas valve costs about $75 to repair and $200 to $600 to replace. This part regulates the flow of natural gas or propane to the furnace’s burner, opening and closing based on precise signals communicated throughout the heating system.

Control or Circuit Board 

Repairing a furnace circuit board ranges from $75 to $200, and replacement costs $200 to $600. The control board controls and coordinates the furnace’s components by sending and receiving signals, and even minor control board faults can severely disrupt your system’s operation. High-efficiency replacement models cost about $600, while simple single-stage models may only cost $75 to $200.

Draft Inducer Motor 

A draft inducer motor pushes combustion gases through the exhaust system and draws in fresh air. Repairs, such as cleaning or lubricating the motor, cost $200 to $500. Significant damage or cracked fan blades may require replacement, which costs up to $1,500.

Ignitor 

An ignitor replacement costs $150 to $250. Ignitors can’t be repaired since their design makes it impractical. They inevitably wear out, often cracking or burning, and must be replaced as a crucial part of the ignition process.

Thermocouple 

Replacing a thermocouple costs $150 to $250, mostly due to labor since the part itself is relatively affordable. These safety devices monitor the pilot light—based on temperature changes, the thermocouple triggers or shuts off gas flow. A technician can clean dirty thermocouples, but faulty thermocouples require replacement.

Flame Sensor 

Expect to spend $75 to $250 to repair or replace the flame sensor. Operating similarly to a thermocouple (and often referred to interchangeably), this thin metallic rod detects the flame inside the furnace. Like thermocouples, sensors can be either cleaned or replaced.

Burners

Burner repairs range from $100 to $300, with lower costs representing basic cleaning to remove debris and carbon buildup. Replacement is usually necessary for burners with cracks or corrosion. Replacement burners range from $150 to $500, although some can cost up to $1,000.

Flue Pipe

Flue pipe replacement costs $400 to $800, depending on accessibility and the overall length. The flue carries carbon monoxide and leftover combustion gases out of your home.

Relay or High Limit Switch

Relay switches cost $150 to $300 to replace, with about $5 to $20 for the part and the rest for labor. These parts may be cleaned or adjusted in some cases, but faulty switches require replacement. 

This part controls the flow of electricity to various furnace components, such as the blower motor and ignitor, and prevents the furnace from overheating by shutting it off when the temperature is too high.

Oil Combustion Chambers

Oil combustion chambers cost $200 to $600 to replace. The chamber itself costs $100 to $200. This chamber holds burning oil as it produces heat. It’s designed to withstand high heat and pressure but may eventually crack or corrode and require replacement.

Transformer 

Replacing a furnace transformer costs $100 to $175, with the part ranging from $20 to $40 and labor representing the remainder of the costs. The transformer converts incoming electrical power into lower usable volts.

Thermostat

Repairing a thermostat costs $100 to $300 and typically involves recalibration or replacing faulty wiring. Replacing or upgrading with a smart thermostat can cost $600.

Labor

Hiring a furnace technician costs about $100 to $250 per hour, not including parts. Most contractors also have a dispatch fee or minimum charge, usually equivalent to an hour of labor. Technicians also charge extra for emergency, weekend, after-hours, and holiday repairs.

Ongoing Maintenance

Furnaces require periodic maintenance to keep them running smoothly and prevent breakdowns.

Furnace Tune-Up and Inspection

Furnace inspections range from $50 to $100, and tune-ups cost $100 to $200. Some furnace service providers offer inspection and maintenance packages, ranging from $150 to $500 per year, which include yearly servicing as well as discounted repair rates. Maintenance services typically include inspecting, cleaning, and adjusting vents, ducts, blower motor, heat exchanger, AC coils, fuel line, and internal parts.

Cleaning and Upkeep

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 usually $10 to $30, with high-efficiency filters typically costing more. Other routine cleaning tasks include cleaning fans, the cabinet interior, flame sensors, and any exposed parts.

Furnace Repair or Replacement?

Choosing between furnace repair or replacement depends on the unit's current condition and age, costs, and potential benefits of a new furnace. Repair is usually cost-effective for units with minor problems, such as dirty flame sensors, especially if the furnace is relatively new and still under warranty.

In comparison, older furnaces gradually become inefficient, unreliable, and costly to repair. If repair costs exceed 50% of the cost of a new unit, furnace replacement is usually a more economical strategy. Frequent or recurring breakdowns may also indicate that your furnace is near the end of its lifespan. A new furnace also offers significant advantages for energy efficiency and safety features.

Budgeting for Furnace Repair

Furnace repairs can add up quickly, but smart budgeting can keep costs under control. Try these tips:

• Get multiple HVAC technician quotes to compare costs for parts, labor, and service call fees.

• Check your warranty—if it’s still valid, it may cover all or a portion of your repair costs.

• Don’t delay furnace repairs. Addressing problems sooner prevents minor issues from escalating into major and costly breakdowns.

• Schedule annual maintenance to minimize strain and wear on your furnace.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

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.