How Much It'll Cost To Repair Your Furnace

Your home seems colder than usual, and as you check the thermostat, you realize your furnace isn't working. As a major component of your home, most furnaces require maintenance and routine service to prevent or minimize emergency breakdowns. Once you notice inefficiencies, call a licensed technician to take a closer look.

For many, the concern is the cost of such a repair. Several factors play a role in the amount you'll pay, including where you live, the type of repair, and the model of your furnace. The national average ranges from $150 to $600, but some projects can reach over $2,000, especially if you need to replace major components like the condenser or evaporator coil. If you can do some of the work yourself, such as replacing the air filter, that could reduce labor costs. Typical service call fees average $85, and that's just to have someone come out to see what's going on.

Before you worry or try to fix it yourself, look at some of the most common repairs and what you can expect to pay for them. Getting these problems taken care of now may also help you to avoid your furnace not lasting as long as it should.

One way to estimate furnace repair costs is to consider the type of problem occurring. If you hear squealing sounds, that often indicates a belt that is out of place or frayed. You'll likely spend between $130 and $330 for this type of repair, dependent on the make and model of your furnace. If the odd noises sound like metal-on-metal scraping, that could be an issue with the ball bearings. Expect this repair to be slightly cheaper, from $135 to $275. Don't put off these repairs; if the problem worsens and causes damage to surrounding components, that will increase the amount you pay.

What if your furnace keeps turning on and off? That's called cycling, and it could be due to several concerns. In some situations, the thermostat must be replaced, which is an easier and less expensive fix. On the other hand, if there is a need to repair the circuit board, expect that to cost $250 to $600, depending on the model.

Another potential problem occurs when the furnace isn't producing enough heat. Sometimes this happens because the ignitor has failed, which occurs over time due to normal wear and tear. That type of repair starts at around $150. If there's a more significant problem, like a motor failure, the cost could reach $1,500.

Another way to determine your potential furnace repair cost is to consider what needs to be replaced. If you have an idea of what's going on and are handy enough to fix these types of problems, you could save yourself the cost of labor. Technicians charge between $75 and $200 per hour for some work.

Replacing a thermostat, for example, may cost around $200 to $1,000. If you need to replace the furnace filter because it's clogged, expect to pay between $10 and $90. Ignitors typically cost around $300; on average, burners will likely set you back $450. However, remember that these are sometimes tasks best left to trained professionals.

Finally, it's vital to consider the type of furnace you own. The cost of labor (on top of parts) may differ based on the model. An electric furnace tends to have a much simpler makeup, leading to labor costs of around $50 to $300. If you have a propane system, labor costs may range from $300 to $1,000 because of the more complex system. Both oil and gas furnace repair costs tend to range from $300 to $1,200 due to more costly and demanding repair needs.