How much does a furnace tune-up and inspection cost?
How much does a furnace tune-up and inspection cost?
$70 – $130 furnace inspection cost
$70 – $200 furnace tune-up cost
$150 – $500 annual furnace maintenance cost
Furnace maintenance service cost
A furnace tune-up service costs $70 to $200 on average for a gas, electric, or oil furnace. A standard furnace inspection costs $70 to $130 for a diagnostic report and basic cleaning. Annual furnace maintenance costs $150 to $500 for an inspection, tune-up, and minor repairs.
| Service type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Standard furnace inspection | $70 – $130 |
| Full furnace tune-up service | $130 – $200 |
| Annual maintenance plan | $150 – $500 |
| Furnace filter replacement | $100 – $175 |
| Furnace cleaning | $70 – $300 |
| Furnace repair | $100 – $600 |
Average cost to inspect and tune-up a furnace
The following table shows the average cost to inspect and tune-up a furnace:
| National average cost | $130 |
| Minimum cost | $50 |
| Maximum cost | $500 |
| Average cost range | $70 to $200 |
*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Furnace tune-up cost
A furnace tune-up costs $70 to $200 on average. Heater tune-up costs depend on the furnace fuel type and level of service required. A tune-up typically includes inspecting, cleaning, and testing the furnace.
| Furnace fuel type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Gas | $80 – $170 |
| Oil | $100 – $200 |
| Electric | $70 – $130 |
Furnace tune-up checklist
A furnace tune-up typically includes:
Inspecting the flue & vent connections
Cleaning or changing the filter
Ignitor testing
Dusting the furnace interior, vents, & external coils
Checking the fan belts, blowers, & motors
Adjusting the pilot light & burners
Checking fuel-source connections
Performing a combustion analysis for gas & oil furnaces
Checking electrical components
Inspecting ducts for leaks
Checking the heat exchanger
Inspecting the furnace condensate drain for clogs
Testing thermostat settings
HVAC technicians typically write a report of what they checked, the unit’s condition, and the maintenance they did. Contractors might also suggest repairs to keep the furnace running safely.
Gas furnace tune-up cost
The cost to service a gas or propane furnace is $80 to $170 on average. A gas furnace tune-up typically includes inspecting and cleaning the main parts, replacing filters, and testing for natural gas or carbon monoxide leaks.
Oil furnace tune-up service cost
Oil furnace service costs $100 to $200 on average. The cost of an oil furnace tune-up depends on the unit’s condition, size, and accessibility.
An oil heater tune-up typically includes replacing filters, minor cleaning, and inspecting all parts like the fuel-oil tank, fuel lines, and burners.
Electric furnace maintenance cost
Electric furnace maintenance costs $70 to $130 on average. Technicians inspect the heating elements and wiring along with light cleaning. Electric furnaces have the lowest maintenance costs because of their basic system design.
Furnace inspection cost
A basic furnace inspection costs $70 to $130 or up to $200 for a full inspection and tune-up. Total costs depend on the service level and furnace conditions.
| Inspection type | Average cost | Services included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $70 – $130 |
|
| Advanced | $130 – $200 |
|
*Prices include technician call-out fees within nearby service areas only.
Annual furnace maintenance cost factors
Furnace maintenance costs depend on the following factors:
Service type – Companies have multiple maintenance-plan tiers for various levels of cleaning and repairs.
Time of year – HVAC technicians typically offer discounts for tune-ups before or after winter due to an excess of emergency-service calls in cold weather.
Number of units – Get discounts for servicing multiple units or a full HVAC system.
Labor – Rates increase for hard-to-reach furnace locations and emergency calls.
Maintenance plan– Furnace service discounts are available with most annual service plans.
Time since last service – Tune-ups often cost more for systems not serviced for more than 1 year.
Warranty – Some manufacturers require yearly maintenance to maintain the warranty. Units under warranty may get free part replacement but not free labor.
Insurance – Some homeowners policies cover extra fees for repairs or replacement due to accidents or natural disasters.
Furnace maintenance plans and prices
Annual furnace maintenance plans cost $150 to $500 yearly, depending on the service contract terms and conditions. Higher-tier maintenance plans include full HVAC-system service with deeper cleaning.
| Billing period | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10 – $30 |
| Yearly | $150 – $500 |
Annual service typically includes:
Furnace inspection
Light surface cleaning
Filter replacements
Priority appointments
Repair discounts
Furnace cleaning
Furnace cleaning costs $70 to $300, depending on the size, fuel type, and time since the last service. HVAC technicians typically inspect the unit while removing and cleaning the main parts before reassembling. This service offers more in-depth cleaning than a standard inspection.
Air duct cleaning costs an additional $450 to $1,000 on average or $25 to $50 per vent.
Furnace repairs
Furnace repair costs $100 to $600 on average, depending on the brand, fuel type, condition, warranty, and type of fix required.
Minimum service fees are $75 to $200.
Labor costs are $75 to $150 hourly.
After-hours emergency service costs$140 to $210 per hour.
Furnace tune-up & inspection FAQs
What is a furnace tune-up, and is it necessary?
A furnace tune-up is an in-depth inspection that includes minor cleaning of the main parts and replacing filters.
A furnace tune-up is necessary to maintain warranty coverage and prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaks or fire hazards.
Is a furnace tune-up worth it?
A furnace tune-up is worth it to:
Improve the system’s energy efficiency by 20% to 30%
Prevent breakdowns & expensive repairs
Increase the unit’s lifespan
Improve indoor air quality & temperature control
Keep the system running safely
How often should you tune-up a furnace?
A furnace typically needs 1 tune-up per year in fall to prepare for winter. HVAC systems more than 5 to 10 years old in cold climates may need 2 tune-ups annually. Newer furnaces in moderate climates need less-frequent tune-ups.
How long does a furnace tune-up take?
A furnace tune-up takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on how dirty the furnace is, the unit’s size and age, and the maintenance frequency.
Finding and hiring a furnace technician
Before hiring a furnace repair company near you, be sure to:
Compare at least three different bids from experienced HVAC pros.
Choose HVAC professionals with certifications from:
North American Technician Excellence (NATE)
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
National Propane Gas Association (NPGA)
State-certified natural gas journeyman training programs in gas fittings
Avoid the cheapest bids that signal low-quality work.
Select licensed, insured, and bonded HVAC contractors.
Review their ratings on HomeGuide and Google.
Request itemized copies of estimates.
Never pay in full upfront.
Beware of scams with free furnace inspections where the technician suggests a complete furnace replacement. Hire another professional for a second opinion to get a detailed combustion analysis and carbon monoxide report.
Questions to ask
How many years have you been inspecting furnaces?
What types of furnaces do you typically inspect?
Can you give me references from past jobs?
What does your inspection include, and will I get a detailed diagnostics report afterward?
Are any routine maintenance services part of the inspection?
Do you offer discounts with annual service contracts?
How long will the inspection take?
What are the most common additional extra costs for this inspection?
Do you offer full HVAC-system inspection and cleaning packages?
Will you update my service records to maintain warranty coverage?
Do you also clean up around the furnace after finishing, or does that cost extra?