Your Furnace and Heating System Installation or Replacement questions, answered
Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on HomeGuide.
How much does it cost to install or replace a furnace?
Furnace replacement costs$2,000 to $5,400 on average for gas, electric, oil, or propane heating systems. A high-efficiency gas furnace costs$3,300 to $6,900 installed. New furnace prices depend on the system size, efficiency, brand, fuel type, and install labor.
Installing a new furnace and ductwork costs $3,800 to $12,000.
Replacing a new furnace and AC costs $4,000 to $10,000.
When should you need to replace a furnace?
Replace a furnace when the current unit is more than 15 years old and requires frequent fixing, or when repairs cost more than half the replacement cost.
Signs a furnace is going out:
Energy bills are increasing.
Rooms heat unevenly.
Fuel lines rust or system chamber cracks.
The thermostat malfunctions.
Furnace cycles on and off frequently or makes loud noises.
Dust or soot buildup appears.
Interior air smells like a gas leak.
The gas-furnace flame is yellow instead of blue.
How long does a furnace last?
A furnace lasts 15 to 30 years on average, depending on the fuel type, brand, usage, and maintenance frequency. Electric furnaces typically outlast gas, propane, and oil furnaces by 5 to 10 years.
Average furnace lifespan by type
Gas furnace 15 – 25 years
Oil furnace 15 – 25 years
Electric furnace 20 – 30 years
Propane furnace 15 – 20 years
How long does it take to install a furnace?
Replacing or installing a new furnace takes 4 to 18 hours on average, depending on the fuel type, size, and complexity. Extra time applies for modifying ductwork, electrical, or gas lines, adding vents or zoning, or retrofitting a larger furnace.
How to pay for a new furnace?
Options to pay for a new furnace include:
Monthly payment financing from the supplier
Home-improvement or bank loans
Furnace rebates and tax credits of $100 to $500 from manufacturers, dealers, utility company, or government programs
Credit card payment plans
What's the difference between a gas, oil, and electric furnace?
The differences between a gas, oil, and electric furnace are their fuel source, heating power, and operating costs.
Gas furnaces ignite propane or natural gas to heat and circulate air through the ductwork. Gas furnaces heat faster than electric.
Oil furnaces burn oil from an external tank to heat and circulate air through ducts. Oil furnaces are less efficient than gas and require more maintenance, but have faster heating.
Electric furnaces heat and circulate air with electricity or solar panels. Electric furnaces are the most energy-efficient, but have the highest operating costs.
What's the difference between a boiler, furnace, and heat pump?
Boilers circulate water or steam, furnaces circulate hot air, and heat pumps circulate refrigerant to provide heating.
Boilers use natural gas, propane, electricity, or heating oil to heat and circulate water or steam through pipes to radiators in each room.
Furnaces move centrally heated air through ducts to each room. Furnaces use gas, propane, electricity, or oil.
Heat pumps use electricity and refrigerant to transfer outside heat from the air, ground, or water into the home.
How to find local furnace replacement pros near me?
Furnace replacement quotes are typically free. When getting furnace estimates, use this checklist:
Compare at least three different estimates from experienced installers.
Avoid choosing the lowest bids that signal low-quality work.
Select licensed, insured, and bonded HVAC contractors.
Review their ratings on HomeGuide and Google.
Request copies of estimates, plan diagrams, heating-load calculations, equipment orders, permits, warranties, and contracts.
Verify the estimates include material, labor, equipment costs, and the installation schedule.
Set up a payment schedule. Never pay in full upfront.
Ask the questions below before signing a contract.
Choose HVAC installers 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
What questions should I ask furnace installation companies?
When looking to hire the best furnace contractor near you, ask them the following questions:
How many furnaces have you installed?
Can you give me references from past jobs?
What's the efficiency rating of this furnace? Do you recommend high-efficiency systems?
Does this furnace qualify for tax credits or rebates?
Is this furnace compatible with my existing ductwork, wiring, and thermostat?
Do you have a warranty for repairs?
Do you offer a maintenance plan?
Will you use the Manual J load calculation to size my new furnace?
How much are permits and inspections?
Are all labor, materials, old furnace disposal, and cleanup fees included in this estimate? What other costs apply?
Are any ductwork modifications necessary?
Will I need electrical or gas line work?
Do you subcontract the electrical work?
Do you test my ducts for leaks?
How long will the installation take?
Do you offer financing?
What's your payment timeline?
Do you follow all building code requirements?
Do I need a backup heater for this system?
Should you tip furnace installers?
Furnace installers don’t expect a tip and it's not customary. However, tipping $10 to $20 per person is a nice gesture when installers do a great job.
Reviews for Philadelphia furnace replacement contractors
Recent success stories from people in the Philadelphia area.
Dinh
This company is awesome. They do what they say and finish the job in a very timely manner. i have had multiple full renovation with them and I have to say by far the best I ever had.
Gamboa Construction
Gam N.
Professional efficient service.
Jay Johnsons HVAC Service
Adam B.
I have been thinking about a home office ever since COVID took over our lives.
These guys help me make this vision happen. They are seriously creative and took a lot of time to help me design an office that was attractive and ergonomic. Great company!!!
MySavant Realty
Nick F.
My heater went down in the middle of the night on Friday. I called these guys Saturday morning.
EMCO technician came to my house on Saturday within 3 hours after I called their office. He checked my heater and the outside compressor and found that thermocouple was bad. The whole service was really honest and the price was reasonable. Tech didn’t push any extra services and was really honest with diagnostic and repair that was needed. Thank you
EMCO Tech
Ma M.
Tony was responsive, timely and had good communications. Based on this experience, I'd would work with him again.
Development and Designs,LLC
Scott V.
I want to start with them guys we’re Very professional on time polite and courteous the work they did at my houseI felt as though they were working on their own house you did a great job thank you again Niard drain
Niard Drain LLC
John D.
Tom Madden was very professional and pleasant We have had our heat and air for about 30 years and have had no problems Tom has come to our home at various times to inspect our heater and air We would definitely recommend All American Air to anyone and have done so.
All American Air
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