Furnace Replacement Cost Calculator (2026)
By Dan Whitlock, Home Projects Editor · Updated July 2026
A furnace replacement is priced mostly by fuel type, efficiency rating, and how much the installer has to change to fit the new unit. In 2026, most homeowners pay $2,800 to $7,500 installed for a standard gas furnace, and the average job lands near $4,800. A high-efficiency condensing furnace, a larger home that needs more BTUs, or duct modifications push the number toward the top of that range. Build your estimate below, then read what moves the price.
Estimate your cost
Equipment plus a standard professional install. AFUE is the efficiency rating.
Labor and materials swing with local cost of living.
Estimated furnace replacement cost
$2,925 – $5,650
Most homeowners pay around $4,150
Cost breakdown
- Gas: standard 80% AFUE$3,900
- Permit, thermostat & old-unit haul-away$250
Planning estimate based on 2026 national price data, not a quote. Get local quotes to confirm.
What drives your furnace replacement cost
- Fuel type: electric furnaces install cheapest, gas sits in the middle, and oil furnaces run the highest to replace.
- Efficiency (AFUE): a high-efficiency 90–96% condensing furnace costs more up front but cuts fuel bills; an 80% unit is cheaper to buy.
- Home size and BTU: a larger home needs more heating capacity, and each step up in BTU adds equipment cost.
- Ductwork: reusing sound existing ducts keeps cost down, while duct repairs run about $5–$45 per linear foot and full replacement $1,400–$6,000.
- Add-ons: a new or extended gas line ($500–$2,000), permits ($50–$1,500), and a smart thermostat ($150–$400) each add to the total.
Ready for real numbers?
A calculator gets you the fair range. Local quotes confirm it for your exact home. Comparing 2–3 written quotes from licensed local pros is the single best way to avoid overpaying: ask each for the same scope in writing so the numbers are comparable.
Ways to save
- Get 2–3 quotes: install labor on the same furnace can vary by hundreds of dollars.
- Size the unit with a proper load calculation instead of oversizing "to be safe."
- Weigh an 80% AFUE furnace against a 96% model: the payback on high-efficiency depends on your climate and how long you’ll stay.
- Replace in the spring or fall shoulder season when HVAC crews are less booked.
- Bundle the permit, thermostat, and haul-away into one quote rather than paying for each separately.
Hire it out, or do it yourself?
Leave this one to a proFurnace replacement is a licensed trade job. A gas furnace connects to the gas supply line, the combustion air and flue venting system, and the home's electrical system, and errors in any of those connections can result in gas leaks, carbon monoxide intrusion, or fire. Nearly every jurisdiction requires a licensed HVAC contractor, a permit, and an inspection before the furnace is put into service. This is not a project where you save money by doing it yourself.
The venting is the most consequential part. A high-efficiency condensing furnace vents through PVC pipe; a conventional 80% unit vents through metal flue into a chimney. Mixing up the two, oversizing flue pipe, or installing a condensate drain incorrectly creates conditions for CO to backdraft into the living space. The inspection exists precisely because these failures are not always visible, and CO is odorless.
Where you have leverage: get quotes from two or three contractors, ask each to show you a load calculation rather than just matching the old unit, and consider whether the heat pump math has changed since your last furnace. In many markets, a cold-climate heat pump now beats an 80% gas furnace on lifetime cost, especially in homes that also need central air. Know both numbers before you commit to a like-for-like replacement.
Helpful products
Taking the DIY route, or doing part of the job yourself? These are the product categories most people buy for this project. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, and it never changes your price.
Frequently asked questions
How much does furnace replacement cost in 2026?
Most homeowners pay $2,800 to $7,500 installed, with an average near $4,800. A standard 80% gas furnace runs less, while a high-efficiency gas, oil, or larger unit with duct work pushes toward the top of the range.
Is a high-efficiency furnace worth the extra cost?
A 90–96% AFUE condensing furnace costs roughly $4,000–$10,000 installed versus about $2,800–$5,200 for an 80% model, but it burns less fuel every winter. It pays back fastest in cold climates and homes you plan to keep for years.
Why is furnace installation so expensive?
The furnace itself is only part of the total. The rest is labor, venting, gas or electrical connections, permits, and disposal, and a fuel-type conversion or new ductwork can add thousands on top of the base unit.
How long does a furnace last?
A gas furnace typically lasts 15–20 years and an electric furnace 20–30. If yours is past 15 years and needing repairs, replacing it on your schedule avoids the premium of an emergency mid-winter swap.
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Price ranges cross-referenced against these 2026 cost guides and contractor databases:
Before replacing like-for-like, run the heat pump number: the economics have shifted significantly since most older furnaces were installed, and a heat pump both heats and cools from one unit.
Heat Pump Installation cost from $4,500 →