🔧 Furnace Replacement

Furnace Replacement: What It Costs, 95% AFUE vs 80%, and Who to Trust

Honest price ranges for a full gas furnace changeout, the 95%+ AFUE high-efficiency upgrade and the PVC venting it requires, and the modulating/variable-speed comfort tier — plus why an ACCA Manual J load calculation protects efficiency and comfort, how to spot the cracked-heat-exchanger condemnation used to force a replacement, and reviewed local installers with named manufacturer authorization. (Federal 25C credit expired Dec 31, 2025 — state and utility rebates are the surviving incentives.) Listings cover 0 states and 0 cities — each provider scored out of 100 on the Vouched Score, blending public-record signals, customer reviews, and editorial assessment. See methodology →

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Typical Furnace Replacement pricing (2026)

Last updated June 21, 2026

Median Furnace Replacement technician wage: $67,060/yr nationally.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS 2024 (SOC 49-9021).

Estimated typical ranges. Actual cost varies with home size, equipment, and scope — always request a written quote for your job.

ServiceTypical range
Full gas furnace replacement (80% AFUE, installed)$3,000–$6,500
High-efficiency condensing furnace (95%+ AFUE, installed)$4,500–$9,500
Modulating / two-stage variable-speed (ECM) furnace upcharge$600–$2,000
Condensing-furnace venting + condensate conversion (80%->95% AFUE)$600–$1,800
Gas line / electrical / permit modification (changeout)$150–$900
Electric furnace / air-handler replacement (installed)$2,000–$5,000

Furnace Replacement FAQ

Do furnace replacement companies need a license?
Yes — replacing a gas furnace is licensed mechanical work, and because it ties into gas-fired combustion and venting it carries extra safety weight. Texas regulates it through TDLR's Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (ACR) program, Florida through the DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board, and Arizona through the Registrar of Contractors. A changeout normally requires a mechanical (and often gas) permit plus a post-install inspection. An unlicensed 'handyman furnace install' on a gas appliance is the single biggest red flag — verify the state license and general liability insurance before hiring.
What does 80% vs 95%+ AFUE mean, and is high-efficiency worth it?
AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is the share of fuel a furnace turns into usable heat: an 80% furnace wastes 20% up the flue, a 95%+ condensing furnace wastes 5% or less. The high-efficiency tier costs more and requires different venting (PVC intake/exhaust plus a condensate drain), but it lowers gas bills and is usually the tier that qualifies for utility rebates. The payback depends on your climate and gas rates — in a mild-winter state the savings are smaller, so weigh the upgrade against how much you actually run heat.
Should my installer do a Manual J load calculation?
Yes. ACCA Manual J is the recognized standard for sizing a furnace to your home's actual heat loss; Manual S then selects the equipment and Manual D checks the ducts. An oversized furnace short-cycles — it blasts on and off, wears out faster, and on a high-efficiency unit it gives back much of the efficiency you paid for. A quote based only on 'same size as your old furnace' or a square-footage rule of thumb, with no load calc or on-site inspection, is a red flag.
Why does going from 80% to 95% AFUE change the venting?
A standard 80% furnace vents hot combustion gases up a metal flue. A 95%+ condensing furnace extracts so much heat that the exhaust is cool and produces acidic condensate, so it must vent through PVC intake and exhaust pipes and drain the condensate — the old metal chimney can't be reused. That venting conversion is a real line item ($600–$1,800) on an 80%-to-95% upgrade, so make sure the quote includes it rather than surprising you mid-job.
How do I avoid the cracked-heat-exchanger replacement upsell?
The number-one way furnace replacements are over-sold is condemning a repairable furnace — most often by claiming a 'cracked heat exchanger' the homeowner can't see. An honest contractor documents a suspected crack with a combustion analyzer (a measured CO reading) and a camera or visual inspection before recommending replacement, presents both the repair and replacement options, and supports your getting a second opinion. If you're told the furnace must be replaced today with no documented proof, slow down and get another quote.
Should I replace my furnace and AC at the same time?
If both are near end of life, replacing together gives you one matched, right-sized system, one labor mobilization, and aligned warranties — often cheaper than two separate jobs a year apart. If only the furnace has failed and the AC is newer, a good installer confirms the new furnace and coil still work with your existing equipment instead of upselling the pair. Either way, insist on a Manual J load calculation rather than copying the old equipment sizing.

Last updated June 23, 2026.