Is It Time to Buy a New Furnace for Your Home This Winter?

If you don't pay much attention to your furnace, you may not realize it needs replacement until it's too late and inconvenient. Your furnace will give some warning signs that your furnace may be approaching the end of its life span. Here's how to know when it may be time to invest in a new furnace.

Old Age

Furnaces generally last between 15 and 30 years. If your furnace is more than 15 years old and giving you trouble, it could be reaching the end of its service life. You may need to replace it in the near future.

Higher Energy Bills

A unit with one foot out the door will operate less efficiently. It will use more energy to heat your house, resulting in higher energy bills than usual.

Frequent Repairs

Furnaces usually need more frequent and costly repairs in the last years of their lives. If your old furnace has required multiple repairs recently, it may be time to replace it.

Loud, Strange Noises

A furnace making loud, unusual noises should be a cause for concern. Noises such as clicking, rattling, popping, bumping, and banging could indicate that your furnace needs repair or even that it's time for a new furnace.

Yellow Flame

The pilot flame can give you an idea of the condition of your furnace. For a functional, efficient furnace, the pilot flame will be clean and bright blue. A yellow flame is a sign that the furnace isn't burning off the gas that's entering it as cleanly as it should. A weak yellow flame could indicate that the gas isn't burning out or there's improper ventilation. You'll need to have the furnace checked as soon as possible.

Uneven Heating

Furnaces can lose the ability to deliver heat evenly to an entire home as they age, especially if they've lasted longer than 15 years. If some rooms are toasty while others are chilly, your furnace could be nearing the end of its life.

If your heating unit no longer works as efficiently as it used to, it may be time to get a new furnace. If you're unsure whether you need a new furnace, you could contact an HVAC professional for help. If you're in the Broken Arrow area, don't hesitate to contact Air Assurance for assistance with all your furnace replacement, installation, repair, and maintenance needs.

What is a Typical New Furnace Price?

A new furnace price is one of the factors you'll want to consider when replacing your heating system. Several factors go into furnace pricing, so we'll help you out by breaking down the different aspects.

Overall New Furnace Price

The average new furnace price ranges from $2,000 to $8,000. On average across this country, a full installation costs $6,000. This includes the price of the new unit, labor fees, and other installation upgrades or costs.

Furnace Type

An individual gas furnace unit costs $650 to $3,000 on average. The total cost, including installation, averages $3,000 to $8,000. The average price of an electric furnace unit is $700 to $1,100. It's cheaper to install an electric furnace than it is a natural gas furnace, with total costs including installation averaging $2,000 to $4,000. However, electric furnaces usually have higher operational costs, as they create a higher electricity bill.

A propane furnace unit ranges from $800 to $2,000 on average. When installation costs are included, the total costs add up to between $2,500 and $5,000. The average price of an individual oil furnace is $500 to $2,500. The total costs range from $3,000 to $5,000 on average.

Efficiency

The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is the metric for measuring furnace efficiency. Furnaces with higher AFUE ratings usually cost more. However, by purchasing a high-efficiency furnace, you may qualify for a tax break or a rebate.

Previous Type of Furnace

Your previous furnace type also has an impact on price. If your previous furnace was an electric furnace, it could cost $200 to $500 to have gas lines installed if you're planning to purchase a gas furnace.

Labor

Labor costs typically range from $75 to $100 an hour. The company you choose and the job complexity also affect labor costs. For example, you may need additional ducts installed, which would increase the labor costs. You could also pay furnace inspection charges of $200 to $600 and an assistant hourly fee of $50.

As you can see, multiple factors affect a new furnace price, including the company you work with. Be sure to choose a trustworthy and experienced HVAC company. If you're in the Broken Arrow area, contact the heating professionals at Air Assurance. We've been handling furnace installations for 36 years.