There may be tips on how to stay warm when your furnace goes out, but sooner or later, you will need to consider a brand-new furnace system. You may easily find a furnace online, but how do you know if it’s the right furnace for your home? There’s also an installation process to consider, which is affected by different pricing factors.
At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we’ve completed hundreds of furnace installations across Los Angeles and the surrounding area. Not every furnace installation is the same, and the same can be said for the total cost of installing a furnace. After spending over 15 years with furnaces and other heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, we’ve seen which factors impact a furnace installation the most.
We’ll review how the following factors can influence the final cost of installing a furnace, ranging between $6,500 to over $12,000.
- Labor
- Square footage of a home
- Type of furnace
- Ductwork
- Additional features
Once you learn about these different costs, you can better understand what pricing looks like for a new furnace installation when it’s time to ask for an estimate from an HVAC contractor.
What Factors Affect the Cost of a Furnace Installation?
Furnace Installation Labor
Without labor, there is no furnace installation. The labor itself can cost a few thousand dollars. Depending on the size of the overall project, a small team of HVAC technicians is required to install a furnace.
The actual labor cost cannot be pinpointed to a single number because every HVAC business can set its prices at its discretion at a flat or hourly rate. It’s recommended to work with a reputable company that specializes in furnace installations and is certified and licensed to complete the work.
Photos and reviews can offer homeowners an idea of what it’s like to work with an HVAC company and see their completed furnace installations. As you contact different HVAC companies for estimates, they’ll ask you for the total square footage of your home.
One of the major factors in determining the final price of a furnace installation is the square footage of a house.
Home’s Square Footage
The size of a home impacts the cost of a furnace installation. The larger a home is, the more money it will cost to install a furnace. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
With the square footage of a home, homeowners or technicians can calculate how many British Thermal Units (BTUs) are required for the furnace to heat a home properly. By multiplying 40 by the square footage of a home, homeowners can get an estimated BTU count and start narrowing their furnace by heating capacity. The square footage of a home can help a technician determine how much ductwork is required, which will also impact the final installation cost.
Sizing is essential for a furnace installation since oversizing can lead to increased energy bills due to overconsumption. Undersizing a furnace can make it difficult for a home to receive warm air efficiently. It’s not just the size of a furnace that can affect the installation price, but the type of furnace that can also impact the final cost of a new installation.
How Much Does a New Furnace Cost?
A brand-new furnace by itself can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $15,000 and can be impacted by different pricing factors such as brands. These furnaces can be purchased directly online or at a hardware store. Some brands only offer their furnaces through partnerships with third-party HVAC companies.
Furnaces are available in different sizing capacities to meet a home’s heating needs. Still, they can be broken down into different types, affecting the final cost of a brand-new installation.
Type of Furnace
In Southern California, most furnaces are powered by natural gas. A brand-new gas furnace can cost between $3,500 to $8,995. There are also electric-only furnaces, which can increase the installation cost since they are priced higher than gas furnaces and may require modifying the installation site from gas to electricity.
Regardless of their energy source, furnaces come in three different staging types.
- Single-stage: In terms of pricing, single-stage furnaces cost less than the other two types of furnaces. Single-stage furnaces offer basic heating with an off-and-on setting at 100% capacity.
- Dual-stage: Two-stage furnaces are typically priced more than single-stage but less than modulating-stage furnaces. These furnaces have two settings, one at 50% to 60% heating capacity and the other at 100%.
- Modulating stage: Modulating furnaces offer the greatest flexibility in terms of heating capacities. It allows the thermostat more control over how much heating efficiency is required. These furnaces are on the higher end of the price range.
The different types of furnaces provide homeowners with various options that best fit their budget while still providing their homes with heating. Whichever furnace you choose, it’s essential to consider the necessary ductwork, which can drive up the cost of an installation.
Ductwork
For forced air systems like furnaces, ductwork is crucial. In many cases, new ductwork is necessary to pair with a new furnace, which can increase the costs of an installation, especially if the home is large. Any new ductwork required for a furnace installation can cost several hundred dollars.
Ductwork uses the R-value to measure how well the insulation around the ducts prevents heat from escaping and entering. The lowest r-value allowed for ductwork is R-6, but higher values are available. The higher the R-value, the higher the final cost of a furnace installation.
In terms of necessities, new ductwork is a must. There are, however, some optional features for furnaces that can be included in the installation.
Additional Features
Although entirely optional, homeowners can include a few extras in their furnace installation. Smart thermostats, air scrubbers, and extended warranties aren’t standard with most furnace installations but can be included in the costs. Depending on how much is added, these added features can cost a few hundred to over a thousand dollars.
With an app on their smartphones, a smart thermostat can offer homeowners greater control over their furnaces. Air scrubbers help improve indoor air quality and help furnaces trap more airborne pollutants on their filters.
Ready to Invest in a Furnace Installation?
After reviewing the different factors that affect the cost of a furnace installation, homeowners can compare estimates from other HVAC companies. With so many factors involved in determining the final price of a furnace installation, homeowners can break down or expand their budgets to invest in a suitable furnace for their homes confidently.
Since 2007, we’ve specialized in installing all types of furnaces in homes across Los Angeles and the surrounding counties. At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we understand that there is more than one factor that can affect the final price of a furnace installation. We believe in sharing this information with homeowners who feel out of the loop with furnace installation pricing.
If you’re interested in a new furnace installation, contact us using one of the buttons below. You can also book an appointment with a certified HVAC technician through our HVAC online scheduler.
After getting an idea of the price range for a furnace installation, check out this article on the top furnace brands to start narrowing your search by the best manufacturers in the industry.
