It’s a problem no homeowner wants to deal with: There’s something wrong with the furnace. The cost of repair will, of course, depend on what the problem with the system is. Some repairs are fairly quick and easy. Some issues signify the end of life for your furnace and the need for a new one.
If you have specific furnace repair questions or need to take care of a repair before it becomes a major system failure, call Ambient Edge. Our experienced technicians can provide guidance and schedule an appointment to take a look at your furnace to give you an estimate.
In the meantime, the Ambient Edge team has information on the average cost of some of the most common repairs we see.
A Heater Repair Cost Depends on These Factors
We know this can be a frustrating answer, but how much your repair will cost depends on a number of factors.
Parts and Service
If the repair is simple and the parts readily available, the repair will cost less than a complicated job where parts may need to be special ordered.
Warranty
If you’re one of the lucky homeowners whose furnace is still under warranty, the cost of parts for your repair may be covered. If your system is no longer under warranty, the repair will cost more out of pocket.
Age and Condition
The age of your furnace and what condition it is will also play a big role in how much your repair costs. If your furnace is older and in generally poor condition, it may have reached the end of its life. In that case, you’ll need to take into account the cost of potential repairs (if they can be made) versus the cost of a new furnace.
Timing
If your furnace breaks in the middle of the night and requires an emergency service call, that will cost you more than a pre-scheduled repair that happens during regular business hours.
Repairs Typically Costing Less Than $500
Remembering that costs can vary depending on your particular system, these common repairs generally cost $500 or less.
- Replacing a thermostat
- Replacing or repairing a flame sensor
- Replacing or repairing a circuit board
- Replacing or repairing a pressure sensor
- Repairing a blower motor
- Repairing a heat exchanger
- Replacing a smart valve or gas valve
- Replacing a draft inducer
- Replacing an ignitor
- Replacing a blower motor
- Repairing a transformer
- Repairing a thermocouple
- Repairing a relay switch
Repairs Typically Costing More Than $500
Sometimes, parts and repairs cost more than a few hundred dollars. These common repairs usually cost more than $500.
- Repairing or replacing a draft inducer motor
- Repairing or replacing a flue pipe
- Replacing a heat exchanger
- Repairing or replacing a condenser and evaporator coil
Most Common Furnace Repairs
While every home and heating system is unique, several of our most common repairs include:
Blower Motor
This is the motor and fan that blows your air through your home’s ductwork. If it is not cleaned regularly as part of annual HVAC system maintenance, it can damage or unbalance the blades. Repairs usually cost a few hundred dollars, but depending on the brand of your furnace, a complete replacement can cost more than $1,000.
Furnace Transformer
This important part lowers the usable voltage of electrical power entering the unit. Replacing the transformer generally costs less than a few hundred dollars.
Flue Pipe
This vital part carries deadly carbon monoxide away from your home, along with any additional combustible gases. The cost to repair or replace will depend on how long the pipe is and how accessible it is to technicians.
Furnace Coil
The condenser or evaporator coils are part of the overall HVAC system, not just the furnace. This can be an expensive repair that often costs more than $1,000.
Heat Exchanger
When your blower pushes the air through your home, the heat exchanger heats the air that moves throughout your space. While repairs to the heat exchanger are fairly low prices, replacing the heat exchanger can be more than $1,000, depending on the brand of your furnace.
Ignitor
The ignitor creates a spark that fires up your furnace system. Without it, your furnace simply won’t blow hot air. This is the part that most commonly fails on a furnace. The cost to replace it is usually less than $300.
Circuit Board or Furnace Control
The more complicated the main circuitry of your furnace unit, the more expensive it will be to replace this control board. For single-stage furnaces, the cost is a few hundred dollars or less. For newer, higher efficiency furnaces, the cost for replacement is typically more than $500.
Furnace Gas Valve
This valve allows in the gas that fuels your unit. The cost to replace the furnace gas valve is usually several hundred to more than $500.
Flame Sensor
This thin metal rod inside of your furnace is critical to detect a flame. If no flame is found the gas is automatically turned off. Repairing the flame sensor typically costs only a few hundred dollars.
When to Repair and When to Replace
If the cost of your furnace repairs is surprising to you and your furnace is no longer new enough to be under warranty, you may want to consider whether you do the repairs or replace the unit.
In this circumstance, the $5,000 Rule applies: The age of your unit x the cost of repairs. If the cost is more than $5,000, it makes sense to completely replace your furnace unit.
Call Today to Schedule Your Furnace Repair or Maintenance
Call Ambient Edge. We can schedule your preventative maintenance visit to help you improve the performance of your system and stop costly breakdowns before they happen. We can also answer your questions about your furnace and heating problems and schedule your repair time. For any furnace or heating emergencies, we have 24-hour emergency service available.