Furnace Repair Cost: What Common Fixes Cost in 2026

Most furnace repairs cost $349 to $650, with a national average of $485 (Fixr). Simple fixes like a flame sensor or ignitor cost far less. A cracked heat exchanger can cost a few thousand dollars and often leads to a replacement instead. The part that failed, your furnace's age and when you call all change the price.

As of 2026, the figures below are national ranges from published cost guides. They aren't quotes. Use them to understand what's normal before you talk to a company.

First: is anything unsafe right now?

Some furnace problems are emergencies, not repairs. Check these before anything else.

• You smell gas (a rotten-egg smell). Leave the house now and take everyone with you. Don't use light switches, the thermostat or a phone inside. From outside, call 911 or your gas utility's emergency line (AGA). Carrier gives the same advice: don't operate electrical switches or try to relight the furnace (Carrier).
• Your carbon monoxide alarm goes off. Get everyone outside into fresh air and call 911 from outside. Trane lists a carbon monoxide detector that keeps tripping as a warning sign of a cracked heat exchanger (Trane).
• You see smoke, flames or sparks, or smell burning plastic or wiring. Turn the furnace off at the thermostat. If there's smoke or fire, leave the house and call 911.

A dusty smell the first time the heat runs each fall is usually normal and fades within a few hours. A smell that doesn't fade, or smells like plastic or wiring, needs a technician.

Once everyone is safe, the rest of this guide explains what common repairs cost.

How much does furnace repair cost on average?

Fixr puts the average range at $349 to $650, with a national average of $485 (Fixr). Its low end is $66 and its high end is $2,673 (Fixr).

Trane, a furnace manufacturer, gives a wider spread. It says furnace repair costs can range from $150 to $3,000, depending on which parts need replacing (Trane).

A newer Fixr guide says typical furnace repairs range from $150 to $600 (Fixr).

The takeaway is the same across all three. Most furnace repairs cost a few hundred dollars. A small number cost thousands, and those are usually heat exchanger problems.

What do common furnace repairs cost, part by part?

Fixr's figures below include the service call plus the replacement part. Trane's figures are its average cost for each repair on a gas furnace. Where both list a part, both ranges are shown.

Flame sensor

The flame sensor confirms the burners are lit. If it's dirty, the furnace may light and then shut off a few seconds later. A technician can often clean it rather than replace it.

• Fixr: $68 to $127 (Fixr)
• Trane: $80 to $240 (Trane)

Ignitor

Most modern gas furnaces use an electronic ignitor instead of a standing pilot light. When it fails, the furnace tries to start but never lights.

• Fixr: $96 to $178 (Fixr)
• Trane: $100 to $250 (Trane)

Thermocouple

Older furnaces with a standing pilot use a thermocouple to sense the pilot flame.

• Trane: $100 to $300 (Trane)

Limit switch

The limit switch shuts the burners off if the furnace gets too hot. A failing switch can cause short cycling.

• Fixr: $66 to $122 (Fixr)
• Trane: $100 to $375 (Trane)

Pressure switch

The pressure switch confirms the exhaust is venting properly before the burners light.

• Trane: $150 to $350 (Trane)

Burner

• Fixr: $87 to $162 (Fixr)

Thermostat

A thermostat problem can look like a furnace problem. Dead batteries, the wrong mode or a failed thermostat can all stop the heat.

• Fixr: $91 to $169 (Fixr)
• Trane: $100 to $600 (Trane)

Trane notes that a smart thermostat lands at the higher end of that range.

Capacitor and transformer

The blower motor often has its own capacitor. The transformer steps down power for the furnace's controls.

• Blower motor capacitor: $100 to $250 (Trane)
• Transformer: $100 to $250 (Trane)

Condensate pump

High-efficiency furnaces make water as they run, and some use a small pump to move it to a drain.

• Trane: $250 to $440 (Trane)

Gas valve

If the ignitor glows but the burners never light, the gas valve is one part a technician will test.

• Trane: $200 to $800 (Trane)

Control board

The control board runs the furnace's startup sequence. Problems can show up as clicking, error lights or a furnace that ignores the thermostat.

• Fixr: $390 to $725 (Fixr)
• Trane: $300 to $650 (Trane)

Draft inducer motor

The inducer motor pulls exhaust gases through the furnace and out the vent before the burners light.

• Trane: $400 to $1,100 (Trane)

Blower motor

The blower pushes warm air through your ducts. Signs of trouble include no air from the vents, or grinding and squealing.

• Fixr: $562 to $1,045 (Fixr)
• Trane: $300 to $900 (Trane)

Heat exchanger

The heat exchanger keeps combustion gases separate from the air you breathe. A crack can let those gases, including carbon monoxide, into your home (Trane). It's the most expensive furnace repair.

• Fixr: $1,346 to $2,673 (Fixr)
• Trane: $1,000 to $3,000 (Trane)

Fixr notes that this high cost often leads homeowners to replace the whole furnace instead (Fixr). Trane says a heat exchanger should last 10 to 15 years or more with good maintenance, so a crack is less likely on a newer furnace (Trane).

Evaporator coil

If your AC coil sits on top of the furnace, it may show up on a furnace quote. Trane lists an "A" coil replacement at $650 to $2,500 (Trane). For more on cooling-side repairs, see AC repair costs.

What does a furnace service call cost?

Nearly every company charges a fee to send a technician. Trane says it can average $50 to $200, and some companies apply it toward the repair if you hire them (Trane). Fixr's newer guide puts the typical diagnostic fee at $75 to $200 (Fixr).

Most companies will tell you the fee when you call. Ask whether it's credited toward the repair.

What changes the price of a furnace repair?

The failed part matters most, but the same repair can cost different amounts in different homes.

Labor rates and location

Fixr says HVAC repair technicians charge $87 to $162 per hour, depending on location (Fixr). Trane says many companies charge $75 to $150 per hour (Trane). Fixr notes costs are higher in urban areas than rural ones.

Emergency and after-hours calls

A furnace that quits on a freezing night costs more to fix right away. Trane says emergency rates can be as much as double to triple the regular hourly rate (Trane). Fixr notes some companies also raise service fees in winter to keep up with demand (Fixr).

If it's safe to wait, a weekday appointment usually costs less. If it's dangerously cold or anyone in the home is vulnerable to cold, don't wait.

Accessibility

A furnace in an open basement is easier to work on than one squeezed into an attic or a tight closet. More time to reach the unit usually means more labor on the bill. If your furnace is hard to get to, mention it when you book so the company can plan for it.

Furnace type

Gas, oil, propane and electric furnaces have different parts. Electric furnaces have no burners, ignitors or heat exchangers, so many gas-furnace repairs don't apply to them. Fixr notes fuel type is one of the factors in repair cost (Fixr).

Age and condition

Trane says a newer furnace is more likely to have a single issue, while an older one may have several problems at once (Trane). Older parts can also be harder to find.

Warranty and maintenance plans

If your furnace is under the manufacturer's warranty, some parts may be covered, but you may still pay for labor (Trane). Some companies also give discounts on parts and diagnostics to customers on a maintenance plan.

What can you check before you call?

Carrier recommends three basic checks before scheduling a service call: the thermostat, the power switch and the air filter (Carrier). None of these need tools.

1. Thermostat. Make sure it's set to heat and the set temperature is above the room temperature. Replace batteries if the screen is blank.
2. Power switch. Furnaces have a switch that often looks like a light switch on or near the unit. Make sure it's on.
3. Air filter. Carrier says a dirty filter can cause the heat exchanger to overheat and trip a safety shutoff (Carrier). Replace it if it looks gray or dusty.
4. Vents. Make sure supply vents and return grilles aren't blocked.

If you smell gas at any point, stop and leave the house. Don't try to relight the furnace yourself.

If the simple checks don't help, Check my heating & AC asks a few questions and shows the likely causes and typical costs before you talk to a company.

Can you repair a furnace yourself?

Beyond the simple checks above, furnace repair is a job for a professional. Fixr recommends hiring a pro for furnace repair, noting that fixing a furnace without the right training and experience could be unsafe (Fixr). Gas furnaces involve a fuel supply, combustion and venting. A mistake can lead to a gas leak or carbon monoxide in the home.

There's a money reason too. Fixr points out that if your furnace is still under warranty, even a simple do-it-yourself fix could void it (Fixr). Check your warranty before anyone opens the unit.

What you can do safely is keep the area around the furnace clear, change the filter on schedule and keep the vents open. Those steps help prevent overheating, which Trane says can lead to a cracked heat exchanger over time (Trane).

What might your symptom cost to fix?

These pairings are common possibilities, not a diagnosis. A technician will need to test the system.

• The furnace starts, then shuts off. Common causes include a dirty flame sensor, a clogged filter or a limit switch. A flame sensor runs $68 to $127 (Fixr).
• It clicks or glows but never lights. Likely candidates include the ignitor, the gas valve or the gas supply. An ignitor runs $96 to $178 (Fixr).
• The burners run, but no air comes out. The blower motor or its capacitor is a common cause. A blower motor runs $562 to $1,045 (Fixr).
• Nothing happens at all. Start with the thermostat and power switch. A pro will then check the transformer, control board and safety switches. A control board runs $390 to $725 (Fixr).
• Banging or booming at startup. Carrier says a loud bang at ignition can point to a clogged burner delaying ignition, which needs a professional (Carrier).
• A yellow pilot flame. Fixr lists a yellow pilot light instead of a blue one as a sign the furnace needs attention (Fixr).

Should you repair or replace your furnace?

Repair usually makes sense for a newer furnace with a single problem. Replacement starts to make sense when the furnace is near the end of its life, the repair is major, or you're calling for service often.

How long do furnaces last?

Trane says a gas furnace should last 15 to 20 years, depending on the brand, installation and maintenance (Trane). Fixr gives the same 15 to 20 years for modern high-efficiency systems (Fixr).

ENERGY STAR suggests considering replacement when a furnace is more than 15 years old (ENERGY STAR). It says an ENERGY STAR furnace is 15% more efficient than a conventional one.

Signs replacement may make sense

• A cracked heat exchanger on an older furnace. This is the most common reason a repair turns into a replacement.
• Frequent repairs and rising bills. ENERGY STAR lists both together as a reason to consider replacement (ENERGY STAR).
• Uneven heat. Some rooms too hot or too cold can point to equipment, duct or insulation problems.
• Age. A furnace in its late teens with a major repair is a good time to price both options.

Fixr adds that repairs may make more sense if a furnace still has 5 or more years of life left (Fixr). Fixr also says that if your furnace is under ten years old, it shouldn't need a major repair and may still be under warranty (Fixr).

What does a new furnace cost?

For comparison, Fixr says furnace replacement costs $2,800 to $7,500, with a national average of $4,800 (Fixr). By fuel type, Fixr lists these installed ranges:

• Electric: $1,800 to $7,300 (Fixr)
• Natural gas: $3,800 to $10,000 (Fixr)
• Propane: $3,700 to $14,200 (Fixr)
• Oil: $6,700 to $10,000 (Fixr)

If your AC is about the same age, Trane suggests replacing both together, since a matched system runs more efficiently (Trane). For the cooling side, see AC replacement costs. A heat pump can replace both, and heat pump repair and replacement costs covers that option.

How can you keep furnace repair costs down?

• Change the filter. ENERGY STAR suggests inspecting, cleaning or changing air filters once a month (ENERGY STAR).
• Get a fall tune-up. ENERGY STAR recommends checking the heating system in the fall, including gas connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and the heat exchanger (ENERGY STAR). Fixr puts furnace maintenance at $70 to $300 (Fixr).
• Install carbon monoxide alarms. They don't lower repair costs, but they protect your family if something goes wrong with a gas furnace.
• Check your warranty first. A covered part can cut the bill.
• Get a second estimate for big repairs. For a heat exchanger or blower motor, a second opinion is reasonable.

What should you ask for a fair furnace repair quote?

ENERGY STAR advises getting written, itemized estimates and a signed proposal before work begins (ENERGY STAR). These questions help:

1. What's your service-call fee, and does it go toward the repair?
2. What do you think is wrong, and how did you confirm it?
3. Can the part be cleaned or adjusted, or does it need replacing? Flame sensors, for example, can often be cleaned.
4. Can I get the price in writing before you start, with parts and labor listed?
5. Is the part covered by the manufacturer's warranty, and what will I pay for labor?
6. If you found a cracked heat exchanger, can you show me? Trane notes the signs of a crack can look like other furnace problems, so it's fair to ask to see the evidence (Trane).
7. Can you check for carbon monoxide and gas leaks while you're here?
8. At this age, would you repair it or replace it, and what's the cost difference?
9. Are you licensed and insured where I live? ENERGY STAR suggests checking your state's requirements (ENERGY STAR).

Be cautious with any quote that pushes a full replacement without explaining what failed, or that pressures you to decide on the spot.

The bottom line

Most furnace repairs cost a few hundred dollars. Flame sensors, ignitors and switches are common and fairly cheap. Blower motors, inducer motors and control boards cost more. A cracked heat exchanger is the expensive one, and on an older furnace it's often the moment to price a replacement.

Safety comes first. If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave the house and call from outside. For everything else, check the thermostat, power and filter, then get a written quote. If you'd like to understand the likely cause first, Check my heating & AC is free.