Cost & Considerations Of A New Furnace

With fall upon us and winter not far behind, there’s no better time than now to have your furnace looked at by an HVAC professional. If your furnace is beyond typical maintenance and/or repair and you need a brand new heating system, cost is probably a factor looming large in your mind. A licensed HVAC professional will be able to help you determine the most cost-effective way to heat your home, based on its size, age, and configuration among other factors.

The national average cost of furnace replacement is $4,181, with most homeowners spending between $2,508 and $6,049. This data is based on actual project costs as reported by HomeAdvisor members, and the figures are affected by factors like brand, size, features, and efficiency of the furnace.

Gas vs. Electric Furnace
Electric furnaces are less expensive up front, as they don’t require special venting, fuel pipes, or storage tanks. They’re easy to maintain and cost little to install. They generally last a long time (15 to 20 years on average) and are fairly safe since there’s no fuel combustion involved. The downside? They’re not very efficient. Running your heat on electricity equals higher bills for you, and if you live in a climate with long, harsh winters, electric heat will not be cost effective. Natural gas, on the other hand, is an abundant and relatively inexpensive resource. While a new gas-powered furnace costs more money initially (gas lines and ductwork installation as needed), it will save you money on your bills over time. Plus, gas furnaces heat the home faster than other methods, adding comfort and convenience into the list of pros for gas furnaces.

Home Size & BTU Calculations
The British thermal unit (BTU) is a traditional unit of heat, defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Why does this matter? Because homes in certain climates require a certain amount of BTU’s per square foot. You don’t want a furnace that is too small to properly heat a home your size, otherwise the furnace will be constantly running, working overtime to heat your home and running up your bills. Too big of a furnace, however, will be money down the drain on an expensive unit your home doesn’t necessarily need. A licensed HVAC professional will be able to assess the right furnace size for your home’s BTU requirements.

At Bourke’s Service Co, we have a wide variety of new furnaces to heat any space, and we can also service your existing unit if repairs or maintenance is needed. Contact us to take care of all your heating needs!