When to repair
The furnace is under about 15 years old and the fix is a consumable — an igniter, flame sensor, limit switch, or thermostat — coming in under a third of a new furnace's price. Most seasonal calls land here.
Cost guide · Updated July 2026
How much does furnace repair cost?
By the HVAC Service Call editorial team · Part bands single-sourced across our furnace pages
Most furnace repairs cost $131–$572, averaging around $300, before any after-hours premium. The service-call fee is $75–$200 and usually credits toward the repair. Exact cost depends on the part — the full table is below.
AVERAGE
~$300, in a $131–$572 range before after-hours.
THE CHEAP FIX
An igniter or flame sensor is $150–$510 — the common seasonal repair.
THE SAFETY ONE
A cracked heat exchanger is an automatic replace, whatever the cost.
01 · At a glance
The numbers, at a glance
Most furnace repairs land between $131 and $572, averaging around $300. The service-call fee is $75–$200 and usually credits toward the repair.
$131–$572Typical range
~$300Average
$75–$200Service call
1.5–2×After-hours
02 · By part
Furnace repair cost by part
Parts and labour included, per typical 2026 installed pricing. Consumables like the igniter and flame sensor sit low; the blower, draft inducer, and heat exchanger reach into four figures.
| Part | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Igniter | $150–$510 |
| Flame sensor | $150–$260 |
| Blower motor | $150–$2,100 |
| Gas valve | $200–$600 |
| Circuit board | $200–$600 |
| Heat exchanger | $100–$1,600 |
| Thermostat | $100–$610 |
| Draft inducer motor | $200–$1,600 |
| Limit / relay switch | $150–$310 |
| Transformer | $100–$180 |
| Burners | $150–$460 |
| Combustion chamber | $100–$620 |
| Flue pipe | $400–$800 |
| Coils (heat pump combo) | $600–$2,100 |
| Filter (DIY) | $10–$50 |
03 · Where the money goes
Anatomy of the bill
A furnace repair bill is more than the part — a trip or diagnostic fee, hourly or flat-rate labour, the part at contractor pricing, and any after-hours premium.
| In the bill | Amount |
|---|---|
| Trip / diagnostic fee (often credited) | $75–$200 |
| Labour | $50–$150/hr or flat-rate |
| Part at contractor price | warranty + van stock + overhead |
| After-hours premium | 1.5–2× |
Fuel changes the bill
Gas furnaces sit in the middle of the range and carry the most part types. Electric furnaces have fewer combustion parts, so typical repairs run lower. Oil furnaces add nozzle, strainer, and pump work — common only in parts of the Northeast. The fee mechanics are on service-call cost.
04 · When repair stops paying ✓ ✕
Repair or replace?
Age and the one-third rule decide it, with a cracked heat exchanger as the tiebreaker — an automatic replace at any age because it can leak carbon monoxide.
When to replace
The furnace is 20-plus years old, a blower or control board fails at that age, or the heat exchanger is cracked. Efficiency has already dropped and parts get scarce.
Under 15 years, repair; 20-plus, lean replace; cracked exchanger, replace.
How to pay less
Get a second quote on anything over $1,000, ask whether the diagnostic fee credits toward the repair, and avoid the after-hours premium if the situation can safely wait for a weekday. The full framework is on repair or replace, and a new-furnace price on furnace replacement.
Coverage check
Want a real number for your repair?
Enter your ZIP and we'll route your call to a licensed local contractor who quotes before any work. Calling is free.
Licensed contractors serve . One call routes you to one for .
☏ Call (888) 810-2291Availability is subject to provider participation, location, technician availability, and demand.
05 · Questions
Common questions
Is it worth repairing a 20-year-old furnace?
Usually not, if the repair is significant. Furnaces last 15–30 years, and by 20 the efficiency has dropped and parts get scarce. A minor fix like an igniter can be worth it; a heat exchanger, blower, or control-board failure at that age generally points to replacement.
Why is a $1,500 furnace repair so expensive for a small part?
The part is only one line of the bill. You're also paying the diagnostic/trip fee, labor at $50–$150 an hour or a flat rate, a warranty-backed part at contractor pricing rather than wholesale, and tax. A cheap component in a hard-to-reach spot, on an after-hours call, adds up fast.
Does home warranty or insurance cover furnace repair?
Homeowners insurance rarely covers wear-and-tear breakdowns — only sudden damage from a covered peril. A home warranty may cover the furnace, subject to a service fee, caps, and maintenance requirements. Read what's actually covered before you count on it.
Is the diagnostic fee credited toward the repair?
At most shops, yes — the $75–$200 service-call fee comes off the bill if you approve the repair on the same visit. Ask up front; the full breakdown is on our service-call cost page.
Is there a weekend or after-hours surcharge?
Yes — nights, weekends, and holidays typically run 1.5–2× the standard rate, or add $40–$80 an hour. If the situation can safely wait until a weekday, you avoid the premium.
How long should a furnace last?
Fifteen to thirty years with maintenance, depending on the fuel type and how hard the winters are. Gas furnaces sit in the middle of that band; electric furnaces often last longer because they have fewer combustion parts.
Ready for a quote?
One call routes you to a licensed local contractor who quotes the repair before any work.
(888) 810-2291 ☏ Call nowCalling is free. We connect you to a licensed local contractor; you settle with them directly. Actual prices come from the contractor after they see the system.