Gas furnace
Gas Furnace Replacement Cost Calculator
Installed-cost estimate for residential gas furnace replacement by AFUE efficiency tier, home size, and state. Compares head-to-head with heat-pump replacement.
Quick answer: a typical 95% AFUE gas furnace installs for $4,500–$8,500 in 2026. Basic 80% AFUE (south only) is $3,500–$6,000. Premium two-stage 97% lands $6,500–$11,000. The federal 25C credit expired December 31 2025; some utilities still offer $200–$600 rebates on 95%+ installs.
Optional — auto-sets state
If unsure, average US gas-heated home spends $700–$1,800/yr (EIA, 2024).
Installed cost · 95% AFUE single-stage (most common) · Ohio
$6,100
range $4,350 – $8,350
Operating savings vs 80% AFUE
$221/yr
New: 95% AFUE
Heat pump alternative
$13,500
+$7,400 more
Cost breakdown
- Equipment (95% AFUE)$3,300
- Labor (state-adjusted)$2,500
- Permit & inspection$300
- Total (mid)$6,100
Should you go heat pump instead?
In climate zone 5A, a heat pump installed today replaces both heating and cooling. A modern cold-climate heat pump cuts heating energy use ~60% vs an 80% gas furnace — savings stack with whatever state rebate program your utility runs.
Your state: gas $1.05/therm, electricity 16.4¢/kWh. Run the heat-pump calculator →
Quote check — what to ask
- · Manual J load calc (ACCA standard) — not "match the old one." Most furnaces are oversized.
- · AFUE rating in writing. Northern US requires 95%+ AFUE since the 2024 DOE rule.
- · Venting — condensing units need PVC vent, not the old metal flue.
- · Combustion-air strategy: outdoor sealed combustion preferred over indoor draft.
- · Permit pulled. Skipping the permit voids many warranties and complicates resale.
- · Old-equipment haul-away and refrigerant recovery included if AC is bundled.
- · Warranty: 10 years parts + 1+ year labor minimum. Premium tiers offer 12-year heat exchanger.
New to gas furnace replacement?
A gas furnace burns natural gas (or propane) to heat air, which is then distributed through your ductwork. Efficiency is rated in AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) — the percentage of fuel that becomes useful heat. An 80% AFUE furnace wastes 20% up the flue; a 95% AFUE condensing furnace recovers most of that heat from the exhaust. Modern furnaces last 15–20 years; the heat exchanger is the failure point. As of 2024, the DOE requires 95%+ AFUE in northern US states for new installs.
Read the full guide → 10-min read · AFUE explained · condensing vs non-condensing · DOE 2024 rule · heat-pump comparison
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gas furnace cost installed in 2026?
A typical 95% AFUE gas furnace installs for $4,500–$8,500 in 2026. Basic 80% AFUE runs $3,500–$6,000 (only allowed in southern US). Premium 97%+ two-stage and modulating units land $6,500–$11,000. State labor cost is the biggest variable — a Massachusetts install on the same equipment runs roughly 30% above the same project in Tennessee.
Why is 95% AFUE now the minimum in northern US?
The U.S. Department of Energy finalized a rule in 2023 requiring all new residential gas furnaces sold or installed in northern states to meet 95% AFUE or higher, effective May 2028. Several manufacturers stopped 80% AFUE production for non-mobile-home installs ahead of the deadline. Southern states still allow 80% AFUE replacements where ducted heating load is small. Source: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/biden-harris-administration-finalizes-cost-saving-efficiency-standards-gas
Is there a federal tax credit for a new gas furnace in 2026?
No. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) once covered 95%+ AFUE gas furnaces at 30% of cost up to $600 in the heating-equipment sub-cap, but OBBBA (signed July 4, 2025) terminated 25C for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. The Inflation Reduction Act HEEHRA program does not cover gas equipment — it is electric-only by statute. State utility programs (Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, Pacific Gas & Electric, etc.) may still offer $200–$600 rebates on 95%+ AFUE installs; check your utility’s residential rebate page.
Furnace vs heat pump in 2026 — which makes sense?
A modern cold-climate heat pump cuts heating energy use about 60% versus an 80% AFUE gas furnace and 50% versus a 95% AFUE furnace. The crossover where heat pump wins depends on your electricity rate vs gas rate (cents per kWh × 29.3 vs $/therm). In states with cheap electricity (WA, OR, ID, KY) and average gas rates, heat pump is a clear winner. In high-electricity / low-gas states (MA, CT, CA), the operating-cost margin narrows but doesn’t disappear because heat pumps also replace your AC. Plus state heat-pump rebates ($1,000–$10,000) currently exist where gas-furnace rebates have largely shrunk.
How long does a gas furnace last?
Industry data: 15–20 year average lifespan for residential gas furnaces, with 25+ years possible if regularly maintained. Heat exchangers usually fail first; once cracked, the unit must be replaced (CO leak risk). Source: ASHRAE 2019 Handbook of HVAC Applications, Table 4 — Service Life of Equipment.
Single-stage, two-stage, or modulating?
Single-stage furnaces are on/off — cheapest, fine in mild climates. Two-stage operates at low or high fire, quieter and more even temperature, $800–$1,500 premium. Modulating furnaces continuously match output (often 5:1 turndown) — best comfort, quietest, highest cost premium ($1,500–$3,000). Modulating + ECM blower also runs cooler-air longer for better dehumidification on the AC side if shared.