Quick answer: In 2026, a new furnace installed runs roughly $2,800 to $7,500, with a national average around $4,800, according to Fixr. A high-efficiency gas furnace for an average home often lands near $6,000. Your real number varies by fuel type, size, efficiency, and your region. The fastest way to know what you will actually pay is to post your job free on Qiggz and compare quotes from local HVAC pros.
A furnace is one of those purchases you almost never plan for. It works quietly for fifteen or twenty years, and then one cold morning it does not turn on. Suddenly you are facing a price that feels enormous with no idea whether it is fair.
Here is the honest part: there is no single furnace price. A small electric unit for a mild climate and a high-efficiency gas furnace for a big house in a cold state are very different jobs, and the bill reflects that. Fuel type, size, efficiency, and where you live can each swing the total by thousands.
This guide breaks down what a furnace actually costs in 2026, what drives the price, and how to get accurate quotes for your home instead of guessing off a national average.
What a furnace costs in 2026 (the headline range)
According to Fixr, furnace replacement costs $2,800 to $7,500, with a national average of about $4,800 (2026 data). The same source notes a high-efficiency gas furnace for an average 2,000 square foot home, with minor modifications, commonly lands around $6,000. The "installed" price means the unit plus the labor to put it in.
That spread is wide on purpose: the same word, "furnace," covers a small electric unit and a large, high-efficiency gas system, and they do not cost the same. The sections below explain what moves your number inside that range.
What affects the cost of a furnace
Five things do most of the work in setting your price.
Fuel type. Gas, electric, oil, and propane sit at different price points to buy and to run. Electric usually costs the least to install but more to operate in many areas; gas is the most common choice nationally.
Size (BTUs). A furnace must match your home and climate. Too small and it never keeps up; too big and it short-cycles and wears out faster. Bigger homes need more capacity, which costs more.
Efficiency (AFUE). Annual fuel utilization efficiency tells you how much fuel becomes heat. A standard furnace is rated 80 to 89 percent; a high-efficiency unit is 90 percent or above, per Fixr. Higher efficiency costs more up front and can lower monthly bills.
Installation complexity. A like-for-like swap is the cheap scenario. Costs climb if a pro must add or move a gas line, replace ductwork, upgrade venting, or fit the unit into a tight space.
Region and season. Labor rates, permit fees, and demand vary by area, and an emergency winter replacement tends to cost more than a planned off-season upgrade.
Furnace cost breakdown
Here is how the price tends to break down by fuel type and by home size. All figures are installed (unit plus labor) and come from Fixr 2026 data unless noted. Use them to sanity-check a quote, not as a fixed price.
Installed cost by fuel type
| Furnace fuel type | Typical installed cost (Fixr, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Electric | $1,800 to $7,300 |
| Natural gas | $3,800 to $10,000 |
| Propane | $3,700 to $14,200 |
| Oil | $6,700 to $10,000 |
Source: Fixr, furnace replacement cost (2026). Ranges vary by region, size, and efficiency.
Installed cost by home size
| Home size | Typical installed cost (Fixr, 2026) |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,200 to $2,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $1,800 to $3,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $2,400 to $4,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $3,000 to $5,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $3,600 to $6,000 |
Source: Fixr, furnace replacement cost (2026).
Gas vs electric, and common add-ons
For a gas furnace specifically, Fixr reports the total installed cost commonly runs $4,000 to $8,000, about $6,000 most often. The unit alone (before labor) runs about $500 to $1,700 for a standard-efficiency model (80 to 89 percent AFUE) and $700 to $3,500 for a high-efficiency model (90 to 98 percent AFUE), with labor typically $1,500 to $2,000. An electric furnace runs less, about $1,600 to $3,200 installed (average around $2,400), but can cost more to run month to month in many regions.
Watch for add-ons. Per Fixr, a new gas line runs about $500 to $2,000 and new ductwork about $1,900 to $6,000. These are not always needed, but they are the line items that surprise people. Sources: Fixr, gas furnace (2026); Fixr, electric furnace (2026).
Should you DIY a furnace install?
For almost everyone, no. A furnace involves gas lines, electrical connections, venting, and combustion, and a mistake can mean a carbon monoxide leak, a fire, or a unit that fails early. In most places the install must be permitted and inspected, and doing it yourself can void the warranty and run afoul of code.
A capable homeowner can handle the smaller stuff: changing the air filter on schedule, keeping the area clear, and swapping a thermostat. The actual furnace replacement is licensed-pro work. This is a safety line, not a skill insult.
How to save money and get accurate quotes
You cannot control the cost of the equipment, but you can control how you buy it.
- Get at least three quotes. Furnace pricing varies a lot between contractors for the same job, so comparing several is the best way to find a fair price and spot an outlier.
- Right-size the unit. A good pro calculates your home's heating load rather than just matching what was there. An oversized furnace costs more and wears out faster.
- Weigh efficiency against your climate. High-efficiency costs more up front but can lower monthly bills, and the payback is faster in a cold climate and a home you plan to keep.
- Ask about rebates and tax credits. Utilities and government programs sometimes offer incentives for high-efficiency equipment. Ask each contractor what is available locally, and confirm before you count on it.
- Plan ahead if you can. Replacing in the off-season, before the unit dies in a cold snap, lets you compare quotes calmly instead of accepting the first emergency price.
- Get the full scope in writing. Each quote should spell out the unit, efficiency rating, labor, permits, old-unit removal, and any gas-line or ductwork work, so you compare like for like.
The easiest way to line up those quotes is to describe your job once and let local pros come to you. On Qiggz you post your furnace job free, and HVAC pros in your area respond. There are no lead fees and no commissions, so the price you discuss is between you and the pro.
When to hire a pro
Furnace replacement is pro work, full stop. Bring in a licensed HVAC contractor when:
- Your furnace is 15 to 20 years old, needs frequent repairs, or no longer heats evenly.
- You smell gas, see soot, or your carbon monoxide alarm goes off. In that case leave and call your gas utility or 911 first, then a pro.
- The repair quote is approaching the cost of a new, more efficient unit.
- You are upgrading efficiency, switching fuel types, or adding or moving ductwork or gas lines.
Ready to get real numbers for your home? Post your furnace job free on Qiggz and compare quotes from local HVAC pros, or go straight to hire an HVAC pro. It is free to post, free to get matched, and there are no lead fees.
The bottom line
A furnace in 2026 typically costs $2,800 to $7,500 installed, averaging around $4,800, with a high-efficiency gas unit for an average home often near $6,000, according to Fixr. The exact figure depends on fuel type, size, efficiency, and your local labor and permit costs. Anyone quoting a single number sight unseen is guessing.
The smart move is to compare. Post your furnace job free on Qiggz, get matched with local HVAC pros, and let real quotes replace the national average. No lead fees, no commissions, just direct conversations with pros near you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to install a new furnace in 2026?
A new furnace installed typically costs about $2,800 to $7,500, with a national average near $4,800, according to Fixr. A high-efficiency gas furnace for an average 2,000 square foot home commonly runs around $6,000. Your price varies by fuel type, size, efficiency, and region, so compare local quotes before budgeting.
Is a gas or electric furnace cheaper?
An electric furnace is usually cheaper to install. Fixr puts an electric furnace at about $1,600 to $3,200 installed, versus roughly $3,800 to $10,000 for natural gas. The trade-off is operating cost: electric furnaces can cost more to run month to month in many regions, so weigh both the upfront and ongoing cost for your climate.
How long does a furnace last?
A well-maintained furnace typically lasts about 15 to 20 years, though this varies by unit and how well it is cared for, according to Carrier. Electric furnaces often run longer, roughly 20 to 30 years, since they have fewer mechanical parts and no combustion. Once a furnace passes its expected age, needs frequent repairs, or stops heating evenly, replacing it is often more cost-effective than continuing to fix it.
Why is my furnace quote so much higher than the average?
A quote can run above the national average for several reasons: a larger or higher-efficiency unit, added work like a new gas line or ductwork, difficult access, higher local labor rates, or an emergency winter replacement. Getting three quotes and asking each pro to itemize the scope helps you see whether a high number is justified.
Can I install a furnace myself?
It is not recommended. Furnace installation involves gas, electrical, venting, and combustion, and a mistake can be dangerous. In most areas it also requires a permit and inspection, and DIY work can void the warranty. Routine filter changes are fine to do yourself, but the install itself is licensed-pro work. To get an accurate price, post your job on Qiggz and let local HVAC pros quote it directly, with no lead fees or commissions.
Sources
- Furnace cost ranges (replacement $2,800 to $7,500, average ~$4,800; by fuel type; by home size; high-efficiency gas ~$6,000): Fixr, furnace replacement cost (2026).
- Gas furnace figures (installed $4,000 to $8,000, ~$6,000 common; unit-only by AFUE; labor $1,500 to $2,000; gas line and ductwork add-ons): Fixr, gas furnace installation cost (2026).
- Electric furnace figures ($1,600 to $3,200 installed, ~$2,400 average; unit $700 to $1,100): Fixr, electric furnace cost (2026).
- Furnace lifespan (well-maintained furnace ~15 to 20 years; electric ~20 to 30 years; maintenance extends life): Carrier, how long does a furnace last.
- Qiggz "free to post, no lead fees, no commissions, local pros": first-party (Qiggz product), see /about/qiggz.
- All prices vary by region, materials, and scope. Confirm figures against the linked sources at publish; figures reflect 2026 data as fetched.
