Furnace Repair
Reliable Heat When You Need It Most
A furnace that quits in the dead of winter is more than uncomfortable, it can be dangerous in a cold snap. Most furnace problems, from a faulty igniter to a bad control board, are a manageable repair when addressed early.
A good HVAC tech diagnoses the issue accurately and, just as important, checks for safety concerns like a cracked heat exchanger that can leak carbon monoxide. They'll give you an honest repair-or-replace read on an aging unit.
Abode connects you with local HVAC pros. Compare specialists, understand the cost, and keep your home warm and safe.
Did You Know?
A cracked heat exchanger can leak carbon monoxide into your home, which is why an annual furnace check is a safety measure, not just a comfort one.
Furnace Repair Cost. How Much Do Projects Cost?
Most projects run between $150 and $3,700. The average price is typically around $500. These figures are the repair itself, not the visit: a $75 to $200 diagnostic fee is billed separately and is usually credited toward the repair if you proceed. Cheap-part fixes like an igniter, flame sensor, or thermocouple sit at the bottom at $150 to $500, a blower motor, inducer motor, gas valve, or control board runs $500 to $1,600, and an emergency, evening, or weekend call adds a flat $199 to $250 on top, which is the usual reason a January no-heat bill lands above a published range. A cracked heat exchanger at $1,500 to $3,700 is half or more of the $3,000 to $7,600 a like-for-like gas furnace replacement costs, so it normally means replacing the furnace rather than repairing it.
Typical duration: 1 to 4 hours
| Cost Factor | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic or service call | $75-$200 | Often credited toward the repair if you proceed |
| Common repairs (igniter, flame sensor, thermocouple, thermostat) | $150-$500 | The cheap-part tier: a flame sensor is $150-$300, a hot-surface igniter $250-$500, a thermocouple $200-$350, and a thermostat $150-$350 |
| Mid-tier components (blower motor, inducer motor, gas valve, control board) | $500-$1,600 | A blower motor is $600-$1,600, an inducer motor or gas valve $500-$1,100, and a control board $500-$1,200; these are the common failures the old cheap-repair range hid |
| Heat exchanger | $1,500-$3,700 | A cracked exchanger is a carbon monoxide hazard, and at this price it is half or more of a like-for-like furnace replacement, so replacing the furnace is normally the better call |
Cost data verified August 25, 2026. How we source cost data.
08/25/2026
Signs You Need Furnace Repair
- No heat or weak, uneven heat
- The furnace short-cycling on and off
- Strange noises when running
- A yellow instead of blue burner flame
- A carbon monoxide detector alert
Is It Right For You?
Who It's For
- Homeowners with a malfunctioning furnace
- Anyone facing no heat or a safety concern
Who It's Not For
- A tripped breaker or dirty filter a homeowner can address
- Old units better served by replacement
What to Watch Out For
On an old furnace, a big fix may not pay off
A cracked heat exchanger often means a new unit
Alternatives to Consider
| Alternative | Better When | Worse When |
|---|---|---|
| Filter and thermostat checks | Free DIY first steps | Won't fix mechanical or safety issues |
| Full replacement | Best for old, unsafe units | Higher upfront cost than a repair |
Is It Worth It?
For a furnace that isn't near the end of its life and is safe to run, repair is usually worth it, restoring heat for far less than replacement.
Questions to Ask Your Pro
- Is my furnace safe to keep running?
- Is the diagnostic fee credited toward the repair?
- At its age, is repair or replacement the better value?
Frequently Asked Questions
Most furnace repairs run $150 to $500 for cheap-part fixes like an igniter, flame sensor, or thermocouple. A blower motor, inducer motor, gas valve, or control board runs $500 to $1,600, and a heat exchanger is $1,500 to $3,700.
Frequent issues include a faulty igniter or flame sensor, a failed blower motor, a clogged filter, and thermostat problems.
Yes, most techs charge a $75 to $200 service fee to diagnose the issue. It is billed separately from the repair and often credited toward it if you proceed, and an evening, weekend, or holiday call adds another $199 to $250 on top.
If your furnace is over 15 years old or the repair runs past about half the cost of a new one, replacement is often smarter, and a safety issue settles it. With a like-for-like gas replacement at $3,000 to $7,600, a $1,500 to $3,700 heat exchanger job is squarely replacement money.
A cracked heat exchanger can leak carbon monoxide into your home. It is a safety hazard, you should not run the furnace, and at $1,500 to $3,700 to replace it usually calls for a new furnace instead.
