The fact you are reading this article means you are at least contemplating, if not planning to, replace your furnace in the near future. You might be wondering how much a new furnace for your Twin Cities area home will cost you, and which heating options are best not only in terms of cost but in other areas.
What Types of Heating Systems Are Available?
- Natural gas fueled furnaces are the most common, and have a wide range of price points. The more efficient the gas furnace, the higher the cost. In our cold Upper Midwest climate, going with high efficiency will pay long-term dividends in terms of lower energy costs.
- Oil or propane furnaces are still an option in areas not served by natural gas lines. However, both propane and fuel oil cost significantly more than natural gas, which is currently the cheapest conventional energy source.
- Electric heat or baseboard heaters are good for small spaces as long as the price of electricity doesn’t get too high.
- Heat pumps double as an air conditioner in summer months, making them attractive as a replacement option in many areas. Both air-source and geothermal models are available. While the common air-source heat pump offers higher efficiency than gas furnaces, electricity does cost more than natural gas in most areas, and at cold temperatures, standard heat pumps struggle to deliver comfortable heat. Typically, they will kick on a more expensive electric heating element when temperatures descend much below freezing.
Cost of Labor.
- The fees that professional HVAC contractors charge for installation can vary, though in most cases you’ll want to consider other factors (including experience and credentials), in addition to the cost of installation. Get recommendations from neighbors, friends and family, and ask for references from the contractors you’re considering. Do your homework.
- Installing a type of furnace that’s different from your existing one may mean replacing or upgrading ducts, registers, vents and fittings.
- HVAC warranties are probably available from the manufacturer and contractor. Extended warranties are available for an extra fee.
If you would like to know more about the costs involved when you must replace your furnace, please contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning Co. today. We have proudly served home and business owners in the Twin Cities area since 1974.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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