A heat exchanger replacement is often one of the most costly repairs in a furnace, and the expense can sometimes rival that of installing a new furnace. Typical replacement costs vary widely but can easily reach several thousand dollars, especially if labor costs are factored in.
One of the most common furnace problems is a malfunctioning thermostat. A sure sign your thermostat isn't working properly is if your fan is constantly running. This will cause your thermostat battery to run, and cause your furnace to work inefficiently.
Furnace repair costs $317 on average. The cost depends on furnace type, which part needs repair, and contractor labor rates in your area, so the final price will range from $132 to $501. A cozy night in can quickly turn sour if your furnace decides to break down.
Furnaces have an average lifespan of around 10 years, and most exchangers tend to go out around this time. If your furnace is close to this 10-year mark, a new furnace is likely a better investment. If your furnace is relatively new, a new heat exchanger may be worth it to avoid early furnace replacement.
Replacing Your Entire Furnace
Cracked heat exchangers typically occur in furnaces that are more than 15 years old, and the exchanger has been weakened over time due to corrosion. Even if the exchanger is replaced, an old furnace will soon need additional repairs or even full replacement.
Unfortunately, the cost of replacing a heat exchanger isn't the most affordable choice. The cost of replacing a heat exchanger ranges from $2,000 to $3,500. Replacing your furnace's heat exchanger would be a good route to take if your furnace is fairly new.
A standard policy typically won't cover the cost to replace your furnace if there was a mechanical problem, but you may be able to add an equipment breakdown endorsement for an additional cost that may provide coverage.
Typical furnace maintenance costs range from $75 to $200 for a standard inspection and tune-up, depending on the service provider and region. This service often includes filter checks, cleaning, safety inspections, and minor adjustments. Comprehensive maintenance plans or more in-depth repairs may cost more.
Installation Entails More than Just the Furnace
For a gas-powered furnace, a contractor must set up a gas connection and vent. Installing an electric furnace requires running wiring, adding a circuit breaker, or perhaps updating an electrical panel. Holes are often drilled for pipes and wires.
How long does a traditional furnace last? An average furnace is designed to operate for 15 to 30 years in a home. The easiest way to increase the life cycle of your furnace is to hire a certified technician to perform maintenance and repairs once a year.
Heat Exchanger
It absorbs the heat, heats cold air, and then blows the heated air through ducts and vents into your home. Heat exchangers are critical components of electric, gas, and wood-burning furnaces.
Repair: If your furnace system is less than 15 years old and the cost of repair is less than half the cost of replacement. Replace: If your furnace system is more than 15 years old and requires a costly repair to maintain efficiency.
Usually, it is a quick fix, but sometimes the failure can be caused by a much bigger problem. The most expensive part of an AC unit to replace and repair is the air compressor.
The furnace repair costs in the Southern California area vary according to the repair needed. It can range anywhere from $100 to $200 to as high as $2,000-$3,000.
The average cost of an HVAC service call is about $100 to $250, depending on the problem. The total hourly rate for an HVAC technician ranges from $65 to $150+ per hour, with additional parts costing anywhere from $40 to over $1000.
Earthquake, flood, mold, earth movement, and “wear and tear” are some of the perils that are usually excluded.
If your furnace is not blowing hot air, or is not operating at all, a component called the fan limit switch or high limit switch may have malfunctioned. You may also see an error message on your thermostat, or a blinking LED light on the furnace control board.
So, if your furnace is still under its labor warranty, we definitely recommend replacing just the heat exchanger since most of the repair cost will be covered under warranty. But if your furnace is no longer under the labor warranty and it's over 10 years old, you might as well just replace the furnace completely.
In the past, heat exchangers were often built with heavy metals, such as cast iron. These exchangers can last as long as 30 or 40 years, much longer than the steel exchangers most manufacturers build today. Modern stainless or aluminized steel heat exchangers typically have a life span of 15 to 25 years.