Louisville, Kentucky, residents question the price of a new furnace. Furnace cost takes so much more than the unit into account. What are the specifics of your bill after installation? Some have concerns about hidden fees or unreasonable prices, but with a careful eye, homeowners buy furnaces like pros. As long as you know what to look for, you end up with a great deal on a new furnace.
Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling makes this process easy for homeowners. We cover some of the basic differences between furnace types to give homeowners an idea of what they want. All furnaces have their pros and cons, but homeowners want to know their money is spent well. In this article, we discuss everything about the cost of a furnace.
Furnace cost partially depends on the type of furnace you purchase. Each furnace comes with its own cost for the system and maintenance. Consider where you want to spend your money before you invest in a new furnace. Do you want to spend more on the unit or more on maintenance? Both have their benefits and pitfalls, but it’s important to consider them before you make a purchase.
Electric furnaces are popular in places with temperate winters. Because they take a long time to heat a space, many in harsher climates choose other alternatives. However, electric furnaces are better for the environment because they go without gas or oil as their power source.
To maintain an electric furnace, homeowners invest in annual maintenance visits from a technician. For minor issues, homeowners are able to perform troubleshooting in most cases. The cost of electricity in your area determines if an electric furnace costs more than a gas or oil furnace in the long run. In some places, electricity costs more than gas. In others, the opposite is true.
The cost usually sits between hundreds and low thousands. Installation costs bring the total closer to the lower thousands mark. Over time, electric furnaces become more cost-efficient. However, it’s important to consider adverse weather conditions. If you experience an uncharacteristically long or cold winter, your utility bill increases. The system lasts between 20 and 30 years.
As the oldest type, oil furnaces are also the rarest because of their use of oil. Oil negatively impacts the environment as a nonrenewable resource, which means few people want oil furnaces in their home. Maintenance and upfront costs are expensive and often not worth the trouble. The oil supply only lowers the more we use it, so the costs continue to rise.
One major benefit of oil is its low flammability. Unlike natural gas, oil has a lower level of flammability and its fumes aren’t combustible, so there’s no danger of spontaneous explosion due to leaks.
The furnace cost reaches the high thousands even without installation. Most units start in the low thousands and become more expensive when you take installation into account. Additionally, the system only lasts for 16 to 20 years.
Gas furnaces are some of the more popular options. Because natural gas furnaces heat a space quickly, they are often the norm in places with harsh winters. They last about 10 to 20 years and run exclusively on gasoline. The price of natural gas changes from location to location, but in most places natural gas is the cheaper option when up against electricity.
However, natural gas poses a greater potential safety risk if system problems occur, compared to the other furnace types. Gas and carbon monoxide leaks are also concerns. Regular maintenance ensures these problems don’t occur. The impact of natural gas usage on the environment also proves to be an issue.
The cost usually comes in at the low thousands with installation. Some systems are even a few hundred dollars for equipment alone. For homes without gas lines, the cost of installation increases because a new line must be made to accommodate the natural gas system.
After you weigh your options, think about where you want to spend your money. Is a lower upfront cost worth the higher maintenance prices? Or does the appeal of low utility bills outweigh the sticker shock? This decision takes time but is necessary. It’s also important to consider the availability of a given power source over time. How much longer do gas and oil have before they run out?
Furnace cost also depends on how efficiently the system performs. Efficient systems cost less over time because they use less power and have a low impact on the environment. Even if you don’t invest in an electric furnace, there are ways to implement efficient technology into your furnace.
Labor is a vital part of the furnace cost. The cost of labor and installation makes up a large portion of the expense. Take this into account before you make a decision. Think about how much the labor costs, how much the system costs, and if they make sense together. These tips outline some of the costs labor includes.
There are a few more expenses in the overall furnace cost. These are both optional, but they aid the efficiency and longevity of the furnace. Consider these extra services when you purchase your new furnace. Most are happy with their decision to invest in the amenities below.
The mystery of furnace cost becomes easier when you know what expenses to take into account. Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling in Louisville, Kentucky, answers your questions about furnace costs. Request service today for more information on our Louisville heating repair and to schedule a maintenance visit!