When someone calls us to ask about a new furnace and installation in the Mat-Su Valley, it is usually for one of two reasons.
Either, a) they are building a new home and they need to make a decision about a heating system, or, b) they think they need to replace the furnace that is in their current home.
No matter which reason they are calling for, the #1 question they always ask us is, “What is this going to cost?”
The answer to this question is more complicated than you might expect!
There are many options to consider when you get a new furnace and installation in the Mat-Su Valley, each of which will affect the price. Additionally, if you are replacing an old furnace rather than simply getting a new one, the way in which your old furnace was installed will affect the price as well.
For furnace replacements, it is important for us to start by talking about whether or not you should get a new furnace installed in the first place.
Let’s get started!
Need a new furnace and installation but don’t have the funds? Ask us about our financing options when you schedule an appointment!
How Do I Know I Need a New Furnace and Installation?
If you aren’t building a new home but you are looking to replace the furnace in your current home in the Mat-Su Valley, this section is for you.
How do you know if you need a new furnace and installation in the first place?
You certainly don’t want to incur the cost of a new furnace and installation if you really don’t need one.
There are several signs that may indicate that it’s time for you to replace your furnace.
Take a look!
1. Your Furnace Is Aging
How old is your current furnace? The average furnace will last between 15-20 years.
If your furnace is toward the end of this life cycle and especially if it is over 20 years old, it is probably time for you to get a new furnace and installation.
A furnace that old may quit on you entirely when it is most inconvenient!
2. You’ve Been Spending a Lot on Repairs
Do you feel like you’ve been spending a lot on furnace repairs over the last couple of months?
Your furnace may be signaling to you that it needs replacing.
Especially within the last couple of years of a furnace’s life cycle, repairs (and repair bills) will begin to stack up.
3. Your Heating Bill Keeps Going Up
Old furnaces become steadily more inefficient.
This inefficiency means that you pay more on fuel for the same amount of heat as you had been getting before.
If you notice an increase in your heating bill, it may be because you need a new furnace and installation.
4. Your Home Is No Longer Comfortable
Is your Mat-Su Valley home warm and cozy or cold and drafty? Have you discovered a noticeable change between how warm your home is now and how warm it used to be?
Your current furnace may be struggling to produce enough heat to warm your entire house and it may need to be replaced.
5. Your Furnace Is Making Sounds
Old furnaces struggle to keep up with heating demands, switching on and off frequently and running longer than normal.
The wear and tear of trying to heat a whole house at an old age (especially in the cold and windy Mat-Su Valley) can cause a furnace to bang, pop, and rattle.
If you are hearing strange noises coming from your current furnace, it may be time to get a new furnace and installation.
Think your current furnace is o.k. but needs maintenance? Try our Comfort Club Membership for 10% off all repairs and more great benefits!
What Is the Cost of a New Furnace and Installation in the Mat-Su Valley?
After reading the information above, do you still feel like you need a new furnace and installation?
If so, let’s talk about how much this is going to cost.
The total cost for a new furnace and installation in the Mat-Su Valley falls within a wide range, from $4,000-$11,000.
This range is so wide because the price of a new furnace and installation depends on the model of furnace you are purchasing, the components you choose, and if you are getting your current furnace replaced, the location of your current furnace.
We’ll discuss each of these items one at a time.
Which Model of Furnace Are You Purchasing?
Are you purchasing a low-end, low-efficiency model furnace or a high-end, high-efficiency model furnace?
The model you choose will affect your final price.
At HeatSource, we offer the following lines of high-efficiency Lennox furnaces:
- The Lennox Merit Series, an affordable choice among high-efficiency furnaces.
- The Lennox Elite Series, our next-level model that uses less electricity and saves even more money over the long-term.
- The Lennox Signature Series, one of the quietest and most efficient furnaces on the market!
Remember that although high-efficiency furnaces are expensive up-front, they save you money over the long-term. When you purchase a cheap, low-efficiency furnace, you are trading short-term savings for long-term cost!
We have seen other heating companies in the Mat-Su Valley replace their customer’s 80% efficiency furnace with another 80% efficiency furnace to quote them a lower rate, even though a newer model 98% efficiency furnace would have saved them a lot of money over the long-term.
Keep all of this in mind when you are choosing the furnace (an HVAC contractor) that is right for you.
Also note that the bigger your home is, the larger furnace you will need to heat it, which also affects your final rate.
Are You Adding Anything Special to Your Heating System?
When you get your new furnace installed in your Mat-Su Valley home, will you be keeping your current thermostat or upgrading it to a smart thermostat?
Thermostats can range from $180 – $1,300.
The level of thermostat you choose will affect your total price.
In addition, are you getting a standard, 1″ filter or are you getting a recommended filter, such as a MERV 16 filter or UV lights?
Filtration systems can range in price from $250-$2,500 depending on what you choose.
These are the kinds of questions you need to consider when you are pricing out your new furnace and installation.
As you can see, these two components alone can add $430-$3,800 to a new furnace and installation bill.
How Is Your Current Furnace Installed?
A big factor affecting the price of your new furnace is the difficulty of the installation.
Factored into the price of a new furnace is the labor hours it takes to install.
If your old furnace is easy to access, for example, if it is in a garage and if there are no hiccups during the installation with the old furnace, you can expect one technician to install the furnace within 4-5 labor hours.
However, if your old furnace is in the back of a crawl space and it is hard to reach because there is stuff in the way, then it may take as many as two people installing the new furnace for a total of 16-20 labor hours.
Finally, if your current furnace is linked up to old ductwork that is incompatible with your new furnace, the ductwork will need to be replaced where it attaches to the furnace, which can further increase the cost of supplies and labor.
Are you ready to talk to a Mat-Su Valley HVAC technician about a price quote specific to your needs? We would love to help you find the right furnace at a price that is right for you. We hope that this blog helps you make a more informed decision. Schedule an appointment with us today!
