How Much Does Furnace Repair Cost? About $125 to $500
By Sharrk Team · October 30, 2026
Most furnace repairs cost about $125 to $500. HomeAdvisor puts the typical range at $132 to $501 with a national average of $317, and HomeGuide lists $125 to $480 with a $300 average. Big jobs like a heat exchanger can run $1,000 to $3,000. If you run an HVAC company, Sharrk answers those heating-season calls 24/7 and books the repair while the homeowner is still on the line.
Below: what each cost guide says, what common repairs cost, when after-hours rates kick in, when to stop and call for safety, and what your phone line should ask when a furnace call comes in.
How much does furnace repair cost, by source?
| Source (date) | Typical range | Average | Low to high |
|---|---|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor / Angi cost guide (no date shown) | $132 to $501 | $317 | not shown |
| HomeGuide (no date shown) | $125 to $480 | $300 | $80 to $1,100 |
| Carrier, citing Forbes (Oct 13, 2026) | $150 to $300 | not shown | minor fixes from $50; cracked heat exchanger can top $1,200 |
| Trane (updated Feb 2, 2026) | not shown | not shown | $100 to $3,000 |
The guides agree on the middle: a routine repair lands in the low hundreds. The high end depends on which part failed.
What do common furnace repairs cost?
| Repair | Angi (Aug 23, 2024) | HomeGuide | Trane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Igniter | $150 to $250 | $100 to $250 | $100 to $250 |
| Flame sensor | $150 to $250 | $80 to $250 | $80 to $240 |
| Blower motor | $150 to $450 repair; up to $2,000 to replace | $300 to $900 | $300 to $900 |
| Control board | $200 to $600 | $300 to $650 | $300 to $650 |
| Heat exchanger | $100 to $200 repair; $500 to $1,500 to replace | $1,000 to $3,000 | $1,000 to $3,000 |
Labor is a big part of every line. HomeGuide and Trane both put HVAC labor at $75 to $150 an hour, and Trane lists a service call fee of $50 to $200. Carrier says the blower motor and heat exchanger are typically the most expensive parts to replace, with the circuit board also on the costly side.
Does furnace repair cost more at night or on weekends?
Yes. After-hours and emergency calls cost more:
- HomeGuide: emergency or after-hours work (nights, weekends, holidays) runs $140 to $210 an hour.
- Angi: emergency or after-hours labor is about $150 to $215 an hour, and emergency furnace repairs overall run about $300 to $1,200. An igniter that costs $150 to $250 in normal hours can run $350 to $500 after hours.
- Trane: emergency rates can be double to triple the regular hourly rate, and weekend or holiday rates may apply.
For how HVAC companies set and explain that fee, see our breakdown of the HVAC after-hours service call fee.
When is a furnace problem a safety emergency?
Some furnace calls are not repair calls at all. A cracked heat exchanger can leak carbon monoxide into the home, according to Carrier.
- CO alarm sounding or CO symptoms: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says not to look for the source. Move outside to fresh air, call 911 or the fire department, and do not go back in until responders say it is safe. CPSC notes early CO poisoning feels like the flu without the fever: headache, fatigue, breathlessness, nausea and dizziness.
- Gas smell: Carrier says not to operate electrical switches or equipment in the area, leave the home, and contact the gas utility or emergency services.
- Before running it again: Carrier advises having a qualified HVAC professional inspect the furnace after a CO alarm.
CPSC also recommends having the heating system professionally inspected and serviced every year. Your phone line should give these instructions first and book the visit second. Our HVAC no-heat call script shows how to word the safety check.
Should you repair or replace a furnace?
The guides point to age and repair size:
| Source | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Carrier | Consider replacing if the furnace is over 15 years old and the repair estimate approaches 50% of the cost of a new furnace. Carrier says there is no universal $5,000 repair threshold. |
| HomeGuide | Replacing is typically best for units needing frequent repairs or more than 20 years old. Furnaces typically last 15 to 30 years; a new furnace averages $2,000 to $5,400. |
| Trane | A gas furnace should last 15 to 20 years. An older system needing more frequent repairs is a candidate for replacement. |
A $200 igniter on a 7-year-old furnace is an easy repair. A heat exchanger on a 17-year-old unit is a replacement conversation.
What should an HVAC company's phone line ask when booking a furnace repair?
In heating season, the first ring decides who gets the job. The homeowner is cold, comparing prices, and calling the next number if nobody picks up. A good intake takes about two minutes and gives your tech everything needed before the truck rolls.
- Safety first. "Is a carbon monoxide alarm going off, or do you smell gas?" If yes: "Please leave the home now and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. We'll be ready to come out once it's safe." Then transfer to your on-call tech.
- Heat status. "Do you have any heat right now, or none at all?" No heat with kids, elderly residents or freezing temperatures goes to the top of the board.
- Symptoms. "What is the furnace doing: not turning on, blowing cold air, short cycling, making a noise, or showing a code?" Ask them to read any blinking light code.
- Equipment. "Gas, oil, or electric? Roughly how old is it? Do you know the brand?" Age shapes the repair-or-replace conversation before the tech arrives.
- Quick checks. "Is the thermostat set to heat and higher than room temperature? When was the filter last changed?"
- Fees up front. State your diagnostic or service call fee, and your after-hours rate if it applies, so there are no surprises.
- Membership. "Are you on one of our maintenance plans?" Members may get priority or a discount.
- Book it. Name, address, best callback number, access notes (gate, pets, where the furnace is), and a confirmed time window.
How Sharrk handles furnace repair calls
Sharrk gives your HVAC company an AI voice agent that answers every call 24/7, including nights and weekends in peak heating season. It asks the questions you set, like the safety check and equipment questions above, answers from your own knowledge base (your fees, service area, membership perks), and live-transfers emergencies like a CO alarm or gas smell to your on-call tech. It books the job onto Sharrk's calendar, Calendly or Cal.com, or straight into ServiceTitan, and Sharrk's calendar sends a confirmation email or text plus a 24-hour reminder.
New web and Angi leads get a reply in under 30 seconds by AI call, text and email, and Strikes keep following up until the lead replies or asks to stop. See the full setup on the AI receptionist for HVAC page.
You don't need to build any of it by hand. Tell Mako, Sharrk's AI assistant, in plain English: "Answer furnace calls, ask about CO alarms and gas smells first, transfer emergencies to the on-call phone, and book everything else." Mako drafts the agent, shows each change on an Apply card, waits for your OK, and lets you undo.
Sharrk Free is $0 with 2,500 one-time credits to build and test with Mako, no card needed. Sharrk Core is $99 a month with 47,500 credits. No contracts and no setup fees.
Start free with Sharrk or schedule a demo.
If a repair quote is more than half the price of a new unit, compare it with what a new furnace costs installed.
Related on Sharrk: AI receptionist for HVAC · AI answering service · Speed to lead · Pricing
Sources
- HomeAdvisor, "How Much Does Furnace Repair Cost in 2025?" (no date shown): https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/heating-and-cooling/repair-a-furnace (checked October 30, 2026)
- Angi, "How Much Does the Average Furnace Repair Cost? [2024 Data]" (August 23, 2024): https://angi.com/articles/how-much-does-common-furnace-repair-cost.htm (checked October 30, 2026)
- HomeGuide, "How much does furnace repair cost?" (no date shown): https://homeguide.com/costs/furnace-repair-service-cost (checked October 30, 2026)
- Carrier, "Furnace Repair Service Guide" (October 13, 2026): https://www.carrier.com/us/en/residential/hvac-resources/furnaces/furnace-repair.html (checked October 30, 2026)
- Trane, "Average Furnace Repair Cost" (September 11, 2024; modified February 2, 2026): https://trane.com/residential/en/resources/blog/furnace-repair-cost (checked October 30, 2026)
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet" (no date shown): https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/carbon-monoxide/carbon-monoxide-fact-sheet (checked October 30, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
How much does furnace repair cost on average?
Most furnace repairs cost about $125 to $500. HomeAdvisor lists a typical range of $132 to $501 with a $317 average, and HomeGuide lists $125 to $480 with a $300 average.
What is the most expensive furnace repair?
The heat exchanger is usually the most expensive furnace repair. HomeGuide and Trane put it at $1,000 to $3,000, and Carrier says a cracked heat exchanger can top $1,200.
How much does it cost to replace a furnace igniter?
A furnace igniter typically costs about $100 to $250 to replace during normal hours. Angi says after-hours or emergency igniter work can run $350 to $500.
Is emergency furnace repair more expensive?
Yes, emergency furnace repair costs more. HomeGuide lists after-hours labor at $140 to $210 an hour, Angi puts emergency furnace repairs at about $300 to $1,200, and Trane says emergency rates can be double to triple the regular rate.
When should I replace my furnace instead of repairing it?
Consider replacing when the furnace is old and the repair is large. Carrier suggests replacement if the unit is over 15 years old and the repair approaches 50% of the cost of a new furnace; HomeGuide points to frequent repairs or units over 20 years old.
How can Sharrk help an HVAC company with furnace repair calls?
Sharrk answers every furnace call 24/7 with an AI voice agent that asks your intake questions, transfers emergencies like a CO alarm or gas smell to your on-call tech, and books the repair onto your calendar or into ServiceTitan.