How much does a furnace repair cost? Most common furnace repairs run $150 – $700 — an ignitor or flame sensor at the low end, a blower or control board in the middle — while a cracked heat exchanger can reach $3,000. The calculator below is pre-set to a common furnace repair; pick your exact part for an estimate.
Diagnosing and Pricing a Furnace Repair
When dealing with a failing Furnace, understanding the symptoms and labor requirements can help you avoid overpaying. Typical failure symptoms often include unusual noises, system short-cycling, or a complete loss of cooling capacity. Replacing this component usually involves specific diagnostic steps by a licensed technician, which means you are paying for both the OEM parts markup and the skilled labor hours. Before approving a costly repair, especially on systems older than 10 years, you should always weigh the repair cost against the long-term ROI of a full system replacement.
🔧 What Should Your HVAC Repair Cost?
Estimate the cost of a specific HVAC repair — capacitor, compressor, coil, fan motor, refrigerant recharge and more — with a parts + labor breakdown, adjusted for your region. Know a fair price before you approve a contractor's quote.
🧰1. What Needs Repair?
Pick the failed part or service. Not sure? A technician's diagnostic (below) identifies it.
❄️2. Refrigerant Type
Only affects recharge and leak jobs. Older R-22 systems cost far more to recharge than modern R-410A as R-22 is phased out. Choose N/A for non-refrigerant repairs.
⚙️3. Job Options
📍4. Region
Labor rates vary by metro. This scales the estimate to your area; pick National for a baseline.
Common Furnace Repair Costs
| Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Flame sensor | $100 – $250 |
| Ignitor | $150 – $350 |
| Control board | $250 – $650 |
| Blower motor | $400 – $900 |
| Heat exchanger | $1,500 – $3,000 |
When a Furnace Repair Isn’t Worth It
Cheap fixes — a flame sensor, ignitor or capacitor — are almost always worth doing. But a cracked heat exchanger (a carbon-monoxide risk) or a failed blower on a furnace 15+ years old often costs enough that a new, more efficient furnace is the better value. Size a replacement with our Furnace Size Calculator and price it with the Replacement Cost Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a furnace repair cost? Common furnace repairs run about $150 to $700. Major jobs like a heat exchanger can reach $3,000. A diagnostic call adds about $95.
What is the most common furnace repair? Ignitors and flame sensors are the most common furnace faults — both are affordable fixes, typically $150 to $350 and $100 to $250 respectively.
When should I replace instead of repair my furnace? If the furnace is 15+ years old and needs a heat exchanger or major blower repair, replacement is usually the better long-term value.
Related: how to charge refrigerant, step by step.
Estimates vary by contractor. Compare free quotes from licensed local pros before you commit. Request a quote →
High-efficiency systems may qualify for utility rebates and federal or state incentives. Find current programs at ENERGY STAR & DSIRE.
Figures are reviewed by the Refcon HVAC engineering team using U.S. DOE, ENERGY STAR & ACCA Manual J data. Estimates only — confirm with a licensed pro.