As the seasons change and the temperatures drop, the last thing you need is a misbehaving furnace leaving you in the cold. Today, let’s delve into the world of furnace repair costs, shedding light on what to expect when your heating system demands attention.

Precise Diagnoses Require Personal Touch

First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that diagnosing furnace issues accurately is a task best left to the professionals and it necessitates a visit to your home. With Quality Comfort, and most other companies, a technician will still need to come out to verify the issue even if you’re received a diagnosis from another company. We want to rely on our own expertise, not someone else’s. Then we, and you, can be assured that the repair we recommend is what’s best and will come with our full warranty. Every heating system is unique, much like the homes they serve, and attempting a diagnosis remotely is, unfortunately, an exercise in futility. What we can do here is provide a range of repair costs for some of the most common furnace repairs.

What You Can Expect From Your Furnace Repair Technician

If your furnace is blowing cold air or won’t turn on, then you’re in need of a furnace repair. Here is how the process with Quality Comfort will go:

You contact us and schedule the repair call
On the day of service you will receive a text when we’re on the way to your home
The HVAC technician will diagnose the furnace issue
The technician will present their findings and solutions to you, along with all associated costs.
If you approve of the repair estimate(s), then the technician will typically go ahead and fix your furnace the same day. The only time this is not the case is if special parts are needed and have to be placed on order. Then we will return to your home at a later date with the needed parts to fix the issue. Don’t worry – you won’t pay another diagnostic fee or trip charge for the return trip!

The Diagnostic Fee

When your furnace decides to take an unscheduled break, the cavalry arrives in the form of a skilled technician. However, this expertise comes at a cost—the diagnostic or trip charge fee. This fee compensates the technician for their time, training, and the use of their diagnostic skills to uncover the root cause of your furnace not working properly. Most all HVAC companies will have this charge, but it may be named something different – a trip charge, a diagnostic fee, a service call fee, etc. It is very rare that you will ever find a “free estimate” for a unit that is not currently working that you would like to repair.

You can think of the diagnostic fee as a necessary investment in the expertise required to accurately identify and address the issue. This fee is a standard practice in the industry, and while it might feel like an unwelcome addition to the bill, it ensures that you receive a precise diagnosis and effective solutions tailored to your furnace’s unique situation.

Common Furnace Repair Problems

Now, let’s talk numbers. The average furnace repair costs can vary based on the nature and severity of the issue, as well as the specificities of your furnace. Here’s a rough breakdown:

Faulty Ignition System: $300-$500

Ignition system problems can hinder your furnace from starting up, leading to chilly nights. Replacing a faulty igniter or addressing pilot light issues usually falls within this cost range.

Worn-out Blower Motor: $200-$800

The blower motor is responsible for circulating warm air throughout your home. When it wears out, you might experience reduced airflow or irritating noises. You may be able to fix the issue with cleaning it or it may need replaced.

Broken Thermostat: $100-$300

A malfunctioning thermostat can wreak havoc on your heating system’s efficiency. Fortunately, repairing or replacing a thermostat is a relatively common and affordable fix depending on which thermostat you’d like to go with.

Blown Capacitor: $100-$300

The capacitor is like the furnace’s battery, providing the necessary jolt to start the motor. When it fails, your furnace may refuse to start. Replacing the capacitor is a relatively common and affordable repair.

Faulty Flame Sensor: $100-$320

The flame sensor is responsible for what its name suggests, sensing a flame in the furnace. If the flame sensor is dirty or faulty then it will not detect a flame and automatically shut down your furnace. Often a flame sensor issue can be fixed with a cleaning, but sometimes may need completely replaced.

Damaged Heat Exchanger: priceless

If your heat exchanger is damaged, then the furnace needs replaced. The risk of carbon monoxide leaking into the home is too high and there is no effective way to repair a heat exchanger.

However, these figures are ballpark estimates, and the final cost will depend on the intricacies of your furnace, availability of parts for your system, and the extent of the required repairs.

The Age Factor

Furnace age is a critical consideration in the repair-or-replace dilemma. If your heating system has faithfully served you for over a decade and is showing signs of wear and tear, a repair might be a temporary or expensive fix. In such cases, the technician may recommend a furnace replacement, considering the long-term cost-effectiveness and reliability.

Free Estimates for Replacements

Unlike the diagnostic fees associated with repairs, the majority of companies offer free estimates for furnace replacements. This is because replacing a system involves less uncertainty, with calculations based on your home’s specifics—size, insulation, and heating requirements.