Even though furnaces are designed to last for many years, they will slowly start to wear out after about a decade or two.
Having a home warranty that covers your furnace can help a lot when it comes time to repair or replace it. If the furnace breaks down from normal wear and tear, you won’t have to pay for the entire repair or replacement. Replacing a furnace is a sizable undertaking, and it can be very expensive. However, having a home warranty can help to offset some of the costs associated with a replacement. A home warranty is an insurance policy that helps to cover the costs of repairs or replacements for appliances and systems in your home. This can be extremely beneficial, especially for items like furnaces which can be expensive to replace.
When it comes to home warranty companies, these are the top three that we recommend. Not only do they all cover heating systems regardless of age, but they also offer comprehensive protection. If you’re looking for a home warranty that will give you peace of mind, any of these companies would be a great choice.
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American Home Shield: Best Overall
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Choice Home Warranty: Best Basic Plan
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Liberty Home Guard: Most Responsive
Types of Furnaces
There are many different types of furnaces that are available on the market today. They are differentiated by the fuel they use to produce heat, and some are better suited for use in cold environments than others. Our website provides a lot of detailed information about the different types of furnaces that are available, and how they can be used in different situations.
Natural Gas
Natural gas furnaces are a great choice for anyone who wants a fast, efficient way to heat their home. They use less fuel than other types of furnaces, so you’ll save money in the long run. Plus, they can quickly warm up a house, so you’ll be comfortable in no time. However, they do have a higher environmental impact than other types of furnaces and require extensive ductwork to be installed throughout the home, which can be costly.
Oil Furnace
Because the price of oil has risen, these furnaces are no longer being manufactured. They can still be found in some homes in the northeast US, but they’re not as common as they used to be. Even though they’re more environmentally friendly than natural gas furnaces, they still release carbon monoxide into the atmosphere.
Electric Furnace
When you’re looking at electric furnaces, they tend to be the cheapest option up front. But keep in mind that they’ll have higher running costs. They’re not as difficult to take care of as other types of furnaces, but it’ll take longer for them to heat up a room. You’ll typically see them in areas with milder climates since the heating needs aren’t as severe.
Coal Furnace
Wood and coal-burning furnaces aren’t as common as they used to be, but you can still find them in some places. They’re not the most affordable option upfront, but they’re cheaper to run in the long run. Plus, you can use them even if you’re not connected to the power grid. However, they do require more maintenance than other types of furnaces, such as oil furnaces and electric furnaces.
Propane Furnace
As the gaseous byproduct of oil production, propane can be used to power a furnace, which can be especially helpful in areas where other fuels are not easily accessible or are too costly. Additionally, propane furnaces tend to be smaller in size, making them a good option for compact, rural homes. If necessary, a natural gas furnace can be converted to run on propane with a low-cost conversion kit.
Mini-Split System
A mini-split is a heating and cooling system in one appliance. They’re usually more expensive than other options, but they can be bolted directly to walls and don’t require ductwork. This makes them a good choice for smaller homes and building additions. The price of a mini-split can range substantially based on size and power, so it’s important to pick the right one for your needs.
Geothermal and Solar Furnaces
The most environmentally friendly option is not always the most affordable. Even though they may be cheap to operate, you might not make your money back over the system’s lifetime. However, if your top priority is making your home comfortable without harming the environment, renewable energy is your best bet.
How Long Does a Furnace Last?
Although furnaces typically last 20 to 30 years, you may need to start thinking about a replacement after 15 years. As your furnace ages, it becomes less efficient and will start to rack up higher energy bills. Additionally, frequent repairs may become necessary as parts begin to wear out. If you’re dealing with an older furnace that’s giving you trouble, it may be time to invest in a new one.
By performing regular maintenance, such as changing the filters and cleaning the burners, you can extend the lifespan of your furnace. Also, to make sure your furnace is in good condition before the winter season, consider hiring an HVAC contractor to do an annual inspection and tune-up.
How Do I Know When It’s Time to Replace My Furnace?
If you can help it, you never want to wait until your furnace gives out entirely to replace it. This often happens in the dead of winter, leaving you and your family without any way to heat your home. To avoid this, make sure to keep a close eye on your furnace – both in its efficiency and cost.
Here are some signs that it might be time to think about replacement.
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As the furnace requires more frequent repairs, the cost of those repairs increase.
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The sound of the furnace is making unusual noise, such as buzzing or rattling
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The furnace is putting out soot, dust, or rust, particularly around the register.
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The furnace turns on and off roughly every thirty seconds.
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The heat exchanger is broken.
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If you’re not using your heat any more frequently, your heating bills are skyrocketing.
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Your house is heated unevenly with many different rooms, some warmer than others.
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You see and hear rust, cracks and corrosion around the furnace.
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You notice the humidity in your home rising.
Several observed signs of possible breakage and damage may indicate that the customer requires replacement of the appliance. These signs include noise, in-dwelling smoke, stains on the appliance, and the appearance of snow. An HVAC professional will be able to tell you whether a replacement is necessary and you can always get a second opinion from someone else to ease your mind.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Furnace?
When you think of furnace replacement costs, always think of everything that happens during the entire process: the new furnace itself, the installation costs, the removal and disposal of the old furnace, any building permit fees or permits required, and any necessary changes to your HVAC system. The cost of a new furnace will vary depending on a number of factors. These include:
The whole cost of replacing the furnace including materials, equipment and labor includes an estimate of $5,500. According HomeAdvisor, the price range is typically between $2,572 and $6,221, including installation of the furnace. Here’s a breakdown of replacement furnace costs by type.
Type of Furnace | Cost of New Furnace | Total Replacement Cost |
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Electric | $500 – $1,100 | $2,000 – $7,000 |
Natural gas | $800 – $2,800 | $3,800 – $10,000 |
Propane | $900 – $5,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 |
Oil | $1,900 – $3,100 | $6,750 – $10,000 |
Mini-split | $2,000 – $14,500 | $5,000 – $15,000 |
Coal | $3,000 – $10,000 | $4,800 – $11,500 |
Geothermal | $2,000 – $20,000 | $10,000 – $40,000+ |
Solar | $15,000 – $30,000 | $15,000 – $30,000+ |
Will a Home Warranty Cover Furnace Replacement?
A home warranty is also commonly used to cover appliances, such as clothes dryers and appliances that can cause water damage to your home. Although all the warranties don’t cover pre-existing conditions, whether you knew about those conditions before signing the contract or not, those warranties do cover systems and appliances without regard to their age.
Consider taking out a manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that your brand and your product are covered by a company that is covered by a warranty. Despite the fact that furnace repairs may often not be covered under your contract, you can still seek a home warranty for your furnace if you can’t afford to wait for the repairs to be covered.
Recommended Home Warranty Companies
If you should purchase your summer home heating and air conditioning through a company that doesn’t fit our lineup, we recommend getting quotes from the following companies.
American Home Shield
When it comes to the latest consumer services offered by Home Warranty Shield, we’ve found them to generally offer the best combination of comprehensive coverage and the overall customer experience. Many sellers of home warranties don’t offer coverage for other conditions, including rust, corrosion, insufficient maintenance, and even pre-existing conditions.
Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty is a name that is synonymous for customer service and quality customer help. In fact, it was the company behind Homejoy, the first collaborative website.
Unfortunately, we understand the anger that you are experiencing and are committed to ensuring that customers’ claims are reviewed by a representative from Choice before they are admitted to the Choice network.