Written by Info Expert on January 21, 2010 | Posted in Home Improvement

Although your first impression of the cost of a new furnace will result from looking at the sticker price, you need to consider several other factors when determining gas furnace pricing. The size of the unit, number of BTUs, efficiency rating, installation costs, and warranty specifications should all be part of your decision-making process when shopping for a gas furnace.

The size of the unit will depend upon the amount of space you have available. If the furnace is going to be connected to a duct system, it will probably stand in the basement, where space is not usually a problem. These units can cost from just under $1000 to $2500, depending on BTUs, efficiency, and added features such as an air conditioner or a propane converter kit. Many houses without basements or crawl spaces use electric heat, but direct vent gas furnaces are an efficient alternative. Direct vent units can be free-standing or attach to the wall and are frequently used in cabins, trailers, or rooms that have been added onto a house after the original duct system was installed. Most direct vent units cost between $500 and $1500.

BTUs measure the amount of heat that your gas furnace produces and can vary from 10,000 to 100,000. However, the number of input BTUs can be misleading. You also need to look at the efficiency rating. This tells you the percentage of those BTUs that are actually being retained in your house. The rest of the heat is going up the flue. These days a 73% rating is not very good. A high efficiency furnace has a rating of 90%, and ultra high ratings are 95%. This is probably the single most important factor which you should consider when comparing gas furnace prices because it will influence the amount of money you spend to heat your house over the life of the furnace. Even if you have an older furnace that is working as well as it can, you may be able to save money over the long run by replacing it with a high efficiency furnace. There are also rebate programs and tax incentives offered by the government that encourage people to replace energy hogs.

Another factor to consider is the installation cost. If you order your furnace online, you may save money on the price tag, but you will need someone to install the unit according to code. Remember that the warranty on the furnace itself will be separate from the installer’s warranty, so be sure that you clearly understand the conditions for both.

When comparing gas furnace prices think long term, and consider all of the factors that will determine your costs over the lifetime of the furnace.

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