When temperatures get down in the 30s, the last thing you want to deal with is a bum furnace—especially when a furnace repair can cost anywhere from $299 to $2,500.
We know. That’s a pretty broad price range. Which makes it hard to budget for the unforeseen (and unfortunate) furnace repair.
So, why the huge price range?
Well, furnace repair prices vary based on these 3 factors:
- The kind of repair needed
- Whether or not the furnace is still under warranty
- Who you choose to hire
Let’s explore each of those factors in more detail.
Factor #1: The kind of repair needed
There are many different components in your furnace, and without knowing which one(s) have broken down, it’s difficult to price out a repair until a qualified HVAC technician has inspected your unit.
Some of the most frequent problems a tech will find are the following:
- Broken thermostat
- Faulty flame sensor
- Busted blower motor
- Shot ignitors
- Defective heat exchanger
Unfortunately, all the above repairs have widely ranging costs depending on:
- Whether or not your furnace warranty is still valid
- The tech you choose to handle the repair
Let’s take a closer look at how these factors affect your furnace repair price.
Factor #2: The furnace warranty
When your furnace was installed, it most likely came with 2 different warranties:
- Parts warranty: This warranty is provided by the furnace’s manufacturer (York, Trane, Carrier, Lennox, etc.). The parts warranty covers the cost of any replacement parts that are defective due to manufacturing issues. A typical furnace warranty covers the cost of any needed furnace replacement parts (due to manufacturers’ defects) for 5 years. But if you bought an extended warranty, it could be closer to 7-15 years.
To find out if your parts warranty is still valid, contact the manufacturer (have your model and serial number handy) or the company that installed your furnace (they should have your warranty information on file).
- Labor warranty: Most contractors will offer at least a 1-year labor warranty that covers the cost of labor to complete any repairs needed due to faulty installation.
To find out if your labor warranty is still valid, contact the company that installed or last repaired your furnace.
Factor #3: Who you choose to hire
When you need a furnace repair in Pittsburgh, it’s tempting to just go with the cheapest contractor you can find. However, you get what you pay for.
Cheaper contractors may not charge as much, but if they do shoddy work, it will cost you in the long run with pricier problems in the future.
Some quick ways to determine if the contractor you intend to hire is qualified to make needed repairs is to ensure they’re licensed and insured. We also encourage you to read online customer reviews, ask friends and family for recommendations, and confirm they’re in good standing with the Better Business Bureau.
Looking for a furnace repair in Pittsburgh? We can help.
Our professional and courteous technicians have years of HVAC schooling. We’re focused on getting the job done right the first time.
