How much does a furnace tune-up and inspection cost?

Furnace maintenance service cost

A furnace tune-up service costs $70 to $200 on average for a gas, electric, or oil furnace. A standard furnace inspection costs $70 to $130 for a diagnostic report and basic cleaning. Annual furnace maintenance costs $150 to $500 for an inspection, tune-up, and minor repairs.

Average cost to inspect and tune-up a furnace

The following table shows the average cost to inspect and tune-up a furnace:

Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

Furnace tune-up cost

A furnace tune-up costs $70 to $200 on average. Heater tune-up costs depend on the furnace fuel type and level of service required. Most tune-ups include inspecting, cleaning, and testing the furnace.

Furnace tune-up checklist

A furnace tune-up typically includes:

• Inspecting the flue & vent connections
• Cleaning or changing the filter
• Ignitor testing
• Dusting the furnace interior, vents, & external coils
• Checking the fan belts, blowers, & motors
• Adjusting the pilot light & burners
• Checking fuel-source connections
• Performing a combustion analysis for gas & oil furnaces
• Checking electrical components
• Inspecting ducts for leaks
• Checking the heat exchanger
• Inspecting the furnace condensate drain for clogs
• Testing thermostat settings

HVAC technicians typically write a report of what they checked, the unit’s condition, and the maintenance they did. Contractors might also suggest repairs to keep the furnace running safely.

Gas furnace tune-up cost

The cost to service a gas or propane furnace is $80 to $170 on average. A gas furnace tune-up typically includes inspecting and cleaning the main parts, replacing filters, and testing for natural gas or carbon monoxide leaks.

Oil furnace tune-up service cost

Oil furnace service costs $100 to $200 on average. The cost of an oil furnace tune-up depends on the unit’s condition, size, and accessibility. An oil heater tune-up typically includes replacing filters, minor cleaning, and inspecting all parts like the fuel-oil tank, fuel lines, and burners.

Electric furnace maintenance cost

Electric furnace maintenance costs $70 to $130 on average. Technicians inspect the heating elements and wiring along with light cleaning. Electric furnaces have the lowest maintenance costs because of their basic system design.

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Furnace inspection cost

A basic furnace inspection costs $70 to $130 or up to $200 for a full inspection and tune-up. Total inspection costs depend on the service level and furnace conditions.

*Prices include technician call-out fees within nearby service areas only.

Annual furnace maintenance cost factors

Total furnace maintenance costs depend on the following factors:

• Service type – Companies have multiple maintenance-plan tiers for various levels of cleaning and repairs.
• Time of year – HVAC technicians typically offer discounts for tune-ups before or after winter due to an excess of emergency-service calls in cold weather.
• Number of units – Get discounts for servicing multiple units or a full HVAC system.
• Labor – Rates increase for hard-to-reach furnace locations and emergency calls.
• Maintenance plan – Furnace service discounts are available with most annual service plans.
• Time since last service – Tune-ups often cost more for systems not serviced for more than 1 year.
• Warranty – Some manufacturers require yearly maintenance to maintain the warranty. Units under warranty may get free part replacement but not free labor.
• Insurance – Some homeowners policies cover extra fees for repairs or replacement due to accidents or natural disasters.

Furnace maintenance plans and prices

Annual furnace maintenance plans cost $150 to $500 yearly, depending on the service contract terms and conditions. Higher-tier maintenance plans include full HVAC-system service with deeper cleaning.

Annual service typically includes:

• Furnace inspection
• Light surface cleaning
• Filter replacements
• Priority appointments
• Repair discounts

Furnace cleaning

Furnace cleaning costs $70 to $300 on average, depending on the size, fuel type, and time since the last service. HVAC technicians typically inspect the unit while removing and cleaning the main parts before reassembling. This service offers more in-depth cleaning than a standard inspection.

Air duct cleaning costs an additional $300 to $700 on average or $25 to $45 per vent.

Furnace repairs

Furnace repair costs $100 to $600 on average, depending on the brand, fuel type, condition, warranty, and type of fix required.

• Minimum service fees are $75 to $200.
• Labor costs are $75 to $150 hourly.
• After-hours emergency service costs $140 to $210 per hour.
• Pros may offer repair discounts after the initial tune-up.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a furnace tune-up, and is it necessary?

A furnace tune-up is an in-depth inspection that includes minor cleaning of the main parts and replacing filters. A furnace tune-up is necessary to maintain warranty coverage and prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaks or fire hazards.

Is a furnace tune-up worth it?

A furnace tune-up is worth it to:

• Improve the system’s energy efficiency by 20% to 30%
• Prevent breakdowns & expensive repairs
• Increase the unit’s lifespan
• Improve indoor air quality & temperature control
• Keep the system running safely

How often should you tune-up a furnace?

A furnace typically needs 1 tune-up per year in fall to prepare for winter. HVAC systems more than 5 to 10 years old in cold climates may need 2 tune-ups annually. Newer furnaces in moderate climates need less-frequent tune-ups.

How long does a furnace tune-up take?

A furnace tune-up takes 1 to 2 hours on average, depending on how dirty the furnace is, the unit’s size and age, and the maintenance frequency. HVAC technicians inspect and clean 10 to 20 furnace parts in a tune-up, depending on their specific company policy.

Finding and hiring a furnace technician

When hiring a furnace repair company near you, use this checklist:

• Compare at least three different bids from experienced HVAC pros.
• Choose HVAC professionals with certifications from:
• North American Technician Excellence (NATE)
• American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
• National Propane Gas Association (NPGA)
• State-certified natural gas journeyman training programs in gas fittings
• Avoid the cheapest bids that signal low-quality work.
• Select licensed, insured, and bonded HVAC contractors.
• Review their ratings on HomeGuide and Google.
• Request itemized copies of estimates.
• Never pay in full upfront.

Questions to ask

• How many years have you been inspecting furnaces?
• What types of furnaces do you typically inspect?
• Can you give me references from past jobs?
• What does your inspection include, and will I get a detailed diagnostics report afterward?
• Are any routine maintenance services part of the inspection?
• Do you offer discounts with annual service contracts?
• How long will the inspection take?
• What are the most common additional extra costs for this inspection?
• Do you offer full HVAC-system inspection and cleaning packages?
• Will you update my service records to maintain warranty coverage?
• Do you also clean up around the furnace after finishing, or does that cost extra?

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