How much does a heat exchanger replacement cost?
$350 – $850 replacement cost (under warranty)
$1,000 – $3,000 replacement cost (not under warranty)
$1,000 – $3,000 replacement cost (not under warranty)
Get free estimates from boiler repair services near you, or view our cost guide below.
January 11, 2022
Reviewed by Tom Grupa and 2 expert boiler companies on HomeGuide.Furnace heat exchanger replacement cost
Replacing a furnace heat exchanger costs $1,000 to $3,000 on average. Heat exchanger prices are $350 to $850 for the part. Heat exchanger replacement labor costs $650 to $2,150. A heat exchanger warranty lasts 10 to 20 years and only covers the part, not labor.
| National average cost | $2,000 |
| Minimum cost | $700 |
| Maximum cost | $3,500 |
| Average cost range | $1,000 to $3,000 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members without warranty coverage.
- Industrial or commercial heat exchanger prices are $1,500 to $5,000.
- A heat exchanger for a combi boiler costs $100 to $300.
- A secondary heat exchanger costs $300 to $800.
Table of contents
[hide]Heat exchanger prices
Heat exchanger prices are $350 to $850 for the primary heat exchanger unit alone and $300 to $850 for a secondary heat exchanger in most residential gas furnaces.
| Type | Unit price | Total replacement cost |
|---|---|---|
| Heat exchanger | $350 – $850 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Secondary heat exchanger | $300 – $800 | $1,000 – $2,000 |
Heat exchanger cost estimation by brand
Heat exchanger unit prices depend on the brand:
- Carrier and Bryant heat exchangers cost $350 to $800.
- York heat exchanger prices are $470 to $800.
- Goodman heat exchangers cost $260 to $860.
- Lennox heat exchangers cost $260 to $840.
| Brand | Price range |
|---|---|
| Armstrong | $340 – $800 |
| Carrier / Bryant | $350 – $800 |
| Goodman / Amana | $260 – $860 |
| Heil / Quaker | $320 – $860 |
| Lennox | $260 – $840 |
| Rheem / Ruud | $290 – $800 |
| Trane | $320 – $825 |
| York | $470 – $800 |
*Material prices only, excluding shipping.
Secondary heat exchanger cost
Replacing a secondary heat exchanger costs $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the brand, material, and furnace capacity. The secondary heat exchanger part alone costs $300 to $800. Only a high-efficiency condensing furnace uses two heat exchangers to reclaim extra heat from the exhaust.
Heat exchanger for boiler cost
A heat exchanger for a boiler costs $100 to $300 on average, depending on the boiler type, size, and BTU rating. Most boilers need a brazed plate heat exchanger for a water-to-water heat transfer system. Modern condensing boilers have two heat exchangers that increase energy efficiency.
Commercial / industrial heat exchanger prices
Industrial or commercial heat exchanger prices are $1,500 to $5,000 on average. The price depends on the furnace type, size, brand, and BTU rating. Commercial heat exchangers typically have heat-output ratings greater than 150,000 BTUs.
Heat exchanger cost factors
Costs to replace a heat exchanger depend on the furnace size, brand, accessibility, heating-system design, and labor costs.
| Brand | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Heat exchanger | $350 – $850 |
| Installation labor | $650 – $2,150 |
| Total cost | $1,000 – $3,000 |
Additional cost factors include:
- Furnace size – A heat exchanger for a larger furnace typically costs more.
- Furnace age – Installing new parts in an older furnace is more difficult and requires additional labor.
- Brand – Heat exchanger prices vary by manufacturer. Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts typically cost more than generic parts.
- Material – Stainless steel heat exchangers cost more than aluminum.
- Heat-exchanger system type – A high-efficiency condensing furnace with two heat exchangers is more complex than a standard furnace, so replacement parts and labor cost more.
- Labor cost – Labor rates are typically higher in bigger cities compared to rural areas. Hard-to-reach furnace locations require additional labor.
- Contractor experience – Expert HVAC technicians with 5+ years of experience and multiple certifications charge more for labor.
- Season – Service fees increase during peak cold weather due to high demand.
Heat exchanger replacement labor cost
Heat exchanger replacement labor costs $650 to $2,150, depending on the furnace size, accessibility, and location. Labor often costs more than the part because the contractor must disassemble and then reassemble the entire furnace interior.
- Furnace repair service costs $75 to $150 per hour on average.
- Minimum service fees are $75 to $200, typically applied as the first hour of labor.
- HVAC emergency service costs $140 to $210 per hour for calls outside of regular business hours.
HVAC heat exchanger replacement cost by type
HVAC heat exchanger replacement costs $1,000 to $3,000 for most furnace types. Heat exchangers must fit the fuel type, model number, and brand of the existing furnace.
- Oil, propane, and natural gas furnaces use the same process to convert fuel into heat. However, their heat exchangers are not interchangeable.
- Electric furnaces don’t use heat exchangers.
Heat exchanger warranty
A heat exchanger warranty lasts 10 to 20 years or the lifetime of the furnace, depending on the brand, model, and type of furnace. Most part warranties for furnaces do not cover the cost of replacement labor. However, labor is sometimes free with a labor warranty from the dealer.
Cracked heat exchanger repair cost
A cracked heat exchanger repair costs $1,000 to $3,000 for replacing the part. HVAC technicians typically don’t repair heat exchangers due to safety concerns, and replacing the part is the most common repair method. Even hairline cracks will leak carbon monoxide.
The most common cause of a cracked heat exchanger is overheating, due to a dirty filter, lack of maintenance, or an oversized furnace.
Cost to replace heat exchanger vs. new furnace
Replacing a heat exchanger costs $1,000 to $3,000, while furnace replacement costs $2,000 to $5,400 on average.
| Replace heat exchanger | Install new furnace |
|---|---|
|
|
Frequently asked questions
What is a heat exchanger?
A heat exchanger is a metal tube system within the furnace combustion chamber that heats the air blown over it while keeping toxic exhaust out of the central air ducts.
How it works:
- The ignitor sets off the natural or propane gas to light the burners.
- Hot gases from the burners enter the sealed heat exchanger, which heats up and vents toxic gases outside.
- The blower fan sends cold air over the surface of the hot heat exchanger, creating heated air sent indoors through the ductwork.
How long does a heat exchanger last?
A furnace heat exchanger lasts 15 to 20 years on average, depending on the maintenance frequency, quality of the part’s materials, and daily usage. Older cast-iron heat exchangers last for 30+ years.
How long does it take to replace a heat exchanger?
Replacing a heat exchanger takes 5 to 10 hours on average, depending on the furnace type and the technician’s experience. Replacement includes removing everything in the combustion chamber, installing the new part, re-assembling and rewiring every component, and testing.
What are the symptoms of a bad heat exchanger?
Damaged or cracked heat exchanger symptoms include:
- Carbon monoxide detector alarm
- Corrosion, rust, or cracks in other furnace parts
- Orange or yellow flame instead of the usual blue flame
- Unexplained furnace shut-offs
- Rattling noises when the heat turns on
- Strange smells, like formaldehyde or other toxic chemicals
- Signs of decay on furnace exterior
- Water on the floor around the furnace
- White or black soot buildup around the furnace burners
Finding and hiring an HVAC service
Before hiring a pro for furnace repair or boiler repair near you:
- Get at least three in-person estimates to compare.
- Verify that the HVAC contractor has state and local licenses.
- Check for certifications from:
- NATE (North American Technician Excellence)
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, & Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
- HVAC Excellence
- Other local HVAC training programs
- Look at their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
- Seek certified, insured, and bonded companies with 5+ years of experience.
- Get a written estimate, contract, and warranty before work begins.
- Avoid companies with the cheapest quotes as quality may suffer.
- Don’t pay in full upfront. Follow a payment plan and save receipts.
Questions to ask
- Can you provide a list of references?
- Do you offer free estimates?
- How long will the job take?
- Do you use original equipment manufacturer parts?
- Will you do a combustion analysis to test for carbon monoxide leaks?
- How can I make the heat exchanger more efficient and prevent similar damages?
- Will you conduct a full inspection of my furnace, ductwork, and flue pipe? Does that cost extra?
- How do I keep my gas furnace as safe as possible and improve the air quality in my home?
- Do you offer an HVAC maintenance plan? If so, what does it include?
- What does your warranty or guarantee include?
- Will you provide a written report summarizing the repairs and maintenance?
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