Replacing a Furnace in Decatur: What Goes Into the Price and How to Compare Quotes
If you’ve gotten two or three quotes to replace a furnace in Decatur and the numbers are thousands of dollars apart, you’re not alone. Furnace quotes are hard to compare because every contractor packages the job a little differently. Here’s what goes into the price, what a complete quote should spell out, and the questions that tell you whether a number is fair.
What drives the price of a new furnace
Efficiency. An 80% furnace vents up the chimney like the old one. A 95% or 96% furnace costs more up front and vents through the wall or roof with PVC pipe, but it burns less gas every winter. In most Adams County homes that heat with natural gas or propane, the high-efficiency furnace is the one we recommend, because Indiana winters are long enough for the savings to add up.
Single-stage, two-stage or variable speed. A single-stage furnace is either on full blast or off. Two-stage and variable-speed furnaces run on low most of the time, which means quieter operation, more even temperatures between rooms and less cycling. They cost more, and they’re worth it in a two-story house that’s hot upstairs and cold down.
Size. Bigger isn’t better. An oversized furnace short-cycles, wears out faster and leaves cold spots. A proper quote is based on a load calculation for your house: square footage, windows, insulation and how tight the house is. If a contractor just matched the size on the old furnace’s sticker, ask why.
Venting and gas line. Moving from an 80% furnace to a high-efficiency one means new PVC venting and a condensate drain. If the old furnace shared a chimney with a gas water heater, the water heater may need a liner or its own vent. These are real costs and should be on the quote, not added on install day.
Ductwork. Older homes in Decatur often have ductwork that was undersized or patched over the years. A new furnace can’t fix a duct problem. Sometimes a return air duct or a new supply run is the difference between a comfortable house and one that’s still cold in the back bedroom.
Air conditioning. If your AC is close to the same age as your furnace, replacing both at once often costs less than doing them separately, and the two will be matched to work together.
What a complete furnace quote should include
When you lay quotes side by side, check that each one lists:
- The furnace brand, model number, efficiency rating and size in BTUs
- Whether a load calculation was done
- Removal and disposal of the old furnace
- Venting, condensate drain, gas line and electrical work
- A new thermostat, if included
- Any duct, return air or filter cabinet changes
- Permits, where required
- The parts warranty and the labor warranty, and how long each lasts
- Startup, combustion testing and a carbon monoxide check
If one quote is a lot lower, it’s usually missing something on that list. If one is a lot higher, ask what you’re getting that the others don’t include.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Did you do a load calculation, or size it off the old unit?
- Does the price include everything on the list above?
- Who does the install, your own technicians or a subcontractor?
- What happens if something fails in the first year?
- Is financing available, and are there any current rebates from the manufacturer or my utility?
Repair or replace?
Not every old furnace needs replacing. If yours is under 15 years old, the heat exchanger is sound and the repair is a part like an ignitor, flame sensor or inducer motor, furnace repair is usually the smart move. Replacement starts to make sense when the furnace is 15 to 20 years old, needs a major part, has a cracked heat exchanger, or keeps breaking down every winter. A yearly furnace tune-up is the best way to stretch the life of the one you have.
If you’re replacing anyway, it’s also a good time to look at other options. Some Adams County homes, especially in the country on propane, come out ahead with a heat pump or geothermal system. We compared those in heat pump, geothermal or furnace in Decatur.
Frequently asked questions
Why are furnace replacement quotes so different?
Quotes vary with the furnace’s efficiency, whether it’s single-stage, two-stage or variable speed, its size, and what’s included for venting, gas line, ductwork, permits and warranty. A lower quote is often missing one of those items.
Is a high-efficiency furnace worth it in Decatur?
In most homes, yes. Northeast Indiana winters are long enough that a 95% or 96% furnace pays back its higher price through lower gas or propane bills over its life. It does need PVC venting and a condensate drain.
How do I know what size furnace I need?
A load calculation based on your home’s square footage, insulation, windows and air leakage tells you. Matching the size printed on the old furnace often leads to an oversized system that short-cycles.
How long does a furnace replacement take?
Most straight swaps are done in one day. Jobs that add new venting, ductwork changes or a new air conditioner can take a second day.
When should I replace my furnace instead of repairing it?
Consider replacing it when the furnace is 15 to 20 years old, needs a major part like a heat exchanger or control board, or breaks down every winter. If it’s younger and the repair is minor, repairing it usually makes more sense.
Get a quote you can compare
Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling has been serving Decatur and Adams County since 1969, from our shop at 702 Nuttman Ave to Berne, Geneva and Monroe. We’ll do the load calculation, write down everything that’s included, and show you a couple of options. Learn more about furnace replacement in Decatur and furnace installation, or see all our heating services. Call (260) 339-3439 any time, day or night, or book online.
