Top Heating & Furnace Contractors in Alexandria, LA

A furnace generates and distributes heated air throughout your home. A vital part of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system—though it does not cool air—you activate a furnace when you set or adjust the temperature in a room using the thermostat. Furnaces can run off natural gas, oil, electric, or propane.

The average gas furnace lasts 15 to 20 years, though some electric furnaces can last 30 years or more.

• Gas furnace: 15–20 years
• Electric furnace: 20–30 years
• Oil furnace: 15–20 years

In addition to furnace type, your unit’s lifespan also depends on its size and the heating system you have—two-stage furnaces are more efficient and less likely to break than single-stage furnaces.

Having a reputable HVAC technician perform annual furnace maintenance and inspections can help ensure you get the most out of your unit. And, as always, change your filters regularly—a dirty filter can block airflow and overwork the motor.

You should change your furnace filter every one to three months to help maintain air quality, keep energy costs in check, and extend your unit’s lifespan. If people in your home have dust or pet dander allergies, you may consider changing your filters more regularly. Looking for an even simpler guideline? If the filter is dirty, replace it.

The average cost of a furnace unit is $2,300 to $7,200, plus $150 to $500 per hour for installation. Furnace replacement prices depend on the type of furnace you need, its size, and local labor costs.

• Gas: $3,800–$10,000
• Electric: $2,000–$7,000
• Oil: $6,750–$10,000
• Mini-Split: $2,000–$15,000
• Geothermal: $4,000–$17,000

If your furnace installation requires new gas lines or additional ductwork, add $250 to $800 for the gas lines and $3,00 to $5000 on average for the ductwork to your overall project costs.