A homeowner with a 15-year-old furnace thought an HVAC company was inappropriately steering them toward a full replacement after diagnosing a failed heat exchanger.
Even after learning the part was still under warranty, they found the labor quote alone was $1,800. They then posted the quote to Reddit's r/AskHVAC community and asked, "Does that sound right?"
Here's what to know
According to a thread on Reddit, the service company told the homeowner that their choices were either to replace the heat exchanger for $1,800 or to install a new furnace.
Replies from HVAC workers said the labor quote actually sounded typical for an in-warranty heat exchanger replacement. One wrote, "Yeah I'd say that's pretty close. I'd say it averages $1,200 - $2,000 to replace an In warranty heat exchanger."
Another added that "$1,800 is pretty much bang on for the labor portion to replace a heat exchanger."
A third commenter put the labor cost at roughly $1,600 for an 80% furnace and $2,100 for a high-efficiency heat exchanger, then noted that "most guys are going to spend 4 to 6 hours doing a heat exchanger."
So even when a major furnace part is covered, labor can still run into the four figures, while a full system upgrade may create an opportunity to lower monthly energy bills.
Palmetto can help homeowners understand their HVAC options and reduce energy bills with newer, more efficient HVAC systems and heat pumps. It also has a network of vetted technicians that homeowners can rely on when an older unit suddenly becomes a repair-or-replace decision.
Crushed by your bills? See instant solar savings from vetted installers in just a few clicks With energy prices through the roof, there's never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area. EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy. |
The homeowner's experience suggests it's worth verifying warranty status before deciding between a repair and a replacement. In this case, the original poster said the heat exchanger was still covered, even though the company didn't tell them upfront when it laid out its repair-or-new-furnace options.
If replacement still makes more financial sense, Palmetto says its Comfort Plan includes $0-down options that can lower heating and cooling costs by up to 50%. Palmetto Comfort Plans also include 12 years of free maintenance, which can help homeowners prepare for surprise repair bills on aging furnaces.
Where can I learn more?
These stories highlight the same warranty confusion and repair sticker shock that can follow a major HVAC breakdown.
• A first-time homeowner still owed $2,300 after a 15-month-old HVAC failed under warranty.
• A landlord questioned a $1,400 bill after a 'warranty coil' charge arrived without approval.
• One homeowner was shown a '10-year warranty' in writing, then told it expired.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
