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How much does it cost to install a gas central heating?
The installation of a new gas furnace in a home with good pre-existing duct work will average $6000 to $8000. When the work involves renovation and the opening of walls, ceilings, crawl spaces or attics the costs can head upwards of $10,000 to $14,000. These prices are for the complete project, but specific issues can make the expenses increase, such as the use of zone heating or special thermostats 1.
For this discussion we will look at the materials and costs associated with the installation of a new gas central heating system. Most homeowners will work with licensed HVAC contractors for such a project, and the services of an electrician might be necessary as well (should certain types of thermostats 1 be desired).
Cost breakdown
The average project will include:
- The gas-powered furnace;
- Registers per the homeowners selection/style;
- Installation of adequately insulated duct work, or the upgrade of outdated ducts;
- Professional installation of an exhaust port 2 for the furnace and all connected registers;
- Appropriate removal and disposal of the old heating system or furnace; and
- All labor costs including those of the HVAC specialist and the electrician. The average HVAC installer will demand from $85 to $95 per hour, while an electrician averages $75-$250 per hour.
The items that do not fall under the traditional list of work and materials include:
- Creation of numerous heating "zones" or independently heated areas of a home, which can cost from $500 to $2000 extra;
- Air cleaners mounted into to register ports which can cost around $750 each;
- Programmable or touch screen thermostats 1 which average roughly $250 each (depending upon the vendor); and
- "Smart" controls which automatically adjust interior temperatures based on current outdoor conditions.
Additional considerations and costs
Because a project such as this is going to require a somewhat extensive amount of work it is recommended that a homeowner request several estimates from a variety of contractors. The best times of the year to do such a project are in the months in which homes are not using their heating systems. This will generally allow the work to be completed quickly and the homeowner to get the best pricing available. It is also important to ensure that a contractor will discuss the tax benefits of an upgrade to an efficient heating system, and even help with documentation and paperwork.
When deciding to install a new gas-powered central heating system it is important to recognize that these are remarkably efficient when:
- Ductwork is in top condition; and
- When the system is not divided into zones.
These are two issues that the homeowner must give serious consideration before selecting to use them. The nature of home heating is that areas of cold will create drafts as they pull warm air into them. When a central heating system is zoned it can operate far beneath its traditional 85-97% efficiency levels.
Additionally, a home that relies on ductwork can, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, lose between 25-40% of its performance due to leaks, gaps, cracks or disconnections in the pre-existing duct work. According to InspectionNews.net the costs associated with filling old duct and running new ducts can cost between $2,500 and $10,000 depending upon the amount of work to be done.
This indicates that upgrading to a new gas-powered central heating can come at a much higher cost than that attached to the installation of the system. Only by creating a budget, working with a licensed contractor, and avoiding the obvious pitfalls (such as creating zones) will the project remain at a controlled level of expense.
Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet
Definitions in laymen's terms, cost considerations, pictures and things you need to know.See full cheat sheet.
1 Thermostats: A device that senses and regulates temperature by turning heating and cooling devices on and off
2 Exhaust port: An opening through which exhaust gases escape
How much does it cost to install a gas central heating in my city?
Cost to install a gas central heating varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
Labor cost by city and zip code
Compared to national average-14%
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-10%
Labor cost in your zip code
