Cost is an important factor when you’re in the market for a new heating system. It’s a huge investment for a home. A good one should last a decade at the very least. 

 

Of course, there’s plenty more than just dollars and cents to consider, but, your budget is an important starting point. Then you can factor in options like size, air quality and if you can get any rebates or incentives. 

 

To get started, here is an idea of what some different heating systems cost. There are plenty of brands and models to choose from. To make things simple, we narrowed down the list in a few ways.

 

First, we’re only featuring Energy Star-certified models. This means they’re proven to work efficiently without less functionality or performance than other models. As a result, they use fewer resources and cost less money to run. 

 

Next, we focused on heating systems that produce around 100,000 BTUs. This is the measure of how much heat it can produce. In colder areas like Rochester, 100,000 BTUs can accommodate homes around 2,000 square feet. 

 

However, getting a heater that is too powerful for your home is a bad idea. When all that heat has no place to go, it can damage your heating system or even break it beyond repair. Get exact measurements and professional recommendations before deciding on your furnace size. 

 

From there, we’re looking at the lowest, highest and mid-priced models from two major companies. Many options account for their prices. These include manufacturer warranties and 

 

Finally, we factor in the cost to install it. This makes a big difference. It takes anywhere from four to eight hours to put in a new heating system. 

 

With all that in mind, here’s a snapshot of what a new heating system costs in Rochester, NY. 

 

Let’s look at three high-quality brands: Trane, Carrier and Bryant. 

 

With these brands, heaters with more than 90 percent AFUE run between $2,000 and $3,000. AFUE stands for “annual fuel utilization efficiency.” It’s a measure of how much of the gas your furnace burns actually heats your home. 

 

At 90 percent AFUE, 90 percent of the gas goes toward heating. The rest is burned off through the exhaust. 

 

Then, there are less efficient options. Gas heaters with closer to 80 percent AFUE cost between $1,200 and $2,500. 

 

After that, however, you have to factor in the cost to install it. Replacing a furnace is a big job. And, it has to be done right.

 

As with any other any other work, a bad installation can cause your heating system to not work properly, But, it could also be a health hazard. A heater with leaks or other problems can leak carbon monoxide into your home. 

 

For these reasons, it’s important to use a qualified, certified technician with a good reputation. You don’t want to risk a job this big with a company with lower charges that cut corners. You also don’t want to use a fly-by-night operation that’s not around when there’s a problem. 

 

Of course, high-quality work is not cheap. It’s not unusual for a certified technician to cost between $75 and $150 an hour. 

 

Then, a heating system installation takes anywhere from four to eight hours. The exact time depends on things like the size of the heater and its location. It also takes longer if they need to work on the ducts. 

 

An average cost of just the installation is $2,600. That means, for instance, a $1,200 furnace can cost as much anywhere from $2,300 to $3,600. It’s also not unusual to pay between $4,000 or $5,000 in all. It depends a lot on the house and the ducts. 

 

Sometimes, an expense like this can’t be avoided. When a heater is old enough, it’s just time to replace it. However, proper maintenance can make a big, big difference. 

 

By having your heater serviced regularly, you’ll keep it running longer. Technicians can clean it out and replace any worn-out parts before they break down. Consider a service contract, especially for an older unit, to make sure it’s in grade shape.  

 

And, regular service will give a good heads-up if a replacement is down the line. A good HVAC company can let you know when your heating system is showing signs of slowing down.