It’s important to have your furnace inspected at least once a year, usually near the end of summer before the cold starts to settle in. If you wait until you need your furnace to find out there’s an issue, you risk spending some cold days without heat—and any required repairs will be significantly more expensive.

Fortunately, furnace inspections are fairly cheap and can help you avoid (or at least be prepared for) costly system repairs. To help you estimate the cost of your furnace inspection,

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How much does a termite inspection cost?

Furnace inspections range in price from around $75 up to about $125, depending on different factors. Here’s what will affect the cost of a furnace inspection:

Home size: A large part of the inspection cost is dependent on the overall size of your home. That will determine the size and type of HVAC system you have.

Location: The climate and average temperature will also play a part in determining the cost of your furnace inspection. Areas where cold weather is more common will have a higher demand for furnace inspections—which drives up the cost.

Time of year: During the colder months, demand for furnace inspections will rise, as will average inspection rates.

Most standard home inspections will not include a comprehensive furnace inspection, so it’s a good idea to arrange for a comprehensive HVAC and furnace inspection if you’re buying or selling a home.

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What is included in a furnace inspection?

A furnace inspection covers a surprisingly wide array of services—especially considering that the typical furnace inspection only takes about an hour or two. Here’s a full breakdown of the issues a furnace inspection typically checks for:

Clogged blowers

Dirty/clogged filters

Pipe cracks/leaks

Heat exchanger cracks/leaks

Ductwork cracks/leaks

Malfunctioning burners

General performance and lubrication checks

Pilot light issues and color check

Malfunctioning thermostat

Wiring issues

Combustion gas output issues

Unusual sounds/smells coming from the furnace

Furnace motor problems

General efficiency issues

While the inspection can identify these issues and determine the cause, it won’t include repairs for any issues that are discovered—that will be a separate expense.

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Do I need a furnace inspection?

You should get a furnace inspection at least once a year to help you preempt any major issues in your system. That way, you can have any required repairs done before the cold season, and you’ll avoid dangerous gas leaks.

On top of your regular annual furnace inspection, you should also have one done if you’re ever selling a home. The cursory inspection done during a general home inspection satisfies the legal obligation for HVAC safety in most states, but it doesn’t provide a comprehensive examination of your furnace. To reassure potential buyers, it’s a good idea to have a separate furnace inspection done.

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Signs of a damaged furnace

Routine maintenance and home sales are two of the most common reasons why you might need a furnace inspection—but they’re not the only reasons. You should also order a furnace inspection if you notice any signs that your furnace is damaged or not working properly.

Here are a few of the common warning signs that you should watch out for:

Gas odor (urgent). If you smell gas in your home, always assume that the situation is serious and dangerous. You should leave the home immediately and contact the fire department for a furnace inspection.

Banging sounds (urgent). Loud banging souls coming from your furnace is another urgent problem. It’s most likely caused by small internal explosions caused by clogged burners. You should shut off the furnace, leave the house, and have the furnace inspected ASAP.

Clicking sounds (urgent). If your furnace is making constant clicking sounds, it’s probably having trouble lighting—which could be caused by a variety of issues and might mean there is gas building up. You should shut off the furnace and have it inspected right away.

Unresponsive system. If your house doesn’t warm up at all when you turn on your heat, it’s a sure sign that there’s something wrong with your furnace and/or your thermostat.

Inefficient system. If your energy bill has increased lately, it might be because your system is working harder than it should in order to warm your house—which is likely caused by an issue with your furnace.

Erratic behavior. If your furnace cycles on and off very quickly, there’s likely a malfunction that needs attention.

Strange sounds. If you hear squawking, squealing, or metallic grinding sounds, there’s almost certainly a furnace issue that should be inspected.

Furnace inspection and repair involve dealing with some delicate systems and some dangerous elements. You should never attempt any DIY furnace care beyond the standard maintenance chores that are needed to keep the furnace running smoothly. These include changing the furnace filters every third month, checking the carbon monoxide detectors once a month, and clearing away any dust or clutter from around the furnace.

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Furnace repair costs

If a furnace inspection turns up any issues, you’ll need to get them repaired, which is another expense altogether. The average cost of a furnace repair is approximately $300, with most repairs falling somewhere between $130 and $500, depending on the nature and extent of the repair. In extreme cases, furnace repairs can sometimes cost up to $1,300, but that is uncommon.

If it turns out that your furnace needs to be replaced, on the other hand, the cost is going to be much higher. The cost of replacing a furnace is usually between $3,000 and $8,000—depending on the size and quality of the new system.

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The best companies for a furnace inspection

Most HVAC companies can provide a satisfactory furnace inspection for you. A web search of local HVAC companies is usually the best way to find a furnace inspection professional. Be careful though—not all inspectors will provide the same quality of service or the same deals.

As you’re looking for a suitable furnace inspection company, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Make sure that company that you choose is fully licensed and certified for HVAC work in your state.

Compare quotes from multiple companies to ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible.

Check the company’s online reviews to see what sort of experience past customers have had.

Keep an eye out for hidden fees. A lot of HVAC companies advertise cheap or free inspections, but then charge you all sorts of additional fees. Ask a lot of questions and make sure to get a firm quote before deciding on a company.

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How to save on homeowners insurance

Staying up to date on your furnace inspections and maintenance is an important part of ensuring that your household is warm and safe throughout the winter. Another important safety precaution you can take is saving money on your homeowners insurance using

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The entire Jerry process only takes about 15-20 minutes and saves users an average of $800+ a year! That’s more than enough to cover the cost of annual furnace inspections and maintenance! Plus, you can also use Jerry to reduce the cost of your

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