How Much Does A Furnace Cost: Furnace Prices in Chicago, IL & Suburbs

If you are looking to replace your furnace in your home, or install a new furnace in Chicago, IL and the suburbs, furnace prices are probably first and foremost in your mind. Anyone who has had a furnace replaced in the last 5 years or so will tell you that prices can go from affordable to exorbitant pretty quickly, depending on features, size, and brand. To make matters worse, HVAC contractors in Chicago, IL also mark up their furnace prices to cover overhead and operational costs. While it may be tempting to search online for what a furnace actually costs, the price you see will not reflect installation and additional warranty protection.

It is the purpose of this article to inform the consumer about the factors that effect furnace prices, and to explain the benefits of choosing certain manufacturers and HVAC contractors to maximize savings. That being said, if you are looking to install a furnace yourself (or have your buddy do it) you can stop reading. We will not go into detail about furnace prices on wholesale websites. However, if you are a homeowner that is interested in saving money while getting the best equipment for your home, then please read on.

Furnace Prices Based on Manufacturer: What’s In A Name?

Let’s be honest. A Land Rover is pretty nice, but a Jeep Wrangler can out-perform it off road. While you may get a lot of bells and whistles on the ‘Rover, you will pay a lot less for the Wrangler. The same is not true for a furnace. While cars give you more for your money, furnaces essentially do the same thing. Also, as with cars, you can choose a more utilitarian option that will fill your basic need … heat.

So why are some furnace brands more expensive than others?
Simply put, they can charge more for name recognition. Also, they have to charge more to cover the advertising costs to obtain that level of name recognition. While these manufacturers claim that longevity and higher quality materials make their product more dependable, our technicians regularly pull 20+ year old budget brand furnaces out of homes. Basically what it comes down to is maintaining your furnace annually, and choosing a brand with the best warranty protection. So let’s break down some furnace prices by manufacturer and what warranty protection they provide.

Furnace Prices Based on Brand & Warranty Protection

Trane Furnace Prices

“Nothing stops a Trane” or so they say. That is until you see the price. Trane manufactures furnaces that achieve 95% efficiency and beyond. You can employ all of the bells and whistles, such as variable speeds, single & two-stage heating, or you could rock the bare bones 80% efficiency furnace. It is our opinion that homeowners install a higher efficiency furnace to maximize savings reaped from tax credits, energy company incentives, as well as monthly energy savings. That being said, Trane furnace prices for installation average around $3,560*.

Warranty Coverage:

• Limited Lifetime Warranty on the Heat Exchanger
• 10 years parts on internal functioning components
• Extended warranties available for purchase.

Value Score: 7 out of 10

American Standard Furnace Prices

People have strong opinions about brands. American Standard enjoys a loyal following and has a reputation for having fewer repairs needed over the lifetime of their furnaces. American Standard makes heating and cooling equipment … they also make toilets. I guess the key to maximizing profits is through product diversity. I cannot deny that American Standard makes a decent product, as I own toilet and I used to own an AC. I recently replaced that AC with a Rheem. Why? Well, the house came with an American Standard furnace and it was 12 years old when it developed a problem with the compressor. Honestly, my decision came down to price, because the warranty and equipment are essentially the same. If you are willing to pay a premium for the name, you can find furnace models that are high efficiency up to 95%+ as well as variable speeds and stages. Furnace prices are steep on the American Standard and you will pay on average of $3,620* for one.

Warranty Coverage:

• Limited Lifetime Warranty on the Heat Exchanger
• 10 years parts on internal functioning components
• Extended warranties available for purchase.

Value Score: 6.5 out of 10

Carrier Furnace Prices

Well, let’s face it, Carrier did invent modern day air conditioning in 1902. They have a solid record of manufacturing heating and cooling equipment such as furnaces. They are also a force to be reckoned with when it comes to commercial equipment such as chillers, and industrial refrigeration equipment. While that is all well and good, they are pricey when it comes to your basic home heating needs. That being said, they do come in a little cheaper on average than the Trane and the American Standard. This gives them a better Value Score overall. Just as the brands above, you can get your Carrier furnace in multiple configurations such as efficiencies of 95%+, variable speed options, and single or 2-stage operation. Average Carrier furnace prices come in around $3,095*.

Warranty Coverage:

• Limited Lifetime Warranty (or 20 years depending on model) on the Heat Exchanger
• 10 years parts on internal functioning components
• Extended warranties available for purchase.

Value Score: 8 out of 10

Amana Furnace Prices

Fortunately for homeowners, the competition for your dollars has heated up. Lesser known companies such as Amana have launched an all out offensive on the Goliaths in the heating and air conditioning world. Since 1934, beginning with the invention of the walk-in cooler, Amana has been producing some of the best home appliances available. This legacy continues with their furnaces. They have invested heavily in a new manufacturing facilities in Tennessee & Texas, and offer the strongest warranty around. This warranty and the lower price of the equipment results in a value score that is the highest in our list. Amana furnace prices average around $2,385.

Warranty Coverage:

• Limited Lifetime Warranty on the Heat Exchanger w/ Lifetime Unit Replacement 
• 10 years parts on internal functioning components
• Extended warranties available for purchase.

Value Score: 9 out of 10

If you are interested in learning more about furnace prices in Chicago, IL and the surrounding communities, contact Polar Heating and Air Conditioning today for a FREE estimate. We offer professional installation as well as supplemental labor warranties for all furnace manufactures.

*All prices based on figures from homeadvisor.com. These furnace price examples are an average. There are many considerations when it comes to replacing your furnace and the cost’s associated with it. For example, larger homes require larger equipment, or your installation may require additional labor, parts, etc. Take these prices with a grain of salt and contact multiple HVAC Contractors in Chicago, IL to obtain the best price.