The cheapest furnaces usually cost between $1,000 and $1,500. Some brands that offer low-priced furnaces in this price range are Ducane, Trane, and Blueridge.
Additionally, if you can spend a little more to get some extra features, you can find a lot of reasonably priced furnaces between $2,000 and $5,000.
When you’re looking at models in these price ranges, it’s important to remember you might have to make some concessions with the one you choose. Cheaper furnaces might not be as energy efficient, or they might not provide as much heating power as higher-end models. However, for the average home on a budget, they should do well for most people’s needs. Understanding furnace efficiency can significantly impact the overall cost of ownership, as more efficient models can lead to substantial energy savings over time.
What Factors Affect Gas Furnace Costs?
Several factors can contribute to furnaces costing more or less to buy and operate. Let’s review each aspect to help you make an educated choice:
- Fuel type: Furnaces can run on gas, oil, or electricity. Oil furnaces are generally the cheapest upfront, but they’re less efficient, so they’ll cost more to operate. Electric furnaces will generally be the most expensive upfront but cost the least to run. Gas furnaces are a popular choice, landing in the mid-range in both purchase price and operating expenses.
- Efficiency rating: When reviewing furnaces, you’ll commonly see an efficiency rating somewhere in the specs. The most common efficiency ratings are SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) or AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency). Units with better efficiency in either category will be higher-priced to buy upfront, but an efficient furnace can help lower your energy bills over the long term, since they use less energy to produce heat and warm air.
- Size and capacity: Furnace heating capacity is measured in BTUs (British thermal units). This tells you how large of a space they can heat. Generally, it’s recommended to have a furnace with 30 BTUs per square foot of a house. So, if you had a 1,000-square-foot house, you’d need a 30,000 BTU furnace to heat your whole space. The more BTUs, the more expensive the furnace will be. Heating output is crucial as it determines the actual efficiency and effectiveness of the furnace in maintaining comfortable temperatures, especially in colder climates.
- Installation costs: In addition to buying the furnace itself, you also need to consider the cost of installing it. The layout of your home can make installation more complex for certain types of furnaces, so it’s often a good idea to get a quote from an HVAC professional before deciding on what type of unit to buy.
- Forced air furnace: A forced air furnace is an efficient heating solution, particularly for homeowners facing high energy costs. These furnaces come in various models, including natural gas and electric options. They offer quick heating and are relatively easy to maintain compared to other systems, making them a popular choice for many households.
How to Find Cheap Furnaces?
If you’ve received quotes from HVAC companies and looked at some local retailers, you might feel like you’re struggling to find cheaper units. However, there are some options that can help you get lower prices. Finding the right deals can lead to substantial savings and help you stay warm for less.
A good place to start is looking for options in your area to price compare. Searches like “cheap furnaces for sale near California” or “cheap furnaces for sale near Texas” can help. Additionally, you could try to find sales and cheaper prices by searching for things like “gas furnace clearance sale.” Consider furnaces that can be converted to run-on propane gas for added versatility and efficiency.
If you’re looking for a good place to start without a lot of searching, we offer some of the most affordable prices right here at Surplus City Liquidators. We buy in bulk and secure deals from manufacturers so we can pass the savings on to you, even for the top brands on the market. You can buy from us online or stop in at one of our showrooms in Indiana, Florida, or Texas.
How Long Does a Cheap Furnace Last with Good Efficiency?
While cheaper furnaces don’t always have the highest-quality parts or features, they can still last a long time if they’re well-maintained. The average cheap furnace can last up to 10-15 years. Some can even last up to 20 years, especially if it’s an electric furnace since they tend to last a bit longer than oil or gas models. A crucial component in maintaining furnace efficiency and longevity is the heat exchanger, which plays a significant role in the heating performance of both gas and electric furnaces.
Some tips to ensure yours lasts a long time are:
- Get regular maintenance done. It’s always recommended to schedule an annual tune-up with a local HVAC company to ensure your furnace is in good working order. Early fall is usually a good time to schedule this before you need it in the winter.
- Change your filter every three months to maintain proper airflow and prevent strain on the furnace.
- Manage your thermostat. Avoid setting the temperature in your home too high or too low to prevent your furnace from overworking. A good setting for most people is 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you notice any issues, get them checked right away. Small issues like leaks or strange noises can be signs of problems starting. It’s better to get them checked early to prevent more severe problems that hurt your furnace’s lifespan.
Can I Install My Own Heating System?
When you’re looking for cheap furnaces and on a budget, it’s common to wonder about doing the installation yourself to save money. However, it’s generally not recommended to do so unless you have significant HVAC knowledge. Understanding your heating system is crucial before attempting installation, as it ensures you are aware of the complexities involved.
Furnace installation can be dangerous and complex if you don’t have the right tools or take the necessary precautions. So, to avoid injuries or unnecessary damage to your new furnace, it’s often better to have trained professionals do the installation for you.
It’s never a bad idea to get quotes for the installation from multiple companies in your area, ensuring you get a good price while avoiding the hassle of trying to do it on your own.
Are Electric Furnaces Cheaper to Run for Efficient Heating?
Electric furnaces are usually cheaper to run and better for the environment. While they do cost more to buy initially, many people find it a worthwhile investment because they can reduce your electric bills by up to 30%. Plus, installing one now could help future-proof your home since more HVAC systems are going electric. High-efficiency electric furnaces can significantly reduce utility costs by improving heating and cooling performance.
That said, if you’re searching for a gas furnace clearance sale near me and seeing tons of options or a big discount on oil furnaces somewhere, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider those options. Gas and oil furnaces can still be good choices, especially if you find lower-priced units when money is tight. Single-stage gas furnaces, for example, are known for their reliability and performance, though they may not be as efficient as two-stage or variable-speed systems.
Where to Find Cheap Furnaces for Sale Near You?
When you’re looking for cheap furnaces in your area, a good place to start is local retailers or manufacturers. As mentioned earlier, you can search for things like “cheap furnaces for sale near me” to help you find options around you. If you don’t have an immediate need for a new furnace, it never hurts to shop around and price compare until you find the right option.
Additionally, you can watch out for clearance sales and promotions at local retailers. Many HVAC stores will have sales on furnaces in the spring or summer since most customers aren’t looking for heating solutions during those warmer months.
Used furnaces are also an option. However, if you’re looking at cheap furnaces for sale on Craiglist, Facebook Marketplace, or other local listings, you have to be careful about what you buy. Make sure you ask about the age of the unit, its repair history, how many owners it’s had, and if it’s still under warranty. If you can’t find this information, it might be a good idea to pass on the unit.
That said, in some areas, you might feel like you’ve exhausted all your local options and still haven’t found the right furnace in your budget. You can still buy furnaces from discount retailers online at great prices and get them conveniently shipped to your home. We can help you find great deals right here in our online store at Surplus City Liquidators.
Conclusion
Overall, even if you’re on a budget, you still have many good options for finding a cheap furnace that’ll keep your home warm during the winter. Here are some final tips to consider to help in your purchasing process:
- Know your budget. While it can feel tempting to buy the furnace with all the bells and whistles, that isn’t always necessary for the average home. Know how much you can spend and stick to it.
- Consider energy costs. Review what your energy bills have typically been during the winter when your furnace is running. That’ll give you a good baseline to make your decision. If you find a cheap furnace that isn’t as efficient as your previous one, know that those ongoing energy expenses will increase.
- Get an installation quote for different types of furnaces before buying. HVAC professionals can review your current setup and tell you which types of furnaces will be easiest to install. For instance, if you find a cheap gas furnace but currently have an electric furnace, installation could cost more if your home doesn’t have natural gas lines already available.
Find Cheap Furnaces for Sale at Surplus City Liquidators
When you need the best prices on cheap furnaces for sale, Surplus City Liquidators has you covered. Our team aims to bring you the best prices on furnaces, air conditioners, and accessories to solve all your heating and cooling needs on a budget. We do so by buying in bulk from manufacturers so we can pass savings on to you.
You can shop and compare prices on our website and have a furnace shipped to you, or stop in at one of our showrooms in Florida, Indiana, or Texas. Either way, we’re here to help you find a suitable unit in your price range.
Start shopping today, or contact us with any other questions.
