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The cost to install a furnace in Oklahoma ranges from $2,800 to $8,000. Most homeowners pay around $4,200 on average.

After reading those prices, you’re probably wondering what causes the price to increase or decrease.

The cost to install your furnace will go up or down depending on the following cost factors:

• The fuel type of the furnace
• The size of the system
• The efficiency of the system
• Additional comfort and performance features
• Installation considerations
• The contractor you hire

To give you a better understanding of how these cost factors affect price, we’ll look at each one in more detail below.

Want a quote to install a furnace in your home? At Prudhom, we offer upfront, flat-rate pricing and honest recommendations on the right furnace for your home.

Cost factor #1: The fuel type of the furnace

In general, gas furnaces cost more to install than electric furnaces. The reason gas furnaces are more expensive is because they require special ventilation, which increases material and labor costs.

That said, natural gas is a cheaper fuel source than electricity, so a gas furnace will cost less to operate each month. Because of the long-term savings provided by a gas furnace, we usually recommend choosing a gas unit over an electric one. 

Note: If your home doesn’t already have access to natural gas, it may be too expensive to add gas lines. In that case, an electric furnace may be the best option for your home.

Cost factor #2: The size of the system

When we talk about the “size” of a furnace, we’re talking about its heating output. Furnaces with a greater heating output are more expensive than units with a smaller heating output.

The heating output of a furnace is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). Residential furnaces range anywhere from 40,000 to 150,000 BTUs.

After reading about furnace size, you may think a furnace with a greater heating capacity is best. However, that’s not necessarily the case. 

You see, choosing a furnace that’s too big (or too small) can result in problems such as:

• Uncomfortable indoor temperatures
• Increased energy bills
• Frequent equipment breakdowns

To avoid those problems, a professional will calculate the right size furnace for your home by looking at factors such as:

• The insulation levels of your home
• The condition of your home’s ductwork
• The square footage of your home
• The number of bedrooms in your home
• And more

Cost factor #3: The efficiency of the furnace

The higher the efficiency of a furnace, the more expensive it will be. However, energy-efficient furnaces cost less to operate, which can save you money in the long run.

Furnace efficiency is measured by its AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) percentage. The higher the AFUE percentage, the higher the efficiency of the furnace.

To help you better understand AFUE percentages, let’s compare 2 types of gas furnaces:

• Standard gas furnaces usually range from 80% to 89% AFUE. If you get an 80% AFUE furnace, that means $0.80 of every dollar you spend goes directly towards heating your home, while $0.20 worth of fuel is wasted.

• Condensing gas furnaces range from 90% to 98% AFUE. Because they can extract more heat from the same amount of fuel as a standard furnace, they are more energy efficient. If you choose a 98% AFUE condensing furnace, $0.98 of every dollar you spend on heating goes directly towards heating your home, while only $0.02 is wasted.

When picking an AFUE percentage, you’ll need to find the right balance between upfront cost and long-term savings. An HVAC professional can help you determine the best efficiency for your furnace based on your budget and comfort needs.

Cost factor #4: Additional comfort and performance features

Upgrading your furnace will increase the cost of the equipment, which raises the overall cost of the installation.

Examples of comfort and performance upgrades include:

• Modulating burners: In gas furnaces, modulating burners adjust heat incrementally, depending on how much heat is required to bring your home to your desired temperature. These highly-efficient burners can cut your energy costs and keep your home more comfortable, but they will increase the upfront cost of the furnace.
• Variable-speed fan motor: A variable-speed fan motor can adjust the fan speed incrementally to provide consistent heating, which also reduces the fan’s energy consumption. Choosing a variable-speed fan motor will raise the cost of the furnace, but will make the furnace more energy efficient.
• Smart thermostat: A smart thermostat gives you the ability to control your thermostat from any smart device via WiFi, which means you can adjust the temperature even when you’re out of the house. Adding a smart thermostat will slightly increase the overall cost of the furnace installation.

Cost factor #5: Installation considerations

If the HVAC installation team needs to make modifications to your home to accommodate the new furnace, the price of the installation will increase.

Examples of possible modifications include:

• Fixing broken ductwork: A furnace is only as good as the ductwork that supports it. If your ducts are in bad condition, the HVAC technician will likely recommend that they be replaced or repaired before installing your furnace. 
• Upgrading the electrical panel: If you opt for an electric furnace, the technician may need to upgrade your electrical panel to support the new furnace.
• Zoning your home: Zoning gives you the ability to set specific temperatures for each area of your home. Creating a zoned HVAC system will require extra labor and materials, so the overall cost of the installation will be greater.

Cost factor #6: The contractor you hire

Generally, when it comes to hiring a contractor for a furnace installation, you get what you pay for.

High-quality, experienced contractors charge more for their services, but they also do good work. Some contractors offer lower prices, but they may size your furnace incorrectly or do poor installation work because they rush through the job. 

Because a furnace is such a big investment, we recommend taking the time to find a reputable, experienced contractor. That way, you’ll avoid a sloppy installation job that could lead to expensive repairs and frequent breakdowns in the future. 

To find a high-quality contractor, make sure they:

• Give upfront cost estimates in writing
• Are insured and licensed
• Offer guarantees or warranties on their labor
• Have positive customer reviews on sites such as Google and Better Business Bureau

If the contractor meets the above criteria, chances are they will install your furnace correctly and you’ll have a good experience working with them.

Want a quote to install a new furnace?

Our heating specialists can give you upfront, honest pricing and help you choose the right furnace for your home. When you hire Prudhom, you can count on our technicians to install your furnace correctly—the first time.

Learn more about our guarantees and what to expect when you hire us by visiting our furnace installation page.