New Gas Furnace Installation: Cost, Pros & Cons, Comparisons

Natural gas is one of the most important energy sources in the US, widely used for heating and electricity generation. Natural gas was used to generate 38.3% of US electricity last year, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), and 47.6% of homes use gas-fired heating systems according to the US Census Bureau.

A new gas furnace can help you reduce your home heating costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR unit with a high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE).

Here we will discuss how much you can expect to pay when installing a new gas-fired heating system, while giving some technical recommendations to achieve top performance. We will also discuss pros and cons of gas furnaces, providing a comparison with other home heating options.

Contrary to what the word “natural” might suggest, natural gas is a fossil fuel – it’s not considered a renewable energy source.

However, natural gas has much lower emissions than other fuels. For example, coal-fired power plants produce 2.23 lb of CO2 per kilowatt-hour generated, petroleum-fired power plants produce 2.13 lb CO2 per kWh, and gas-fired power plants only produce 0.91 lb CO2 per kWh (according to US EIA data).

How Much Does a New Gas Furnace Cost?

The cost of a natural gas furnace depends on many factors, including the rated heating capacity and energy efficiency (AFUE). As the square footage of your home increases, the heat input required to keep a suitable temperature also increases.

The heating capacity of a gas furnace is measured in BTU per hour of MBH (thousand BTU per hour); for example, 60,000 BTU/hour is equivalent to 60 MBH.

On average, you can expect to pay between $4,500 and $8,500 for a new gas furnace in the US, including installation costs, but not including the cost of new ducts. If your ducts are in good condition, you may be able to replace the existing furnace with minimal modifications to other HVAC components.

On the other hand, if your existing ducts require major modifications or you need a complete system for a new home, this can add around $5,500 – $15,500 to your budget.

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Best Mini-Split Systems for 2023: Buying Guide for Homeowners

Ductless mini-split units are a viable alternative to ducted HVAC systems, offering superior energy efficiency and a simpler installation.

Many mini-splits also have a reversible design, which means they can operate as air conditioners during summer and as heat pumps during winter. This means you’re combining two mechanical systems into one, saving on both equipment purchases and installation costs.

As you might imagine from their name, mini-splits are composed of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, which are connected by insulated refrigerant lines.

Mini-splits are called “ductless” because they don’t need air ducts like traditional HVAC installations, and “split” because they are divided into an indoor and outdoor unit.

The indoor unit circulates air from the room where you install it, lowering or raising its temperature according to the thermostat settings.

Here we will discuss the main advantages of mini-split units when compared with traditional window-type air conditioners and ducted systems. We will also review some of the best mini-split brands available in now for the upcoming year.

Pro Tip: Before upgrading your space heating or air conditioning system, make sure your home is properly insulated and seal any air leaks. This will reduce the workload on the new HVAC equipment, and you will achieve even greater energy savings.

Understanding Energy Efficiency Metrics for Mini-Split Units

When purchasing any type of equipment, having a numerical value that describes energy efficiency is very useful.

For example, we look at the gas mileage value (MPG) when comparing different types of cars, to get an idea of their fuel consumption. In the case of mini-split units, there are two energy efficiency metrics we need to consider.

  • The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER describes the efficiency of a mini-split air conditioner.
  • The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor of HSPF describes the efficiency of a mini-split heat pump.

A reversible mini-split capable of operating as either an air conditioner or a heat pump will have both metrics, a SEER for cooling mode and an HSPF for heating mode.

In both cases, a higher efficiency rating translates into less power consumption and lower electricity bills. Understanding these metrics is important before comparing mini-splits from different manufacturers.

The SEER can be defined as the average cooling output per unit of electricity consumed, during the season when air conditioning is typically used.

The cooling output is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU), while the electricity input is measured in watt-hours. This means you can estimate power consumption by dividing the rated cooling output (BTU/hour) by the SEER value.

  • As a quick example, consider a mini-split air conditioner with a rated cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU/hour and SEER 24 efficiency.
  • Dividing both values, you get an average power consumption of 500 W or 0.5 kW.

Assuming you use this air conditioner for 2,000 hours in a year, you can expect an electricity consumption of around 1,000 kWh. At an electricity tariff of 16 cents/kWh, this adds $160 to your annual power bills.

You should look for the highest possible SEER rating, regardless of the mini-split brand since high efficiency can save you hundreds of dollars in cooling over time.

If you repeat the calculation with the same cooling capacity (12,000 BTU/h) but a lower SEER rating of 13, the annual cooling cost increases to nearly $300.

The HSPF used by heat pumps is a similar concept: the average heating output per unit of electricity consumed. In the case of reversible mini-split units, you will notice that the HSPF for heat pump mode is typically lower than the SEER for air conditioning mode.

While the most efficient mini-split air conditioners reach a SEER of over 30, the most efficient mini-split heat pumps offer an HSPF of around 13-14. This happens because cold weather limits the efficiency of the refrigeration compression cycle used by mini-splits.

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New Skylight Installation Costs in 2022: Velux, Fakro, Kennedy

Skylights transform a room, bringing in the outdoors from above, like a window on the sky. Benefits include natural light that reduces the need for artificial lighting and room ventilation with skylights that open.

This skylight buying guide covers top brands, their products and prices, installation costs and skylight options.

Cost

On average, you can expect to pay between $1,750 and $3,250 to install a new fixed or vented skylight measuring up to 30 by 48 inches in size/window dimensions.

All else being equal, it will cost a lot less to install a new skylight during the construction of a new home.

Re-roofing is the next best time to install a new skylight on your property, while cutting-in a hole to install a skylight in the existing roof will be significantly more expensive.

Your home’s location and local real estate market, and a local cost of living will have a material impact on the total cost installed. The relative ease of roof access will also impact costs.

The table below provides a further breakdown of costs for materials and installation:

Low Average High
Skylight costs: $55-$250 $350-$850 $1,500-$2,200
Installation costs: $500-$1,000 $1,100-$1,800 $1,500-$2,500
Total installed cost: $555-$1,250 $1,450-$2,650 $3,000-$4,700
Features: Plastic
Fixed
Skylight or tube
Up to 22″
No blinds
Plastic or glass
Fixed or vented
Skylight or tube
Up to 30×48
Blinds optional
Manual or remote open
Electric or solar
Glass
Vented
Skylight
Up to 34×70
Blinds optional
Remote open
Electric or solar

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