REPAIR OR REPLACE?
Should You Repair or Replace Your Furnace?
If your furnace is under 10 years old and needs a single part, repairing it usually makes sense. If it is 15 years old or older, needs a major repair, or has needed repairs several winters in a row, replacing it is usually the better investment. Every situation is different, though, and the right choice depends on your needs, your budget, and how long you plan to stay in your home.
The sections below cover a few more ways to figure out what's right for you. Or schedule an appointment, and Howell Heating will help you decide which option makes sense for your home. Estimates on new furnaces are always free.
How long do furnaces last in Minnesota?
Most gas furnaces last about 15-20 years. Minnesota winters are long, so a furnace here runs more hours each year than it would in a milder climate. How long yours lasts depends on how well it was sized and installed, how often you change the filter, and whether you've maintained it over the years.
Once a furnace passes 15 years, it is smart to start planning for a replacement. Replacing it on your own schedule means you get to choose the right equipment, instead of taking whatever is available on the coldest night of the year.
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What is the $5,000 rule for furnaces?
The $5,000 rule is a quick way to think through a repair. Multiply your furnace's age by the cost of the repair. If the total is more than $5,000, replacing the furnace is usually the smarter choice. If it is under $5,000, repairing it usually makes sense.
For example: a $400 repair on a 15-year-old furnace brings the total to $6,000, which points toward replacing it. A $250 repair on an 8-year-old furnace comes to $2,000, which points toward repairing.
However, this is a starting point, not a one-size-fits-all answer. Safety, energy efficiency, and how long you plan to stay in your home also matter, and we are happy to talk it through with you.
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Is it worth replacing a 30-year-old furnace?
In almost every case, yes. Furnaces from that era often ran at 80% efficiency or less, while today's high-efficiency furnaces reach 95% or higher. That difference shows up on your gas bill every winter.
Age also brings bigger risks. Replacement parts for older models can be hard to find, and an aging heat exchanger can crack, letting carbon monoxide into your home. If your 30-year-old furnace is still running, the best time to replace it is before it quits, not during a January cold snap.
What does a furnace replacement cost in Minnesota?
There is no single price because every home is different. That is why we give every homeowner a free estimate instead of a one-size-fits-all number. The main things that affect the cost are:
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The size of your home and how much heat it needs
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Efficiency. A standard 80% furnace costs less up front. A 95%+ high-efficiency furnace costs more but uses less gas every winter.
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Single-stage, two-stage, or modulating. Two-stage and modulating furnaces run quieter and heat more evenly.
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Venting and gas line changes. Moving from an older furnace to a high-efficiency model usually means new PVC venting and a condensate drain.
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Ductwork. Undersized ducts can hold back even a brand-new furnace.
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Replacing your air conditioner at the same time, if it is also near the end of its life.
Rebates on New Equipment
New high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps often qualify for utility and manufacturer rebates. The catch is the paperwork, and missing a deadline can mean missing the rebate. As a Trade Ally (for both CenterPoint and Xcel Energy), Howell Heating handles the rebate and paperwork when we install new equipment, so you get what you're entitled to without the hassle. See available rebates on Lennox Furnaces.
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Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy both operate active rebate programs in 2026, funded through Minnesota’s Conservation Improvement Program. They include ACs, heat pumps, ductless systems, high-efficiency furnaces, and qualifying thermostats.
Signs it may be time to replace your furnace
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It is 15 years old or older
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It has needed repairs two or more winters in a row
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Your gas bills keep climbing even though your usage hasn't changed
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Some rooms stay cold no matter how you set the thermostat
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It is making new rattling, banging, or squealing noises
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You see a yellow or flickering burner flame, or soot around the furnace
If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, leave the house right away and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
When repairing makes more sense
If your furnace is fairly new, still under warranty, or the problem is a single part like an igniter, flame sensor, or pressure switch, a repair is usually the right call. We will tell you that. If a simple repair will get you several more good winters, we would rather fix it than sell you a furnace you don't need.
Why homeowners choose Howell Heating for furnace replacement
Howell Heating is a family-owned heating and air conditioning company serving Forest Lake, Scandia, Hugo, and the north metro since 2004. When it is time for a new furnace, you want it done quickly and done right. We can often install your new furnace within a day or two of your estimate, and the work is done by our own small, local team, not handed off to a subcontractor you have never met.
We carry and are factory-trained on Lennox® and Carrier®, and we also service all major brands, so we can help regardless of what brand is currently installed in your home. All new furnaces we install come with a 10-year manufacturer parts warranty, a 20-year heat exchanger warranty, and a 2-year Howell Heating labor warranty. Our office handles your rebate and warranty paperwork, and our pricing is fair and upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions About Furnace Replacement
How long does a furnace replacement take?
When it's time for a new furnace, Howell Heating can often install it within a day or two with our small, local team, and our office handles your rebate paperwork. If your home needs new venting, gas line changes, or ductwork, we will let you know ahead of time how that affects the schedule.
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Should I replace my air conditioner at the same time?
Not always. If your air conditioner is also getting older, replacing both together can save on labor and give you a matched system designed to work together. If your AC still has good years left, we will tell you that too.
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Do you offer free estimates?
Estimates on new equipment installs are always free, including furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, mini-splits, boilers, and garage heaters. We handle repairs as a service call.
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What brands do you work on?
We carry and are factory-trained on Lennox® and Carrier®, and we also service all major brands, so we can help regardless of what brand is currently installed in your home. That includes Trane, American Standard, Goodman, Amana, Rheem, Ruud, York, Bryant, and more.
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Get a Free Furnace Estimate
Not sure whether to repair or replace? Call Howell Heating at 651-398-1100, and we will give you a straight answer. Estimates on new furnaces are always free. We serve Forest Lake, Scandia, Hugo, Wyoming, Marine on St. Croix, Columbus, Stillwater, White Bear Lake, Lino Lakes, Chisago City, and the surrounding north metro.