Washington homeowner weighs a $7,000 furnace repair with a 60-day warranty against a $22,300 system replacement

Getting more quotes and a clear diagnosis may help determine whether repair or replacement makes more sense.

A homeowner in Washington was told that replacing the heating system would cost more than $22,300 after the furnace started pushing out only cold air. The other option was a repair priced at over $7,000, but it came with just a 60-day warranty.

What to know

The first-time homeowner asked the Reddit community r/HVACAdvice for guidance. The original Trane furnace in the house dated back to the late 1980s, and the heat pump had been installed in 2006.

According to the post, the replacement estimate called for an 80%-efficient, two-stage Daikin gas furnace and a two-ton Daikin heat pump rated at 16 SEER. The local contractor’s bid also included labor and permits for replacing both units.

For the homeowner, one question was whether Daikin was a dependable brand. Another was whether the estimate was in line with prices in the greater Seattle area.

Homeowners comparing similar projects can look to Palmetto for help understanding HVAC options and lowering energy costs with newer, more efficient heating and cooling systems. Its Comfort Plan network connects homeowners with vetted installers and energy-saving solutions.

More context

The responses on Reddit included price comparisons, though none could be independently verified as identical installations. One Washington HVAC technician said Seattle prices can run higher, but noted receiving a quote of a little more than $11,000 for a two-ton dual-fuel system.

A reported installation in Tacoma was not directly comparable because the equipment was different. The commenter said a four-ton Trane system there cost $19,000, which was their second-lowest bid, and advised asking whether a furnace was actually necessary.

No single homeowner’s experience proves that every product from a manufacturer will perform poorly. Among the comments was one owner’s complaint about a thermostat and defrost performance in Pacific Northwest conditions.

What can be done?

For the Seattle homeowner, gathering more estimates and requesting a specific diagnosis could help clarify whether the system should be repaired or replaced.

The Washington technician who commented on the post asked, “Did they say what was wrong with the system? Over 7k seems really high for almost any repair on a residential system.” The commenter also suggested checking whether the contractor is owned by a private-equity firm.

Upgrading heating and cooling is one of the most effective ways to reduce utility bills and soften the impact of rising energy prices. For homeowners who are not ready to pay upfront, Palmetto’s Comfort Plan includes $0-down options that can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 50%. It also includes 12 years of free maintenance.

Homeowners can also combine solar panels with electric appliances, including efficient HVAC systems, to drive energy costs even lower. EasyHome helps users compare solar options and find the best system and installer for their home and budget.

For the original poster, affordability did not remove the uncertainty of a major home decision. “We are fortunate enough to be able to afford this, but it’s also foreign territory to us. Does this price seem reasonable for the work being done?”

Where to learn more

Other homeowners have also faced difficult choices between expensive HVAC repairs and full replacements.

• A homeowner dealing with 105-degree heat received a $22,000 replacement quote after the AC failed.

• HVAC technicians questioned a $6,000 repair quote, saying it may have been an upsell.

• After three HVAC quotes of about $9,500 each, a homeowner was told a $1,500 repair might be enough.

• A homeowner was pitched a $14,000 furnace replacement over a rusty bolt that others considered acceptable.

• After a compressor failed, a homeowner challenged a $10,000 replacement quote and looked for cheaper alternatives.