Furnaces & Heating
Furnace replacement and installation
Replacing a furnace means choosing between an 80% furnace that vents through the existing chimney or flue and a 90%-plus condensing furnace that vents through PVC pipe and needs a condensate drain. Most installs take one day and need a mechanical permit.
- Same-day service when a technician is available
- Serving the Kansas City metro
- Quote before work
Many older Kansas City homes, especially the brick and frame houses in Brookside, Waldo and Overland Park's first-ring suburbs, have basement furnaces that vent into a masonry chimney. Moving to a high-efficiency furnace means new PVC venting and often a chimney liner for the water heater left behind.
In a climate with 4,700-plus heating degree days a year, a condensing furnace pays back faster than it would farther south, but the venting work has to be planned.
Furnace replacement at a glance
- Install time
- One day for most basements
- Venting
- Chimney for 80%; PVC for 90%+
- Permit
- Required by most metro cities
Signs you need furnace replacement
- Furnace is 18–20 years old or more
- Cracked heat exchanger found
- Repeated repairs in the last two winters
- Uneven heat and rising gas bills
- Yellow, lazy burner flames
How the technician handles it
- 1
Assess
The contractor sizes the furnace, checks the ductwork, gas line and venting, and looks at the chimney.
- 2
Options
You get written quotes for 80% and 96% models, single-stage or variable-speed.
- 3
Install
Remove the old furnace, set the new one, and connect gas, venting, condensate and the AC coil.
- 4
Commission
Check gas pressure, combustion, temperature rise and CO, then schedule the permit inspection.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on what the technician finds, so the contractor quotes on site. These are the main factors:
- 80% vs. 90%+ efficiency
- Venting changes and chimney liner
- Single-stage, two-stage or modulating burner
- Whether the AC coil is replaced at the same time
- Spire or Kansas Gas Service rebates, when offered
Frequently asked questions
How long does a furnace last?
Typically 15 to 20 years with maintenance. Cracked heat exchangers and failing inducer motors are common end-of-life signs.
Is a 96% furnace worth it in Kansas City?
Usually, given the long heating season, unless the venting changes would be unusually expensive. The contractor should show both options.
Furnace replacement across Kansas City
Related services
Guides
Need furnace replacement in Kansas City?
Same-day service when a technician is available. One call connects you with a licensed HVAC contractor who serves your ZIP.