Start with the free checks: a new filter, the right thermostat setting and open vents fix more cold houses than any repair. After that, a heating tune-up runs $150–$450, a smart thermostat $200–$450, and a new gas furnace $2,800–$8,000 installed.
Free first: new filter, thermostat set to Heat with fresh batteries, every vent open
Tune-up (furnace + AC): $150–$450
Smart thermostat, installed: $200–$450
One cold room: a 12,000 BTU mini-split costs $2,500–$5,600
New gas furnace: $2,800–$8,000. Heat pump: $5,500–$12,500
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 45+ American pricing sources · See methodology
01 / PricesUSA · November 2026
Heating fixes ranked by cost (2026)
National prices, cheapest first. Your city's prices are on the HVAC cost guide.
Heating fixes ranked by cost (2026)Installed, low to high with the typical price marked.
Change the air filter. A clogged filter is the most common reason a furnace runs and runs but the house stays cold. If you can't see light through it, swap it.
Check the thermostat. It should say Heat (not Cool, Off or Fan On), set a few degrees above the room temperature. Put in new batteries.
Open every vent and move furniture and rugs off the vents and the big return grilles.
Check the power. Furnaces have an on/off switch near the unit that looks like a light switch, plus a breaker in the panel. Flip the breaker off and on once.
Smell gas? Leave the house now and call your gas company from outside. Don't flip switches or try to relight anything.
02
Save money
Cheap fixes that often solve it
A tune-up ($150–$450) cleans the burners and flame sensor, checks the igniter and blower, and catches small faults before they leave you with no heat. Many furnaces that keep shutting off just need a dirty flame sensor cleaned.
A smart thermostat ($200–$450) won't add heat, but it fixes the wrong schedules and short cycling that make a house feel cold.
03
When one room is always cold
Usually it's the ducts: leaky or crushed ducts, or a room far from the furnace. Duct cleaning runs $300–$700, but sealing and fixing the ducts often helps more. For a room that never warms up (a garage conversion, an addition, a bedroom over the garage), a one-zone mini-split heat pump costs $2,500–$5,600 installed and heats just that room.
04
When it's time to replace
Price a replacement if your furnace is over 15 years old, needs a big repair, or a technician finds a cracked heat exchanger (a carbon monoxide risk). A new gas furnace runs $2,800–$8,000 installed. A heat pump that heats and cools runs $5,500–$12,500.
The federal 25C tax credit for furnaces and heat pumps ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025, so 2026 prices have no federal credit. Many utilities still pay rebates: ask yours before you sign.
Get two written quotes for the same size and efficiency, and make sure each includes removing the old unit, permits and any duct changes.
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05 / Questions3 answers
Heating not keeping up?: FAQ
Why is my house cold when the heat is on?
Most often a clogged filter, a thermostat on the wrong setting, or blocked vents. If those are fine, a tune-up ($150–$450) finds dirty flame sensors, failing igniters and blower problems.
How much is a heating tune-up?
$150–$450 for the furnace and AC together, $230 typical.
Should I repair or replace my furnace?
If the repair costs more than about a third of a new furnace ($2,800–$8,000) or the furnace is over 15 years old, get a replacement price too and compare.
These are independent estimates built from national cost guides, local reported-job averages, manufacturer and utility pages and EIA energy prices. No contractor can pay to change them, so always get a couple of quotes. Last reviewed November 2026. Read the full methodology →