Gas furnace replacement cost in Columbus, OH
Installed, 80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency
A typical furnace (80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency) costs about $4,900 installed in the Columbus area, 1% above the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $31 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in Columbus
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,650 | $4,150 | $5,450 | $4,100 |
| 60,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,350 | $4,800 | $5,800 | $4,750 |
| 80,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,750 | $4,100 | $5,050 | $4,050 |
| 80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,450 | $4,900 | $5,950 | $4,850 |
| 100,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,900 | $4,300 | $5,500 | $4,250 |
| 100,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,550 | $5,000 | $6,000 | $4,950 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Columbus metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $24 | $23 |
| Median | $31 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $39 | $37 |
The Columbus market
Columbus Building and Zoning Services puts both water heater replacement and the "Replacement of a Single Furnace, A/C and/or Heat Pump" on its Approved Minor Work Permit list, as long as the unit is not on a roof. For a 1-3 family home, a minor work permit costs $140 and includes one inspection; a full mechanical, electrical or plumbing permit is $275 with two inspections, and each extra inspection trip is $225. Homeowners may permit work on their own single-family home if they do it themselves or with immediate family, but cannot buy permits for work a contractor will do; hired work must be permitted by a licensed contractor. Ohio homes lean heavily on gas: EIA's 2020 survey found 64% heat with natural gas and 57% heat water with it.
About 77% of Ohio homes heat with a furnace, so Columbus contractors replace them constantly. A matched furnace and AC swap is a common pairing, and doing both at once saves a second visit. A quote should state the AFUE and whether the existing venting is reused. A high-efficiency furnace vents through plastic pipe and drains condensate, so ask where the pipe will exit and where the drain will run.
Permits in Columbus
| Permit for this job | Yes (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | $140 (1,2,3-family Minor Work Permit, includes 1 inspection); full MEP permit $275 (includes 2 inspections); additional inspection trip $225 |
| Who can pull it | Homeowner allowed for own owner-occupied single-family home (doing work themselves) or licensed contractor |
| Inspection | Yes |
Rebates in Ohio
HEAR: status unclear. HOMES: status unclear. Source: Ohio Department of Development, Office of Energy, checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Columbus
- Gas tank water heater
- Gas tankless water heater
- Central air conditioner
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Gas furnace cost in other metros
Sources
- Columbus, OH permit source (water heater permit)
- Columbus, OH permit source (who can pull)
- Columbus, OH permit source (notable local rule)
- Columbus, OH permit source: 1-3 family Minor Work Permit (E, M or P only) $140 incl. 1
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating fuel in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Columbus, OH (49-9021 HVAC mechanics and installers)
- DOE Consumer Furnaces Final Rule TSD (Sep 2023), Table 8.2.12 (2022$); labor share from App. 8D (11.97 person-hours, $705 of $2,527)