Gas furnace replacement cost in Denver, CO
Installed, 80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency
A typical furnace (80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency) costs about $5,000 installed in the Denver area, 3% above the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $34 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in Denver
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,800 | $4,250 | $5,600 | $4,100 |
| 60,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,500 | $4,900 | $6,000 | $4,750 |
| 80,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,850 | $4,200 | $5,250 | $4,050 |
| 80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,600 | $5,000 | $6,150 | $4,850 |
| 100,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $4,050 | $4,400 | $5,700 | $4,250 |
| 100,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,700 | $5,100 | $6,200 | $4,950 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Denver metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $28 | $23 |
| Median | $34 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $43 | $37 |
The Denver market
Denver's Community Planning and Development offers quick permits for single-family homes and duplexes covering water heaters, residential A/C, forced-air heating systems and boilers. Heat pumps are not named. Since March 1, 2023, select gas-fired equipment is no longer eligible for a quick permit, and the city lists added requirements when replacing a gas-fired water heater or an air conditioning unit, so read the Quick Permits page before you hire. Quick permits are inspected only in the field, where the inspector verifies the replacement meets current energy code efficiency. A licensed contractor may pull the permit, or an owner-occupant who passes a trade exam and lives in the home for at least a year after the work. Fees were not found. EIA found gas heats water in 73% of Colorado homes. Aurora, Centennial and the suburbs follow their own codes.
Forced-air furnaces heat 77% of Colorado homes, so most Denver quotes compare one gas furnace with another. Ask the contractor to confirm the furnace is configured for Denver's elevation as the manufacturer specifies. A high-efficiency model vents through plastic pipe and drains condensate, so ask where both will run. Dry winter air is a common complaint along the Front Range, so ask whether a humidifier on the furnace makes sense for your house.
Permits in Denver
| Permit for this job | Yes (quick permits for residential A/C, forced-air heating systems and boilers in single-family/duplex); heat pumps not named (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Who can pull it | Licensed contractor, or owner-occupant of a single-family home who passes a trade exam (state license substitutes only for plumbing/electrical) |
| Inspection | Yes (field inspection; efficiency verified) |
Rebates in Colorado
HEAR: paused. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Colorado Energy Office, checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Denver
- 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
- Denver Community Planning and Development: Quick permits
- Denver: Homeowner permits
- Colorado Energy Office: Home energy rebates
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO (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)