Gas furnace replacement cost in Pittsburgh, PA
Installed, 80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency
A typical furnace (80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency) costs about $4,850 installed in the Pittsburgh area, about the same as the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $30 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in Pittsburgh
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,650 | $4,150 | $5,350 | $4,100 |
| 60,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,350 | $4,750 | $5,700 | $4,750 |
| 80,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,750 | $4,050 | $4,950 | $4,050 |
| 80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,450 | $4,850 | $5,850 | $4,850 |
| 100,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,900 | $4,250 | $5,400 | $4,250 |
| 100,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,600 | $5,000 | $5,900 | $4,950 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Pittsburgh metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $24 | $23 |
| Median | $30 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $36 | $37 |
The Pittsburgh market
Pittsburgh splits the paperwork. Plumbing permits, including the replacement card for a new water heater, come from the Allegheny County Health Department's Plumbing Division, not the City. Furnaces, AC and heat pumps fall under the City's Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections (PLI), which requires a permit to install, alter, repair or replace any mechanical or fuel gas system; swapping a minor part that does not change the equipment's approval is exempt. PLI's 2026 schedule charges residential permits $6 per $1,000 of construction value (minimum $130) plus a $4.50 state fee. Who may pull mechanical permits was not confirmed, so ask PLI. Pennsylvania's housing leans old: EIA's 2020 survey found 19% of homes heat with a boiler and 13% with fuel oil, while 52% use natural gas.
Furnaces heat 56% of Pennsylvania homes. If your house has a boiler and radiators instead, a furnace quote is the wrong comparison, because switching means adding ductwork. Before paying for a big furnace repair, date the unit from its serial number and weigh the repair against the cost of replacement. Ask each bidder for the AFUE and whether the new unit will vent through the old chimney.
Permits in Pittsburgh
| Permit for this job | Yes (City PLI mechanical permit, general language; furnace/AC/heat pump not named) (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Water heater (County): 'Fixture Replacement Cards (hot water heaters & fixtures)' $27 (County plumbing fee schedule eff. Jan 1, 2023). HVAC (City PLI, eff. 1/1/2026): residential construction permits 'Base Permit Fee (Residential)' at '$6.00 per $1,000 of Construction Value (Minimum: $130 – Maximum: $8,000)' plus State Education & Training Fund $4.50 per permit; no mechanical-specific line found. |
| Who can pull it | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Inspection | Yes (plumbing, County); mechanical inspection process referenced but not detailed |
Rebates in Pennsylvania
HEAR: announced, not open yet. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: PA DEP Energy Programs Office, checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Pittsburgh
- Gas tank water heater
- Gas tankless water heater
- Central air conditioner
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Gas furnace cost in other metros
- Philadelphia, PA
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Houston, TX
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
Sources
- Pittsburgh, PA permit source (water heater permit)
- Pittsburgh, PA permit source (hvac permit)
- Pittsburgh, PA permit source (inspection)
- Pittsburgh, PA permit source (notable local rule)
- Pittsburgh, PA permit source: Mechanical permit triggers; 1-2 family = residential permit; does not
- Pittsburgh, PA permit source: Mechanical exemptions: portable units, minor part
- Pittsburgh, PA permit source: Effective 1/1/2026; residential base $6/$1,000, min $130, max $8,000;
- Pittsburgh, PA permit source: Fixture Replacement Cards (hot water heaters & fixtures) $27;
- Pennsylvania DEP: Inflation Reduction Act home energy rebates
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating fuel in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Pittsburgh, PA (49-9021 HVAC mechanics and installers)
- DOE Consumer Furnaces Final Rule TSD (Sep 2023), Table 8.2.12 (2022$); labor share from App. 8D (11.97 person-hours, $705 of $2,527)