Gas furnace replacement cost in Richmond, VA
Installed, 80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency
A typical furnace (80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency) costs about $4,800 installed in the Richmond area, 1% below the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $28 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in Richmond
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,650 | $4,100 | $5,200 | $4,100 |
| 60,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,350 | $4,700 | $5,500 | $4,750 |
| 80,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,700 | $4,050 | $4,800 | $4,050 |
| 80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,400 | $4,800 | $5,650 | $4,850 |
| 100,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,900 | $4,200 | $5,250 | $4,250 |
| 100,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,550 | $4,950 | $5,750 | $4,950 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Richmond metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $23 | $23 |
| Median | $28 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $32 | $37 |
The Richmond market
Richmond's permit requirements for water heater, furnace, AC and heat pump replacements could not be verified from official city sources for this page. Fees, who may pull a permit, and inspection steps are all unconfirmed, so contact the City of Richmond's permits and inspections office before work begins. Henrico and Chesterfield counties, which hold much of the metro's housing, issue their own permits. Across Virginia, EIA's 2020 survey found furnaces in 56% of homes and central heat pumps in 27%, with electricity the main heating fuel in half of homes and natural gas in 36%. Smaller shares burn propane (5%) or fuel oil (4%). Virginia's federally funded home energy rebates were waiting on DOE approval with no launch date in October 2026.
Richmond has plenty of contractors who replace furnaces. A furnace replacement is a good moment to ask about pairing it with a heat pump for mild-weather heating. Some homes in the area still burn propane or oil, so ask whether a fuel switch would change the venting or require removing an old tank. Get the AFUE rating on every bid, and ask how the contractor sized the unit.
Permits in Richmond
We couldn't confirm all of Richmond's rules from official pages. Check with the building department before work starts.
| Permit for this job | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
|---|---|
| Fee | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Who can pull it | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Inspection | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
Rebates in Virginia
HEAR: announced, not open yet. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Virginia Department of Energy, checked October 13, 2026.
- Virginia Energy Connect: State one-stop incentive finder
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Richmond
- Gas tank water heater
- Gas tankless water heater
- Central air conditioner
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Gas furnace cost in other metros
- Virginia Beach, VA
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Houston, TX
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
Sources
- Richmond, VA permit source: Navigation only; customer service 804-646-7000 /
- Virginia Energy: Home Energy Rebates FAQ
- Virginia Energy Connect
- 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, Richmond, VA (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)