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Gas furnace replacement cost in Riverside, CA

Installed, 80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency

Low$4,500
Typical$4,900
High$5,900

Metro area: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA. Wages: BLS, May 2025. Permit notes checked October 2026.

A typical furnace (80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency) costs about $4,900 installed in the Riverside area, 1% above the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $31 an hour against $29 nationally.

Gas furnace (80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency), installed

Prices for: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Low$4,500
Typical$4,900
High$5,900

Unit $1,700 (online list price, middle of 9 listings) plus installation about $3,200 for this area. Permit fees and code extras are listed below the table.

How this estimate is built

Prices by size in Riverside

SizeLowTypicalHighNational typical
60,000 BTU, 80% efficiency$3,700$4,150$5,400$4,100
60,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency$4,400$4,800$5,750$4,750
80,000 BTU, 80% efficiency$3,800$4,100$5,000$4,050
80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency$4,500$4,900$5,900$4,850
100,000 BTU, 80% efficiency$3,950$4,300$5,450$4,250
100,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency$4,600$5,000$5,950$4,950

Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here

Hourly wageRiverside metroUnited States
25th percentile$25$23
Median$31$29
75th percentile$38$37

The Riverside market

The City of Riverside's Building and Safety Division issues same-day, over-the-counter permits for simple water heater change-outs. Its Bulletin 140 lists only replacement of a part as exempt, which implies furnace, AC and heat pump replacements need permits; the 2026 fee schedule prices all three. Fees include $18.50 for a water heater up to 100,000 Btu, $24.50 for a furnace or a 0 to 3 ton AC unit, $16.50 for an AC heat pump (electrical) and a $41.00 permit issuance fee. Permits may go to the owner or an authorized agent, and contractors must show their license and a city business license. The bulletin also states that a permit application must be submitted to the Building Official by the next working business day. Inspection details were not retrieved, so ask the city. San Bernardino, Ontario and county areas follow their own departments.

Inland Empire homes often pair a gas furnace in the attic or garage with a large AC system, and heating is a smaller load than cooling. If a contractor proposes replacing only the furnace, ask whether the existing AC coil is compatible. An attic furnace bakes all summer, so ask the technician to check the flue and duct connections. Get the AFUE and model number on the quote.

Permits in Riverside

Permit for this jobYes (inferred: only replacement of a part is exempt per Bulletin 140; fee schedule prices furnaces, AC units and heat pumps) (source)
Fee2026 schedule: water heater up to 100,000 BTU $18.50 each; furnace $24.50 each; AC unit 0-3 tons $24.50 each; AC heat pump (electrical) $16.50 each; plus permit issuance $41.00.
Who can pull itProperty owner (or authorized agent) or licensed contractor with City business license
InspectionUnclear (inspections page exists; not retrieved)

Rebates in California

HEAR: paused. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: California Energy Commission, checked October 13, 2026.

  • TECH Clean California: Statewide heat pump HVAC and heat pump water heater incentives via contractors; also administers HEEHRA (fully reserved)
  • Golden State Rebates: Instant rebates on efficient appliances at retailers

What these programs cover, and other states

Other systems in Riverside

Gas furnace cost in other metros

Sources