96% vs 98% AFUE Furnace: Worth the Upgrade in Minnesota?
A 98% AFUE furnace saves only about 2% more gas than a 96% model. Our condensing furnaces run $6,500–$9,500 installed. See what the extra buys.
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Furnace Replacement in Columbia Heights, MN
Columbia Heights furnace replacement runs $4,500–$9,500 installed with us, quoted flat-rate after a Manual J. Houses here are mostly 1910s–1950s with tight basements and masonry chimneys, so cabinet height, the vent route and any water heater liner are priced up front.
Furnace replacements in Columbia Heights homes
Replacing a furnace in Columbia Heights usually means working in a tight basement. Low ceilings, the laundry and old stairs crowd the mechanical corner, so cabinet height and service clearance come first. Many houses have converted gravity ductwork, with oversized trunks and often one big central return, and a new furnace needs enough return air, so we may add a return or a second filter path while we're there.
Going to a 96–98% furnace means PVC through a foundation or rim joist on lots where the neighbor's house may be close, and the water heater left on the masonry chimney usually needs a liner. In some houses an 80% furnace on a relined chimney is the better fit. Postwar ramblers are simpler, though central air added as a coil on the old furnace may have to change if the new cabinet is a different height. A mechanical permit is normally required, and the written quote says so.
Updated November 10, 2026
What affects the price of a new furnace in Columbia Heights?
By efficiency: 80% AFUE roughly $4,500–$6,000; 96–98% AFUE roughly $6,500–$9,500. See the furnace replacement cost guide.
Are there rebates for a new furnace in Columbia Heights?
CenterPoint's heating rebates cover high-efficiency boilers as well as furnaces, which matters in the older radiator houses, and you can use the dealer of your choice. CenterPoint's Home Energy Squad visit is a good starting point for air sealing. Ask us which rebates apply when we quote. Rebate programs change every year, so check the utility's current terms before you buy.
Our guides: Xcel and CenterPoint rebates, heat pump rebates.
Furnace replacement in Columbia Heights: questions
Can a new furnace work with the old converted gravity ducts in our Columbia Heights house?
Usually, with some changes. Gravity systems used large, gently sloped trunks that don't match a modern blower, and many have a single central return. We keep the ducts that work, seal the obvious leaks and add return air where the furnace would otherwise starve. A furnace with a variable-speed blower handles odd duct systems better than a single-speed one. We measure static pressure first, so the quote reflects what your ducts need.
Our Columbia Heights basement has old white wrap on the ducts. Can you still replace the furnace?
Yes, but have that wrap tested first. Ducts and gravity furnaces in houses from this era were often insulated with material that can contain asbestos, and cutting into it releases fibers. A licensed asbestos contractor tests it and, if needed, removes or encapsulates it before we open the ductwork. A furnace swap usually touches only the plenum connections, so the area that needs attention can be small.
More in Columbia Heights
Signs your furnace needs replacing
- Furnace repair in Columbia Heights
- AC repair in Columbia Heights
- AC replacement in Columbia Heights
- Heat pumps in Columbia Heights
- Mini-splits in Columbia Heights
- Boiler service in Columbia Heights
- Tune-ups in Columbia Heights
- All HVAC service in Columbia Heights
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Brands we install and service
Guides on furnace replacement
Rheem and Ruud Furnace Error Codes: What They Mean
Rheem and Ruud furnace error codes from Rheem's own 801T manual: what 11, 22, 33, 55 and 57 mean, how to read the display, and when to call a technician.
Read the guideWhat Does It Mean When a Furnace Is Red-Tagged?
A red tag means a technician or the gas utility found your furnace unsafe and shut it off. Common reasons, what not to do, and how to get a second opinion.
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