Best Furnace Brands for Minnesota Winters (2026)
Furnace brands for a Minnesota winter by tier: Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Rheem, Goodman and Amana lines, plus what matters more at -20°F than the badge.
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Furnace Replacement in Columbus, MN
A new furnace in Columbus runs $4,500–$9,500 installed with us, the same range for propane and natural gas: about $4,500–$6,000 for 80% AFUE and $6,500–$9,500 for 96–98% condensing. The written quote is flat-rate and sized by Manual J, and it includes the permit through the city's building department.
Furnace replacement calls in Columbus homes
Replacing a furnace on a Columbus lot starts with the fuel. A propane furnace is ordered as an LP model or converted with the manufacturer's kit, and its gas valve is set to propane pressure. The tank and its first regulator usually belong to the supplier, so confirm with them that the tank can feed the new furnace, the water heater and anything else on propane through a sub-zero week. Where natural gas is available, the furnace can qualify for CenterPoint Energy's or Xcel Energy's rebates, depending on the address.
Many houses here date from the 1960s and 70s, so a move from 80% to 96–98% means new PVC venting through the rim joist and a plan for anything left in the old chimney. The condensate usually drains to a floor drain that ends in the septic system, often through a neutralizer. Permits go through the city's building department, whose services are provided by MNSPECT.
Updated September 26, 2026
How much does a new furnace cost in Columbus?
An installed furnace from us runs about $4,500–$9,500 in Columbus: 80% AFUE roughly $4,500–$6,000, 96–98% AFUE roughly $6,500–$9,500. Same prices in Columbus as in every town we serve. See the furnace replacement cost guide.
Are there rebates for a new furnace in Columbus?
Connexus Energy, the electric co-op for nearly all of Columbus, pays rebates on ducted and ductless air-source heat pumps, ground-source systems and central air, and offers a lower dual-fuel rate and Wi-Fi PowerNap. Ask Connexus whether a given rebate requires a registered contractor. Where natural gas reaches, CenterPoint Energy's furnace rebates work with the dealer of your choice, and Xcel Energy runs its own heating equipment rebates. Homes in the small Xcel electric corner use Xcel's cooling and heat pump programs instead. Rebate programs change every year, so check the utility's current terms before you buy.
Our guides: Xcel and CenterPoint rebates, heat pump rebates.
Signs it's time to replace your furnace
- A cracked heat exchanger on a furnace that's out of warranty
- The furnace is 20-plus years old and needs another major repair
- Rooms far from the furnace never warm up on sub-zero nights
- Gas bills climbing while your thermostat settings haven't changed
- Repair calls two or more winters in a row
- A burner roar or blower noise you can hear across the house
- Replacement parts for your model are getting hard to find
More detail on our furnace installation page.
Furnace replacement in Columbus: questions
What's different about installing a propane furnace in our Columbus house?
The furnace is nearly the same; the setup isn't. It needs a factory LP model or the manufacturer's conversion kit, the gas valve set to propane pressure, and piping sized for propane. Your supplier should confirm the tank and regulator can keep up on the coldest days, especially if the new furnace is larger or other appliances share the tank. Efficiency counts for more on propane, because each unit of heat costs more.
Who issues the permits for a furnace or AC replacement in Columbus?
Two offices. Columbus's building department, whose services are now provided by MNSPECT, handles permits and inspections under the building code, and the city notes that electrical permits come from the State of Minnesota. A furnace swap is mostly mechanical work; a new AC or heat pump adds electrical work at the disconnect, which gets its own state permit and inspection. We handle the mechanical permit and list it in the written quote.
More in Columbus
- Furnace repair in Columbus
- AC repair in Columbus
- AC replacement in Columbus
- All HVAC service in Columbus
Furnace replacement near Columbus
- Forest Lake, MN 5 mi
- Centerville, MN 7 mi
- Lino Lakes, MN 7 mi
- Ham Lake, MN 8 mi
- East Bethel, MN 8 mi
- Hugo, MN 10 mi
Brands we install and service
Guides on furnace replacement
96% vs 98% AFUE Furnace: Is the Upgrade Worth It in Minnesota?
What AFUE measures, the gas math from 80% to 96% to 98% using your own bill, and what a 98% furnace really buys you in a cold Minnesota house.
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.
Read the guideContact Us
Furnace replacement in Columbus? Call or send a request.