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.
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Furnace Replacement in Elk River, MN
Our installed price for a new furnace in Elk River is $4,500–$9,500, sized by a Manual J and quoted in writing at a flat rate. Homes in the old township areas beyond the gas mains get propane furnaces, set up with the manufacturer's LP kit and checked for gas pressure at startup.
Furnace replacement calls in Elk River homes
Elk River furnace replacements start with the fuel. In town, CenterPoint Energy gas feeds most homes, and CenterPoint's heating rebates apply to qualifying high-efficiency furnaces. On acreage, the propane furnace needs its conversion kit installed and the pressure set, and we coordinate with your supplier if the tank or regulator needs work. Because propane usually costs more per unit of heat, a 96% furnace earns back its extra cost sooner out there.
The house decides the rest. Older homes downtown and near Lake Orono often vent into aging chimneys, so moving to PVC can leave the water heater needing a liner. The 1970s–90s ramblers and split-levels usually have an easy side-wall route through the rim joist, while 2000s homes may already have PVC that can be reused if the size and length suit the new furnace. On open rural lots, terminations go on the side least exposed to drifting snow. We pull the mechanical permit.
Updated September 23, 2026
How much does a new furnace cost in Elk River?
An installed furnace from us runs about $4,500–$9,500 in Elk River: 80% AFUE roughly $4,500–$6,000, 96–98% AFUE roughly $6,500–$9,500. Same prices in Elk River as in every town we serve. See the furnace replacement cost guide.
Are there rebates for a new furnace in Elk River?
Your electric provider decides most of this in Elk River. ERMU customers can get rebates for ENERGY STAR central and ductless heat pumps, larger ones for cold-climate models, central air conditioners, and heat pump and AC tune-ups; its heat pump and central AC rebates require a certified, registered quality-installation contractor. Connexus Energy customers have air-source, ductless and ground-source heat pump rebates and an AC rebate. Gas furnace and boiler rebates come from CenterPoint Energy, which lets you use the dealer of your choice. 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 Elk River: questions
Does it matter whether our Elk River electric comes from ERMU or Connexus when we replace a furnace?
For the furnace itself, not much. The gas-side rebate comes from CenterPoint Energy, or there isn't one if you're on propane. The electric utility matters if you add a heat pump for dual fuel, since Elk River Municipal Utilities and Connexus Energy run separate programs with their own rules. Check the name on your electric bill before we quote, and we'll match the equipment to that program.
Is a variable-speed blower worth it on a new furnace in Elk River?
Usually, especially if you run the fan continuously for air cleaning or to even out a split-level. A variable-speed (ECM) blower draws much less electricity at low speed than the older PSC motors most 1980s and 90s furnaces used, and it runs quieter. The savings depend on your electric rate from ERMU or Connexus and how many hours the fan runs, so we figure them from your bill.
More in Elk River
- Furnace repair in Elk River
- AC repair in Elk River
- AC replacement in Elk River
- All HVAC service in Elk River
Furnace replacement near Elk River
Brands we install and service
Guides on furnace replacement
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Furnace replacement in Elk River? Call or send a request.