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 Farmington, MN
For a new furnace in Farmington, plan on $4,500–$9,500 installed with us: about $4,500–$6,000 for 80% AFUE and $6,500–$9,500 for 96–98%. The quote is written and flat-rate, sized by Manual J. Farmington's gas utility is Minnesota Energy Resources, which runs its own rebate program on qualifying furnaces.
Furnace replacement calls in Farmington homes
Most Farmington replacements take out the furnace the builder installed in the 1990s or 2000s. Builders often sized those by rule of thumb, and a Manual J on the same house today, especially one with a finished basement and newer windows, can call for less capacity. Existing PVC venting can often stay if its diameter and length suit the new furnace's installation manual; if not, new pipe goes out the same rim joist. A condensing furnace in a finished basement usually drains to a pump, and we keep that line away from cold spots.
Minnesota Energy Resources supplies gas in town and offers its own rebates on qualifying high-efficiency furnaces, separate from CenterPoint's and Xcel's, and we help with the paperwork. Out in the townships, a propane furnace gets its LP kit set up at startup. In the older houses downtown, taking the furnace off the chimney can orphan the water heater. The mechanical permit and inspection are included.
Updated September 23, 2026
How much does a new furnace cost in Farmington?
An installed furnace from us runs about $4,500–$9,500 in Farmington: 80% AFUE roughly $4,500–$6,000, 96–98% AFUE roughly $6,500–$9,500. Same prices in Farmington as in every town we serve. See the furnace replacement cost guide.
Are there rebates for a new furnace in Farmington?
Farmington's gas utility is Minnesota Energy Resources, not CenterPoint, and it runs its own rebates for high-efficiency furnaces, boilers and thermostats, plus a heating tune-up rebate that requires a contractor from its participating list, so ask about that. Electricity comes from Dakota Electric Association or Xcel Energy depending on your address. Dakota Electric's Energy Wise Rebates cover heat pumps, ductless systems and AC tune-ups, and its quality-installation rebates need a registered contractor. Xcel customers use Xcel's heat pump and cooling rebates; ask whether the rebate needs a registered contractor. 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 Farmington: questions
Rooms in our Farmington two-story have never heated evenly. Will a new furnace fix it?
A new furnace alone rarely fixes it, because builder ductwork is usually the cause: undersized returns, long runs to the room over the garage, no balancing dampers. We measure airflow and static pressure along with the Manual J. A variable-speed blower and a two-stage burner help by running longer and gentler, and balancing dampers or an added return often do the rest. The quote separates the ductwork fixes from the equipment.
Our Farmington furnace and AC went in together when the house was built. Should they be replaced together?
If both are 20-plus years old, usually yes. The AC coil sits on the furnace, so replacing them together lets us match the blower, coil and condenser as one system and avoid paying for coil work twice. If the AC is younger and runs on R-410A, it can stay, and we set the new blower for the existing coil. We'll price it both ways so you can compare.
More in Farmington
- Furnace repair in Farmington
- AC repair in Farmington
- AC replacement in Farmington
- All HVAC service in Farmington
Furnace replacement near Farmington
- Lakeville, MN 5 mi
- Rosemount, MN 7 mi
- Apple Valley, MN 7 mi
- Elko New Market, MN 11 mi
- Burnsville, MN 11 mi
- Eagan, MN 11 mi
Brands we install and service
Guides on furnace replacement
Furnace Blower Motor Replacement Cost: PSC vs ECM
A furnace blower motor typically runs $500–$1,400 (PSC) or $800–$2,300 (ECM) nationally, per HomeGuide. What to rule out first, and when to replace.
Read the guideFurnace Won't Ignite: Find Where the Startup Stops
Furnace clicking but not lighting? Follow the startup sequence a technician uses: thermostat, power, inducer, pressure switch, igniter, gas and flame sensor.
Read the guideContact Us
Furnace replacement in Farmington? Call or send a request.