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 Mendota Heights, MN
Mendota Heights furnace replacement runs $4,500–$9,500 installed, and sound-insulated houses near the flight paths often need a smaller one. A sealed-combustion 96–98% model suits them, sized by Manual J in a written quote.
Furnace replacements in Mendota Heights homes
Size is the first thing to get right in Mendota Heights. Many houses sit under mature trees and have had windows, insulation or, near the flight paths, sound insulation work since they were built, so a furnace copied from the old nameplate often comes out too big. A Manual J load calculation that reflects those changes settles it.
A 96–98% condensing furnace is sealed combustion, taking its air from outside through PVC, which suits a tight, sound-insulated house. Its condensate needs a floor drain or a pump, and on the private septic systems in the Somerset area we can add a neutralizer. On a walkout lot the vent pipes often leave through the exposed lower wall, clear of decks and patio doors. Xcel's Heating Equipment Rebates have their own terms, so ask whether a registered contractor is required. A Home Energy Squad visit through the city's Partners in Energy plan can trim the load first. A replacement normally needs a city mechanical permit; ask us how it shows on your quote.
Updated November 10, 2026
What affects the price of a new furnace in Mendota 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 Mendota Heights?
Mendota Heights is all Xcel Energy for gas and electricity, so one utility sets the rules. Its Heating Equipment Rebates are for high-efficiency gas furnaces. 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 Mendota Heights: questions
Where do the PVC vent pipes go on a Mendota Heights house with a walkout lower level?
Often out the exposed walkout wall, since it's close to the furnace and above grade. The pipe ends need the manufacturer's set distances from openable windows, doors and the gas meter, sit above the expected snow line, and usually stay out from under a deck, where exhaust can collect. If the walkout faces the patio, we route the pipes to a side wall or up through the roof instead, and we plan the route before quoting.
We're replacing the furnace in our Mendota Heights house now and the AC later. What should we plan for?
Pick a furnace whose blower can move the airflow of the air conditioner or heat pump you expect to add, and leave room above it for a matched coil. A variable-speed blower handles either choice best. If a heat pump is likely, confirm the furnace and thermostat can run dual fuel. That way the second project is a condenser, a coil and a line set, not rework on a furnace that's two years old.
More in Mendota Heights
Signs your furnace needs replacing
- Furnace repair in Mendota Heights
- AC repair in Mendota Heights
- AC replacement in Mendota Heights
- Heat pumps in Mendota Heights
- Mini-splits in Mendota Heights
- Tune-ups in Mendota Heights
- All HVAC service in Mendota Heights
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Brands we install and service
Guides on furnace replacement
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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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