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 Orono, MN
Each furnace we replace in Orono costs $4,500–$9,500 installed, from about $4,500–$6,000 at 80% AFUE to $6,500–$9,500 at 96–98%. Every written flat-rate quote comes from a Manual J. Many homes here run two or three systems, and CenterPoint Energy's furnace rebate isn't tied to any one dealer.
Furnace replacement calls in Orono homes
Big Orono houses usually split their heating load across two or three furnaces, and each gets its own Manual J for the area it serves. The upstairs system faces vaulted ceilings and lake-facing glass; the basement system may share the lower level with in-floor heat, which changes how much forced air it needs. Sizing each one to its zone, and wiring the thermostats so they don't overlap, fixes more comfort complaints than bigger furnaces do.
Attic or upper-floor furnaces need condensate lines protected from freezing and a secondary pan with a float switch. For detached garages and guest houses, the choice is a new vented unit heater, a small furnace, or a ductless heat pump if the building also needs cooling. Outbuildings on propane stay on propane unless a gas line is close. CenterPoint Energy supplies gas to most of Orono, and its heating rebates allow the dealer of your choice. We pull the mechanical permit.
Updated September 23, 2026
How much does a new furnace cost in Orono?
An installed furnace from us runs about $4,500–$9,500 in Orono: 80% AFUE roughly $4,500–$6,000, 96–98% AFUE roughly $6,500–$9,500. Same prices in Orono as in every town we serve. See the furnace replacement cost guide.
Are there rebates for a new furnace in Orono?
Orono homes are on CenterPoint Energy gas and Xcel Energy electricity, so both utilities' programs apply. CenterPoint's heating rebates cover high-efficiency furnaces and gas boilers, including boilers that drive in-floor heat, plus smart thermostats, and you can use any dealer. Xcel's rebates include ground-source heat pumps, cold-climate air-source and mini-split heat pumps and cooling equipment; many need an Xcel-registered contractor, so ask before choosing. 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 Orono: questions
Should we replace all the furnaces in our Orono house at once?
Not necessarily. If they went in together and are all about the same age, replacing them together keeps controls and warranties aligned and means one permit process. If one is much newer, replace the old ones and keep the good one. Each furnace gets its own written price, so you can phase the work over a couple of years if that suits you better.
Does the lake-facing glass in our Orono house change furnace sizing?
Yes, a lot. Big windows lose more heat at night than insulated walls, and on sunny winter days they gain heat, so rooms facing the lake swing more than the rest of the house. A Manual J counts the actual glass area and orientation. A two-stage or modulating furnace handles those swings better than a single-stage one sized only for the coldest night.
More in Orono
Furnace replacement near Orono
- Long Lake, MN 2 mi
- Maple Plain, MN 4 mi
- Mound, MN 4 mi
- Deephaven, MN 4 mi
- Medina, MN 5 mi
- Wayzata, MN 5 mi
Brands we install and service
Guides on furnace replacement
The Quietest Furnaces for Minnesota Homes, and Why the Ducts Matter as Much
The quietest gas furnaces from Lennox, Carrier and Trane, the features that really cut noise, and the duct fixes that quiet any furnace in a Minnesota home.
Read the guideFrozen Furnace Vent Pipe? How to Clear It Safely in a Minnesota Winter
Furnace quit in a cold snap? How to tell if the PVC intake or exhaust is iced or drifted shut, clear it without cracking the pipe, and keep it from recurring.
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Furnace replacement in Orono? Call or send a request.