A new furnace costs $4,700 on average installed in 2026, with most Missouri homeowners paying between $2,800 and $7,000 depending on fuel type, efficiency rating, and how much ductwork rework the job needs. That headline number rarely includes permit fees, electrical upgrades, or removal and disposal of the old unit — costs that can add several hundred dollars once a technician is inside the mechanical room.
- A new furnace costs $4,700 on average installed in 2026, ranging from $2,800 to $7,000.
- Standard-efficiency gas furnaces run $2,800-$4,500 installed; high-efficiency 95%+ AFUE units run $5,000-$10,000.
- Electric furnaces cost less upfront ($1,500-$3,500) but higher operating costs in Missouri winters.
- Ductwork condition, home square footage, and AFUE rating drive most of the price swing, not the brand.
- West Heating & Cooling installs and services furnaces across the Lake of the Ozarks, including Camdenton and Osage Beach.
Why this matters
A furnace is a 15-to-20-year purchase, so a $2,000 gap between quotes usually reflects real differences in equipment tier, not just markup. Homeowners around Lake Ozark and Warsaw who skip the efficiency math often end up paying more in propane or electric bills than they saved on the install.
Getting the number right before a contractor visit means you can tell a fair quote from an inflated one, and you know which add-ons are optional versus load-bearing for a Missouri winter.
How much does a new furnace cost?
The installed price breaks into three buckets: the unit itself, labor, and any ductwork or venting changes. West Heating & Cooling quotes furnace installs based on square footage, existing ductwork condition, and the AFUE rating the homeowner picks — the same variables that move pricing nationally.
| Furnace type | Installed cost range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard-efficiency gas (80% AFUE) | $2,800 - $4,500 | Budget-focused homeowners with existing gas lines |
| High-efficiency gas (95%+ AFUE) | $5,000 - $10,000 | Long-term owners planning to stay 10+ years |
| Electric furnace | $1,500 - $3,500 | Homes without gas access, lower upfront budget |
| Propane furnace | $2,800 - $6,500 | Rural properties on propane already |
Verdict: a mid-range 90%+ AFUE gas furnace at $4,000-$6,000 installed is the sweet spot for most Lake of the Ozarks homes — efficient enough to cut winter bills without the premium jump into 95%+ territory.
Standard-efficiency gas furnace: $2,800-$4,500 installed
This is the entry point for homes already piped for natural gas. AFUE ratings sit around 80%, meaning 20% of fuel burned doesn't convert to heat. Buy this if the furnace is a rental property or you plan to sell within 5 years — the lower upfront cost outweighs the efficiency loss over a short hold.
High-efficiency gas furnace (95%+ AFUE): $5,000-$10,000 installed
Condensing furnaces recover heat from exhaust gas, pushing efficiency past 95%. The install often needs a new PVC vent line since the exhaust runs cooler, which is part of why the labor line jumps. Buy this if you're staying put for a decade or more — the fuel savings compound over 15-20 years of Missouri winters.
Electric furnace: $1,500-$3,500 installed
Electric furnaces skip combustion entirely, so there's no venting or gas line to run, which keeps the install simple and cheap. The tradeoff shows up on the electric bill every January and February. Skip this unless gas or propane genuinely isn't available at the property.
Propane furnace: $2,800-$6,500 installed
Common on rural Camdenton and Warsaw properties already running a propane tank for cooking or water heating. Pricing tracks close to natural gas units, but propane itself costs more per BTU than piped gas. Hold if you're already invested in a propane tank setup — switching fuel types adds cost most homeowners don't recover.
Why furnace cost varies
- AFUE rating — every 5-point jump in efficiency adds equipment cost but lowers monthly fuel bills
- Home square footage — bigger homes need higher BTU output, which means a larger, pricier unit
- Ductwork condition — leaky or undersized ducts often need sealing or resizing before a new furnace performs correctly
- Fuel type access — running a new gas line where none exists adds a real line item
- Permits and inspection — most Missouri counties require a mechanical permit for furnace replacement
- Add-ons — smart thermostats, humidifiers, and zoning dampers stack onto the base install price
Get a furnace quote for your home
West Heating & Cooling serves Camdenton, Osage Beach, Lake Ozark, Warsaw, and Lebanon.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a furnace in 2026?
Repairing a furnace is cheaper upfront in most cases, but replacement wins once the unit passes 15 years old or a single repair exceeds 30-50% of a new unit's cost. A cracked heat exchanger or failed control board on an aging furnace often signals more failures are coming within a year or two, which makes replacement the better long-term math even at $2,800-$7,000 installed.
How long does a furnace last?
A furnace lasts 15 to 20 years with regular maintenance, though units that skip annual tune-ups often fail closer to the 12-year mark. Homeowners near the Lake of the Ozarks who run furnaces hard through humid summers and cold winters should budget for replacement planning once a unit crosses 15 years.
Does furnace cost include installation?
Quoted furnace prices almost always include installation labor, but they rarely include ductwork repairs, electrical panel upgrades, or permit fees. Ask any contractor for an itemized quote that separates equipment cost from labor and add-ons before signing — that's the only way to compare bids apples to apples.
FAQ
How much does a new furnace cost installed in Missouri in 2026?
A new furnace costs $4,700 on average installed in 2026, with a typical range of $2,800 to $7,000 depending on fuel type and efficiency rating. High-efficiency 95%+ AFUE units push toward the top of that range.
What's the cheapest type of furnace to install?
Electric furnaces are the cheapest to install at $1,500-$3,500 since they skip gas lines and venting work. They cost more to run month to month in a Missouri winter, though.
Is a 95% AFUE furnace worth the extra cost?
A 95%+ AFUE furnace is worth the extra cost if you plan to stay in the home 10+ years, since the fuel savings offset the higher $5,000-$10,000 install price over time. Short-term owners are better off with a standard 80% AFUE unit at $2,800-$4,500.
How much does furnace installation labor cost separately from the unit?
Labor typically makes up a meaningful share of the total install cost, especially when ductwork modifications or new venting are needed. Ask for an itemized quote to see the labor line separated from equipment cost.
Does a new furnace need a permit in Missouri?
Most Missouri counties, including those around the Lake of the Ozarks, require a mechanical permit for furnace replacement. A licensed contractor typically pulls the permit as part of the installation quote.
How often should a furnace be serviced?
A furnace should be serviced once a year, ideally in the fall before heating season starts. Annual maintenance extends the unit toward the upper end of its 15-20 year lifespan.
What size furnace does a typical home need?
Furnace size is measured in BTUs and depends on square footage, insulation, and ceiling height rather than a fixed number. A load calculation from a licensed HVAC contractor is the only reliable way to size it correctly.
One last thing
The biggest pricing mistake homeowners make isn't picking the wrong AFUE rating — it's skipping the ductwork inspection. A furnace sized correctly for a home with leaky or undersized ducts will underperform no matter how much you spent on the unit, and that gap shows up as a higher gas bill every month through a Missouri winter. Ask for a duct inspection alongside any furnace quote in 2026, not after the installation is done.
