Hobart, IN Heating System Replacement Cost — HVAC Guide

Estimated Read Time: 9 minutes

Replacing a furnace is a big decision, and furnace replacement cost is only part of the story. Homeowners in Chesterton and nearby cities want warm, safe, efficient heat without surprise add-ons. In this guide, we unpack equipment options, installation variables, rebates, and how quotes are built so you know exactly what you’re paying for. Want to save right now? Ask about our $69 furnace inspection and seasonal tune-up specials.

Why Furnace Replacement Costs Vary So Much

Two homes on the same street can get very different quotes. That is normal. Your price reflects the right-size equipment, code-compliant installation, and the condition of your existing gas line, venting, ductwork, and electrical.

Key drivers:

1. Equipment efficiency and size
2. • AFUE rating: Higher efficiency models cost more upfront but lower monthly bills.
   • Sizing: A precise load calculation ensures comfort and avoids short cycling.
2. Installation scope
3. • New venting, gas line changes, condensate drains, or electrical upgrades add time and parts.
3. Home conditions
4. • Duct leakage, restricted returns, or lack of combustion air can require corrections.
4. Warranty, brand, and parts availability
5. • Longer warranties and premium features increase price but reduce risk.
5. Local permitting and inspections
6. • Safe installs require permits and municipal inspections in most communities.

Local insight: Along the lakeshore, wind and freeze-thaw cycles stress flues, drains, and exterior terminations. We plan installs with Northwest Indiana winters in mind.

What You’ll Typically Pay in Northwest Indiana

Every home is unique, but this ballpark helps set expectations:

• Standard gas furnace replacement (80%–92% AFUE): equipment and professional install commonly land in the mid range for most single-family homes depending on size and scope.
• High-efficiency condensing furnace (95%–98% AFUE): higher equipment cost plus PVC venting, condensate management, and often a new thermostat.
• Add-ons that shift price:
• 1. New metal or PVC venting runs and exterior termination
  2. Gas shutoff, sediment trap, or line upsizing for code and safety
  3. Dedicated condensate pump with freeze protection
  4. Return-air corrections or new media cabinet for filtration
  5. Smart thermostat, humidifier, or air cleaner integration

Pro tip: Ask for a good-better-best proposal. You’ll see the price difference between an 80% unit and a 95%+ model alongside expected utility savings.

Hard Facts That Should Guide Your Decision

• ENERGY STAR Northern Spec furnaces are typically 95% AFUE or higher, which means at least 95% of the fuel becomes usable heat instead of waste.
• Most residential furnaces last 15–20 years with proper maintenance. Near the end of life, heat exchangers and control boards are common high-cost failures.

These facts explain why many homeowners choose high-efficiency equipment when their furnace is over 15 years old or due for a major repair.

Equipment Choices: Efficiency, Comfort, and Noise

Choosing a furnace is not just about AFUE. Comfort and sound matter on icy Porter County nights.

• Single-stage: Lowest initial cost. Runs at one speed. Can feel drafty and louder on milder days.
• Two-stage: Steps down to a quieter, lower output most of the time, improving comfort and moisture control.
• Modulating: Adjusts in small increments for even temperatures and the quietest operation.

Blower options:

1. PSC motor: Basic, less efficient, lower upfront cost.
2. ECM variable-speed: Quieter, better airflow control, lower operating cost, ideal for IAQ add-ons.

Match the blower and staging to your ductwork and comfort goals so you pay for performance, not just a badge.

Installation Line Items That Add Up

Good installers put every expected line item in writing. Watch for these honest adders so you can compare quotes apples-to-apples:

• Permit and inspection fees
• New venting materials and roof or wall terminations
• Condensate drain, neutralizer, and pump if needed
• Gas shutoff, drip leg, and flex connector upgrade
• Electrical disconnect, surge protection, or new outlet
• Thermostat upgrade and control wiring
• Return-air modification and filter cabinet
• Start-up, combustion analysis, and homeowner orientation

Transparent quoting removes the guesswork and prevents change-order surprises.

Repair vs. Replace: A Simple Rule of Thumb

Use the 50% rule. If a major repair costs over 50% of a new furnace and your unit is beyond half its life, replacement usually wins on total cost of ownership. For example, a cracked heat exchanger on a 17-year-old furnace often signals time to replace, not repair.

Also consider:

• Comfort complaints that repairs have not solved
• Safety issues like CO risk and backdrafting
• Repeated igniter or control failures each winter

What a Quality Quote Includes

A trustworthy quote should read like a scope of work, not a riddle.

• Load calculation or sizing verification, not a guess
• Model numbers and efficiency ratings
• Full list of included materials and code upgrades
• Warranty terms on parts and labor
• Timeline, from permit to inspection
• Options: standard, high-efficiency, and top-tier comfort
• Financing and any utility or manufacturer rebates

Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling provides upfront pricing. You approve the price before work starts, and we honor that price.

Efficiency and Bill Savings: Do the Math

A 95% AFUE furnace wastes only 5% of fuel as exhaust. Compared to an 80% unit, that can trim your gas use noticeably over a long Northwest Indiana heating season. If your current furnace is oversized or short cycles, stepping to a two-stage or modulating unit with a variable-speed blower can also reduce starts and improve comfort.

Savings stack when you pair high efficiency with these low-cost fixes:

1. Seal leaky supply and return ducts
2. Add a return in rooms with doors that close often
3. Replace 1-inch filters with a media cabinet to reduce static pressure
4. Install a smart thermostat with schedule learning

Rebates, Financing, and Warranties

Many high-efficiency furnaces qualify for utility or manufacturer rebates during promotional windows. Financing can turn a replacement into a manageable monthly payment, and labor warranties protect your budget from early hiccups.

At Summers, we frequently secure promotions for our customers and offer financing options with payments as low as $75 per month on select high-efficiency furnaces, subject to approval. Ask our team to outline today’s offers.

Timeline: From Quote to Warm House

• Same-day assessment: We inspect your current system, run diagnostics, and explain findings in plain language.
• Permit and scheduling: We handle the paperwork and set an install date that works for you.
• Installation day: We protect floors, remove the old unit, install the new furnace, complete venting and gas connections, and test.
• Start-up and education: Combustion analysis, airflow checks, thermostat setup, and a walkthrough so you know how everything works.
• Inspection and follow-up: We coordinate the final inspection and register your equipment for warranty.

With stocked trucks and trained techs, many replacements finish the same day once the permit is approved.

Safety, Code, and Your Peace of Mind

Gas appliances demand careful attention. Expect your installer to verify combustion air, draft, and leak-free gas connections. High-efficiency furnaces create condensate that must be drained and protected from freezing. These details protect your home, and they are required by code.

Summers is fully licensed, bonded, and insured. Our technicians are drug tested, background checked, and trained on current codes and manufacturer specs.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Furnace

• Frequent breakdowns and rising repair bills
• Uneven temperatures or rooms that never feel warm
• Yellow or flickering burner flame instead of steady blue
• Soot around registers or the furnace cabinet
• Furnace age 15–20 years, especially with comfort or safety concerns

If two or more items are true, schedule an evaluation before peak cold hits.

How to Compare Two Quotes Fairly

1. Check sizing method. Was a load calc performed?
2. Match model numbers, AFUE, staging, and blower type.
3. Compare scope: venting, gas, electrical, filtration, and start-up testing.
4. Review warranties: parts and labor length.
5. Confirm permit and inspection are included.
6. Ask for a line where any potential extras must be pre-approved by you.

This approach turns a confusing decision into a clear one.

Local Considerations in Chesterton and Nearby Cities

From Chesterton to Valparaiso, lake effect and wind chill extend the heating season. That means efficiency and proper vent termination matter more here than in milder regions. Homes in Portage, Hobart, and Beverly Shores often benefit from return-air improvements during replacements. In Kouts, Porter, and Burns Harbor, crawlspace furnaces may need freeze protection on condensate lines. Tell us about any rooms that stay cold, and we can correct them while we replace the furnace.

Prevent Sticker Shock: Maintenance and Ownership Costs

Owning a high-efficiency furnace is affordable when you maintain it. Annual tune-ups keep efficiency on track and catch issues early.

What a tune-up includes:

• Cleaning burners, blower, and flame sensor
• Checking gas pressure and combustion
• Verifying venting and condensate drains
• Testing safety controls and thermostat
• Filter inspection and airflow check

Summers members receive two tune-ups per year, first-in-line scheduling, and discounts on repairs and parts. Longer system life, fewer surprises, and better comfort are the result.

Special Offers for Northwest Indiana Homeowners

• $69 Furnace Inspection with No Breakdown Guarantee. Book before 2025-11-05.
• $69 Pre-Season Heating Tune-Up. Must schedule by 2025-10-31.
• Free Service Call with any paid repair this month only.
• Financing available with payments as low as $75 per month on select high-efficiency furnaces. Terms may apply.

Call (219) 500-8902 or schedule at https://www.summersphc.com/chesterton/ and mention the offer you want when booking.

What Homeowners Are Saying

"Explained everything they were doing and made recommendations which would improve comfort/efficiency of heating system and plumbing. I would without a doubt recommend Summers for any of your heating/cooling and plumbing needs. They go above and beyond what is expected of them… I’d rate them higher if I could."
–Linda K., Heating Service

"We are looking to replace an older gas boiler heating system. Jimmy did a thorough job reviewing the possibilities, which is a challenge given the current system and pipe runs. Looking forward to working with Jimmy and the team for the install."
–Sam W., Boiler Evaluation

"Robert and Dakota were very professional and knowledgeable. They looked at two systems, a boiler and completed a furnace tune-up. We are new homeowners Robert explained about the boiler system. Robert explained his concerns with the boiler. Based on the age, we suspected a replacement would be needed. Robert provided us with our options."
–Beverley H., Furnace Tune-Up

"Very professional service for my old boilers and radiators from both rob and frank!"
–Carly C., Boiler Service

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a typical furnace replacement cost?

Pricing depends on efficiency, size, and installation scope. High-efficiency models cost more upfront but lower bills. Ask for a good-better-best quote with line-item scope to compare fairly.

Do I need a permit to replace my furnace?

In most local jurisdictions, yes. Replacements that modify gas, venting, or electrical require permits and inspections to ensure safety and code compliance.

Is a 95% furnace worth it in Northwest Indiana?

Often yes. Our long, cold season increases fuel savings. A 95%+ AFUE model paired with a variable-speed blower can improve comfort and cut gas use.

How long does installation take?

Most straightforward replacements finish in one day after permits are approved. Complex venting or duct fixes may extend the timeline.

Should I replace the thermostat with the furnace?

If you move to two-stage or modulating equipment, a compatible thermostat is recommended to unlock comfort features and efficiency.

Bottom Line

The true cost of furnace replacement is about safe, efficient comfort without surprise add-ons. In the Chesterton area, a correctly sized, 95%+ AFUE system often pays back in comfort and lower bills. Ready to see exact numbers for your home?

Get Your Personalized Furnace Replacement Quote

• Call now: (219) 500-8902
• Book online: https://www.summersphc.com/chesterton/
• Ask for today’s specials: $69 Furnace Inspection with No Breakdown Guarantee and the $69 Pre-Season Heating Tune-Up.

We serve Chesterton, Portage, Valparaiso, Hobart, Porter, Kouts, Burns Harbor, Beverly Shores, Wheeler, and nearby communities. Schedule your free estimate and get upfront pricing today.

About Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling

Since 1969, Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling has served Northwest Indiana with licensed, background-checked technicians and upfront pricing. We offer 24/7 emergency service, fully stocked trucks for faster fixes, and financing options on high-efficiency systems. As a full-service team, we handle heating, cooling, plumbing, and indoor air projects with clear communication, dependable warranties, and no surprises.