Cost of furnace replacement in District of Columbia (DC)
A 80,000 BTU furnace installed
$4,800to $7,200
That is a standard 80% AFUE model, the federal minimum and what most replacements are. A 96% condensing furnace runs $5,800 to $8,800.
Is the efficient one worth it here?
Costs more
$1,300
Saves a year
$274
Pays back in
4.7 yrs
District of Columbia burns enough gas over a winter for the efficiency to earn its premium back well inside the furnace's life. At $2.12 a therm and 4,100 heating degree days, the condensing model is the better buy.
Before you replace like for like
A furnace is not the only option. A heat pump does the same job using electricity, and in some states costs less to run — it depends on the gap between gas and electricity prices where you live, which is not the same everywhere.
Compare both in District of ColumbiaCommon questions
How much does it cost to replace a furnace in District of Columbia?
Between about $4,800 and $7,200 installed for a standard 80% AFUE furnace, or $5,800 to $8,800 for a 96% condensing model. A 1,800 square foot home in District of Columbia needs roughly 80,000 BTU of output.
Is a high-efficiency furnace worth it in District of Columbia?
Yes. The condensing model costs about $1,300 more and saves roughly $274 a year on gas at District of Columbia prices, so it repays itself in about 4.7 years — well inside the life of the furnace.
What size furnace do I need?
About 80,000 BTU for 1,800 square feet in District of Columbia's climate — roughly 44 BTU per square foot, which reflects 4,100 heating degree days a year. Colder states need more output for the same house.
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Sizing from District of Columbia's heating degree days for a 1,800 square foot home. Gas price from the US Energy Information Administration, 2026-05. Installed costs are a national estimate spread ±20% — ductwork, venting runs and your region move real quotes more than the furnace itself does. Get three.