Trane is a highly respected name in the home heating equipment and air conditioner industry, specializing in high-efficiency gas furnaces. Trane’s equipment is among the highest-quality in the industry – but it’s also one of the most expensive.
The average cost of a Trane furnace is around $9,150, but you could pay anywhere from $4,800 for lower-end models up to $13,500 for premium models.
The company has a nationwide presence, with thousands of certified Trane dealers carrying its products. Still, we don’t believe the products are worth the investment, given more affordable options exist from other brands. We’ll explore why in this article.
What Is the Cost of a Trane Furnace?
While the quality is excellent, Trane’s furnaces are more costly than you’ll see from a variety of competitors, including American Standard (Trane’s parent company), Carrier, Lennox, Rheem, Bryant, and Goodman.
Trane Furnace Cost by Model
Trane carries 15 different furnace models, 13 of which are gas-fired and two of which are oil-fired. The price range above includes lower-efficiency products with fewer features toward the lower end, as well as high-efficiency, two-stage furnaces toward the higher end.
The table below includes a complete breakdown of all of the furnaces available from Trane, including the fuel type, efficiency rating, and the average cost to install.
Model | Fuel Type | Efficiency Rating | Installation Cost |
Trane XC95m Furnace | Gas | 97.0% | $8,500-$13,500 |
Trane S9V2-VS Furnace | Gas | 97.0% | $8,500-$13,500 |
Trane S9V2 Furnace | Gas | 96.0% | $8,500-$13,500 |
Trane S9X2 Furnace | Gas | 96.0% | $7,200-$11,400 |
Trane S9X1 Furnace | Gas | 96.0% | $7,200-$11,400 |
Trane S9B1 Furnace | Gas | 92.0% | $6,000-$9,400 |
Trane L9X1 Ultra-Low NOx Furnace | Gas | 95.0% | $8,500-$13,500 |
Trane S8V2-C Furnace | Gas | 80.0% | $6,500-$10,500 |
Trane S8X2 Furnace | Gas | 80.0% | $6,500-$10,500 |
Trane XC80 Furnace | Gas | 80.0% | $6,500-$10,500 |
Trane XV80 Furnace | Gas | 80.0% | $6,500-$10,500 |
Trane S8B1 Furnace | Gas | 80.0% | $4,800-$7,600 |
Trane S8X1 Furnace | Gas | 80.0% | $4,800-$7,600 |
Trane XV80 Furnace | Oil | 85.0% | $4,800-$7,600 |
Trane XP80 Furnace | Oil | 80.0% | $4,800-$7,600 |
How Much Do Trane Furnaces Cost vs. Competitors?
Trane is one of the most expensive companies when it comes to furnaces. You can expect to pay close to 25% more for a Trane product over furnace units from other brands. Trane’s furnaces are of excellent quality, but we don’t believe they’re worth the cost.
The table below includes a side-by-side look at how Trane’s products compare to competitors in terms of pricing, efficiency, and more to help you decide if this is the best company for your needs.
Trane | American Standard | Lennox | |
Premium Unit Cost | $8,500-$13,500 | $6,900-$9,000 | $6,950-$8,300 |
Low-End Unit Cost | $4,800-$7,600 | $2,700-$4,000 | $2,900-$4,250 |
Top Efficiency Rating | 97.3% | Up to 97.3% | 99.0% |
Additional Features | Modulating variable speed, two-stage, single stage furnaces | Modulating, two-stage, single stage furnaces | Variable speed, two-stage, single stage |
Warranty Coverage | 10-year parts warranty (limited) | 10-year parts warranty (limited) | 20 years for heat exchanger, 5-10 years for compressor, and 5-10 years for parts |
As you can see, you don’t get more for your money in terms of warranty coverage or efficiency with Trane despite the higher equipment costs.
Which Factors Impact Trane Furnace Costs?
The range in Trane furnace costs is so wide because there are several factors that can influence what your HVAC equipment costs. We’ll explain some of the biggest cost factors to consider when pricing out your Trane furnace below.
Unit Size
Furnaces are sized in British thermal units (BTUs), which can help you calculate what size furnace you need to heat your home based on your square footage. The larger your home, or the less energy-efficient your home is, the bigger the HVAC system you’ll need. Of course, larger furnaces will cost more, as they require larger and costlier components to provide you with the heating capacity you need.
Your HVAC technician should be able to size your new furnace appropriately based on your square footage, the general efficiency of your home, and your current home heating fuel costs. It’s important to remember that efficiency and furnace size are independent factors—which is to say that your BTUs required may not change just because you opt for a higher-efficiency furnace.
Efficiency Rating
The efficiency rating of your furnace is usually measured using the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating system. AFUE determines what BTU output you get based on the maximum potential of the fuel your furnace burns. An efficiency rating of 85%, for example, suggests that around 15% of the fuel that is burned will be wasted to exhaust and environmental heat loss and will not provide heat to your home.
The higher your furnace’s AFUE rating, the more efficient and cost-effective it will be to run your heating system in the long run. It may cost more to invest in a highly efficient furnace upfront, but long-term savings should be considered as well.
For a quick comparison, you can use the below guidelines to determine the relative efficiency of a furnace you’re considering:
- High Efficiency: 90% or higher
- Moderate Efficiency: 80% to 90%
- Low Efficiency: Below 80%
Trane furnaces top out at 97.3% efficiency, which is not quite as high as models from other brands.
Installation and Labor
The cost figures we’ve provided above include the cost of installation, so the price charged by your installer for the labor can play a role in your total furnace installation price. Every installer will charge a different amount for installation services, and some can sit hundreds of dollars below others. We recommend you shop around and get a few quotes to get an idea of which installers are most affordable for the quality they provide.
Additionally, installers can sometimes discount products from Trane and take a smaller cut themselves. This can also play a minor role in equipment fees.
Maintenance and Repair
If you’re looking to carry out routine maintenance or furnace repairs on your Trane equipment, you can expect to pay significantly less than you would for a full replacement. The average cost for furnace maintenance and repair is around $600, and prices can range from $75 up to several thousand dollars depending on the work and parts that are needed.
We’ll list the average cost of some of the most common furnace maintenance and repair requests below to give you an idea of what costs you’re looking at for service:
- Blower Motor Replacement: $2,000, on average
- Heat Exchanger Replacement: $1,000, on average
- Igniter Replacement: $200, on average
- Preventative Maintenance: $100 to $400, in most cases
- Replacing the Circuit Board: $600, on average
- Thermostat Issue: $200, on average
Location and Climate
Where you live and the climate in your area can play a part in your Trane furnace price and long-term maintenance and replacement costs.
The labor to install Trane furnaces in expensive areas will usually be more costly to account for the higher cost of living. This can also affect ongoing maintenance and repair costs.
Additionally, if you live in a colder climate, your furnace will be under greater pressure to perform and will see more wear and tear. Constant furnace use will naturally promote issues with components breaking or becoming less efficient over time, so you’ll need to lay out more money more often to maintain your system and keep it functioning properly.
Additional Features
Trane furnaces are relatively basic, but there are a few features you can look for to suit your home heating needs and expectations:
- Comfort-R Technology: This is a humidity control technology that Trane includes in some of its high-end models. Maintaining a good humidity level in your home—especially in the summer—can make your home feel more comfortable and help your system run more efficiently.
- Two-Stage Furnaces: Two-stage furnaces, as the name implies, have two stages on which they can run: high and low. The high stages in Trane’s furnaces are perfect for extremely cold days, while the low setting can help keep temperatures throughout your entire living space as consistent and comfortable as possible.
- Variable-Speed Motors: Variable-speed blower motors allow you to customize your heating preferences and airflow—often by zone. Trane’s higher-end models are equipped with these motors to improve comfort in your home and efficiency. Keep in mind that these require additional communicating technology, including a heat pump or a variable-speed cooling system, as well as a variable-speed air handler.
How To Save on Trane Furnace Costs
If you decide that the high cost of Trane’s furnaces is worth the investment, you’ll be spending up to around $13,500 on your heating equipment. As such, it’s useful to understand the different ways you can save money on your initial furnace purchase and in the long run on maintenance and fuel. We’ll list a few money-saving tips below.
- Carry Out Regular Preventative Maintenance: One of the best ways to reduce the long-term costs of owning a Trane furnace is to carry out routine maintenance. This includes things like cleaning your HVAC ductwork, finding and changing your air filters, and scheduling a furnace tune-up for preventative maintenance at least once per year. These things will not only make your system run more efficiently and reduce fuel costs over time, but they’ll also extend the life of your equipment. As such, you’ll see less of a need for repair and replacement—both of which can quickly get expensive.
- Choose a High-Efficiency Furnace: Choosing a furnace with a higher AFUE rating will almost always cost you more upfront, but it’s still a great way to save in the long run. A high-efficiency furnace uses more of the fuel that’s put into it, which means less waste. Over the 15 to 20 years your furnace is expected to last, even a 10% difference in efficiency can lead to major fuel savings.
- Get Multiple Quotes: You should plan on getting at least two or three quotes for installing your Trane furnace. As we mentioned above, some installers will just naturally charge less for their labor to help keep costs down, and others may offer discounts on equipment. Getting a few quotes and comparing based on cost and value can help you keep costs down and get the most bang for your buck.
- Opt for Gas Instead of Oil if Possible: Natural gas is often considered more affordable than oil for home heating purposes for a few reasons. First, oil needs to be delivered, so it comes with a delivery charge. Second, gas is more readily available—and a high supply means lower costs. Third, oil burners are less efficient than gas ones—topping out around 85% in most cases—while Trane gas furnaces can reach up to 97.3% efficiency. Choosing gas ultimately means paying less for fuel in the long run, even if gas furnace prices are a bit higher from your HVAC contractor upfront.
- Take Any Rebates and Tax Credits You Can: Many cities and states offer rebates and tax credits for energy efficiency home improvements, and a big upgrade like a high-efficiency furnace is likely to qualify. In some cases, you could get up to $1,000 back in rebates. We recommend you check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency for local rebate and incentive information.
So, Are Trane Furnaces Worth the Cost?
Trane furnaces are some of the most expensive on the market, usually falling between $4,800 and $13,500. The products are of high quality and are built to last, but we don’t believe the cost is worth it.
Unfortunately, the high prices from Trane are coupled with slightly lower efficiency than some of the competition—a maximum of 97.3% from Trane as compared to 99.0% from some other manufacturers—and a less appealing warranty that only covers parts for ten years. Additionally, Trane has a B rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), while most competitors have A or A+, showing that the customer service isn’t quite as good.
FAQs About Trane Furnaces
What is the average cost of a Trane furnace?
The average cost of a Trane furnace is around $9,150, but you could pay anywhere between $4,800 and $13,500 depending on the model, the HVAC company you choose, and several other factors. Trane furnaces are more expensive than similar options you’ll find from most of the company’s competitors.
Is a Trane furnace worth the money?
In our opinion, no. There’s no denying that Trane furnaces and air conditioning units are of high quality, but the less-than-ideal warranty coverage and the lower BBB rating and customer service ratings don’t justify the high cost. Trane is more expensive than most other furnace brands, but its products also aren’t as appealing in terms of warranty coverage, efficiency, or longevity.
How often do Trane furnaces need to be replaced?
Trane furnaces last for between 15 and 20 years, on average, which is right in line with the industry average. These furnaces are durable and high-quality, although they don’t stand out from the competition in terms of average lifespan. You can extend the life of any system, including the furnaces from Trane, by carrying out routine maintenance and getting a tune-up once per year, leading into the colder weather.
What is the most popular Trane furnace?
The Trane S9X1 is probably the company’s most popular furnace. This gas furnace has a high efficiency of 96.0%, is Energy Star-certified, and is priced moderately compared to other Trane models. This is a single-stage furnace, so it won’t be ideal for those looking to maximize temperature control and home efficiency—but it offers a good balance between functionality, efficiency, and affordability.