Short answer: as of July 2026, furnace repair in the Southern/Central California region typically costs $150–$1,500, and most single-component repairs land in the $200–$600 range. Call (559) 555-0142 to get matched with a licensed local C-20 contractor.
Furnace repair cost by part
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Igniter | $150–$300 |
| Thermocouple / flame sensor | $100–$250 |
| Blower motor | $300–$700 |
| Control board | $400–$900 |
| Heat exchanger | $600–$1,500 |
| Gas valve | $300–$650 |
| Thermostat | $100–$300 |
Regional cross-check (national average): $300 average, $80–$1,100 range — HomeGuide, published Aug 27, 2025. Regional (CA) figures are used as this page's primary numbers since they're more current and more locally relevant; the national figures are a sanity check, not a substitute.
Other costs to expect
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic / service call fee | $75–$150 |
| Emergency / after-hours add-on | $75–$150 |
| New furnace installation (for comparison) | $2,500–$6,000 |
If the repair quote is approaching that last row, the furnace replacement cost guide breaks the installed price down by home size, fuel type and efficiency tier, and covers the Visalia-specific permit and air-district points.
Signs your furnace needs attention
- Furnace won't ignite — often the igniter or flame sensor, sometimes a closed gas valve or a tripped safety switch.
- Blows cold air — the blower is running but the burner isn't lighting, or the thermostat is calling for fan-only mode.
- Short-cycles — turns on and off repeatedly, often a dirty flame sensor or airflow restriction from a clogged filter.
- Unusual smell or noise on startup — a slight dusty smell on first use of the season is normal; a persistent burning smell or banging noise is not — shut it off and call a technician.
If your furnace is completely dead and it's a genuinely urgent situation, see our no-cool/no-heat triage page — most of the same "check the basics first" steps apply. For a furnace that won't turn on or won't heat, run through the furnace troubleshooting checklist before you call. Heating with a heat pump rather than a furnace? See heat pump repair costs instead.
Who's licensed for furnace work
Furnace repair falls under the same CSLB C-20 classification as AC work (claude_FACTS_CA_STATE.md CA-006) — it's the same contractor license, not a separate one. See how we match licensed C-20 contractors.
Page last reviewed 2026-09-13. Sequoia Air Repair is a free matching service — we connect you with independent, licensed local providers; we're not the company performing the repair.