Full Time Heating & Cooling · Watertown, MN
Furnace Replacement Without the Sales Pressure
24/7 Emergency Service5.0 Rating · 200+ Google ReviewsMN Bonded #MB792165NATE-Certified Technicians
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Before: the aging 80 percent furnace this replacement took out
We Check Whether Repair Makes Sense First
Some HVAC companies train technicians to spot replacement opportunities instead of repair opportunities. Full Time doesn't work that way. We don't have a separate sales team, and our technicians don't earn commission on equipment sales, so there's no financial reason to turn a repair call into a replacement sale. When a furnace comes in for service, our technician diagnoses the actual problem, whether that's a failed igniter, a bad capacitor, or a cracked heat exchanger, and explains what repairing it would cost against what replacing the furnace would cost. A cracked heat exchanger doesn't automatically mean the furnace has to go. It's a replaceable component, and whether replacing that part or the whole furnace makes more sense depends on its condition, whether the part is still available, what's left on the warranty, and the total cost either way. If another company has already told you to replace your furnace, our free HVAC second opinion service is a good place to start before you spend anything.
What Our Technicians Weigh When You're Deciding
Details below
These are the considerations our technician walks through with you. None of them add up to an automatic verdict on their own.
Isolated vs. Recurring Problems
Complete Repair Cost
Warranty and Out-of-Pocket Cost
Parts Availability
Comfort, Cost, and Your Plans
Plymouth: A 1992 Furnace, a $1,000+ Repair Quote, and a Replacement Decision
A 1992 Carrier furnace in Plymouth stopped heating when its control board failed. The replacement board was difficult to source, which added to the cost: once the part, shipping, and labor were all accounted for, the complete repair quote came to more than $1,000. Repair was still on the table. The homeowner weighed that cost against replacement and chose to replace the furnace, accepting a $7,525 quote for a new AirQuest QuietComfort 80% two-stage gas furnace. Two-stage heating means the furnace can run at a lower output on milder days and step up to full output in colder weather, which gives more even comfort than a single-stage furnace that's either running at full blast or off. The $7,525 price was specific to this project, not an average cost, a starting price, or a quote for every home. It included the furnace and installation, removal of the old unit, the permit, the electrician, all taxes, and warranty registration. A repair quote over $1,000 doesn't automatically mean replacement is the right call. This is what happened on this particular job, not a rule for every furnace.
Chanhassen: No Safe Repair Was Available
A 1991 Magic Chef furnace in Chanhassen was diagnosed with a leaking gas valve, a genuine safety issue. The replacement valve the furnace needed had been discontinued and was no longer available anywhere, leaving no safe way to repair the existing unit. Our technician recommended replacement because of the leaking valve and the unavailable part, not because of the furnace's age by itself. This furnace couldn't be safely repaired at any price, because the part it needed no longer exists anywhere. We tell you plainly when that's the situation, rather than quoting a repair we can't actually stand behind.
Furnace Replacement: Google Review Excerpts
Over 200 Google reviews, including these furnace replacement customers
Read all reviews
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AC and furnace replacement
Jason was available immediately, helped with the diagnosis and provided replacement options and remained accessible throughout the process exceeding expectations.
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New furnace and AC · Chanhassen
Beginning with an initial assessment visit, and progressing through bidding, procuring the equipment, scheduling installation, being on site during the work, and a next day follow-up visit, Jason did everything he promised. He never missed a deadline or failed to do something required to finish on time.
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Furnace replacement · Excelsior
Jason is excellent! He’s extremely knowledgeable, responsive, and dependable, and always does a great job. We really appreciate his attention to detail and how clearly he explains everything. Highly recommend!
Technician beside a gas furnace and whole-home media air cleaner
Signs Worth a Closer Look, Not Automatic Answers
Furnace age alone doesn't make the replacement decision, and there's no single cutoff year or cost percentage that works for every system. What matters more is the pattern: a furnace that's needed one repair in ten years is a different conversation than one that's broken down three times in two winters. Other things worth watching include heating bills climbing without an explanation, uneven heat distribution that didn't used to happen, a heat exchanger that's cracked or corroding, and repair estimates that start to approach what a replacement would cost. None of these make the decision automatically. They're reasons to get a straight diagnosis from a technician who isn't paid to recommend equipment. If your furnace is acting up, our furnace repair page covers common problems and what we check for.
Furnace Installation: AirQuest Equipment, Elite Dealer Coverage
Full Time primarily installs AirQuest equipment and is an AirQuest Elite Dealer. Many AirQuest systems qualify for a 10-year parts limited warranty with registration, and Elite Dealer status adds extended No Hassle Replacement coverage on qualifying installations. Our furnace installation page covers the full installation-day process, crew, timing, and final inspection in detail.
Serving Watertown and Surrounding Areas
Full Time Heating & Cooling handles furnace replacements throughout Watertown and surrounding areas, including Delano, Waconia, St. Bonifacius, and the rest of the west metro. See the full areas we serve list if you're not sure whether we cover your location. Emergency service is available 24/7 if your furnace fails before you're ready to schedule a planned replacement.
Schedule a Furnace Replacement Estimate
Don't replace a furnace based on a guess. Call or text (952) 847-3387 to schedule an estimate. Our technician will tell you what your system actually needs and give you honest pricing for repair and replacement before you decide.
Or send us your info
FAQ Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers below
How do I know if my furnace needs repair or full replacement? +
There's no fixed age or cost percentage that decides it for every furnace. What matters is the specific situation: the furnace's age, its maintenance history, whether the current problem is a one-off or part of a pattern of breakdowns, the complete repair cost including parts and labor, what's left on any warranty, and whether the correct replacement part is still available. Our technician walks through those factors with you and lays out the repair and replacement cost side by side so you can decide.
What efficiency rating should I choose for a furnace replacement? +
An 80% AFUE furnace costs less upfront. A 96% AFUE furnace costs more upfront but burns less gas per heating season, though how quickly that difference pays for itself depends on your installation cost, your gas rates, and how much your home actually runs the furnace. A 96% AFUE furnace also requires PVC exhaust venting rather than a traditional flue pipe, which can add installation cost if your home isn't already set up for it. Our technician factors that into the total cost comparison before you choose.
How long does a furnace replacement take? +
Most residential furnace replacements are completed in a single day, though exact timing depends on the specific job. See our furnace installation page for the full installation-day process, crew, and final inspection.
Our promise
If we can repair it, we will.
No unnecessary replacements.We fix what's actually wrong and explain your options.
Keep Reading
Updated October 2026
More Services
- Emergency HVAC ServiceNo heat or AC at the worst possible time? Full Time Heating & Cooling answers 24/7. Fully insured, repair-first technicians. Call (952) 847-3387 now.
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