Gas furnace replacement cost in Detroit, MI
Installed, 80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency
A typical furnace (80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency) costs about $4,850 installed in the Detroit area, about the same as the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $30 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in Detroit
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,650 | $4,150 | $5,450 | $4,100 |
| 60,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,350 | $4,800 | $5,800 | $4,750 |
| 80,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,750 | $4,100 | $5,050 | $4,050 |
| 80,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,450 | $4,850 | $5,950 | $4,850 |
| 100,000 BTU, 80% efficiency | $3,900 | $4,250 | $5,500 | $4,250 |
| 100,000 BTU, 95%+ efficiency | $4,550 | $5,000 | $6,000 | $4,950 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Detroit metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $23 | $23 |
| Median | $30 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $39 | $37 |
The Detroit market
In Detroit, the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) issues trade permits, and its FAQ says plumbing and furnace (mechanical) work need one. The plumbing fee schedule lists water heaters at $44 each plus a $73 non-refundable application fee. A current mechanical fee schedule was not found, so ask BSEED. Homeowners may apply for trade permits on single-family homes they own and occupy, while a contractor is required for multi-family dwellings and commercial property. After the work is done you request an inspection, then a Certificate of Acceptance validates the permit. Cold winters drive equipment here: EIA found furnaces are the main heat in 83% of Michigan homes, and gas heats water in 66%. Warren, Dearborn and the suburban townships each run their own building departments.
Most Detroit quotes are gas furnace swaps, and many older homes vent the old furnace into a masonry chimney. A high-efficiency replacement vents through plastic pipe out a side wall and drains condensate, so ask where both will go. Ask how the contractor sized the new unit. A house that has had new windows or insulation since the last furnace went in may need less capacity than before. Get the AFUE and model number on the quote.
Permits in Detroit
| Permit for this job | Yes (furnace/mechanical work requires a BSEED trade permit); AC and heat pump not named (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Plumbing: water heater $44 each plus $73 non-refundable application fee. Mechanical: current schedule not found (a 2010 form listed 'Homeowner Furnace Installation Permit $148' and 'Alterations to Existing Fuel Burner Furnace Installation $99'). |
| Who can pull it | Homeowner (single-family, owner-occupant with proof of ownership) or licensed contractor; contractor required for 2-family and up |
| Inspection | Yes |
Rebates in Michigan
HEAR: open with limits. HOMES: open with limits. Source: EGLE Materials Management Division, Energy Services, checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Detroit
- Gas tank water heater
- Gas tankless water heater
- Central air conditioner
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Gas furnace cost in other metros
- Grand Rapids, MI
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Houston, TX
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
Sources
- Detroit BSEED: frequently asked questions
- Detroit BSEED plumbing fee schedule
- Michigan EGLE: Home energy rebate programs
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- https://training.detroitmi.gov/sites/training.detroitmi/files/2018-05/mechanical_permit_application_-_new_0.pdf
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI (49-9021 HVAC mechanics and installers)
- DOE Consumer Furnaces Final Rule TSD (Sep 2023), Table 8.2.12 (2022$); labor share from App. 8D (11.97 person-hours, $705 of $2,527)