Furnace Cost in Rockford, IL

Cost of New Furnace and Installation in Rockford

In cold Rockford, IL, the average cost of a new furnace (plus installation) falls in the range of $5,600 and $10,200. That wide price range is due to a few major factors:

• How big is your home? The bigger your home, the bigger the furnace you will need.
• How old are your home’s windows and insulation? The more air that leaks from your doors and windows and the less efficient your window glass and insulation are, the more powerful a furnace you will need.
• How complex will your installation be? If your furnace is difficult to reach, your air ducts are leaky, or you need add-ons like electrical work or a gas-line extension, then your final price will be higher.

You can use the table below as well as Modernize’s HVAC cost calculator to get a sense of what your own furnace replacement might cost.

Installed Furnace Costs For Rockford – Table

What to Know About This Cost Table

Not sure what everything in the table means? Here’s a brief explanation:

• BTUs are how furnace capacity is measured. This is the furnace’s size. For a home in Rockford that is somewhere between 1,600 and 2,200 square feet, a furnace in the 70k to 100k BTU range is common. You may need a bigger furnace if your windows or insulation are especially old. You can read more about the right size furnace for Illinois or use Modernize’s furnace size calculator to get a general estimate.
• AFUE ratings are a way to measure how efficient your furnace is. For example, a 97% AFUE furnace would turn 97% of the energy it uses into heat for your home.
• You can choose from a single-stage, two-stage, or variable-speed furnace. Single-stage is the most affordable while variable-speed tends to be the most expensive. You can read more about the differences between them as well as more about home heating systems by visiting our guide.

Common Add-Ons and Extras

• Chimney liner: $300 to $900
• Gas-line extension: $250 to $600
• Condensate pump: $150 to $300
• Electrical work: Varies widely based on the issue you’re experiencing.
• Asbestos abatement: Varies widely based on the severity of the problem.

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Furnace Permits and Costs in Rockford

• Do you need a permit? Yes, furnace replacement must be permitted by the city.
• Issuing authority: Rockford Community & Economic Development. You will need a mechanical permit for a furnace replacement. You can read more about mechanical permits on the City of Rockford website.
• Typical fee range: ~$60–$175
• Inspection requirement: A final inspection is required after installation. Talk to your contractor about the steps you need to take to get one scheduled.
• Turnaround time: When applied for properly, mechanical permits are often issued within one to two business days.

Utility Rebates in Rockford For New Furnaces

Utilities Companies We Checked

• ComEd (electric)
• Nicor Gas (gas)

We last checked for rebates at these companies in September of 2025. During heating season, we will check for new rebates monthly and update this section. The rest of the year, this section will be updated quarterly along with the rest of the page.

Current Offers

• ComEd is not currently offering electric furnace rebates. However, up to a $100 rebate for replacing your furnace blower motor is offered if you are pursuing a repair instead of buying a brand new unit. They also have a rebate available for up to $75 on qualifying smart thermostats.
• Nicor is offering rebates for high-efficiency furnaces. The more efficient your new furnace is, the higher the rebate potential. Rebates range from $100 to $225 depending on your furnace efficiency as well as whether you install a smart thermostat at the same time.

Note: In many cases, utility providers will require your contractor to be an approved participant in order to take advantage of the rebate. As you’re getting quotes, ask your contractors if they qualify.

Labor Costs and Market Conditions

HVAC installers in Rockford typically earn between $28 and $32 per hour (journeyman level). There is no exact data available for how much labor on a new furnace comes out to per hour, but generally you should expect it to make up about one third of your total cost. Typically, this means that the hourly wage gets doubled or tripled to cover overhead costs as well as turn a profit.

Getting quotes early in the winter or in any other season is a great way to reduce costs when possible. In Rockford, HVAC installers are typically busiest in the winter and the early spring, and that demand can push up rates.

Looking For Quotes?

You can browse our list of HVAC installers in Rockford. There, we include information about the company, ratings, any promotions you may be able to take advantage of, and more.

Modernize can also do the work for you. Click below and answer a few questions about your project, and Modernize will match you with up to four HVAC professionals in your area.

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Methodology and Sources

We build average furnace replacement costs in Rockford by using the following method:

• Data from ~12–24 months of Modernize/lead database + closed installs in Winnebago County + verified contractor quotes
• Equipment MSRP bands (80–120k BTU, multiple efficiency levels) adjusted to local freight / markup
• Labor component = crew hours × local fully-loaded wage (including benefits, overhead, profit)
• Permit + inspection median from Rockford DOB schedules factored in

These costs exclude full duct redesign, major electrical upgrades, structural work, and hazardous material remediation, all of which will vary on a home-by-home basis.

This page was last updated September 2025 and is updated quarterly. As stated above, when Rockford is in heating/furnace season, we check for updates and rebates and savings monthly. This page will next be updated in December 2025, but rebates/savings will be checked (and updated where applicable) in October 2025.

Sources: municipal permit docs, utility rebate pages, OEWS, NOAA HDD, national OEM pricing.