What Makes Northville Furnace Installs Different
Two kinds of homes make up most of Northville, and each tends to push the price in its own direction.
Older homes in the City of Northville. Many homes near downtown and in the historic district are 80 to 100+ years old. They often have tight basements, older ductwork sized for a different system, and a furnace venting into a shared masonry chimney. Moving to a 95% furnace means new PVC venting out a side wall, and sometimes a chimney liner for the water heater left behind. If the vent would exit a wall visible from the street, check with the city first, since exterior changes in the historic district can need approval.
Larger homes in Northville Township. Many Township subdivisions were built from the 1980s through the 2000s, and a lot of those original furnaces are now at the end of their life. These are often 3,000+ sq ft two-story homes where one single-stage furnace leaves the upstairs hot and the basement cold. A two-stage or variable-speed furnace, sometimes with zoning, fixes that. It costs more up front, but it is usually the right call for a home that size.
Either way, the furnace should be sized to your home with a load calculation, not matched to whatever was there before. Oversized furnaces are common in both kinds of homes. They short-cycle, wear out sooner and heat unevenly. Learn more about our
heating and cooling services in Northville.
Other Things That Change the Price
- Venting. Switching from a chimney-vented 80% furnace to a 95%+ furnace adds new PVC intake and exhaust piping and a condensate drain.
- Ductwork. Leaky, undersized or poorly balanced ducts can make a new furnace sound loud and heat unevenly. Some homes need repairs or new returns.
- Gas line. A larger or relocated furnace may need a bigger or rerouted gas line.
- Pairing with AC. If your air conditioner is 12 to 15 years old, replacing both at once often costs less than two separate jobs, and the systems are matched.
- Permits and inspection. Furnace replacement needs a mechanical permit and inspection. The City of Northville and Northville Township are separate municipalities with their own building departments. A licensed contractor pulls the right one for your address; a quote that skips the permit is a red flag.
Rebates, Tax Credits and Financing in 2026
Utility rebates are still available this winter; the federal tax credit is not.
- DTE Energy rebates. DTE natural gas customers can get $100 for a 95% AFUE furnace, $200 for 96–97%, and $400 for 98% or higher. The work must be done by a DTE participating contractor, and funds are first-come, first-served.
- Consumers Energy. If Consumers Energy supplies your gas, it runs its own heating rebates through participating contractors.
- Federal tax credit: ended. The federal credit that covered up to $600 on a qualifying furnace ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025. Be wary of any quote that still promises it.
- Financing. Monthly payments let you choose the right furnace for your home instead of the cheapest one. Ask about financing options when you request your estimate.
Repair or Replace?
Replacement usually makes more sense than another repair when:
- The furnace is 15 or more years old.
- You've paid for repairs two winters in a row.
- A repair would cost more than about half the price of a new furnace.
- Some rooms never get warm, or your gas bills keep climbing.
How to Compare Furnace Quotes
- Check that it was sized for your home. A good quote is based on a load calculation, not the size of your old unit.
- Compare the same efficiency and staging. An 80% single-stage quote and a 96% two-stage quote are not the same job.
- Look for what's included. Venting, condensate drain, gas line work, permit, haul-away and thermostat should be listed.
- Confirm the license. Michigan mechanical contractors are licensed by the state. OnPoint HVAC's license is #7118987.
For more detail on what drives furnace prices across the area, see our
Livonia furnace replacement cost guide.
Northville Furnace Replacement FAQs
Do you serve both the City of Northville and Northville Township? Yes. We install furnaces throughout the City of Northville and Northville Township, and we pull the permit for whichever one your home is in.
Is it worth upgrading from an 80% to a 95% furnace? For most Northville homes, yes. A 95% furnace uses less gas every winter and qualifies for DTE rebates. An 80% furnace can still make sense in a small home where new venting would be hard to run.
Can you put a high-efficiency furnace in an older home with a chimney? Usually, yes. The new furnace vents through PVC pipe out a side wall instead of the chimney. If a gas water heater still uses the chimney, it may need a liner, and we'll include that in the quote.
How long does furnace replacement take? Most replacements are finished in one day. Jobs with new venting, gas line or duct changes can take longer, and we'll tell you up front.
Get a Free Furnace Estimate in Northville
OnPoint HVAC is a licensed (#7118987), family-owned HVAC company based in Livonia, serving Northville and nearby communities. We'll size your furnace to your home, explain your options, and give you a written price before any work begins.
Call
(248) 331-8090 or
request a free estimate. See all of our services in
Northville.
