Furnaces in Pittsburgh
A gas furnace is still the most common heating system in Western Pennsylvania, and for good reason. Natural gas is widely available across Allegheny County, the heat is fast and strong, and a properly sized, properly installed furnace will run twenty winters. The catch is in thos…
A gas furnace is still the most common heating system in Western Pennsylvania, and for good reason. Natural gas is widely available across Allegheny County, the heat is fast and strong, and a properly sized, properly installed furnace will run twenty winters. The catch is in those two words: properly sized, properly installed. Most furnace problems we see in Pittsburgh are not equipment failures. They are sizing mistakes, ductwork mistakes, or commissioning mistakes from the original install.
Wahl has installed furnaces in Pittsburgh since 1980. We are a Rheem Pro Partner, the top dealer tier with the brand that fits the most Pittsburgh homes. We also install Trane and Ameristar where the application calls for it. We run a Manual J load calculation on every job before we quote a size, and we commission every install with a checklist before we leave the house.
Three furnace tiers we install
The honest answer to “which furnace should I buy” depends on three things: how long you plan to stay in the house, how cold your house feels today, and how much you care about utility bills. Here is how the three tiers stack up.
Standard 80% AFUE
The workhorse. 80% of the gas you burn becomes heat in your house, 20% leaves through the flue. Lower upfront cost, simpler to service, fewer electronic parts to fail. Best for: rental properties, second homes, and homeowners who plan to move within five to seven years. See the gas furnace page for full detail.
High-efficiency 90%+ AFUE
90% to 96% of your gas becomes heat. Sealed combustion, PVC venting, condensing technology. Real annual savings on gas in Pittsburgh, particularly for homes with high winter usage. Requires a condensate drain. Best for: homeowners staying ten years or more, and homes with high gas bills. See the high-efficiency furnace page.
Variable-speed modulating
The top tier. The blower and burner both modulate, meaning the furnace runs longer at a lower output instead of cycling on and off. The result is even temperatures, quieter operation, better humidity control, and the highest seasonal efficiency. Pairs naturally with zoning and IAQ. See the variable-speed page.
Why furnace sizing matters more than you think
A 100,000 BTU furnace in a house that needs 60,000 BTU is not a “safety margin.” It is an oversizing problem. The furnace will hit setpoint too fast, shut off, the house will lose a degree or two, the furnace will fire again, and the cycle repeats every six or seven minutes all winter. That short-cycling burns more gas, wears the igniter and inducer faster, and leaves the house feeling drafty because the blower never runs long enough to mix the air.
The fix is Manual J load calculation. We do this on every furnace install. Square footage is a starting point, not the answer. The right size accounts for insulation, window count and quality, ceiling height, exposure, infiltration, and duct losses. The right-sized furnace runs longer, cycles less, and lasts longer.
What we replace and service
- Old 60% and 70% AFUE furnaces (anything pre-1995)
- Cracked heat exchangers (carbon monoxide risk, replacement, not repair)
- Failed inducer motors, blower motors, gas valves, control boards
- Bad igniters and flame sensors (most common Pittsburgh service call)
- Limit switch failures from undersized return ducts
- Furnace and AC combo replacements (do them together, save the second trip charge)
- Furnace plus mini-split additions for problem rooms
- Conversions from oil to gas
- Conversions from electric resistance to high-efficiency gas
Common furnace problems in Pittsburgh
- No heat, blower running but no flame
- Furnace cycles on and off rapidly (short-cycling)
- Pilot or igniter problems on humid mornings
- Strange smells at first fall startup (usually dust burnoff, but sometimes not)
- Banging or popping noises in the ductwork
- Cold rooms upstairs while downstairs is fine
- High gas bills with no temperature change
- Furnace makes it through November fine, fails in January when it gets cold
We diagnose, give you options on paper, and you decide. No high-pressure sales.
Why Wahl for furnaces
- 1,500+ Google reviews, 4.8 stars
- BBB A+ accredited, since 1980
- Rheem Pro Partner (top-tier dealer status, longest available warranties)
- Trane and Ameristar dealer
- Manual J sizing on every install
- W-2 technicians, factory trained
- Financing available through GoodLeap, Synchrony, Wells Fargo, EasyPay
- 24/7 emergency service
- One-year maintenance agreement included on every install
Schedule furnace service
Call 1-855-GET-WAHL (1-855-438-9245) or schedule online. 24/7 emergency response across Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
The credentials behind every install
- 1,500+ Google reviews at 4.8 stars and growing
- BBB A+ rated since 1980
- Rheem Pro Partner (top tier dealer)
- Mitsubishi Diamond Elite incl. City Multi commercial VRF
- Bosch exclusive cold-climate heat pump dealer
- Aprilaire authorized across full IAQ line
- RGF REME HALO + Calgon iWave air purification dealer
- Master plumber + Master HVAC on staff, PA licensed and insured
- Financing available through GoodLeap, Synchrony, Wells Fargo, EasyPay
- 24/7 emergency service across all systems
- Pittsburgh based, family owned since 1980
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new furnace cost in Pittsburgh?
Pricing depends on size, efficiency tier, ductwork condition, and whether you are also replacing the AC. A standard 80% AFUE Rheem furnace installed runs different than a variable-speed modulating Rheem with a new variable-speed coil. We give you a real number on paper, two or three options to choose from, with member and standard pricing shown side by side. No call for a ballpark.
How long does a furnace last in Pittsburgh?
Twenty years is a fair upper bound for a properly sized, properly maintained gas furnace. Fifteen to eighteen is more typical. We see plenty of Pittsburgh furnaces fail at twelve because they were oversized, undersized, or never tuned up. Annual maintenance roughly doubles your odds of hitting twenty.
Is a 96% efficient furnace worth it over an 80%?
For most Pittsburgh homeowners staying five years or more, yes. The gas savings stack year after year, the higher tier units run quieter, and the modulating blowers do a better job mixing air across two-story homes. The break-even varies with gas prices, but Pittsburgh winters are long enough that the math usually works.
Should I replace my furnace and AC at the same time?
If both are over twelve years old, yes. The blower in the furnace is what moves the AC’s cold air, the coil sits on top of the furnace, and you save a second commissioning trip. Doing them together is also a chance to upsize the line set or upgrade the thermostat. If the AC is five years younger than the furnace, replace the furnace alone and revisit AC in a few years.
Do you install furnaces in older Pittsburgh homes with no ductwork?
Yes, but it is a bigger project. Older homes often run boilers or radiators. Adding a forced-air furnace means designing new ductwork, finding chases, and working with the existing finish. Many older homes are a better fit for a high-velocity small-duct system or a multi-zone mini split. We will walk the house and tell you which approach makes sense.
What is AFUE?
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The percentage of fuel energy your furnace actually converts to heat in your house over the heating season. An 80% AFUE furnace turns 80% of the gas you pay for into heat. A 96% AFUE furnace turns 96% into heat. See the glossary for more.
Will a new furnace lower my gas bill?
If you are replacing a 70% or 80% AFUE furnace with a 96% AFUE, yes, often by a meaningful margin. The actual percentage depends on how much of your bill is heating versus water heating, cooking, and dryer. We can model your specific savings during the quote.
Financing Available on Every Job
Same as cash promotions, low rate monthly payments, approval in minutes. Talk to your technician about what works for your budget.
GoodLeap
Low rate fixed monthly payments up to 15 years on qualifying HVAC and plumbing projects.
Synchrony
Same as cash promotions up to 18 months for buyers who pay the balance before the promo ends.
Wells Fargo
Traditional installment financing with longer repayment terms for larger comfort upgrades.
EasyPay
Alternative credit path for qualifying customers who need a non traditional approval.
Ready to schedule?
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and a 20 mile radius from our Carnegie Oakdale office. Same day appointments most weeks.