Furnace Installation in Durham, NC | Sized Right, Done Right

An oversized furnace short cycles and wears out early. An undersized one runs constantly and still can't keep up on the coldest nights. Alternative Aire installs furnaces sized to your actual home, not your old unit's nameplate, using a Manual J load calculation on every job. NATE certified, licensed under NC H2 and H3-Class 1 #30223, and installing systems across Durham for 17+ years.

NATE Certified Technicians
17+ Years in Durham
BBB A+ Accredited

Signs It's Time to Replace Your Furnace This Season

A furnace doesn’t have to be completely dead to be worth replacing. Watch for repairs that keep coming back, a system that’s more than 15 years old, uneven heating no matter how you adjust the thermostat, or a gas bill that’s climbed even though nothing about your home changed. A cracked heat exchanger is the clearest sign of all, since that’s a safety issue, not just an efficient one. If any of this sounds familiar, it’s worth a conversation before the furnace decides the timing for you.

What's Included in Every Furnace Installation We Do

Every installation starts with a Manual J load calculation, so the size of the unit actually matches your home instead of your old system’s specs. We check your ductwork and static pressure, verify combustion air and venting, and confirm gas pipe sizing and pressure before anything gets connected. High AFUE furnaces, in the 95 to 98.5 percent range, are standard options we install regularly, with two-stage and variable speed comfort available depending on what your home needs. We handle the electrical work and pull the required permits ourselves, so that’s never something you have to manage on your own.

Our Furnace Installation Process, Explained Step by Step

1. You Schedule a Visit

Call us or book online, and we'll come look at your home in person before recommending anything.

2. We Run a Real Load Calculation

Manual J, plus a look at your ductwork, venting, and gas line, so the sizing is based on your home, not a guess.

3. You Get a Clear Recommendation and a Real Price

AFUE options explained in plain language, with a written quote before you commit to anything.

4. We Install It Right

Ductwork connections, gas pipe work, electrical, and permits, all handled by our own NATE certified technicians.

5. We Commission the System Before We Leave

Ignition and flame proving, temperature rise, safety controls, and thermostat setup, all verified, not assumed.

Gas or Electric Furnace: Which One Fits Your Home?

Both are solid options, and the right choice depends on your home’s setup more than a general preference. Gas furnaces heat faster and tend to cost less to run in a climate like Durham’s, but they need a gas line and proper venting. Electric furnaces are simpler to install and maintain, with no combustion or venting to worry about, though operating costs can run higher depending on your utility rates. We’ll walk through both options honestly based on what your home already has and what actually makes sense for your budget.

Why Durham Homeowners Trust Us With Furnace Installations

An installation either performs the way it’s supposed to for the next 15 years or it doesn’t, and that outcome gets decided on day one, not after the fact. Here’s what we do differently.

Manual J on Every Job, No Exceptions

We size the furnace to your home, not your old unit.

High AFUE Systems, Standard

95 to 98.5 percent efficiency, with two-stage and variable speed available.

alternative aire office

Licensed and NATE Certified

NC H2 and H3-Class 1 #30223. Our own technicians, not a subcontractor.

17+ Years in Durham, BBB A+ Accredited

Long enough to know what actually holds up in this climate.

Financing Options for Your New Furnace Installation

A new furnace is a real cost, and we’re not going to pretend it isn’t. We offer financing through the Wells Fargo Home Projects Credit Card, and it covers both installation and repair work. That means you can move forward with a new system now instead of waiting until you’ve saved the full amount.

Furnace Brands We Repair and Service Across Durham, NC

We provide professional AC installation services throughout Durham and the surrounding Triangle area, including:

Real Reviews From Durham Homeowners We've Actually Helped

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Mark Murray profile picture
Mark Murray
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Our technician Solomon Lopez was great. He was very thorough in walking me through what needed to be done and why. The price was on the low end compared to other estimates that I received too!
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Andrew profile picture
Andrew
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I called my go to company alternative Aire to help me with an issue with my HVAC and Phil came out and did a great job! Great customer service, he diagnosed the issue quickly and had it fixed within 15 minutes. He even took a look to make sure everything else was looking Okay. Cool air coming into the house now feels great. Thanks for your help Phil!
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Marie Martinez profile picture
Marie Martinez
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Phillip came in a timely manner and was so professional. He worked so quickly and was extremely thorough, checking every part of my system on such a hot day. I would highly recommend this company and especially the technician named Phillip.
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Quinn Schwartz profile picture
Quinn Schwartz
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Charles is very helpful and attentive
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CCS 762 profile picture
CCS 762
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Charles has been my guy for 3 years. Always comes through. Thank you.

Furnace Installation FAQs Every Homeowner Should Ask

How much does furnace installation cost?

It depends on the system size, efficiency level, and whether your ductwork, venting, or electrical need any work alongside the install. We give you a real written quote after seeing your home, not a number over the phone.

Most installations are completed in a single day. If ductwork, venting, or gas line changes are needed, it can run into a second day, and we’ll tell you upfront if that’s likely.

Not the size of your old one. We run a Manual J load calculation based on your home’s actual square footage, insulation, and layout to get the number right.

Not always. If your existing ductwork is properly sized and sealed, it can usually stay in place. If it’s leaking or undersized, we’ll flag it during the estimate and can design a real fix.

Yes, through the Wells Fargo Home Projects Credit Card, covering both installation and repairs.

Trane, Carrier, Lennox, York, Amana, American Standard, and Goodman.

A lot of Durham homes benefit from a dual fuel setup, a furnace paired with a heat pump for efficient heating across a wide temperature range. We’ll size and set up that pairing correctly if it makes sense for your home.

With regular maintenance, most furnaces run 15 to 20 years. Correct sizing and installation from day one play a large role in hitting that number.

Schedule Your Furnace Installation in Durham Today

We install furnaces throughout Durham, including Trinity Park, Old West Durham, Forest Hills, Croasdaile, Hope Valley, Woodcroft, and Southpoint, plus ZIP codes 27701, 27705, 27707, and 27713. We also serve Chapel Hill, Cary, Morrisville, Hillsborough, and West Raleigh.