Furnace Installation & Replacement in Aurora

Expect about a 22% derate at Aurora's elevation. In practice, a furnace rated 100,000 Btu/h input at sea level runs at roughly 78,000 Btu/h here after the high-altitude orifices and pressure adjustments are made. That number, not the box label, is what we compare against the Manual J heat loss.

Many larger homes in the southeast subdivisions were built with furnaces sized generously by rule of thumb. A load calculation often shows a smaller unit, or a two-stage or modulating furnace, will heat more evenly and short-cycle less.

Colorado's HB23-1161 now requires new gas furnaces sold in the state to meet a 14 ng/J NOx limit or the most recent ENERGY STAR certification. ENERGY STAR Version 5.0, effective July 31, 2026, set that bar at 97% AFUE in the North. So a 95% furnace that is neither ultra-low NOx nor ENERGY STAR V5.0 may not qualify. We show the compliance path on the spec sheet with every bid.

Market reports put the price impact in the thousands: a Colorado Springs service manager told KOAA compliant equipment may run $7,000 to $10,000 installed, versus about $5,000 for older non-compliant models. Those are market reports, not our pricing; your written quote depends on your venting and ductwork.

In Hoffman Heights, keeping an ultra-low NOx 80% furnace on the existing vent can be the simpler path, provided the vent is inspected and sized for the new input. Going condensing means routing two PVC pipes to an outside wall and finding a spot for the condensate to drain, plus re-checking the water heater's vent if it is left alone in the old flue.

In Saddle Rock and Tallyn's Reach, the condensing furnace is usually already on PVC, and we confirm pipe length and termination clearances meet the new unit's instructions.

We apply for the mechanical permit with the City of Aurora Building Division through its online portal and schedule the inspection. Xcel Energy provides gas and electricity citywide. Xcel's gas furnace rebate appears to have ended on January 1, 2026, according to an independent rebate tracker, so we verify with Xcel before including any furnace rebate in your numbers.

If you need new AC too, compare a cold-climate heat pump. Colorado's 2026 air-source heat pump credit is $1,000, Power Ahead Colorado offers $1,500 for cold-climate units, and Xcel's heat pump rebates changed on October 1, 2026, so confirm current amounts with Xcel. Our heat pump vs. furnace guide runs the operating-cost math.