Greg Ballman said he noticed a doorway going into the garage was nicked before he saw that his furnace was missing, the Mankato (Minn.) Free Press reported Monday.

"Then I went down to the basement and saw an empty spot where the furnace used to be," Ballman said.

Ballman recently sold the house and is scheduled to close with the buyers this week. He said he's going to have to spend $2,500 or more to get a new furnace installed before then.

Thief or thieves did shut the water valve before cutting the pipe and snipping the thermostat and power wires, Ballman said.

"It could have been worse," he said. "They could have left the water running."

Since the boiler's "bonnet," which is used to vent carbon monoxide out of the house, was left behind, the person who uses it will have to buy a new one.

Ballman said he is hoping businesses that sell bonnets will let police know if someone has purchased one.