How long does a furnace last? That’s pretty much the first question any new (or almost new) furnace owner asks. That’s because furnaces are expensive to replace. New home owners are hyper-conscious of the fact that if a major appliance goes down in their home, it will take a considerable amount of money for a Hamilton NJ furnace replacement.
The average furnace life is…
about 15 years. However, not all furnaces are guaranteed to hit that target. Nor are all furnaces going to kick the bucket right at the 15 year mark. The fast answer the longevity question is; it depends. In this article, we will discuss the factors that affect the lifespan of a furnace.
Overview: The Factors Influencing A Heater’s Life
Contents
Before we get into each main factor, it’s important to point out the variables that can influence how long your furnace lasts. Here they are in no particular order:
- Age
- Brand
- Maintenance history of your heating system
- The climate you live in
All of these factors play a role in a furnace’s lifespan. Older furnaces obviously don’t last as long as newer ones. A well-manufactured furnace is going to outlast a cheaply made one. A furnace that is neglected is going to require a replacement much faster than one that was properly maintained. Finally, a heating unit that has to work excessively throughout the cold season due to freezing temperatures is probably going to give up sooner than a furnace that lives in a more temperate climate.
The Age Of Your Heating System
If you’re Googling ‘how long will my furnace last?’ because you just bought a 40 year old home and you’re pretty sure the furnace was installed just after the Second World War ended, chances are it might be ready for retirement.
The average furnace life span is about 15 years. If someone really babied it by doing all the routine maintenance and not working it too hard, you could potentially push that out to 20 or maybe even 25 years.
Most people, however, see their heating system as a necessary evil so that scenario is probably unlikely. Long story short, if you know your furnace is 15 years old or more, it is time to think of a replacement. This is especially true if you are constantly requiring repairs.
The Brand Of Furnace
This one is a little more subjective but…
with most appliances, there are higher-quality brands. You aren’t going to discern how to find the best gas furnace or other type of fueled furnace by how flashy a manufacturer’s marketing of the heating system is. You won’t find the best heater by determining how many commercials you see on TV from that brand.
Rely instead on warranty information and reviews from actual customers. If you look online and your brand of furnace has high reviews from thousands of people, it’s a good bet that it will last you the full 15 year life cycle.
If the company offers lengthy warranties on its product, that’s another good sign that it will last its entire 15 year life cycle or more. Pretty much any company that offers warranties doesn’t just pull a number out of the air and decide they will cover a product or parts of that product for that time frame. Those warranties are based on mathematical probabilities of equipment failure and other factors. In other words, some furnace manufacturers want to stand behind their products and they aren’t in the business of fixing stuff for free. If there is a good warranty on a furnace, it should last you 15 years with proper care or more when you give it exceptional care.
Your Furnace Maintenance History
This one is a no-brainer. For instance, if you have a car and you never change the oil. You never wash it or repair it when necessary, it’s going to die a lot sooner than if you did all that. The same is true for a furnace. If you want it to last its entire life cycle, you need to:
- Change the filter when you’re supposed to
- Have it inspected annually by a professional
- Replace worn parts
- Generally, make sure it’s in good working order
The Climate You Live In
The conditions that your furnace is exposed to affects its lifespan.
This may not be as big of a factor as the others but it does play a role. If you live in an extreme environment where the furnace is constantly working, that is going to burn through its life cycle faster than if you live in a region of the world where the furnace isn’t needed all the time.
Furnace Replacement Hamilton NJ
Of course, each one of these factors influences the other so it is important to understand that none of these alone is going to make or break your furnace. Ultimately, you should contact an experienced professional to inspect your furnace and give you their opinion on how long it will last. Regardless, a reputable company will let you know the details of your furnace’s condition when you schedule routine maintenance. As always, furnace installation DIY is not an option. Only an HVAC contractors should conduct all heater maintenance, repairs, and installations.
For trusted heating services, including furnace tune-ups and replacement services, contact PFO Heating & Air Conditioning. Our NATE certified HVAC contractors have the skills, knowledge, and experience to service your system properly to ensure energy efficient operation and an increased level of comfort within your home. To schedule furnace services, call our office today.
Some of the areas we service include: Allentown, Hamilton, Princeton, Trenton and these zip codes: 08501, 08619, 08540, 08601 as well as all surrounding areas in Mercer County, New Jersey.
PFO Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to be an authorized dealer for such incredible brands such as Carrier and Mitsubishi heating and cooling systems. These manufacturers offer the best HVAC units in the industry when it comes to performance, warranties, energy efficiency, and reliability. By being an authorized dealer, it implies that we have been recognized by both Mitsubishi and Carrier for the outstanding service that we provide to our customers. To learn more about Carrier systems, click here. To learn more about Mitsubishi ductless systems, click here.
Contact us now at (800) 253-9001 to find out more!