The right time to think about your furnace lifespan is not when you wake up in the middle of a January night and realize that it’s suddenly freezing in the house. This isn’t Miami or Vancouver or even Toronto. Our furnaces are on from the start of Sens training camp to well past Winterlude so every homeowner needs to know how many winters their furnace can handle.
What is a typical furnace lifespan?
The average gas furnace lifespan is 16-20 years. With proper maintenance you might get 25 years; with neglect you could be looking for a new furnace in as little as 10 years.
How can I tell the age of my furnace?
There are several ways to check the age of your furnace. See the four most common steps here.
The age of the furnace may not be your biggest problem
One of the big issues facing older furnaces isn’t necessarily age, it’s availability of parts. Some manufacturers may not stock older parts or they often discontinue making major component parts altogether. This often happens around year 15, making it necessary to buy a new furnace earlier than planned.
How do I get my furnace lifespan to last longer?
The easy answer is proper maintenance. A simple cleaning and inspection by a licensed professional can add several years to the life of your gas furnace. Maintenance isn’t only an issue of longevity but safety as well. A proper inspection includes a look at all of the major parts including items like the heat exchanger that if malfunctioning could emit deadly carbon monoxide gases into the home.
How do I know if I need a new furnace?
Good question! There are several telltale signs that your furnace lifespan is coming to an end. See this handy list of the most common symptoms of a dying furnace. If you start to experience one or more of these, it’s time to start looking for a new one.
