The warm and toasty indoors, even during the most frigid winters, is thanks to the furnace. It is a crucial part of the HVAC system, and hence knowing how long it will last ensures that one doesn’t have to suffer unnecessarily when it’s time for a replacement. Being prepared for the change makes financial planning easier.
Life Expectancy Of Furnace
To be honest, there is no fixed answer to how long a furnace can last. It is because there are several factors involved in deciding its life. At best, we can only tell you of its average life expectancy, arm you with sufficient knowledge on the factors governing its life, and tell you of the signs of deterioration. All these will allow you to make a wise judgment when the time comes.
Average Life Expectancy Of Furnace
Some furnaces, although extremely rare, may last as long as 40 years. As indicated, that’s very rare. Most furnaces will last anywhere between 15 to 30 years. If you ensure regular, timely maintenance of the heating system, then it will at least serve you well for 15 years and over. However, this does not mean it will not ask for repairs or replacement of worn-out parts. These occurrences are a part of the deal. The maintenance will only ensure that you catch the problems well in time and rectify them before they become a concern.
Factors Affecting The Life Expectancy Of Furnace
As mentioned above, several factors decide how long the furnace will last. But what are these factors? Let’s now learn about them.
1. Inaccurate Furnace Size In Relation To Your Home – Yes, you have been told the AC needs to be sized as per the area of the house. This is true for the furnace as well, but most people overlook this aspect entirely. A small-sized furnace will always be working over capacity and under constant strain. Conversely, an oversized furnace will work under capacity and remain underutilized. Both conditions are unfavorable as they dig holes in your pocket through a constant demand for repairs and high utility bills. That is not the limit of your woes. In both scenarios, the furnace’s lifespan will decrease as it is not working according to its capacity. Therefore, to get the most out of the furnace, it needs to be matched to the size of the home.
2. Credibility Of Installation – Human nature is to try and save money. In fact, why pay more when it can be done for less. It is precisely this thinking that makes the work of shoddy technicians easy. All they have to do is quote a low ball figure for the furnace installation, and the homeowner is hooked. The service they provide is questionable, but sadly, the homeowner does not have the expertise to judge that. If the furnace is not installed properly it will have performance issues and dubious reliability. It will break down often and may even compromise the venting and the fuel lines. There is no way such a furnace can live up to its full life expectancy.
3. Disproportionate Thermostat Settings – Often, we think, cranking up the temperature will make the home warmer, faster. This is a pure misconception. All it does is force the furnace to work harder than is required. The effect is, the heating system runs under extreme pressure resulting in rapid wear and tear and deterioration of internal components. The recommended thermostat setting for the furnace is between 60⁰ to 80⁰ Fahrenheit.
4. Lack Of Maintenance – Maintenance is not a wasteful activity. You will realize its importance when your furnace breaks down during the peak of winters, something we do not wish on anyone. The aim of the maintenance or tune-up or system servicing is to make sure that everything is working in harmony with each other. It is the best way to catch problems in their infancy and take corrective measures. A furnace that barely ever gets its due care will not survive the long working hours.
Signs The Furnace Is Nearing The End Of Its Life
Despite all the care in the world, no furnace lasts forever. Sooner or later you will have to replace it. Here are the signs that indicate the time has come for it:
1. Frequent breakdowns and high repair bills, which only increase month after month.
2. Difficulty in procuring spares.
3. Performance issues and deterioration of indoor air quality.
4. A massive increase in monthly energy bills for which there’s no explanation.
5. The inconsistent temperature inside the house.
6. Strange noises coming from the furnace.
Extending The Life Of Your Furnace
A little effort from homeowners can go a long way in giving the furnace every chance to live long. Here are a few things you can do to ensure that your residential furnace works fine year after year, with minimal problems:
1. Change the air filters often. At no time should they be clogged with dust and grime. This will allow unrestricted airflow to and from the furnace.
2. Clean the motor, filters, and heat exchanger free of any accumulations.
3. Consider pairing your furnace with a heat pump instead of an AC. This will reduce the furnace’s workload by creating a dual-fuel system.
4. Use the recommended thermostat settings always.
5. Ensure timely maintenance of the furnace year after year.
6. Allow only professional technicians to do the repairs and maintenance on the furnace.
7. Get your unit inspected after every repair.
Bottomline
The average life of a furnace is 15 – 30 years. But, good care and prompt redressal of issues can help a furnace survive even longer. How long your furnace works efficiently is entirely up to you. If you wish to make the most of your investment, don’t let problems fester, and the logical way to ensure that is through timely preventive maintenance and some basic cleaning.
If you are a resident of West Palm Beach, Florida, and have not scheduled the furnace maintenance until now, call Aztil Air Conditioning. We are the furnace installation, repairs, and maintenance specialists in South Florida. Our services are prompt and pocket-friendly. To book an appointment, call +1-888-729-8452.
