Whether you're buying a new furnace or facing your long-time furnace's last gasps, it's important to understand the long-term life expectancy of this major appliance your home relies on for critical services. Also, be sure to remember that the first time a furnace fails on a cold winter night is not necessarily signalling its end, and that a qualified HVAC technician may still manage to add many years to its useful service life.
There are several factors that can influence the lifespan of your furnace. Besides its capacity and quality, how often you run the unit is a key variable. A furnace running almost non-stop six months out of the year will burn out long before a unit used for only a few hours at a time in a building that's rarely populated or that's properly weatherized. Furthermore, changing the air filter often can add years of use to an otherwise well-maintained unit.
When estimating how long your furnace will last, you should realize that the law of averages plays a vital role in the calculation. Different agencies and government departments offer a range of guesses at average furnace life expectancy, putting the number generally between 15 and 25 years, though there are certainly exceptions in either direction. If you've been using the same unit for almost three decades or more, be prepared to replace it soon.
Before upgrading a dead furnace to a modern, hyper-efficient model, commission an energy audit to determine the best selection for your home and climate. There are also other services, such as insulation improvements, ductwork cleaning and repairs, air sealing and improving window quality, that may allow you to purchase a less-expensive smaller furnace or one with lower energy efficiency.
If you have any questions or ideas regarding furnaces, new or old, or any other aspect of your home's heating and cooling systems, please contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide superior HVAC services in the Fort Wayne area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about gas furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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