We agree that it would be great if key systems in your home lasted throughout the length of your homeownership. Unfortunately, dishwashers, washing machines, and some of the most important systems—like the furnace—will not last forever. Even if a repair is possible for your furnace, it’s not always the wisest choice, as the mismatched components may only wear down faster.
If you are currently experiencing problems with your furnace—or even if your system is brand new—it’s important to know how long your furnace will last. Today, we go over this lifespan, along with some tips on making the furnace last longer and how to tell a replacement is necessary.
The Average Furnace Lifespan
Many people are surprised to hear that the lifespan of a furnace is actually a lot shorter than they thought. Furnaces tend to last about 10-15 years, or at least that’s how long they last and still run properly with as much efficiency as possible. When you think about it, this is a respectable lifespan for most automobiles, and the same can be said of a heating system.
Now, this does not mean that your furnace will last 10-15 years. It’s possible that it may last even longer. Of course, under certain circumstances, a furnace may fail well before its time should be up.
Why It May Fail Sooner
Unfortunately, not all furnaces meet this 10-15 year expectancy. There are those that fail a little earlier, or even those that stop working proper after only a short couple of years. There are many reasons this can happen.
- Improper Sizing/Installation: Furnaces can fail years sooner than they should simply because they are not the right fit for the home. It’s not altogether uncommon for us to hear from homeowners who hired a fly-by-night contractor to install their heater, only to find that it ran inefficiently and stopped working after only a few short years.
- Faulty Component: Furnaces undergo rigorous inspection before leaving the manufacturer. Still, while a faulty component is rare, it certainly does happen. Check your warranty if this happens to you; it may be covered by the manufacturer still.
- Poor Maintenance: Finally, a lack of maintenance may be an early death sentence for any furnace. Even small tasks like changing the air filter can make a difference in the overall lifespan in a furnace, and they tend to work less efficiently or fail sooner when furnaces don’t get annual maintenance from professional technicians.
Why It May Last Longer
We’ve also seen furnaces last much longer than expected! You should not expect this to happen with your new furnace. However, the best way to keep your furnace lasting longer is to give it the care it needs from the very beginning of its lifespan.
So, from the time it’s installed, you must ensure it is the right fit by only allowing experienced installers to do the work. Then, throughout its life, schedule routine furnace maintenance services each and every year. Change the filter every 1-3 months as well, and contact technicians as soon as you notice a problem with your system.
Take better care of your furnace in Grand Rapids, MI with the help of GRmetro Heating and Cooling Inc.
