How Long Will Your Furnace Last? Factors That Determine Its Lifespan

The temperature is dropping steadily, as it does every year during this season. This may have prompted the first call for heat for this Fall/Winter. It might also have triggered the question: “How many more heating seasons before I need to replace my furnace?” There are typical answers to this question. They may or may not agree with your experience. There are some contributing factors to the answer to this question. Some factors are impacted by the homeowner’s input, and some factors are unrelated to homeowner activities. Let’s look at a few of these factors.

Key Factors That Impact Your Furnace Durability

Brand makes a difference. Some manufacturers have a very good reputation for quality, performance, and durability. Some manufacturers focus on the bottom line, creating the most inexpensive system to meet consumer demand. When making a purchase, it is beneficial to do a little research and determine which brand is ranked highly in the HVAC system manufacturing market.

Climate and usage matter. A furnace in a cold region will have many more heating cycles per year than a warm climate heater. A family with an at-risk family member is likely to use a higher temperature setting for health and comfort. A homeowner dedicated to energy efficiency is more likely to use a lower setting, requiring fewer heating cycles. Homeowner decisions have an impact on longevity.

Scheduled maintenance can add years. Regular inspection, testing, and cleaning of a furnace reduces stress to components and ensures that the system functions properly. That includes:

• Changing the air filter often—every three months is right for most homes.
• Cleaning coils and checking the refrigerant for heat pump systems.
• Removing rust and inspecting the burner assembly and heat exchanger for natural gas furnaces.
• Testing the electrical controls and motors to uncover weaknesses that develop in all furnace systems.

Regular furnace maintenance has been measurably shown to add as much as five additional years of serviceability to furnaces and air conditioners. Making timely repairs will also ensure the system does not “limp” along, functioning poorly.

The largest factor that has nothing to do with homeowner activity is the age of a furnace. The typical furnace lasts between 15 and 20 years. You have heard this quite often, but might not understand where this figure comes from, so here is a little history that is the foundation for the statement.

• Older furnaces were manufactured with thicker steel and heavy-duty components. However, “thicker” and “heavy-duty” were also more expensive.
• High cost and consumer demands for lower cost led to furnaces being manufactured with lighter materials, resulting in less expensive systems.
• In 1987, the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act set minimum standards for materials in appliance manufacturing. Furnaces were required to be built with an engineered longevity of 15 to 20 years.1

Systems are built with a target longevity to meet consumer expectations of both longevity and affordability.

So the unique, individual answer to this question is really unknown, but these factors give a much clearer understanding of the possibilities for your system. To help with decision-making,

• Determine the age of your system. If you were not present when the existing system was installed, ask your HVAC company for help in determining the age.
• Schedule regular maintenance for the best possible results. If you have not been maintaining your furnace, begin now and give your furnace the best care possible.
• Plan a replacement date. Begin a budget plan to set aside money for replacement. Be alert for problems, especially as your system approaches the range that most systems need to be replaced.
• Avoid waiting until the last gasp of an aging system. It will probably come at a very inopportune time, resulting in a very uncomfortable wait while components are being shipped and the technician’s schedule clears.

Maximize Your Furnace Lifespan: Call Mullinix AC Repair Today!

Give your heating system the care it needs to reach its maximum lifespan with expert service from Mullinix AC Repair. Regular HVAC maintenance is proven to add years of reliable performance to your existing furnace, saving you from an unexpected, costly replacement. Don’t wait for a breakdown; call Mullinix AC Repair today for a comprehensive inspection and proactive heating system repairs. Ensure your home stays warm and your heater keeps running efficiently for years to come!

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our heater maintenance College Station services, schedule an appointment or visit our HVAC repair and maintenance information page.

1 https://www.congress.gov/100/statute/STATUTE-101/STATUTE-101-Pg103.pdf