You’ve relied on your furnace this year the same as you have for several Pennsylvania winters. It’s been a reliable machine, but you know it won’t last forever. You may be wondering how many years it has left. It all depends on how well you take care of your furnace.
How Long Does a Furnace Last?
Modern forced-air furnaces typically last about 15 years. However, this lifespan isn’t guaranteed. Your equipment could sputter out after just a decade or less if you don’t take good care of it, or you could extend its life to 20 years if you make routine maintenance a priority.
Caring for Your Furnace
To help your furnace last longer, and to appreciate energy-efficient operation up until the final season, follow these tips for caring for your furnace:
- Schedule annual tune-ups: Every fall before you start relying heavily on your furnace, have maintenance performed on your system. During this yearly visit, the technician inspects system components, takes measurements, makes adjustments, replaces worn parts and ensures safe operation.
- Replace the filter: A technician performs this task during a preventative maintenance visit, but you should repeat it once a month throughout the heating season. A clean filter helps prevent contaminants from entering the furnace. It also allows for adequate airflow, reducing strain on system components.
Signs You May Need a Furnace Replacement
Even with your best efforts, your furnace will eventually break down beyond repair. Watch for these signs a replacement is imminent so you can plan for your new purchase ahead of time:
- Age: As indicated above, your furnace could be nearing the end of its life once it passes 10 years old. Start browsing for replacement options if your furnace is aging.
- Frequent repairs: If your furnace keeps breaking down and requiring expensive repairs, it may be time to throw in the towel and start putting repair dollars toward a replacement system.
- Higher-than-normal energy bills: Each time your heating bill arrives, check it carefully to see if the cost is higher than usual. Particularly cold weather or rising gas prices are two explanations, but a worn out system or one nearing the end of its lifespan is also possible. Replacing your furnace could lower your bills by 20 percent or more.
Gas Furnace Maintenance in Scranton & Wilkes-Barre, PA
If you want to help your furnace last years longer, schedule HVAC maintenance from T.E. Spall & Son. We have been the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Comfort Doctors since 1985!
