How long will a furnace last?

The average lifespan for a single-home furnace is 15-20 years for a gas furnace, and 20-30 years for an electric furnace. There are a large variety of things that can affect the lifespan of a furnace but it should at least live to a minimum of 15 years. An old furnace doesn’t necessarily mean a broken furnace either, later in this article we’ll give you some things to look out for when your furnace hits old age.  

Whatever happens with your furnace, you can always give Pro Duct Solutions a call. We can help you out with any furnace related issues, from regular maintenance to a full furnace replacement. We have all the necessary training, experience, and tools to ensure your furnace is being handled in the best way possible.

Gas furnace

A gas furnace tends to have a lifespan of between 15-20 years. Because gas furnaces burn fuel to produce heat, particle build-up can occur within the unit. This can cause the parts to break down more quickly than with an electric furnace.  

Electric furnace

Electric furnaces can last from 20-30 years. Since electricity shouldn’t cause build-up of any kind on the parts of your furnace, it endures less strain than its gas-powered counterpart.  

Things that will extend the longevity of your furnace.

While electric furnaces generally last longer than gas furnaces, there are still things for both models that you should keep in mind to protect the longevity of your appliance.  

• Regular maintenance.

One of the most important things you can do to maximize the lifespan of your furnace is to schedule regular maintenance. When it comes to gas furnaces, HVAC technicians will be able to go in and clean out all the particle build-up. They’ll also be able to recognize other issues that may need to be fixed. It’s always important to catch issues before they become too large as a furnace has many parts that need to work together. One broken piece can end up affecting the entire system.  

• Having the right size furnace for the home you live in.

Some people might think that a furnace is a furnace and not give much thought to the space they’re trying to heat. A furnace that’s too small for your space is going to be constantly overworked when trying to keep up with demand. A furnace that’s too large is going to cycling on and off far more often than it should, this wears down the mechanisms much faster. When shopping for furnaces, make sure you talk to the technicians about the size of your home as having the right sized furnace helps protect the longevity.  

• Regular duct cleaning.

Even though your ducts are a separate entity from the furnace, they’re still connected. The cleanliness of your ducts can have an impact on the life of your furnace. If your ducts have a lot of debris built up, your furnace will have to work harder to push air through them, causing abnormal wear and tear.

• When did you buy your furnace?

The age of your furnace matters, but so does the technology available when your furnace was designed and assembled. As with every other appliance, advancements are being made when it comes to the technology being used in furnaces. Modern furnaces are built sturdier and more efficient than ever before.

• Proper furnace installation.

To maximize the lifespan of your furnace, it needs to be installed correctly. Improper installation can cause any number of issues with your furnace which can lead to more damage over time. In addition, an improperly installed furnace can be less energy efficient, which ends up costing you more on your hydro or gas bills.  

How often should you have your furnace serviced?

Most furnace manufacturers actually recommend having your furnace serviced once per year. The best time for this is early fall so that your furnace is running in top form for the cold weather.  

How often should you have your vents cleaned?

Your vents should be serviced once every 1-3 years. There’s a large variety of factors that can affect the frequency at which you will need your vents cleaned. If you smoke or have multiple shedding pets, you might need to have your vents cleaned more often.

How to know when your furnace needs replacing.

Replacing a furnace is a huge decision, and you definitely don’t want to be replacing something so expensive before you have to. When you consider replacing your furnace, think about things like how often it’s needed repairs lately, the age of the unit, and what your furnace is costing on your energy bills.  

If you have any questions or if you’re looking to get a quote for service, call Pro Duct Solutions. Our team of highly-trained technicians is always available to help you with all your furnace replacement needs. We can help you get an idea of when your unit should be replaced, help you choose a new furnace, and expertly install the new furnace. Call us or use our handy online booking tool.  

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