It’s a common question among new homeowners, people with aging furnaces, and those purchasing new ones: how long can I expect a furnace to last before I’ll have to replace it? It’s not a question with a very simple answer. Under the worst circumstances, a furnace might only survive for seven or eight years. In a best-case scenario, a furnace might last for more than twenty years!
We’ll get into some details here to help you understand how long different types of furnaces might last, and how to make sure they live as long as they can.
Gas Furnaces
Gas-burning heating systems are less expensive to purchase. Depending on your utility companies, it’s likely that gas is a cheaper fuel source than electricity as well. However, as they age, they will encounter more repair needs, particularly after ten years of use. They often need to be replaced after about fifteen years.
Electric Furnaces
Electric heating systems are more expensive to purchase. Although they are extremely efficient, converting all of the energy they use into heat for your home rather than wasting any, the cost of electricity can still mean that they have a somewhat higher operating cost than gas furnaces. This may be offset if you have an alternative source of power, such as solar panels. But the real financial benefit of an electric furnace is its long life. They can easily keep functioning for 15-20 years, and in some cases, they can even live to thirty. Being able to keep a furnace running for longer before replacing it represents a huge savings.
Extend the Life of Your Furnace
There are two main things you should always remember to do in order to keep your furnace running for as many years as possible.
- Change Your Air Filters: This is something you can and should do yourself. The air filter of your furnace should be changed every month during times when it’s constantly in use, and every three months during times of light or occasional use. If you’re not sure where the air filter is located, check your owner’s manual. Some filters are disposable, and some are reusable. Slide the filter out, clean it or swap it out for a new one, and slide it back in. This will decrease wear and tear and improve efficiency.
- Have Annual Maintenance Done: This can be the difference between a 7-year furnace and a 15-year furnace. When a technician provides maintenance every year, your furnace will operate more efficiently, encounter fewer problems that require repair, avoid safety hazards, and last years longer than a furnace that isn’t maintained.
- Prompt Repair: When you do need furnace repair in Cypress, TX, it’s important to have it done as soon as possible. Delays can cause small problems to become much larger, affect more components, and put strain on the whole system, shortening furnace life.
Reach out to Cool Care Heating and Air Conditioning, The Best Care for Your Air.