How Long Does A Gas Furnace Last?

The first time your furnace stops in the middle of a cold winter night will be a night to remember…and hopefully it will be the last. Even if you’ve never experienced a furnace breakdown, just the thought of waking up with cold toes gives you the chills, doesn’t it? The best thing you can do to prevent these chilling thoughts from becoming a brutal reality is to be prepared. Start by determining the age of your unit. You’re probably wondering, “How long does a furnace last?” “How much time do I have before I have to worry about a breakdown?”

Determine the Age of your Furnace

New furnaces should have a manufacturer’s date listed somewhere on the unit. Older furnaces, on the other hand, require some more searching to find the serial number. This tells the manufacturer various pieces of information, including the age.

Read the first four digits of the serial number once you locate it. The first two digits typically refers to the week of the year that the unit was manufactured. While the third and fourth number are referencing the year. A serial number starting with 0194, for example, may have been made the first week of 1994.

Call the manufacturer to confirm the age of your furnace. Can’t find the serial number? Even without it, the manufacturer should be able to look at a picture of the unit to get an idea of when it was manufactured.

And, if you just moved in to the house, look for a sticker or tag that gives a date when the furnace was last serviced. That can also give an approximation of the unit’s age.

Question: How Long Does a Gas Furnace Last?

Once you know how old your unit its, we can determine how much longer it should last.

On average, furnaces can last between 15 and 20 years and it will last longer the better you maintain it. If your furnace is less than 12 years old, as long as it’s properly maintained, there’s no need to worry yet. Assuming your unit is reaching 15 years or older, it’s probably a good time to start shopping around. If you wait until an emergency strikes, that won’t allow you enough time to make the best decision (or likely find the best deal).

With regular maintenance, there’s a good chance that your furnace will outlive the warranties that typically cover certain parts, that’s why it’s important to have the system serviced by a qualified technician regularly.

More warning signs of a failing furnace include increased energy bills, frequent furnace repairs, strange noises, or simply that your thermostat isn’t keeping you comfortable like it used to.

Think You Need A New Furnace?

A comfortable home requires a reliable, energy-efficient and safe heating system. If you think the end is coming for your furnace, contact us today. By installing a new home furnace from Point Bay Fuel, you’ll improve your home comfort and boost your home value, too. You can count on our experts for all your repair and installation needs. Simply call us at (732) 349-5059.

And remember, if you find yourself asking, “how long does a furnace last?” the answer is a lot longer than average, if you treat it well. Read more about an annual HVAC service plan here.