How Long Can You Expect Your Furnace To Last?

This might be the most common question we get here at Vredevoogd Heating & Cooling, especially when the weather begins to cool in the fall. Whether you live in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, or Lansing, you know how cold Michigan winters are. Fortunately, today’s furnaces are designed to last, but this still doesn’t mean you won’t have to replace yours eventually.

Average Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of your furnace boils down to several factors, but the type is the most important one. On average

• Gas furnaces last 15 to 30 years
• Boilers last 15 to 30 years
• Heat pumps last about 15 years
• Active solar heating lasts 20-years-plus
• Electric heating also lasts 20-years-plus

So, if you have a gas furnace, you should expect 15 years of life out of it at a minimum. You must maintain it properly to get it to the 30-year lifespan and, in unusual circumstances, some gas furnaces have been known to live as long as 40 years, but that’s rare.

Other Life Expectancy Considerations

Other things to take into account when calculating the life expectancy of your furnace are its current age, installation, make and model, maintenance, moisture, and ventilation. For example, if your furnace already has miles on it, it’s already used up part of its lifespan. The better you take care of your furnace with annual or bi-annual maintenance the longer it will last.

Surrounding environments also affect a furnace’s lifespan. Moisture can rust heater parts and cause premature failure. Improper ventilation is not only dangerous, as it can push deadly carbon monoxide into your home, it can also overheat your unit. If your furnace wasn’t installed properly, this, too, can reduce its lifespan. Many things can age your furnace too quickly.

Signs Your Furnace Is Fading Fast

If your furnace is already 15 years old or older, you can save money in the long run if you replace it. Newer furnaces are more energy efficient, which reduces your annual heating costs. This is the first sign it’s time to replace your furnace. Other signs include

• Increased heating bills
• Frequent repairs
• Strange noises or smells
• House too hot or too cold
• Yellow instead of a blue burner flame

Don’t take chances if you notice any of these or other signs. An old, damaged, and/or failing furnace is a dangerous furnace. You risk fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Vredevoogd Heating & Cooling serves the Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and West areas, so call us at 844-HVAC-365 for a heater inspection. We’ll let you know how many more years your unit has.

Call Vredevoogd Heating & Cooling for all your plumbing, heating, & cooling needs. In the greater West Michigan, Lakeshore, and surrounding areas call: 844-HVAC-365