Most gas furnaces start to decline in efficiency once they hit the ten-year mark. Although a well-maintained gas furnace can last up to 20 years, they won't heat your home as well as a newer model and are more prone to breaking down.
The average furnace is built to last around 15 years in total before being replaced. This is because over time, much like any electrical or mechanical system, your furnace will become less efficient and may break down.
Older furnaces need annual check ups. Main thing is the heat exchanger getting a crack, which could lead to fire or carbon monoxide poisioning. 20 years is a good time to start considering a new one but not essential, if the tech that comes to clean the burners sees an issue they will point it out to you.
An 18 to 20-year-old furnace will measure more than 20% inefficiency, meaning 80% of the power (gas or electricity) goes to heating your home, while 20% is wasted. A new high-efficiency furnace will read between 90-95 AFUE, meaning 90-95% of the power used goes to heating your home, and only 5 – 10% is wasted.
However, most gas furnaces typically last between 15 to 20 years before efficiency declines and repair costs increase, so it's wise to consider replacement around the 15-year mark to ensure optimal performance and safety.
You'll be looking at a different cost depending on the location of the furnace, the size of your home, and the type of furnace. But the average cost per unit can range anywhere from $2,672 - $6,575. The national average is $4,820 - $9,350 for a full furnace installation.
Even a slightly undersized furnace will accomplish the job the majority of the time. Taking things down a few sizes will more than likely solve some of your common heating problems like too high of a utility bill while half of your house is blazing and the other half is an icebox.
While furnaces can last longer with proper maintenance, they often become less efficient and more prone to breakdowns as they age. Repairing a 15-year-old furnace can provide a temporary solution, but it may be a better long-term investment to consider replacing it.
Furnaces today can heat your home much more evenly and efficiently than older furnaces. One way that they have been able to achieve these improvements is by blowing more air over the heat exchanger.
For people taking a proactive approach, doing a furnace replacement during the “shoulder seasons” of spring and autumn may offer lower prices, shorter lead times, and a better selection of products and service appointment availability.
Installation Entails More than Just the Furnace
For a gas-powered furnace, a contractor must set up a gas connection and vent. Installing an electric furnace requires running wiring, adding a circuit breaker, or perhaps updating an electrical panel.
1. Replace your oil furnace or gas furnace as it approaches the end of its furnace life expectancy. Furnace life expectancy ranges from 15-30 years on average. A well-maintained furnace can last 15 to 20 years with proper care.
Keeping your home at a constant temperature generally means that your HVAC system will run constantly to meet it. This means that your furnace or air conditioner may run when you're asleep, at work, or out of the house. This wastes more energy than the minimal amount that you might save by having it constantly run.
Unfortunately, at 20 years, no furnace is running as efficiently as it once was. For starters, HVAC repair experts confirm that any furnace that has been in use for 20 years is nearing the end of its lifespan. The components of a 20-year-old furnace suffer a lot of wear and tear over the years.
Why Insurance Companies Care About Your Furnace Age. Most carriers consider a furnace's age during their policy evaluation process, with some having specific age limits. For example, a furnace over 30 years old might require proof of annual maintenance to qualify for coverage.
Can I put a bigger blower motor in my furnace so it will perform better? While upgrading blower motor sizes is possible, you might not need to install a replacement motor at all. Sometimes a simple repair is all you need to get your furnace fully functional again.
While higher-efficiency furnaces tend to cost more upfront, they allow homeowners to save money on heating costs every year.
If the flame sensor fails, your furnace may not be able to start or may shut down shortly after starting. Common causes of flame sensor failure include corrosion, dirt buildup, or a broken wire. The gas valve controls the flow of gas to the furnace. If the gas valve fails, your furnace won't be able to produce heat.
If you're worried about not having heat while the installation is in progress, the good news is that most replacements won't take more than a day. On average, home heating companies can complete the installation in about four to eight hours, depending on the size of your house.
Furnaces 20 years old or older become increasingly inefficient over time and can crack and leak, putting you and your family in danger. If your furnace is between 16 and 20 years old and constantly breaking down, then you should strongly consider having it replaced.