How often do furnaces fail?

Author: Roxane Goldner  |  Last update: Saturday, July 5, 2025

A natural gas furnace can last 15+ years, especially if it receives an annual tune-up and its filter is replaced regularly. Because our furnace technicians see a decrease in reliability, performance and efficiency in furnaces exceeding 15 years of age, we generally recommend getting a new furnace at the 15-year mark.

What is the life expectancy of a furnace?

The Average Furnace Lifespan

A well-maintained furnace can last at least 15 to 20 years, but completing annual maintenance and being diligent with repairs can extend its life even longer.

What is a common failure for a furnace?

One of the most common furnace problems is a malfunctioning thermostat. A sure sign your thermostat isn't working properly is if your fan is constantly running. This will cause your thermostat battery to run, and cause your furnace to work inefficiently.

Is it worth fixing a 20 year old furnace?

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.

How much does it cost to replace just a furnace?

A new furnace costs $4,799 on average, but the final total for parts and labor will depend on type of furnace, size of your home, and other factors, like efficiency and brand. Rates may range from $150 to $13,100.

How often do furnaces fail?

What time of year is cheapest to replace furnace?

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.

Does homeowners insurance cover furnaces?

Your base homeowners policy will cover many types of damage to your furnace. An extra endorsement known as Equipment Breakdown Coverage (EBC) will give you additional coverage for certain types of mechanical or electrical failure.

What is the most expensive part to fix on a furnace?

A heat exchanger replacement is often one of the most costly repairs in a furnace, and the expense can sometimes rival that of installing a new furnace. Typical replacement costs vary widely but can easily reach several thousand dollars, especially if labor costs are factored in.

Is replacing a furnace easy?

Replacing a furnace is a labour-intensive undertaking and is pretty difficult. There are a large variety of factors that need to be considered and accounted for. It is never recommended to replace a furnace yourself as the appliance is a major investment and should be handled by professionals.

How do you know when your gas furnace needs to be replaced?

If you notice your system running louder than normal or develops rattles, buzzes or hums, it's time to replace due to cracks, leaks or other structural issues. Going back to the last point, if you've noticed signs of rust or cracks developing in or around your furnace, it's time to replace.

What is the most reliable gas furnace brand?

The 5 Best Furnace Brands
  • Carrier Furnace: Best Warranty.
  • Lennox Furnace: Best Company Reputation.
  • Bryant Furnace: Best for Durability.
  • Trane Furnace: Most Years of Experience.
  • Amana Furnace: Best for Efficiency.

What usually breaks on a gas furnace?

The blower motor circulates the heated air throughout your home. If the blower motor fails, you won't get warm air from your furnace. Common causes of blower motor failure include worn-out bearings, a faulty capacitor, or a malfunctioning control board.

How do you know if your furnace is dying?

Signs your furnace is going out include inconsistent heating, strange noises, frequent short cycling, a yellow burner flame, and higher heating bills. If it's over 15-20 years old or requires frequent repairs, it may be time for a replacement.

How often should a furnace be serviced?

Ideally, you would have your furnace serviced at least once a year. To elaborate on that point, you should have your furnace serviced at least once a year to catch any problems early on and to keep your furnace in top condition. Professional maintenance and cleaning provide many benefits, which we'll cover next.

How much is a furnace for a 1500 square foot house?

Gas Furnace: $3,000 – $6,000. Electric Furnace: $2,500 – $5,000.

How long does it take to replace a furnace?

4-8 hours. Furnace installation in a residential home usually takes 4-8 hours, depending on the complexity of the job. Additional time may need to be added to account for ductwork, electrical, or gas line modifications to properly match the new equipment.

How much does a new furnace cost?

You should expect to spend between $3,800 and $12,00 on a new furnace, including both the unit and installation costs. Factors influencing the price include the type of furnace (gas, electric, or oil), the unit's efficiency rating, and the complexity of the installation.

Will a new furnace pay for itself?

The downside of installing a new furnace is the expense, but over time, you'll save enough money on your heating bill to pay off the cost. You can calculate the length of the payoff period by referring to your old heating bills.

At what age should a furnace be replaced?

The typical lifespan of a furnace can be anywhere from 15 to 30 years. If you've had your furnace for less than 15 years, you likely don't have to worry about replacing it any time soon. But if it's older than 15 years and you've started noticing problems, it may be on its last leg.

Does insurance cover furnace failure?

While there's no such thing as furnace or boiler replacement insurance, homeowners insurance may cover the cost to replace your furnace or boiler if it's damaged or destroyed by a covered peril.

How much does it cost to have someone fix your furnace?

The furnace repair costs in the Southern California area vary according to the repair needed. It can range anywhere from $100 to $200 to as high as $2,000-$3,000. We know that's a wide range of furnace repair pricing.

Does replacing furnace increase home value?

How much value does HVAC add to the house? Well, there's no exact and direct answer to that question but most real estate specialists agree that you should expect a 35-50% return on investment (ROI). Furthermore, a new HVAC system in a home can get buyers more interested in buying the house and hence close the sale.

How to pay for a new furnace?

Now that you have a general idea of your potential furnace installation cost, let's explore your options for financing a new electric or natural gas furnace installation.
  1. Personal Savings. ...
  2. Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit. ...
  3. Manufacturer or Retailer Financing. ...
  4. Government Rebates and Incentives. ...
  5. HVAC Company Rebates.

Which two are not usually covered by homeowners insurance?

More than likely, your policy doesn't cover flooding or earthquakes. That makes sense since not all areas of the country are prone to earthquakes or flooding. If you need coverage, you'll need to purchase a policy for whichever you need. Earthquake insurance and flooding insurance are two different policies.

Does State Farm homeowners insurance cover furnaces?

Does homeowners insurance cover a furnace? A furnace isn't covered for normal wear and tear or replacement. This is considered to be part of your typical home maintenance. However, you may contact your local State Farm® agent for information on Home Systems Protection.

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