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.
The most efficient Furnace you can buy is a 98% modulating variable speed furnace. Almost every manufacturer has a variation of this type of furnace. With that said this is one of the most expensive to buy and install. Also, not every home can have this style of furnace due to various factors like duct system design.
In our expert opinion, if you are planning to live in your home for 5+ years, the 95% furnace is the clear winner, as you may already recoup savings in energy costs within the first 3-5 years of operation that offset a higher purchase price.
Labor: Typical labor costs can range from $50 - $100 per hour for a licensed technician. Each additional team member will be an additional charge. Depending upon the complexity of the job, a new furnace installation can take 10-15 hours!
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.
Two-stage furnaces cost more to purchase and install than traditional models. But factoring in their 20-25 percent fuel efficiency advantage, and assuming a normal lifespan of about 20 years, the extra cost will be more than erased by the cumulative energy savings.
How many HVAC quotes should I get? Most experts recommend getting three to five HVAC quotes from licensed, insured, reputable local heating and cooling companies.
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. Holes are often drilled for pipes and wires.
That depends entirely on the make and model furnace that you choose. Many, but not all, high-efficiency furnaces have thermostats built in. One safe assumption to make is that if you're replacing your furnace then your thermostat probably needs to be updated as well.
Average Furnace Lifespan
Although some furnaces can last more than 40 years (extremely rare), the average life of a furnace is around 15 to 30 years. As long as you have scheduled annual furnace maintenance, it should easily last over 15 years. Just like your car, your older furnace may need some basic repairs.
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.
For 1- to 2-inch filters, replace them every 1 to 3 months. For 3- to 4-inch filters, replace them every 6 to 9 months. For 5- to 6-inch filters, replace them every 9 to 12 months.
Key Takeaways. The cost of a new furnace installation varies widely from $2,000 to $8,000+, with numerous factors such as size, type, efficiency, branding, and additional work such as duct modifications affecting the total price.
This size of home still needs a large furnace. If you want to evenly heat a 2,000 sq. ft. home, you'll need to look for furnaces rated between 60,000 and 125,000 BTUs, depending on the factors we discussed earlier.
A high efficiency gas furnace has AFUE ratings of 90% or higher, up to a maximum of 98.5% AFUE. AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, and is a measure of how much heat the furnace can pull from the fuel it consumes, ultimately determining how energy efficient a heating and cooling system is.
Cons. Two stage furnaces are generally a solid choice for most homeowners, but they cost more than single stage. They also will require a new thermostat if you are transitioning from a single stage furnace in order to control the additional low-to-high fan options being added to your home.
Identifying the Priciest Component: The Heat Exchanger
Due to its complex role, a failure or crack in the heat exchanger can lead to serious issues, including dangerous carbon monoxide leaks. This makes furnace repair essential to maintain safety and functionality.
Bryant furnaces are a solid choice for homeowners seeking a balance of quality, performance, and affordability. If you're looking for a furnace that offers reliable heating with energy-efficient options at different price points, Bryant is a great contender.
Earthquake, flood, mold, earth movement, and “wear and tear” are some of the perils that are usually excluded.
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.