There are some cold places in the United States. Out of the 50 states, 38 have monthly temperatures that average under 50 degrees!
One of the most popular ways to keep houses warm when the weather cools is through the use of a furnace. With so much usage, you may wonder how long does a gas furnace last?
We break down the lifespan of a furnace in the guide below.
How Long Does a Gas Furnace Last?
A furnace is a vital feature of your house. It constantly runs in cooler weather to keep your home warm. How long can your furnace go before you need to replace it with a newer model?
Most furnaces last about 15 to 20 years with regular upkeep. Although this is a long time, there are several factors to consider when figuring out if your furnace can last that long.
Size is Important
You should match your furnace to both the size of your house and how much heat you need to keep it warm. An older house in a cooler climate may need more heat output than a well-insulated house in a warmer climate.
If you have a furnace that is too small, it will need to work harder to keep your house warm. A furnace that is too big will have to stop and start often. This can cause the furnace to become overworked.
An overworked furnace will break down much more quickly than it should. This can mean expensive repairs.
Poor Ductwork
A furnace’s job is to heat air and then blow it through a duct system in a house to keep it toasty when it gets cold out. The job of the air is to fill the spaces that it enters. If a house has ductwork sealed the way it should be, the furnace will direct the air to the rooms in your house.
Broken or poorly designed ductwork will direct air to places it shouldn’t go. This means your furnace will need to work harder than it should to heat your house. The harder your furnace has to work, the faster it can break.
If someone did not install the vents on your furnace the right way, you could have trouble on your hands. A furnace relies on the correct setup of the vents to get the airflow it needs to run the way it should. The extra airflow could damage your furnace and you could risk carbon monoxide leaks.
A Lack of Regular Maintenance
In order to keep your propane furnace in tip-top shape, routine service is vital to its lifespan. You should service your furnace at least once a year. During routine service, your technician will change the filter, check the major parts, and clean your furnace out.
Changing the filter keeps airflow unrestricted. When air can move through the furnace, it keeps your furnace from getting overworked. A dirty filter can also cause your furnace to shut off and turn back on, which can cause unnecessary stress.
Your furnace technician will know what your furnace should look, sound, and smell like. If there is a minor problem, they can fix it during routine maintenance and keep it from becoming a major issue.
Signs Your Furnace Is Failing
The reality of owning a furnace is that eventually you will need to replace it. Usually, a furnace will let you know that its life is coming to an end by giving you a few signs.
Do you walk around your house and find that the rooms have many cold spots? This could be a clue that it’s time for a furnace replacement.
A furnace that is nearing its end will need to use more energy to heat your house. If your energy bills are much higher than they usually are, your furnace could be to blame.
There may be obvious signs that it is time to retire your furnace. If your furnace is making strange noises, you need to have your furnace looked at.
If your furnace needs frequent repairs, it may be time to get it replaced. At some point, it will be more cost-effective to get a newer, more efficient furnace than to keep repairing one that is on the way out.
Extending Your Furnace’s Lifespan
If you want to keep your furnace running as long as it can, there are a few things you can do. Besides regular cleanings, it can help to check and clean out your furnace’s air filter.
Installing a smart thermostat is a great option to help take the load off of your furnace. This type of thermostat will adjust the heat at certain times of the day for you. This will help keep your furnace from overworking.
Because air can escape into open spaces, be sure that your house is well sealed. Checking places like windows and doors for spaces air could leak in can help keep your furnace running efficiently.
Get the Most Out of Your Furnace
Nothing is worse than waking up to a cold house and a dead furnace. By asking yourself how long does a gas furnace last, you will be proactively thinking about how to keep your furnace running as long as it can.
Kauffman Gas is ready to help you keep your furnace in its best shape!
Contact us today if you live in Chester County, Lancaster County, Delaware County, or Northern Delaware County. We can fill your propane or assist you with all of your HVAC needs!