Is your gas furnace having problems? Call 918-393-4204 to receive expert service on your gas furnace from top-rated professionals with Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.
Your furnace keeps you comfortable during cold months. However, after many years of using the same system, you may start to notice operational issues.
Many homeowners want to know, “How long does a gas furnace last?” Examining the factors that impact gas furnace lifespans can teach you how to optimize your system.
The best way to keep a furnace in top condition is to enlist a trusted heating contractor in Tulsa, OK, for routine maintenance and inspections. Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing offers top-rated services for every component of your HVAC system. Call today to optimize your indoor heating and cooling.
Average Lifespan of a Gas Furnace
Many homes use furnaces and boilers for heat, but many homeowners still don’t know the answer to the question, “How long does a gas furnace last?”
Most furnaces and boilers have a lifespan of about 15 to 20 years. Gas furnaces, however, sometimes have a slightly shorter lifespan.
In rare cases, you might get 30 years of effective use out of your gas furnace. Certain optimization strategies give you a better chance of receiving more than 15 years of effective operation from your furnace.
Factors that Impact Furnace Lifespan
Before learning how to optimize your furnace, it’s essential to understand the components that impact its lifespan.
Furnace Size
Many people don’t realize the importance of their furnace size. If a furnace is either too big or too small, it can lead to a premature decline.
Furnaces that are too small will have to overwork to heat the space. Not only will this increase energy use and utility expenses, but it can also lead to early failure.
Oversized furnaces might seem unproblematic because they have more power than necessary. However, this actually causes the furnace to turn on and off too frequently, and this inconsistent cycling can cause issues with certain power mechanisms.
Make and Model
The make and model of a system provides a baseline for its lifespan. Newer systems have energy-saving mechanisms that extend their lifespan and increase efficient operations.
Proper Installation
Your furnace’s vitality depends heavily upon the quality of installation. Considering that over half of all furnace installations are improper, hiring qualified experts for the job is especially crucial. Installation issues can reduce efficiency, increase breakdowns, and significantly decrease system lifespan.
Humidity and Ventilation
Humidity can cause problems with almost any HVAC system. For gas furnaces, humidity leads to premature rusting and breakdowns. Additional moisture in the air can also prove problematic for the system’s heat exchanger.
Quality Ductwork
The ductwork running throughout your ceilings is responsible for more than just distributing air. In fact, ductwork significantly impacts your system’s efficiency.
Shoddy ductwork could allow air to seep into your attic spaces and drywall. While this doesn’t pose any threat to your property, it decreases the efficiency and increases the workload of your furnace. These issues can lead to a shorter lifespan.
Maintenance Routine
Getting quality maintenance from qualified professionals provides a top way of optimizing your gas furnace. Routine inspections and tune-ups can address developing issues before they turn into significant problems. You could also see savings over time after professional maintenance optimizes your system.
Ways to Maximize Your Furnace Lifespan
While certain predetermined factors impact your furnace’s lifespan, there are ways to maximize its longevity. Investing in these optimization solutions can save money on home heating in the long run.
Hire Top-Rated Experts for Installation
Installation errors create a sketchy foundation for operating success, so it’s imperative to hire only top-rated professionals to install your furnace and ductwork. Installation professionals should have licensing, insurance, many years of experience, and excellent customer reviews.
Choose an Updated Make and Model
HVAC technology changes constantly. Whether you’re replacing an old furnace or getting your first system, choosing an updated make and model ensures the longest possible lifespan. Research different brands and special features to find the best fit for your space.
Limit Humidity and Moisture Exposure
Limiting humidity within your interiors improves all your home comfort systems. Invest in a dehumidifier or program your air conditioner to run more frequently to eliminate moisture in the air.
Limiting humidity mitigates potential issues for the gas tank, fuel lines, heat exchanger, and ductwork. Protecting these expensive parts of your system’s infrastructure helps maximize your gas furnace’s lifespan.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Homeowners who hire professionals to perform regular maintenance and inspections on their systems can catch potential problems long before they flourish into expensive repair issues. Call experts from Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing for seasonal furnace maintenance to keep your system optimized and prepared for seasonal temperature extremes.
Use Your Furnace More Strategically
Timing your furnace usage more specifically and strategically allows you to get just the right amount of interior heating without overworking your system. Turn your furnace on lower temperatures whenever you leave the house and bundle up with extra blankets to limit nighttime use. These seemingly minor strategies can lead to savings and increased system efficiency.
Pay Attention to Filter Cleanliness
Air filters keep air flowing through your home clean and healthy. As dirt and grim accumulate on your filters, it causes problems for every part of your HVAC system. Gas furnaces can experience particularly costly issues with dirty filters.
Dirty filters restrict airflow. Restricted airflow can cause overheating and threaten the safety of the furnace’s mechanical components. Changing your filters monthly can help avoid these issues.
Signs Your Furnace Might Need Replacing
While there are ways to optimize your furnace’s lifespan, there are situations where you may need to decide if repairing or replacing your furnace is more appropriate. Systems older than 15 years might start experiencing frequent problems that lead to decreased efficiency and increased energy bills. As such, replacing your furnace could be the best way to save money long-term on your home’s heating needs.
The following are some signs that you should replace your furnace:
- System is older than 15 years and experiences frequent problems
- Repairs cost more than 50% of the cost of a new system
- Strange noises or odors during operation
- Inconsistent cycling
- Drastically increasing energy bills
- Fluctuating temperatures
Should I Replace My Furnace?
While asking, “How long does a gas furnace last?” it’s also important to consider when you might need to replace the system. By referring to the signs above, you can start to get a sense of when continuing to operate on the same furnace system might not be beneficial.
Another way to decide whether you should replace your furnace is to consult with professionals from Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. Our experts can inspect your current system and help you decide whether a repair or replacement job is the best next step.
Optimize Your Heating Capabilities with Service From Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
When your furnace control board starts to age, it could cause problems that might make a complete replacement more worthwhile. However, these jobs require qualified professionals who can inspect and replace your system.
Top-rated experts from Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing offer Tulsa residents the best services for any heating, cooling, or plumbing issues and believe that everyone deserves the best plumbing services available. We offer financing options so you can choose a payment plan that works with your financial situation.
So, how long does a gas furnace last? For answers to this and more questions, call 918-393-4204 and consult professionals from Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.