Your furnace is a vital component of your home’s comfort, especially during the chilly winter months. It’s the silent workhorse that keeps your living space cozy. But like all mechanical systems, furnaces have a finite lifespan. The good news is that there are things you can do to extend the lifespan of a furnace, saving you money and ensuring your home stays warm for years to come.
In this blog from Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we’ll provide tips and strategies to help you do just that. Here we go!
How Long Does a Furnace Last?
So, what is the lifespan of a furnace? We’re glad you asked! Here are some typical guidelines on furnace life expectancy:
The average gas furnace lifespan is around 15 to 20 years, similar to that of oil furnaces. Electric furnaces, however, tend to last slightly longer, with an average lifespan of 20 to 30 years. The average furnace lifespan for a propane furnace falls within the 15 to 30-year range.
How to Extend the Lifespan of a Furnace: 8 Tips for Homeowners
To get the most mileage out of your furnace, consider these eight tips:
1) Schedule Annual Maintenance
One of the most critical steps in preserving your furnace’s lifespan is adhering to a schedule of regular maintenance. An annual furnace tune-up conducted by a professional HVAC technician can address minor issues, optimize your furnace’s performance, and ensure that your system is operating at its best.
2) Change the Air Filters
Maintaining clean and functional air filters is also key to a healthy furnace. Replace your air filters at least once every 90 days to prevent dust and debris buildup and ensure proper airflow. This simple step reduces the strain on your furnace, promoting efficiency and a longer lifespan.
3) Monitor Your Thermostat Settings
Optimize your thermostat settings to reduce unnecessary heating cycles. Setting your thermostat at a comfortable but not excessive temperature can prolong your furnace’s life by stopping it from overworking.
4) Seal Ducts and Insulate Your Home
Properly sealed ductwork and sufficient insulation are crucial for preventing heat loss in your home. By ensuring that your ducts are airtight and your home is adequately insulated, you reduce the workload on your HVAC system, enhancing its overall efficiency and longevity.
5) Keep Vents and Registers Clear
For even heat distribution throughout your home, it’s important to regularly check and clear your vents and registers of any obstructions. This ensures that heated air can circulate freely, minimizing strain on your furnace.
6) Call for Repairs Right Away
Ignoring furnace issues can lead to more significant and costly problems down the road. It’s crucial to address any malfunctions or irregularities as soon as you spot them. Timely repairs can prevent minor issues from escalating into major ones, ultimately extending the lifespan of a furnace.
7) Consider a Programmable Thermostat
Investing in a programmable thermostat offers precise control over your heating schedule. This upgrade allows you to optimize heating cycles, reducing unnecessary operation and conserving energy. Programmable thermostats can contribute to your comfort and extend the average life expectancy of your furnace.
8) Invest in Professional Installation
When it comes to installing a new furnace, entrust the task to experienced and certified HVAC technicians. Proper installation is fundamental to the furnace’s performance and lifespan. Skilled professionals ensure that your new furnace is correctly sized, connected, and calibrated for optimal efficiency and safety.
Benefits of Regular Furnace Maintenance and Timely Furnace Repairs
Regular furnace maintenance and timely repairs are key for ensuring the efficient and trouble-free operation of your heating system. Here are some invaluable benefits of staying on top of these crucial tasks:
- Enhanced Energy Efficiency: Furnaces that receive routine maintenance operate more efficiently. Dirty or malfunctioning components can force your furnace to work harder, leading to increased energy consumption and higher energy bills.
- Improved Indoor Air Quality: Regular furnace maintenance includes cleaning and inspecting the components of your heating system, including air filters.
- Enhanced Safety: Gas furnaces in particular receive a comprehensive safety check to ensure that there are no leaks or issues with the combustion process. Detecting and addressing safety concerns promptly prevents the risk of carbon monoxide leaks, which can be life-threatening.
- Consistent Heating: A well-maintained furnace provides consistent and reliable heating throughout your home. You won’t have to worry about sudden breakdowns or uneven heating during the cold winter months.
- Lower Repair Costs: Regular maintenance helps identify and address minor issues before they turn into major and expensive problems. By addressing these issues early on -especially any with your heat exchanger or blower motor- you can avoid costly emergency repairs or even the need for a full system replacement.
- Warranty Compliance: Many furnace manufacturers require a furnace tune-up to keep warranties valid. Neglecting maintenance can void your warranty, leaving you responsible for the full cost of any repairs or replacements.
Trust Top Notch For All Your Furnace Needs
Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has been serving residential and commercial customers since 1974. Our team of experienced HVAC system professionals is well-equipped to handle all your gas and electric furnace needs, including:
- Furnace Installation and Replacement: We install and replace a wide variety of high-efficiency furnaces for homeowners in Kansas City, Overland Park, Lenexa, and more. Our team of experienced technicians will remove your old furnace and ensure that your new furnace is installed correctly, guaranteeing optimal performance for your home.
- Furnace Repairs: If your furnace is experiencing issues, our technicians are equipped with the necessary expertise to diagnose and address them promptly. We have experience working with all manufacturers and models, allowing us to handle minor or major repairs with ease.
- Furnace Maintenance: We recommend scheduling annual furnace tune-ups with our team to ensure that your system is running smoothly and efficiently. You can make maintenance easier by signing up for our VIP Priority Club, which offers benefits such as scheduled maintenance reminders, discounts on parts, labor, and equipment, a 1-year repair warranty, and priority service for emergency heating and cooling repairs.
Schedule Your Appointment With Us Today
For all your heating and cooling requirements, Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is at your service. Apart from helping extend the lifespan of a furnace, we also provide air conditioning, indoor air quality, and plumbing solutions, making us your one-stop shop for HVAC and home maintenance services in the Kansas City area.
Get in touch with us today to arrange an appointment and guarantee year-round comfort for your home.
