How Long Do Furnaces Last?

Winter Chills in Phoenix

One of the most common questions our Howard Air & Plumbing team gets is “How long do furnaces last?” Here in Arizona, most people know a good amount about their air conditioner; after all, it’s what gets us all through those blazing summers. However, desert dwellers often take less time to think about their gas furnace and the heat it produces. Although the Valley of the Sun is known for generally mild winters, temperatures can still get pretty chilly. Especially in the months of December, January, and February, you will find yourself reaching for the thermostat to turn up the heat a bit.

How Healthy is Your Furnace?

The middle of a 30-degree night is certainly not the time to realize there isn’t any warm air coming out of your vents, and you don’t want to find yourself bundled in blankets, wondering, “How long does a furnace last, anyway?” So, here is some basic information about your furnace lifespan, so you can be prepared to enjoy our wonderful winters in toasty comfort.

• The average age of a gas furnace is between 15 and 20 years, though it can vary significantly. Although you may have friends or family that brag about their 30-year old furnace that is in apparently perfect health, know that the average furnace starts to show signs of age around the 16-year mark. If yours is approaching this point, it’s time to start looking into replacing it.
• Just because your older furnace is working, doesn’t mean it’s running efficiently. Older furnaces might still put out warm air, but will do so inefficiently, using a lot of energy and fuel. Soot buildup is another side effect of older, less efficient furnaces.
• A variety of factors can affect the health of your furnace. A lot depends on the quality of your particular furnace model, with some able to reach old age more successfully than others. Also, whether or not your furnace is properly sized for you home can play a big part.
• There are steps you can take to extend your furnace’s lifespan. One of the most important things you can do is make sure you have a regular furnace tune up at least once a year, performed by a professional technician. Consistent maintenance is a simple way to help your furnace live a long, happy life.

Tune-Up with Howard Air & Plumbing

Now that you know a little more about your home’s furnace, you can take steps to make sure it performs properly throughout its life, and you know when it’s time to trade it in for a new model. If you would are looking for a professional, knowledgeable team to perform a furnace tune up or help you select a new furnace, contact Howard Air & Plumbing today.

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