How Long Will a Furnace Last?

As the cold weather arrives in the Chicagoland area and you get ready to turn on your trusted old furnace, you may be wondering just how many heating seasons it has left. The short answer is approximately 20 years. But the answer is really more complicated and depends on many variables. Some of these factors include how well-made the furnace is and whether it is a lower-cost or more expensive higher-end model. If it's a lower-cost furnace, it may be ready for replacement in as little as 8 years.

Thankfully, many of the factors that determine how long a furnace will last are under your control. The most important thing you can do is have your furnace professionally maintained every year. This will not only make the furnace last longer, it will help it operate more efficiently and reduce the cost of unexpected repairs.

Because most gas furnace parts can be replaced as they wear out, it's usually a good idea to repair the unit as parts wear out. The one part that usually ends the life of a furnace is the heat exchanger. Constant heating and cooling will eventually cause the heat exchanger to rust out or crack, leading to failure. With new gas furnaces operating at much higher efficiency than units made just 10 years ago, replacing the furnace may be more cost-effective in the long run when compared to the repair cost of keeping a 10-15 year old furnace running.

Have questions about your furnace? Give ABC Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, Cooling and Electric a call, we're here to help.