We’ve made it through Christmas, but that doesn’t mean the cold season is behind us.
Your furnace still has to get you through the next several months, and if it has seen better days, you might be nervously asking yourself this question, “How long does a furnace last?”
We’ve put together this guide to help you figure out if it’s time to replace your system or if a simple repair will be enough to keep it going. Read on to learn more.
How Long Does a Furnace Last?
Oil furnaces can last a long time, especially if you maintain them.
You might have a 10-year warranty on your furnace, but that doesn’t reflect the lifespan. In fact, most oil furnaces can last 20 or even 25 years.
Depending on your circumstances, though, you may need to replace your oil furnace much sooner than this, and you can definitely expect to make a few repairs along the way.
However, if you keep your furnace in good condition, it should last for at least 15 years.
Signs You Need to Repair Your Furnace
Just because something goes wrong with your oil furnace doesn’t mean you have to replace the entire thing. Sometimes a simple repair is enough to get it working again.
It’s Still Young
If your furnace is still on the young side, a repair should be able to get it back up and running for years to come. You should almost never need to replace a young furnace (but of course, this depends on your specific circumstances).
It Makes Strange Sounds
Furnaces make noise, but that noise shouldn’t be loud, inconsistent, or unusual. These sounds mean something’s not working right inside your furnace.
Sometimes these strange sounds can be signs of serious problems (which we’ll talk about below), but most of the time, it means your furnace needs a repair or two.
Your Windows Are Covered in Condensation
The insides of your windows shouldn’t be covered in condensation first thing in the morning, especially if you have double-glazed windows.
Condensation isn’t necessarily a sign that your furnace isn’t working, but it’s a good idea to call a professional repair technician and have them come take a look at your system.
It Has Trouble Starting
If your furnace won’t turn on, there might be something wrong with your system’s safety controls. An electrical surge in your home can also cause your furnace to shut down. A simple repair should fix the problem.
It Keeps Turning Off
Sometimes getting your furnace to turn on isn’t the problem, but getting it to stay on is a whole other story. When this happens, your furnace is short cycling, meaning it turns off before your home has reached the desired temperature.
You won’t be able to enjoy a warm home until you schedule a repair.
Your House Doesn’t Get or Stay Warm
If your furnace isn’t warming up your home, something is not working right. But this doesn’t mean it’s time for a full replacement. It does mean you should call a professional repair technician.
The Airflow Is Weak
Can you barely feel the air blowing out of your vents? This is most likely the fault of weak airflow.
This might not seem like a big issue, but it can cause all kinds of problems to your system if you don’t take care of it. Make sure you schedule a repair right away.
Signs You Need to Replace Your Furnace
Sometimes a repair isn’t enough to save your furnace. At some point, you’ll save money by replacing your furnace instead of dealing with repair after repair.
Here are a few signs it’s time to get a replacement.
It’s Getting Old
Is your furnace reaching the end of its days? If your furnace is already 19 years old and needs a new repair, it might be worth investing a bit more money in a new system. More than likely your new furnace will be much more efficient and thus save money on heating costs.
It’s Seen Better Days
As your furnace gets older, it might develop damages like cracks and rust, and it might start blowing this rust and other dust into the air every time you turn on the heat.
If this happens, your furnace probably won’t last much longer.
Your Energy Bill Is on the Rise
The older your furnace gets, the more energy it will need to keep running. This means your energy bill will start to rise, which can add more than just a few dollars to your expenses every month.
Replacing your furnace with a new system can actually help you save money in the long run.
Your Home Heats Uneavenly
Your furnace should heat every room in your home at the same rate. If some rooms warm up faster than others, your furnace might be too old to push the heat evenly throughout your house. And a repair might not be enough to fix the problem.
It’s Making Loud, Scary Sounds
Remember, while you can fix some sounds with a repair, there are some sounds that mean your furnace has become dangerous.
For example, a loud bang, like a gunshot, means too much gas has built up inside your system. This can cause the gas to explode when you turn on the furnace, which can harm your home or your family.
It Requires a Lot of Repairs
You should expect to make some repairs to your furnace over the years, but you shouldn’t have to spend money on repairs very often. If your furnace has a new problem every year, it might be time to buy a replacement.
When to Repair or Replace Your Oil Furnace
So how long does a furnace last? It should last you at least 15 years, but if you don’t keep up with the maintenance, you might find yourself replacing your system much sooner than that.
Do you need help with a furnace repair?
We can help! Make sure you get in touch with us today!
