How Long Do Furnaces Last? Experts Weigh In.
An HVAC system is a major investment for homeowners. When you invest in a new furnace, you want reassurance that you won’t have to replace it any time in the near future.
Some HVAC companies in Portsmouth, VA, use phrases like “built to last” and “built tough” to let customers know that they will be in good hands for a long time when purchasing a furnace.
What exactly do “built to last” and “built tough” mean, though? How long does a furnace last?
The Expected Lifespan of a Furnace
The average lifespan of furnaces is usually 15 to 20 years. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there will always be units that come in at both sides of that average. While some units can last 25 or even 30 years, it’s not common. By the same token, a furnace could quit for good at the nine- or ten-year mark.
The lifespan of a furnace in Portsmouth (or anywhere, for that matter) is dependent upon more than just how tough it is. It also depends on whether the furnace is the appropriate size for the building it heats and the homeowner’s habits. These are two very important factors we’ll discuss later in the article.
How Furnace Repair, Longevity, and Maintenance Are Related
Like most other types of systems, furnaces will become less efficient over time and eventually wear out. If you’ve ever spent time searching “HVAC repair near me” online, you know this all too well. Regular maintenance is critical for lengthening the life of any system, including your furnace.
Maintenance and Longevity
Scheduled tune-ups once or twice each year can reveal many minor issues before they turn into big, expensive problems that threaten the lifespan of your system. Undetected corrosion can lead to fire threats and carbon monoxide leaks. Routine maintenance also keeps the system in prime working condition by limiting the dust and debris that can collect within it.
When systems aren’t regularly maintained and debris collects in the mechanisms of a furnace, those components wear out quickly. The furnace has to work harder and harder to produce air at the temperature set by the thermostat. The longer it has to work harder, the faster it wears out, and you’ll be calling for furnace repair in Portsmouth sooner than you expected to.
Repairs and Longevity
If you don’t properly maintain your unit, you’ll likely need to deal with furnace repair every now and then, whether your unit has trouble with the compressor, the ball bearings, the blower belt, or the filters. If you don’t deal with the repairs right away, the issues may spread and affect the unit at large, cutting years and years off your furnace’s lifespan.
Furnace Repair Won’t Help an Oversized or Undersized Unit
The “life” of a furnace begins the day it’s installed. Hopefully, a properly sized unit arrives at your door. Many people might think “the bigger, the better” when it comes to sizing a furnace. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
If a furnace is too small for a home or building, it won’t last long. Why? The small unit will need to work much harder and longer to deliver the desired heat throughout a home. The excess strain of having to operate for longer cycles will cause it to wear out faster. Basically, your unit will constantly overwork until it breaks down.
Are you familiar with the term “short cycling”? When an HVAC system short cycles, it kicks on and off much more often than it should. Overly large furnaces will do just that一deliver a large amount of air too quickly, then shut off within minutes. Similarly, a furnace that is too large for the home in which it works will also wear out too soon. Over time, this constant “on again, off again” will chip away at the life expectancy of a unit.
Reducing Strain on Your Furnace
In addition to having regular maintenance performed by an expert technician, there are other things you can do to help extend the life of your furnace by reducing the strain it’s under.
Allowing hot air to escape the house doesn’t help the furnace! Seal any drafts you may notice at doors and windows, and check to make sure your home has enough insulation in accessible areas. In addition, installing a smart thermostat will help reduce the workload of your furnace by keeping a more steady temperature in the home.
Maintain Your Unit for Longevity
To schedule a regular furnace tune-up or repair, contact Energy Pro Heating & Cooling. Our services extend to Suffolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, VA, and all surrounding areas. Contact us today for all of your heating and cooling needs.