Furnace Life
Typically, a forced-air gas furnace can be expected to last from 15 to 20 years. Some experts give a range of 13 to 25 years, since variables like size, efficiency and maintenance affect system life. Scheduling regular maintenance, changing the filter as needed and controlling the moisture level in your home can extend the life of your furnace. Equipment that is not correctly sized for your home, or systems that are not used or maintained properly, won’t last as long as they should.
When considering the life expectancy of your furnace, you are really focusing on the life of the heat exchanger itself. Typically a forced-air heat exchanger can be expected to last between 15 and 20 years. Ultimately, heat exchangers fail because of the constant heating and cooling. Cracking and rusting are signs of a failing heat exchanger. Often a part replacement can improve performance. However, depending on the nature of the problem(s) being experienced, a complete upgrade might be warranted.
You Deserve Comfort
Your furnace may not be bad just because it is old. If it has been well maintained, it may function without problems. However, replacing an old furnace with about 60 percent efficiency with one of the newer 95 percent efficient units may save you hundreds of heating dollars a year. A heating professional can help you decide if this is a good choice for you.